Inside Kikyo Castle, within Konoha's defensive forces—
"What exactly is Sunagakure trying to pull? They charged in once and then just… backed off?" one of the commanders asked, clearly puzzled.
"Maybe it was just a probe to test our defenses?" another commander replied, though he sounded just as uncertain.
Ever since the explosion erupted in the central district, the Sand had launched only a single wave of attack—and then… nothing.
It left everyone on edge, nerves stretched tight, all of them bracing for a full-scale assault that never came.
"…What is that?"
All eyes were suddenly drawn toward the distance.
A massive sand tornado had already taken shape and was steadily advancing toward Kikyo Castle.
"This…"
"Could it be… they were waiting for that?"
"But even so… what can it really do to us?"
Unless the tornado was a literal force of nature capable of leveling stone buildings, Kikyo Castle wouldn't fall so easily.
But could Sunagakure really create something on that scale?
At most, such a sandstorm would only interfere with visibility and disrupt combat slightly… what real threat could it pose?
"Regardless, pass the order down—everyone is to prepare defensive measures."
"And stay alert. The Sand may use the poor visibility to launch another surprise assault on the city."
"Yes, sir!"
…
…
…
At the center of Kikyo Castle, near the entrance to the tunnel dug by Sunagakure—
"We should withdraw. If Konoha reinforcements arrive, it'll only complicate things," Rasa said.
Chiyo's voice was low as she asked, "How many made it back?"
"Less than half."
Chiyo looked at the sparse group before her and let out a quiet sigh. "To think we paid such a heavy price… for so little gain."
"Rasa, make sure to seal this entrance before you leave. We can't let Konoha pursue us through here."
"Don't worry."
"…Has Ishikawa not returned yet?" Pakura suddenly asked, frowning slightly.
Ishikawa was the captain of their jonin squad, a highly capable shinobi. By all accounts, he should have returned by now.
"Ishikawa is dead."
The aged voice came from a distance.
"What?!"
Everyone turned in shock.
"You are…?" Rasa narrowed his eyes at the approaching figure, who seemed to be carrying another person on his back.
"This old man found Ishikawa's body and brought it back," the elder said calmly.
"Shukaku!" one of the Sand shinobi cried out.
The crowd instantly fell silent, as if struck by an unseen force.
The old man known as Shukaku walked forward slowly, dressed in a loose robe. Wherever he passed, the others instinctively stepped aside, none daring to approach him.
He gently laid Ishikawa's body on the ground, then pressed his hands together and murmured softly, "This old one will take his leave first."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared back into the darkness.
The Sand shinobi looked uncertainly toward Chiyo.
She lowered her head slightly and said with rare sincerity, "We're counting on you… Bunpuku."
The hunched figure paused for just a moment.
"…Since this old man has given his word, I will honor it."
…
…
…
Within Kikyo Castle, at one of the watch posts—
"Did you all hear that? The real battle is finally about to begin!" Asuma said, unable to hide his excitement.
Despite already being a chunin, he had been stationed in the relatively safer mid-to-rear lines—largely because his father was the Third Hokage.
Damn it… I want to be on the front lines too. If I can take down enemies, even just a few, maybe I can ease some of Father's burden…
Maybe then… he'll finally acknowledge me.
"Yeah… it's finally time for the decisive battle," Guy said, clad in his signature green bodysuit as he pumped himself up. . "Keep it up, Guy!"
Yet among the dozen or so young shinobi present, very few shared their blazing enthusiasm.
"Hey, Shisui, did you hear what that ANBU just said?" Guy asked loudly, clapping a hand onto Shisui's shoulder.
"Hm? Oh—yeah." Uchiha Shisui snapped out of his daze and gave a faint smile. "Looks like it's finally time."
"Honestly, Shisui, I kind of admire you," Guy said, suddenly leaning in and lowering his voice. "How do you act so absent-minded all the time and still end up second in our class?"
He grinned conspiratorially. "Come on, tell me—are you secretly holding back? You can tell me. I won't tell anyone else."
"Right, Asuma?" Guy's bright white teeth gleamed as he turned.
Asuma gave a small nod.
He was curious too.
After all, he had personally seen Shisui face an entire squad of enemy shinobi alone—holding his ground without falling back, and even managing to kill one chunin and one genin in the process.
It was said that the enemy squad had been led by a jonin.
A jonin—one of those figures who stood far above the rest.
Compared to newly promoted, inexperienced chunin like them, the difference was worlds apart.
"I really did give it my all… and Hayakumo was incredibly strong," Shisui said honestly.
"Come on, don't be so modest, Shisui!" Guy called out. "Even with my speed, I can't touch you. Among chunin, you're definitely number one in speed, right?"
Asuma recalled that particular battle. "No… even jonin aren't as fast as Shisui."
"You're talking about that one-versus-four fight, right?" another boy chimed in suddenly. "I saw it too. Honestly… jonin aren't that impressive."
"That's not true!" Shisui quickly denied. "And my speed really isn't anything special."
"Too much humility just sounds like arrogance," another boy remarked flatly from the side.
"No… jonin are a different threshold entirely. Anyone who reaches that level is exceptional," Shisui said, pausing briefly as a certain figure came to mind. "For example… Shimizu-senpai."
The moment that name was spoken, the small groups that had been chatting quietly all fell silent.
Even Hyuga Hayakumo and Uchiha Megumi—who usually kept out of such conversations—turned their attention over.
"I've seen Shimizu-senpai's Body Flicker Technique," Shisui said slowly, recalling the moment when Shimizu had disappeared right in front of him after their last conversation. "I think… even the Sharingan might not be able to keep up with that speed."
"That's a bit exaggerated, don't you think? Even the famous Sharingan can't track him?" someone questioned.
"Do you even know his title? 'Shunshin Shimizu'!" another shot back. "If even the Sharingan can't follow him, what's so strange about that?"
"Hayakumo, what do you think? Could your Byakugan keep up with 'Shunshin Shimizu'?" someone asked bluntly.
That was just how teenagers were—driven by simple curiosity over who was stronger.
"…I don't have the confidence," Hayakumo admitted after a brief pause.
He remembered the way Shimizu had spoken with Orochimaru—calm, equal, almost as if standing on the same level. Without realizing it, he had already placed Shimizu on par with the Legendary Sannin in his mind.
The Byakugan was widely regarded as possessing the greatest visual perception—
And yet this "Shunshin Shimizu"… was so fast that even the Byakugan might not keep up?
"Is he really that fast?"
"They already call him 'Shunshin' and you're still doubting it…"
The group immediately broke into lively chatter, arguing back and forth. Some grew so heated that their faces flushed red as they tried to prove their point.
"Someone's coming!" Uchiha Megumi suddenly cut through the noise. "Seven o'clock direction."
"How many?"
"…One."
"Haha! Looks like it's finally our turn to show what we can do!"
"Didn't expect a straggler!"
Before long, they all caught sight of the approaching figure.
It was an old monk—bald, with a long white beard, dressed in a loose robe that hung awkwardly over his thin, frail frame.
He looked… ancient. So old that even walking seemed to take effort.
"…This…"
Someone who had already drawn a kunai hesitated, lowering it slightly.
"Don't let your guard down!"
"But… he's not a ninja!"
The monk wore no forehead protector.
And yet—
At a time like this, in a place like this, how could an ordinary person possibly appear here?
The Byakugan flared open.
In the next instant, Hayakumo froze as if struck motionless.
"Hayakumo ? What's wrong?" someone asked, confused by his reaction.
The Sharingan activated—
And almost at the same time, Shisui and Megumi shouted in unison:
"Run!"