The wind and sand gradually subsided, and the setting sun dyed the entire desert red.
Chiya brought the people of Loran to an oasis nearest to the ruins of Loran.
Clear water flowed between the sand dunes, the shadows of palm trees slanting on the water's surface, finally giving these people who had lost their homes a moment to catch their breath.
Sara stood by the spring water, looking at Loran in the distance that had turned to ruins, a trace of sorrow flashing through her eyes.
Chiya walked to her side and asked in a low voice.
"What are your plans next?"
Sara was silent for a moment, finally raising her head, her gaze determined.
"I want to take them to the Land of Fire."
Chiya raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Sara explained.
"The Land of Fire is the most prosperous nation in the ninja world, with abundant resources, a good environment, relatively stable... and also..."
She paused, looking at Chiya with gentle eyes.
"You're there."
The corner of Chiya's mouth rose slightly as he nodded.
"Going to the Land of Fire, no problem. I have connections there. Settling you all won't be difficult."
The person Chiya thought of was naturally Tsunade.
She was the princess of the Land of Fire and also Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, with a noble status.
With her stepping forward, things would naturally be resolved smoothly.
However, if the higher-ups of the Land of Fire dared to refuse.
Then he'd just have to use Susano'o to teach them a good lesson...
Chiya took out a summoning scroll from his ninja pouch, quickly wrote a few lines, then formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Poof!"
White smoke dispersed, and a Konoha messenger hawk spread its wings and rose, its sharp gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing on Chiya's hand.
Chiya tied the scroll to its leg and said in a low voice.
"Deliver to Konoha."
The hawk cried out and shot into the sky, quickly disappearing on the distant horizon.
"Rest well for now. When the time is right, we'll leave the Land of Wind together. I've already notified Konoha to send people to the border!"
Chiya put away the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the exhausted people of Loran.
They sat or lay down, some caring for injured relatives, others silently crying.
"These comforting tasks, I'll leave to you, Your Majesty the Queen!"
Hearing "Your Majesty the Queen," Sara was stunned.
After a long while.
It seemed she had made a decision in her heart.
She suddenly stood up and came to stand directly in front of Chiya.
Her gaze burned as she looked at him.
"Lord Chiya!"
"Hm?"
"I want you to be my king..."
Sara spoke haltingly, her face growing redder and redder, but her eyes became increasingly serious and determined.
"Is that okay?"
Chiya looked at Sara, whose face was full of anxiety.
Is this the queen's unique way of confessing?
Chiya smiled.
He reached out and ruffled her hair.
"It would be my honor!"
Joy slowly appeared on Sara's face.
"Thank you!"
As the words fell, she threw herself directly into Chiya's embrace, moved to tears for a moment.
"Chiya, I've finally waited for you.
Once I've settled the people of Loran, I'll come find you in Konoha!"
"Mm."
However.
Just at this moment.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle..."
Faint footsteps came from all directions. Chiya's eyes narrowed.
He slowly released Sara.
"What's wrong?"
Sara felt Chiya's movement and also released Chiya.
Following Chiya's gaze, she looked into the distance.
Her heart tightened. Could there be some situation?
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Very quickly.
Dozens of figures leaped out from behind the sand dunes, surrounding the oasis in an encirclement!
They wore Sunagakure forehead protectors, held kunai, their eyes vigilant and cold.
"Sunagakure patrol team?"
Chiya narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the lead ninja.
A stern-faced middle-aged man with a scar on his forehead, clearly a battle-hardened elite.
"Who are you?!"
The Sunagakure captain shouted sternly.
"This is within the Land of Wind's borders. How did you get in!"
The people of Loran clustered together in panic.
Sara swallowed, her face showing tension.
"Are they... friend or foe?"
Chiya didn't answer. He took two steps forward, standing before everyone.
Coldly staring at the Sunagakure group.
When several ninjas snorted coldly and quickly walked toward Chiya.
Chiya looked at them, and the chakra on his body suddenly erupted.
An extremely strong air current immediately surged toward the opposite side.
The Sunagakure ninjas before Chiya were instantly thrown to the ground.
The Sunagakure ninjas seeing such a scene.
Instinctively stepped back half a step, cold sweat sliding down.
"This guy... is so strong!"
The lead captain gritted his teeth, forcibly steadying his mind. Looking at the group on this side, he raised his hand and waved.
"Swish!"
All the Suna-nin instantly dispersed, kunai and shuriken all aimed at Chiya. Battle was about to break out!
Just at this critical moment.
"Stop!"
A cool female voice suddenly rang out.
The Sunagakure ninjas' movements froze, and they all turned around.
Chiya's eyebrow slightly raised, his gaze crossing the crowd and landing on that familiar figure.
Pakura.
She was still in Sunagakure attire.
Her white cape fluttered in the wind, her brown hair tied in a ponytail, heroic and spirited.
Only those eyes were now looking at Chiya with complexity.
"Lady Pakura?!"
The Sunagakure captain was stunned, then noticing Pakura's gaze was directed at Chiya, he frowned.
"Do you know this person?"
Pakura didn't answer, only slowly walked toward Chiya.
The Sunagakure ninjas exchanged glances, but no one dared obstruct her.
She stopped before Chiya, and the two locked eyes.
For a long time.
Only then did Pakura softly speak.
"We... meet again."
The corner of Chiya's mouth rose slightly.
"Seems we're quite fated."
Pakura snorted coldly and rolled her eyes.
She proudly raised her head, her beautiful swan-like neck white as jade.
When her gaze swept over Sara behind Chiya and the people of Loran in the distance, her brows furrowed slightly.
"Who are these people?"
"Their country was destroyed. I'm planning to take them to the Land of Fire."
Chiya said lightly.
Pakura was silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons.
However, this scene.
Made the Sunagakure captain from earlier unable to hold back. He said sternly.
"Lady Pakura! These people's origins are still unknown. How can you..."
"Shut up."
Pakura glanced at him coldly.
"I'm in charge here."
The captain's face stiffened, displeasure flashing in his eyes.
But in the end, he didn't dare speak again.
Pakura coughed once, looking back at Chiya, and said in a low voice.
"The situation inside the Land of Wind is tense right now. With so many of you moving together, you'll easily be taken as spies."
Chiya shrugged.
"So?"
Pakura took a deep breath, as if making some kind of resolution.
"I'll personally escort you out of the Land of Wind."
As soon as these words came out, the Sunagakure ninjas instantly erupted in uproar!
"Lady Pakura! This isn't according to rules!"
"They're going to the Land of Fire!"
"We Sunagakure are also one of the Five Great Hidden Villages. How can Lady Pakura lower herself to help these people go to the Land of Fire?!"
"..."
Pakura turned back, coldly sweeping her gaze over everyone.
"I said, I'm in charge here."
Pakura's killing intent-filled gaze immediately made these ninjas shut their mouths.
Chiya watched her with interest.
"You're sure?"
"What, don't you trust me?"
Chiya smiled.
"No, I'm just curious... why are you helping me?"
Pakura was silent for a moment, then turned her face away.
"Why so many questions?! Are you accepting or not?"
Chiya looked at her somewhat angry expression and smiled.
"Then let's go."
Pakura nodded, turning to order the Sunagakure ninjas.
"Stand down. All of you retreat."
The Suna-nin border captain's face became increasingly gloomy, but in the end he didn't dare disobey orders. He could only grit his teeth and wave his hand.
"Retreat!"
The Sunagakure ninjas quickly withdrew.
But Chiya could feel that captain's gaze toward Pakura was still filled with hostility.
It seems Sunagakure internally... isn't very peaceful!
Pakura walked to Chiya's side and said in a low voice.
"We need to hurry. The border patrol isn't just one team."
Chiya nodded, turning to say to Sara and the people of Loran.
"Prepare to depart."
Sara looked at Pakura, then at Chiya, and finally nodded gently.
"I'll mobilize them!"
Sara quickly walked toward the people of Loran.
The setting sun completely sank below the horizon, and night fell.
Under Pakura's lead.
The group finally set out on the road to the Land of Fire...
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