Surprise Attack

Meanwhile, far away in Sunagakure of the Land of Wind, an invisible sense of anxiety and panic was beginning to shroud the village.

The scorching sun baked the yellow sandstone buildings, and heat waves distorted the air.

Sand and dust swept across the streets from time to time, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

At the center of the village, inside the Kazekage's office, the atmosphere was even more stifling than the weather outside.

The elders acting on behalf of the Kazekage, the siblings Chiyo and Ebizo, along with several high-ranking advisors, sat huddled together, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry.

"Is there still no news of the Kazekage?" one advisor couldn't help but ask again, even though he already knew the answer.

Ebizo, an old man who always kept his eyes narrowed as if dozing off while actually being incredibly shrewd, shook his head slowly: "Every reconnaissance team that could be dispatched has been sent out, and we've even placed a massive bounty on the black market, but we've found nothing. It's as if he simply evaporated into thin air."

Chiyo's expression was so grim it could wring out water: "We cannot keep waiting like this!

The rumors within the village can no longer be suppressed, and the major clans are secretly amassing strength, restless and ready to move.

I fear the other villages will not let this opportunity pass."

"Sister is right," Ebizo sighed.

"According to the latest reports from the border patrol, traces of unidentified ninja activity have been discovered near the borders of the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers; they are likely scouts from Iwagakure and Konoha.

Although Cloud Village has been quiet for now, given the Third Raikage's personality, he will never remain idle."

"Increase the alert level at all border outposts! Especially the northeastern front facing Cloud Village!"

Chiyo gave the order decisively, "Additionally, initiate the 'Shield of Shukaku' plan and begin transferring essential supplies and villagers to the shelters. We must prepare for the worst."

A young jonin couldn't help but complain: "This is all because of the Kazekage's sudden disappearance. If we had enough powerful force to act as a deterrent, who would dare covet Sunagakure?"

"Shut up!" Chiyo barked sharply, her gaze sweeping across everyone present with piercing intensity.

"Now is not the time for complaints! The top priority is to unite and overcome this crisis together! Sunagakure has endured the trials of countless sandstorms; this time, we will absolutely not fall!"

The next day, before dawn, the sky remained dark.

In the desert region bordering the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning, the wind was biting and cold, a stark contrast to the scorching heat of the day.

An elite Cloud Village squad moved through the dunes like ghosts, their movements swift and silent; it was a strike force led personally by the future Fourth Raikage, A, and Killer B.

"Big Brother A, fifty miles ahead is the most important supply transit station on the outskirts of Sunagakure—'Yellow Stone Pass'."

A sensory-type ninja reported in a low voice, "The garrison consists of about one hundred men, including three jonin, thirty chunin, and the rest are genin and logistics personnel. No unusually powerful chakra signatures detected."

"Very good," A curled his lips into a cold smile.

"It seems Sunagakure truly did not anticipate our arrival, or perhaps their manpower is already stretched so thin that they cannot effectively defend all their outposts.

Pass the order down: according to the plan, one team will flank from the left to cut off their retreat and reinforcement routes.

B, you and I will launch a frontal assault! The others are responsible for clearing the outer sentry posts and providing support!"

"Understood!" the group replied in low voices.

"Remember!" A emphasized at the end, his voice deep and full of power.

"Speed is everything! Before they can react, completely destroy this stronghold! Let the wails of Sunagakure become the clarion call for our victory!"

"Yo~! Let them taste the power of the Eight-Tails... er, and the fury of yours truly and Big Brother A! Fool~ Ya fool~!" Killer B lowered his voice, never forgetting his rap.

The operation began!

The Cloud Village ninja blended into the shadows of the night and scattered rapidly. The flanking team moved like a sharp blade, silently inserting themselves behind the pass.

Meanwhile, A and Killer B, like thunder waiting to be unleashed, slowly approached the crude walls of the stronghold built from rock and sand.

Inside the pass, campfires flickered in the cold wind, and a few Sunagakure sentries rubbed their hands together, chatting in low voices and complaining about the damn weather and the even more damn missing Kazekage, completely unaware that the Grim Reaper had arrived.

"Move!"

Following A's command, he transformed into a bolt of blue lightning, appearing atop the wall as if he had teleported!

His speed was pushed to the extreme, even creating a piercing sonic boom! This was the prototype of the "Lightning Release Chakra Mode" that would later shake the ninja world!

"Enemy attack--!" A Sunagakure jonin was the first to react, letting out a shrill alarm, but it was already too late.

"Lightning Release: Lariat!" A roared. Coordinating perfectly with Killer B, the two moved like intersecting bolts of lightning tearing through the battlefield. Wherever they passed, Sunagakure ninja were sent flying, none able to withstand even a single blow!

"It's the elite of Cloud Village! Quick! Send a signal for reinforcements!" a Sunagakure jonin bellowed, his eyes splitting with rage.

However, a bolt of black lightning descended from the sky, precisely striking the ninja who attempted to fire the signal flare.

Other Cloud Village jonin also used their various methods, instantly sealing off the path for any signal to be sent.

The battle was almost a one-sided slaughter. Led by two future "Kage"-level powerhouses, the Cloud Village elites were like tigers among a flock of sheep.

Although the resistance from Sunagakure was heroic, it appeared pale and powerless in the face of such absolute disparity in strength and speed.

"Wind Release: Great Net!"

Finally, a Sunagakure jonin remaining at the stronghold launched a desperate counterattack.

Countless blades of wind, condensed from chakra into a net-like formation, pierced toward A from the air.

"Oh? You have some decent tricks after all." A did not dodge or evade, his entire body surging with lightning, "Lightning Release: Lightning Armor!"

The dense, fierce winds collided with the Lightning Armor, emitting crisp clanging sounds, yet they could not penetrate it in the slightest.

"B!"

"Understood! Big Brother! Yo~! Watch this, Lightning Style: Super Vibrate Lightning Release Blade!"

Killer B drew his seven short blades, each enveloped in high-frequency vibrating lightning chakra, and moved like a bolt of electricity, instantly flashing past the side of the Magnet Style jonin.

"Squelch!"

As the blade light flickered, the jonin looked down at the massive wound on his chest in disbelief before slowly collapsing.

With their commander fallen, the will of the Sunagakure forces to resist completely crumbled. The remaining ninja began to scatter and flee, but their retreat had long since been cut off by the Kumogakure squad; only a ruthless pursuit awaited them.

In less than half an hour, Yellow Stone Pass, once a vital hub for Sunagakure, had been reduced to ruins, billowing with thick smoke and littered with corpses.

A stood at the highest point of the ruins, overlooking the stronghold he had destroyed with his own hands. His face remained expressionless, save for a cold sense of satisfaction.

He raised his hand, looking at the specks of sand and bloodstains on his arm, and said in a deep voice:

"Send word to the village: the first phase of the operation is a success. Tell Father and Mabui that they may begin the next step of the plan. At the same time, 'appropriately' leak the battle report from here to Iwagakure and Konoha."

Kumogakure's plan was not merely to destroy a Sunagakure stronghold, but to thoroughly stir up the situation across the entire ninja world, ensuring that this great war would proceed according to Kumogakure's rhythm!