Kushina's home.
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin hurried over as soon as they heard the news about Sand Village.
Because Asuma, Hong, and Shizune's team were all in Sand Village.
Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, was their team leader.
Kakashi's face was covered, hiding his panic, but his eyes still betrayed a deep unease.
Kakashi had already lost Sakumo once. He did not want to lose him a second time.
Minato comforted Kakashi. "Kakashi, don't worry. White Fang Senior was only captured by Candy using the Amber Purifying Pot. He wasn't heavily injured!"
"Hong, Asuma, and the others are all fine!"
Obito said urgently, "Teacher Minato, we have to send people to Rōran as soon as possible to rescue Lord White Fang and Asuma's group!"
Minato nodded. "Don't worry. I won't give up on Asuma and the others!"
Shikaku said, "Sakumo and the others aren't Jinchuriki. Liao Wu has no use for them. Can we negotiate with the Land of U through official channels and exchange for their return?"
Minato considered it. "That could work!"
"Then I'll contact Senior Tsunade!"
Tsunade was the only point of reconciliation between the Ninja Sect and Liao Wu.
Rōran.
Endless yellow sand stretched beyond sight, while hot, dry winds howled all day long.
Deep within the Great Desert lay such a city of trees, lush with verdant plants. The entire city of Rōran had been built from raw poplar wood, with wooden houses scattered in uneven rows.
An ancient and magnificent wooden royal palace stood at the center of the city, its soaring eaves imposing and solemn.
Emerald trees surrounded the palace, shutting out the barrenness of the Great Desert.
The Rōran that had once been filled with towering structures had now become a city of wood.
When Liao Wu arrived with the people of