Sunagakure was built within a vast desert.
Arin crouched atop a sand dune, observing the village in the distance through his Byakugan.
At the entrance—
Numerous guards patrolled.
A direct assault was impossible.
"…Would be a waste to come all this way and only take the Kazekage."
Though—
He still wasn't entirely sure he could win.
Arin clicked his tongue.
His body slowly sank into the shadows.
Inside the Shadow World—
Lush forests stretched endlessly.
A massive fox, the size of a small mountain, glanced at Arin—
Then closed its eyes again.
No point resisting.
Better to pretend he didn't exist.
Arin looked up.
The sky reflected the real world.
Using that reflection as a guide—
He moved toward Sunagakure.
Without it—
Navigating this space would be nearly impossible.
Sunagakure bustled with activity—
Even more lively than the nearby city.
Arin emerged from the shadows in a narrow alley.
Darkness clung to his body.
He scanned the surroundings with his Byakugan—
No one noticed.
Sunagakure was strict on the outside—
But loose within.
With so many civilians—
Surveillance wasn't airtight.
"Byakugan."
His vision expanded—
Encompassing the entire village.
Soon—
He locked onto a target.
"Found you."
The Third Kazekage sat in his office, processing documents.
Three years had passed since the war—
Yet Sunagakure had not recovered.
They had suffered heavy losses—
Though not as severe as Konoha, which had fought multiple fronts.
Sunagakure's main enemies had been Iwagakure and Konoha—
While also guarding against Kirigakure from the sea.
Yes—
The Land of Wind had a coastline.
But it wasn't under Sunagakure's control.
That region—
Was likely the Daimyō's only real source of income.
And he held it tightly.
The real problem now—
Was money.
Despite holding off Iwa and Kiri—
They had failed to seize territory from Konoha.
Worse—
They suffered heavy losses on that front.
Their puppet corps had been annihilated by the White Fang.
The Daimyō was deeply dissatisfied—
And had reduced funding.
Now—
Sunagakure faced a financial crisis.
Unlike Konoha or Iwa—
They had few clients.
Their income came mainly from the Daimyō—
And limited mercenary work.
But the Land of Wind had few merchants.
Most wealth flowed to the Lands of Earth and Fire.
"Money!!"
The Third Kazekage groaned.
This—
Was the village's greatest problem.
Occasionally—
He used Magnet Release to extract gold from the desert.
But his control over gold wasn't ideal.
The yield was limited.
"I remember a new Magnet Release user appeared… No, I must train him to focus on gold."
Only then—
Could they ease their financial strain.
Just as he was thinking—
His expression changed.
"Who's there?!"
"Oh? Kazekage-sama."
Arin stepped out from the shadows, smiling.
"Nice to meet you."
Whoosh!
Black iron sand shot forward—
Piercing through Arin's body.
"An assassin? Quite bold."
The Kazekage sneered.
Iron sand swirled around him, forming a defensive layer.
Arin's body flickered—
And vanished like an illusion.
ANBU units flooded into the office.
Suddenly—
From the shadows—
Countless vines emerged, silently wrapping around the Kazekage's legs.
They had appeared without warning—
As if they never existed.
Caught off guard—
He was bound.
The vines yanked—
Dragging him into the shadows.
"Kazekage-sama!!"
The ANBU shouted in alarm.
They rushed in after him—
But the shadows vanished.
The Kazekage—
Was gone.
Moments later—
The alarm spread.
ANBU filled the office.
BANG!
The door burst open.
Chiyo stormed in.
"Where is the Kazekage?!"
"He was dragged into the shadows," an ANBU reported.
"…The Nara clan?" Chiyo's face darkened.
The ANBU shook his head.
"They don't have this ability. The attacker also used something similar to Wood Release. Konoha is definitely involved."
Despite Arin's caution—
He had exposed a clue.
Wood Release.
(Really… should've thought of that.)
"Can we enter that shadow?" Chiyo demanded.
The Kazekage couldn't disappear now—
There was no one to replace him.
"No method found."
Everyone's faces turned grim.
"…Then we can only hope the Kazekage escapes on his own."
"After all—he is the strongest Kazekage in history."
Inside the Shadow World—
The Third Kazekage stood atop a platform of black iron sand.
Before him—
A white, fish-like construct floated.
Arin sat atop it.
Secret Chamber Fish.
Within this shadow realm—
A unique enclosed space had formed.
Under this ability—
No one inside could die.
This was Arin's safeguard.
He could fight recklessly—
Even against a Kage.
His true strength—
Was only at the peak of elite jonin.
"Byakugan…" the Kazekage said coldly.
Arin had dropped his disguise—
Revealing his true face.
"To dare assassinate me… and with the Byakugan. You must be the Flame Demon—Hyuga Arin."
Aside from him—
No one else fit.
Even if the entire Hyuga clan came—
It would mean nothing to him.
That was his confidence.
"I'm honored my name reached you, Kazekage-sama."
Arin casually tossed a glowing blue sphere in his hand, smiling brightly.
"We keep records of Konoha's notable figures," the Kazekage replied coldly. "What do you want? To start another war?"
"I'd love to."
Arin sighed.
"But our Hokage—and Konoha's 'dark side'—both cowards. No ambition at all."
"This time…"
His smile slowly faded.
"I'm here to use your life… to pave my path."
"Bold words. Let's see if you have the ability."
Black iron sand began to swirl violently around the Kazekage.
At that moment—
The blue sphere in Arin's hand expanded.
"Awakening Skill."
"Dungeon Instance."
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