The Predecessors

After the temporary meeting ended, Gaara and Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's consciousnesses returned to their Main Bodies. The two leaped onto a rocky hill at the same time and looked into the distance. Beneath the morning sun, four figures were slowly approaching from afar.

"We can't retreat any farther. We'll meet them here," the Third Tsuchikage said as he floated over to Gaara.

"Alright!" Gaara observed the area for a moment. This was a barren desert, with no cities within a hundred miles, so he nodded.

"The two of us will begin with long-range attacks and see how the enemy responds," Ōnoki continued.

The group of four approaching them were the once-renowned Kage: the Third Raikage A, the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, the Second Tsuchikage Mu, and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa!

Noticing that most of them had stopped, the Second Tsuchikage spoke. "They aren't slowly backing away anymore. Looks like they've made up their minds."

"Hmph, fighting shinobi from other villages is one thing, but fighting shinobi from our own village is truly unbearable. Orochimaru, the one who used that jutsu to bind us—you just wait!" the Second Mizukage said bitterly.

"Though I dislike you, I agree on this point," the Second Tsuchikage said in agreement.

The Third Raikage said easily, "Don't be so pessimistic! The children will slowly grow up and eventually surpass us predecessors."

"It would be good if that were true." The Fourth Kazekage stopped and looked ahead, warning, "They're coming!"

"Only two of them at first," the Second Tsuchikage added. The next moment, a tidal wave of sand swept toward the four of them, blotting out the sky.

"Oh! What a spectacular sandstorm!" the Second Mizukage said delightedly.

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa frowned slightly. He sensed the power of One-Tails Shukaku and suspected that Gaara had used