The Silver-Blue Giant tore through the clouds, descending like a falling star, landing steadily in front of the defensive position on Sunagakure's eastern coastline. The oppressive feeling brought by its massive body instantly put the stationed Sunagakure Ninja into combat mode, but when they clearly saw its unique and majestic form, and the two familiar figures leaping out of the opened cockpit, earth-shattering cheers immediately replaced the alarm.
"It's Lord Sayo! Lord Pakura!"
"They're back!"
"They succeeded! They must have succeeded!"
Sayo and Pakura landed on the ground. Although their faces showed the fatigue of a long journey and intense battle, their eyes were bright like stars, and the fierce killing intent from the recent major conflict had not yet completely dissipated, making them awe-inspiring yet incredibly reassuring.
Pakura quickly gave a few instructions to the approaching Defense Commander, stabilizing morale and strengthening vigilance. Sayo, however, walked straight toward the communications squad without stopping.
"Immediately prepare the fastest ninja hawk with the highest encryption level!" Sayo's voice held an undeniable urgency. "This intelligence has the highest priority and must be delivered directly to the Kazekages Office!"
Seeing Sayo's solemn expression and the powerful Chakra fluctuations that had not yet calmed down, the communications squad Ninja dared not delay and immediately prepared everything at top speed.
Sayo quickly tied a scroll recording the crucial battle results to the ninja hawk's leg and patted its wings. The ninja hawk let out a sharp cry, flapped its wings, and soared high, turning into a small black dot as it sped toward the Hidden Sand Village.
The remaining time was spent waiting. Sayo and Pakura stayed on the eastern defense line, resting and recovering while closely monitoring the movements on the sea, guarding against a potential frenzied counterattack from Kirigakure. The Sunagakure Ninja at the position looked at the Silver-Blue Giant standing silently by the coast like a guardian deity, and the two powerful commanders beside it, filling their hearts with unprecedented confidence and pride.
Hidden Sand Village, Kazekages Office.
The atmosphere remained heavy. Although Sayo had been sent to execute that audacious plan, Rasa and the Two Elders were secretly holding their breath. A cross-sea surprise attack on a Kirigakure stronghold carried immense risk; the consequences of failure would be unimaginable.
Just then, the rapid flapping of wings sounded outside the window. A dusty ninja hawk landed precisely on the windowsill.
The communications squad Ninja immediately took the scroll, checked the seal, and hurried into the office, their voice slightly trembling: "Lord Kazekage! Urgent report from the East! Highest priority! It's from Jonin Sayo!"
The spirits of the three people in the office instantly lifted. Rasa snatched the scroll, quickly broke the seal, and unrolled it. Chiyo and Ebizō immediately gathered around.
The content of the scroll was brief, but every word struck the hearts of the three people like a heavy hammer!
"...Successfully reached the target 'Bijiao Island'..."
"...Surprise attack under the cover of night; the enemy was completely unprepared..."
"...Over eighty percent of port facilities, coastal defenses, and anchored fleet destroyed..."
"...The defense headquarters suffered heavy damage, the Kaguya Clan sustained heavy casualties, and the Clan Chief was wounded..."
"...A large amount of metal materials seized..."
"...Evacuation completed; currently returned to the eastern defense line..."
Next to the brief text were several slightly blurry yet incredibly shocking images captured by a Reconnaissance Puppet: a burning, exploding port, warships sliced in two, a headquarters turned to scorched earth, and the figure of the Silver-Blue Giant, illuminated by the firelight, looking like a demon god descending upon the world!
Silence!
A deathly silence permeated the office!
Elder Chiyo's aged hands trembled slightly as she touched the writing on the scroll, her lips moving silently, finally dissolving into a long sigh filled with endless relief and excitement: "Good... Good... Good... They did it... They actually did it..."
Ebizō slammed his thigh, his face flushed with excitement, and his habitually squinted eyes widened. "An extraordinary achievement! This is an unparalleled feat! With the strength of just two people, they crossed the sea, heavily damaged a vital Kirigakure stronghold, and returned without loss! This battle is worthy of being recorded in the history books of the Ninja World!"
Fourth Kazekage Rasa tightly gripped the scroll, his knuckles white from the force. He looked at the text and images again and again, a massive storm raging in his heart.
Success... They actually succeeded!
And they succeeded in such a complete and overwhelming manner!
He couldn't help but recall his previous argument with Sayo, Sayo's quote, "Peace is maintained only when sought through struggle," and the difficult competition in the desert... All these images finally converged into the battle results on the scroll—just a few lines, yet weighing more than a thousand pounds.
Emotion, relief, shock, and even a hint of lingering fear and guilt—the complex emotions finally resolved into a long breath. He slowly raised his head; the last trace of gloom vanished from his eyes, replaced by unprecedented sharpness and decisiveness.
"Elder Ebizō," Rasa's voice regained its usual composure but carried an undeniable power, "Immediately copy the core content of this battle report and transmit it as quickly as possible to Baki, who is still dragging out negotiations with Kirigakure at sea! Tell him the bargaining chips have changed! Have him use these results to negotiate with Kirigakure! We are not begging them; they must give Sunagakure an explanation!"
"Yes!" Ebizō, energized, immediately turned to carry out the order.
Rasa's gaze turned toward the window again, as if he could pierce the distance to see the eastern coastline: "Send orders to the eastern defense line! Commend all stationed Ninja! Command Sayo and Pakura to continue guarding the defense line under the highest level of alert, strictly guarding against a desperate retaliatory counterattack from Kirigakure!"
"Yes!" The Messenger Ninja immediately took the order and left.
Orders were issued one after another, and the entire high-level structure of the Hidden Sand Village began operating efficiently, like a clock being wound up.
Only Rasa and Chiyo remained in the office. Chiyo looked at Rasa's tall, straight back and gently said, "Lord Kazekage..."
Rasa did not turn around, only speaking slowly: "Elder, perhaps... we truly are old. The path forward should be entrusted to the younger generation, those with more courage and imagination."
His gaze became profound and resolute. Through his actions, Sayo not only defended his comrades and won bargaining chips for negotiation but also opened a door to a brand new future for him and for all of Sunagakure.
The return was not just a hero's triumphant arrival, but the prelude to a new era.