Crisis in the Sand Village

Land of Wind, Sand Village.

This ninja village, located in the desert, appeared exceptionally desolate under the scorching sun.

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

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

"Uchiha Xingye," Gaara muttered to himself, "a month has passed since the Five Kage Summit. I wonder what your plans are now."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Lord Kazekage," a Sand Shinobi hurried in, "urgent intelligence!"

Gaara turned around: "What is it?"

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

"Their goal is to capture the One-Tail Shukaku, which is you."

Gaara's pupils constricted: "The Akatsuki?"

"When did they arrive?"

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

"They are expected to reach the outskirts of the Sand Village by tomorrow."

Gaara was silent for a moment, then said: "Notify all Sand Shinobi in the village to enter a state of Level 1 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 back out the window.

"The Akatsuki," Gaara muttered, "is your target the One-Tail?"

"However, the me of today is no longer the me of the past."

Konoha, Uchiha Compound.

Uchiha Xingye was training on a high platform in the Uchiha compound, his Byakugan scanning everything in a 360-degree radius.

According to the intelligence provided by Kisame Hoshigaki, the Akatsuki had already formulated a plan to capture Gaara.

"Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "the combination sent by the Akatsuki is indeed strong."

"But what they don't know is that Kisame Hoshigaki is already my man."

Just then, the system's notification sound rang out.

[System Notification: Urgent intelligence received from Sand Village]

[The Akatsuki are moving toward the Sand Village, with the goal of capturing the One-Tail Shukaku]

A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Xingye's eyes.

"It's finally here."

"The Akatsuki have finally begun their move."

Uchiha Xingye turned, preparing to head to the Sand Village.

But just then, Itachi's voice sounded.

"Brother," Itachi walked to Uchiha Xingye's side, "are you going to the Sand Village?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"The Akatsuki's target is Gaara, and I must go save him."

Itachi said: "I will go with you."

"The strength of the Akatsuki is immense; going alone might be dangerous."

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

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

"You need to stay in Konoha to protect the village and protect Sasuke."

Itachi was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Understood, brother."

"I will guard Konoha well and guard Sasuke well."

Uchiha Xingye patted Itachi on the shoulder: "Very good, Itachi."

"When I return, the threat of the Akatsuki will be greatly reduced."

Uchiha Xingye turned and set off on his journey.

In the wind and sand, his figure gradually disappeared.

Uchiha Xingye set off alone on the journey to save Gaara.

Border of the Land of Wind.

Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi were trekking through the desert.

Kisame carried Samehada on his back, and Zabuza held Kubikiribocho; both of them looked exhausted.

"Kisame," Zabuza said, "is Xingye's strength really that formidable?"

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

Kisame sneered: "Zabuza, you haven't seen Xingye fight."

"His strength is far beyond your imagination."

"Mangekyo Sharingan, Susanoo Healing, Amaterasu... any one of these techniques is enough to be fatal."

Zabuza fell silent.

Kisame continued: "Furthermore, Xingye has already subdued Deidara, Hidan, and Kakuzu."

"These Akatsuki members have all become his moles."

"The Akatsuki has already been dismantled from within."

Zabuza was shocked: "Kisame, what are you saying?"

Kisame realized he had let something slip and quickly said: "It's nothing, let's keep moving."

"We will reach Sunagakure by tomorrow and complete the mission."

Zabuza looked at Kisame, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

Kisame's behavior was indeed very strange.

But Zabuza did not press the issue and continued forward.

Sunagakure

Gaara was deploying the village's defenses.

All the Sand Shinobi in Sunagakure had entered a state of high alert, with ninjas guarding every corner of the village.

"Lord Kazekage," Temari stepped forward, "all the Sand Shinobi are ready."

"We are prepared to repel an invasion by the Akatsuki at any time."

Gaara nodded: "Very good."

"However, the Akatsuki's strength is immense; we cannot afford to underestimate them."

Kankuro said: "Lord Kazekage, I will lead the Puppet Corps to set up defenses at the village entrance."

"If the Akatsuki dares to come, I will ensure they never return."

Gaara nodded: "Kankuro, be careful."

"Within the Akatsuki, Kisame's Water Style is powerful, and Zabuza's assassination techniques are also quite treacherous."

Kankuro: "Rest assured, Lord Kazekage."

"I will protect myself."

Gaara looked at Temari: "Temari, you are responsible for the internal defense of the village."

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

Temari nodded: "Understood, Lord Kazekage."

Gaara said finally: "Baki, you are responsible for contacting Konoha."

"Request reinforcements and simultaneously notify the other ninja villages of the Akatsuki's movements."

Baki nodded: "Understood, Lord Kazekage."

After the deployment was complete, Sunagakure entered a state of tense anticipation.

All the Sand Shinobi knew that a fierce battle would take place tomorrow.

The threat of the Akatsuki had finally arrived.

Night fell, and Sunagakure was shrouded in silence.

Only patrolling Sand Shinobi moved through the village, alert for any abnormalities.

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

In the darkness, he seemed to see the figures of Kisame and Zabuza approaching Sunagakure.

"Xingye," Gaara muttered to himself, "will you come?"

"Will you come to save me?"

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

The meteor streaked across the night sky, falling in the direction of Sunagakure.

Gaara's pupils constricted.

That was the mark of Xingye's Flying Thunder God!

Xingye had truly come!