The Land of Wind was plagued by sandstorms, sparse cities, and low population density.
If there was one nation among the Five Great Countries most desperate to seize land and population—
It was the Land of Wind.
They truly had no choice.
"Living in a place like this… really isn't easy," Arin said as he stepped out of the carriage.
Before him stretched an endless sea of golden sand.
Under the blazing sun, the entire caravan grew unbearably hot.
Yet at night—
It felt like winter, freezing to the bone.
Ever since entering the Land of Wind—
The entire convoy had become tense and silent.
Their carriage trailed at the rear.
Up front—
Even the rogue ninja escorts had stopped slacking, hands gripping their weapons tightly.
Most bandits gathered near the border of the Land of Wind.
The Land of Waterfall was small, and its hidden village wasn't weak—
Few dared act there.
But the Land of Wind was different.
Its vast territory and scattered cities made it impossible for Sunagakure to control everything.
And the country itself lacked proper defenses.
The poverty of the Land of Wind—
Wasn't just limited to its ninja village.
Even the Daimyō was poor.
When funding for Sunagakure was cut—
It wasn't necessarily dissatisfaction.
Sometimes—
There was simply no money.
So bandits preferred to strike within the Land of Wind.
"They're coming," Arin said, looking into the distance.
A black line approached rapidly.
"They're here!!" someone shouted.
The merchant boss turned pale.
"How could this happen? I bought the safe route!"
This trip—
Was his entire fortune.
If it failed—
He wouldn't survive the consequences.
Gritting his teeth, he could only place his hopes on the ninja he had hired.
Soon—
The figures drew close.
A group of fierce-looking rogue ninja.
Arin, however, had a different thought:
"So… they couldn't afford horses?"
After all—
Desert bandits were usually mounted.
"Haitouza."
"Yes!"
Haitouza instantly understood.
He leapt forward, flipping midair and landing before the group.
The merchant's face lit up with hope.
That Konoha headband—
Symbolized a great ninja village.
"Everyone, support that lord!!" the merchant shouted.
"No need," Haitouza said coldly.
He raised both hands toward the incoming bandits.
The merchant froze.
"My lord, they have far more numbers—"
Haitouza answered with action.
Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!!
Blue chakra bullets fired from his hands like a machine gun.
The bandits collapsed one after another.
The chakra bullets—
Like a reaper's scythe—
Harvested lives with ruthless efficiency.
Everyone stared in shock.
The bandits, realizing the situation, tried to flee.
Hyuga Sora leapt high into the air.
His arms began rotating—
Faster and faster.
The motion grew so large it exposed the spider tattoo on his neck—Number 5.
"Eight Trigrams: Rotation—Air Palm!!"
He struck out with a single palm.
An air cannon surged forward—
Crashing into the fleeing bandits.
Blood sprayed.
Limbs flew.
Under their combined assault—
Not a single bandit survived.
Many in the caravan turned pale.
"So this… is the strength of a great ninja village?"
Some murmured in awe.
They had thought—
The gap wasn't that big.
Reality proved otherwise.
Haitouza and Sora returned calmly to Arin's carriage.
The merchant finally snapped out of it.
"Move! What are you standing around for? You don't want your pay?!"
His voice trembled slightly.
The caravan continued forward.
…
Gegelei, Land of Wind.
Compared to the barren sands—
The city's stone structures carried a hint of exotic charm.
"Young master, there are Sunagakure ninja hiding ahead," Sora said.
"Proceed as normal," Arin replied.
Their identities were flawless.
Through Root's resources—
Arin was now a wealthy noble traveling for leisure.
With two Konoha ninja as escorts.
At the city gate—
A few soldiers stood guard.
They didn't stop entrants.
There weren't many people to begin with—
Blocking entry would only make it worse.
Besides—
They weren't the real guards.
The real watchers—
Were the hidden Sand ninja.
At that moment—
Two Sand ninja appeared, blocking the carriage.
"My lord, they're with us—" the merchant hurried forward.
"No need," Arin lifted the curtain, smiling faintly.
"I assume you're here to ask a few questions?"
The Sand ninja ignored him—
Their gaze locked onto Haitouza and Sora.
"Konoha ninja… why are you here?"
Their tone carried clear hostility.
The wounds of the Second Great Ninja War—
Had not healed.
Sunagakure still deeply resented Konoha.
"These are our cross-border permits."
Sora and Haitouza presented their documents.
To operate in another country—
Official approval was required.
The Land of Wind rarely rejected such requests.
The Sand ninja's expression darkened.
They stared at the two Konoha ninja—
But ultimately did nothing.
They turned and left.
"We've been noticed," Machi said calmly.
"Doesn't matter."
Arin opened a folding fan, covering half his face.
"That's exactly what I want."
Machi's instincts told her—
Something was about to happen.
But she couldn't figure out what.
"Let's go. Into the city."
…
Arin truly behaved like a tourist—
Wandering the streets leisurely.
Sora and Haitouza stayed close at all times.
The presence of two Konoha ninja—
Drew the Sand ninja's full attention.
Compared to others—
These two were their primary concern.
Given the chance—
They would absolutely strike.
Hatred like this didn't fade easily.
Yet Arin's group showed no abnormalities—
Simply sightseeing.
Which only made the Sand ninja grind their teeth in frustration.
…
Meanwhile—
Arin, disguised as an ordinary middle-aged man—
Left through the city gates.
"They shouldn't notice… right?"
He stroked his chin.
Then turned—
Looking toward another direction.
That direction—
Led to Sunagakure.
Gegelei was the closest city to the Hidden Sand Village.
✨ Bonus Chapter Goals ✨
10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read all 420 chapters (Complete Story ) ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/CanonBreaker