The Sand Village squad did not linger after leaving the Kingdom of Loulan. Moving at full speed, they returned directly to Sunagakure, arriving at the Kazekage Building.
The scrolls and documents they carried were placed neatly on the desk as the Third Kazekage reviewed them in silence.
After a long while, he finished reading and let out a quiet sigh.
"The mission failed," he said calmly.
"But fortunately, it did not escalate into a major conflict. Let's leave the matter at that."
"Kazekage-sama!" Rasa blurted out, unable to accept it. "You're really just… letting it go? Then what about Jōnin Karura?! That's—"
"Rasa."
The Third Kazekage stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to the two of them, his voice cold.
"Your actions were far too impulsive."
"Before you departed, didn't I make myself clear?"
"No matter what happens—do not initiate combat lightly."
"But—"
"But they struck first," Pakura interjected, clearly dissatisfied.
The Third Kazekage glanced back briefly, then turned his gaze toward the village below.
"He never intended to kill you."
"You said it yourself—his taijutsu speed was terrifying. A single strike, then instantly returning to his original position."
"With that kind of speed… do you really believe he couldn't have killed you?"
"T-That…" Rasa faltered, then lowered his head in silence.
"That is why," the Kazekage continued,
"he spared you—for Sunagakure's sake."
"Even if he had killed you,"
"do you truly believe our village has the authority to start a war?"
"The last Great Ninja War ended not long ago. Our shinobi haven't fully recovered, and border tensions with other nations remain unresolved."
"The correct decision," he said flatly,
"was to withdraw and avoid conflict."
He turned slightly.
"Tell me—can the village go to war over the reckless actions of a few individuals?"
Pakura also fell silent.
If Sunagakure had overwhelming strength, if it didn't need to fear ambushes or sieges from other nations, then perhaps a small country dependent on the Wind Country would not dare act so boldly.
But reality was not so kind.
"Pakura," the Third Kazekage said,
"return and rest for a day. Then prepare for your next mission."
"Take this cooperation document I've signed, make a copy, and deliver it to the Queen of Loulan."
"Tell her… that we look forward to continued cooperation."
"Yes!" Pakura bowed deeply.
The Kazekage glanced at Rasa, who still had his head lowered.
"Rasa. Take some time off as well. Your ANBU duties can wait. Adjust your mindset first."
"Yes!"
Everything unfolded exactly as Kaito had predicted.
Sunagakure did not dare go to war.
Without absolute certainty, no great nation would ever choose open conflict lightly.
Just as Kirigakure once attacked the Land of Whirlpools, it did so only after coordinating with Kumogakure—spreading the burden of war to prevent Konoha from intervening directly.
If smaller nations could be dragged in, all the better.
But the smaller nations were already drowning in the fires of multi-national conflict.
Kumogakure's repeated border raids during the Second Great Ninja War had also weakened Iwagakure, indirectly enabling Iwa's later attack on Konoha.
Time passed.
Somewhere near Tanigawa Town, within the borders of the Land of Rice Fields, a forest along the main road—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"I heard this village made a small fortune because of their daughter," someone said.
"They're getting richer by the day."
"Isn't that what our Night Crow Bandit Group does?" another laughed.
"Steal from the rich and give to ourselves!"
"This time, we'll teach them what happens when wealth is exposed."
"Hyaa—!"
"Boss!" ×N
On the forest road, a middle-aged man pulled on his reins and addressed his men.
"Remember this," he said.
"We only want money. Not lives."
"But if someone refuses to cooperate…"
A vicious grin crept onto his face.
"Then don't blame us for being ruthless."
"Yeah!" ×N
Night gradually fell, darkness swallowing the road.
The bandit group numbered over fifty men—tall, short, fat, thin—armed with short blades, bows, curved swords, and more.
Their target was obvious.
After receiving financial support from Kaito, Guren's family had gradually improved their situation. Inspired by Guren's letters describing the outside world, they organized neighbors into a mutual-aid group.
Eventually, they built a modest but distinctive snack street.
After the war, passing ninja, merchants, and travelers began stopping by to restock supplies.
Business flourished.
The little street even caught the attention of Tanigawa Town's lord.
A commercial area that thrived without entering the city naturally siphoned away local profits.
That was unacceptable.
And so, the nameless snack street—and its residents—were marked.
Bandits never left anything behind.
Under the moonlight, the forest-surrounded village glowed with life.
A small generator hummed softly, electric lights illuminating wooden houses once steeped in poverty.
Food carts lined the front of each home.
Bottled water, bread, skewers, fried snacks, handmade trinkets—
With money in their pockets and identity forming, this village was on its way to becoming something akin to a Fire Country backstreet district.
But—
Its growth had made it a target.
Peace after war did not mean darkness vanished.
"Brother Hongye," a black-haired youth asked between breaths, holding a stack of Red Street specialty pancakes with an egg on top,
"aren't you afraid of being robbed?"
He hadn't eaten in days.
Afraid to enter the city, he drifted from place to place—still thinking like a loyal shinobi.
Then he found this road: no registration, lodging available, and plans underway to become a daimyo-protected street.
"Red Street."
"We're afraid," Hongye admitted.
"But the war just ended. If we work hard and save up, we'll gain official protection soon."
A certified commercial street paid taxes—and gained the daimyo's shield.
Bandits wouldn't dare touch it.
"Sounds great," the youth said, thumbs up while chewing.
"I'm sure Brother Hongye and Sister Mumei will succeed."
The youth's name was Morino Yūgetsu.
Mumei smiled gently as she wiped sweat from her brow. Hongye quickly handed her a cloth, their quiet affection making Yūgetsu avert his gaze.
So peaceful…
If Kōshi and the captain were still alive, maybe I'd be here with them too.
But—
There was no going back.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Movement echoed from the forest.
Figures emerged—faces masked, dressed in black, weapons in hand.
At the front stood a middle-aged man with an unmarked forehead protector.
"We are the Night Crow Bandit Group!"
"Hand over your money, food, and valuables!"
"Comply, and we won't take your lives!"
Tables were kicked over. Travelers fled.
The bandits ignored them—only the villagers mattered.
A skinny swordsman strode up to Hongye's stall.
"Didn't you hear me? Hand over the money!"
He glanced at Mumei trembling in Hongye's arms and grinned.
"Nice wife. Forget the money—how about I—"
Tap.
A horse stopped behind him.
"Did you not understand my orders, Kodaka?" the leader said coldly.
"Y-Yes!" Kodaka shuddered.
"Nikaidō…" Yūgetsu muttered. "I've heard that name."
Nikaidō dismounted, eyeing Yūgetsu's scratched Konoha headband.
"A Leaf traitor," he concluded, ignoring him afterward.
"Hand over the money," he told Hongye.
"I'll let you leave."
"And our home?!" Hongye demanded.
Silence.
"Take your earnings," Nikaidō said at last.
"Then leave. I'll allow you some food."
"Ah—right," Yūgetsu snapped his fingers.
"You used to be from Kumogakure, didn't you?"
Nikaidō loosened the weights on his wrists.
"For survival," he replied flatly.
Lightning crackled.
"If this is your last speech—prepare to die."
Yūgetsu dodged desperately.
He was outmatched.
A lightning-charged kunai pierced through his hostage instead—blood sprayed.
In the next instant—
Boom.
Yūgetsu was struck in the abdomen.
Darkness swallowed him.
"Konoha's Will of Fire?" Nikaidō scoffed.
"This isn't the Land of Fire."
The looting began.
Screams echoed.
A girl was grabbed—
Swish!
A kunai sliced off the attacker's ear.
"I said," Nikaidō growled,
"take money—not lives."
"Burn the houses after you're done," he ordered calmly.
"Leave them some food."
"Yes!" ×N
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