At last... they crossed that land of death and arrived at the heart of the Land of Wind... "Sunagakure."
"We're here..."
Pakura stopped and looked at the massive mountain range before them.
The narrow entrance in the middle was known as "Sand Hidden Sky's First Line."
It was also Sunagakure's only exit.
The village itself lay in a basin, surrounded by mountains on all sides.
For Pakura, this was a journey home. For Akira Sarutobi and the other three, it was a step into foreign lands.
They continued onward.
Thanks to Pakura, they encountered no obstacles along the way.
Hostile gazes from Sunagakure ninja followed them from the roadside.
Hatred, combined with ideological opposition, had ultimately led to this outcome.
When they reached the heart of the village, they saw a tall earthen fortress in the center, bearing a huge character for "Wind."
This must have been the Kazekage Building.
After entering, Akira Sarutobi saw a man standing before the window inside the office.
He had a head of tousled teal-blue hair.
Draped in a white robe, he looked imposing and dignified.
"Everyone from Konoha, you have come from afar... thanks for the effort."
The man turned around, revealing a lean, fair face.
The narrow-eyed man before them was Sunagakure's current leader... the Third Kazekage!
He was also the powerful figure known as the Strongest Kazekage.
"Konoha's White Fang~~~~!"
Before the Third Kazekage could say anything, a shout rang out from the corridor outside.
"Lady Chiyo~!"
After a burst of shouting and the sound of people falling over, an elderly woman appeared.
She wore a heavy robe, and her eyes brimmed with resentment and grief.
"So it really is you...!!!"
Clearly, she was the high-ranking advisor to the Kazekage... Chiyo, the Strongest Puppeteer.
"Give me your life~~!"
Chiyo struck a