The Crisis in Sand Village

Land of Wind, Sand Village.

This shinobi village nestled in the desert looked especially desolate beneath the blazing sun.

On the top floor of the Kazekage Building, the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, stood by the window, gazing out over the entire village.

His red hair fluttered in the wind, and the "love" tattoo on his forehead remained clearly visible.

"Xingye," Gaara murmured to himself. "It's been a month since the Five Kage Summit. I wonder what your plans are now."

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Lord Kazekage," a Sand Shinobi hurried in. "Urgent intelligence!"

Gaara turned around. "What is it?"

The Sand Shinobi reported, "According to our intelligence, the Akatsuki are moving toward Sand Village."

"Their target is the One-Tail, Shukaku—in other words, you."

Gaara's pupils contracted. "The Akatsuki?"

"When did they arrive?"

The Sand Shinobi replied, "According to our scouts, two Akatsuki members, Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi, have already entered the Land of Wind."

"They're expected to reach the outskirts of Sand Village tomorrow."

Gaara was silent for a moment, then said, "Notify every Sand Shinobi in the village to go on Level One alert."

"At the same time, contact Konoha and request support."

The Sand Shinobi nodded. "Understood, Lord Kazekage."

After the Sand Shinobi hurried away, Gaara looked out the window again.

"The Akatsuki," Gaara murmured to himself. "Is the One-Tail your target?"

"But I'm not the same person I was back then."

Konoha · Uchiha Clan Compound

Xingye was training on a raised platform in the Uchiha Clan Compound, his Byakugan scanning everything around him in all 360 degrees.

According to the intelligence Kisame had provided, the Akatsuki had already devised a plan to capture Gaara.

"Kisame and Zabuza Momochi," Xingye murmured. "The Akatsuki have sent a formidable duo."

"But what they don't know is that Kisame is already on my side."

Just then, the system's notification sounded.

[System Notification: Urgent intelligence received from Sand Village]

[The Akatsuki are moving toward Sand Village. Their target is the One-Tail, Shukaku]

A cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes.

"They're finally here."

"The Akatsuki are finally making their move."

Xingye turned around, preparing to head for Sand Village.

But just then, Itachi's voice rang out.

"Big brother," Itachi said as he walked over to Xingye. "Are you going to Sand Village?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"The Akatsuki are after Gaara. I have to go save him."

Itachi said, "Let me go with you."

"The Akatsuki are powerful. Going alone could be dangerous."

Xingye shook his head. "Itachi, you need to stay in Konoha."

"The Akatsuki might attack Konoha or kidnap Sasuke while I'm away."

"You need to stay here to protect the village and Sasuke."

Itachi fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Understood, big brother."

"I'll protect Konoha and Sasuke."

Xingye patted Itachi on the shoulder. "Good, Itachi."

"When I get back, the threat from the Akatsuki will be greatly reduced."

Xingye turned and set out on his journey.

Amid the blowing sand, his figure gradually disappeared.

Uchiha Xingye had set out alone to save Gaara.

Land of Wind border

Kisame and Zabuza were making their way through the desert.

Kisame carried Samehada on his back, while Zabuza held Kubikiribōchō. Both looked exhausted.

"Kisame," Zabuza said, "is Xingye really that strong?"

"Why did Lord Obito tell us to be careful?"

Kisame sneered. "Zabuza, you've never seen Xingye fight."

"His strength is far beyond your imagination."

"The Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo Healing, Amaterasu... Every one of those techniques is lethal."

Zabuza fell silent.

Kisame continued, "Besides, Xingye has already recruited Deidara, Hidan, and Kakuzu."

"Those Akatsuki members have all become his agents."

"The Akatsuki have already been dismantled from within."

Zabuza was shocked. "Kisame, what are you talking about?"

Realizing he'd let something slip, Kisame quickly said, "It's nothing. Keep moving."

"We'll reach Sand Village tomorrow and complete the mission."

Zabuza watched Kisame, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

Kisame's behavior was certainly strange.

But Zabuza didn't press him further and continued on.

Sand Village

Gaara was arranging the village's defenses.

Every Sand Shinobi in Sand Village was on Level One alert, and ninja stood guard in every corner of the village.

"Lord Kazekage," Temari said as she approached. "All the Sand Shinobi are ready."

"We can repel an Akatsuki attack at any time."

Gaara nodded. "Good."

"But the Akatsuki are powerful. We must not underestimate them."

Kankuro said, "Lord Kazekage, I'll lead the Puppet Corps in setting up defenses at the village entrance."

"If the Akatsuki dare to come, I'll make sure they never leave."

Gaara nodded. "Kankuro, be careful."

"Kisame's Water Release is powerful, and Zabuza's assassination techniques are strange and unpredictable."

Kankuro said, "Don't worry, Lord Kazekage."

"I'll take care of myself."

Gaara looked at Temari. "Temari, you're in charge of defending the village."

"If the Akatsuki break through the entrance, you must organize a counterattack."

Temari nodded. "Understood, Lord Kazekage."

Gaara gave his final order. "Baki, you're in charge of contacting Konoha."

"Request support and inform the other villages of the Akatsuki's movements."

Baki nodded. "Understood, Lord Kazekage."

Once the arrangements were complete, Sand Village settled into a tense wait.

Every Sand Shinobi knew that a fierce battle awaited them tomorrow.

The Akatsuki threat had finally arrived.

Nightfall

Night fell, and a hush settled over Sand Village.

Only the patrols moved through the village, on guard for anything unusual.

Gaara stood on the top floor of the Kazekage Building, gazing at the distant desert.

In the darkness, he thought he could see Kisame and Zabuza drawing closer to Sand Village.

"Xingye," Gaara murmured to himself. "Will you come?"

"Will you come save me?"

Just then, a shooting star appeared in the distant sky.

It streaked across the night and fell toward Sand Village.

Gaara's pupils contracted.

That was Xingye's Flying Thunder God mark!

Xingye had really come!