A string of sudden upheavals caught everyone off guard. When Konoha received Sunagakure's plea for help, everyone was shocked.
Team Kakashi, who had been idle at the time, was assigned the urgent mission and immediately set out for Sunagakure.
Although Naruto Uzumaki was only a Genin and Sakura only a Chunin at the time, their strength had been recognized after their previous clash with Kakashi. At this point, they were no weaker than the vast majority of Jonin.
As Tsunade's disciple, Sakura had also achieved considerable accomplishments in medical ninjutsu.
On the way, they encountered Temari returning to Sunagakure. After a brief explanation of the situation, the four of them hurried toward the village.
By the time they arrived, several days had passed. They immediately headed to the medical building, where Baki and several other Jonin were gathered. Kankuro was also there receiving treatment.
Kankuro had been found by Sunagakure tracking ninja who arrived later. When they found him, he was lying in the desert, gravely wounded, with all three of his puppets shattered across the ground.
"Kankuro!" The instant Temari entered, she rushed toward Kankuro's hospital bed, her face filled with anxiety.
"Lady Temari, you've returned as well?" A medical ninja spoke up. Seeing that she was not listening, he hurriedly explained, "Lord Kankuro has been poisoned by an extremely potent toxin. It's very troublesome—a poison we've never seen before. Even Chiyo is helpless against it."
"Chiyo?" Temari was startled and quickly looked up. She saw an elderly woman charging straight at Kakashi, who had just entered, her face filled with obvious fury. "This guy... damn Konoha's White Fang! You dare show yourself in Sunagakure? Prepare yourself!"
"W-Wait..." Kakashi, who had yet to figure out what was going on, hurriedly waved his hands. He had no desire to clash