"Boom!" A deafening explosion suddenly erupted, powerful enough to shake heaven and earth. The ground throughout the Forest of Death even trembled violently.
The enormous blast startled not only those inside the Forest of Death, but also the people within Konoha, all of whom turned toward the direction of the explosion. Even in Konoha's more remote areas, the vibrations beneath their feet could be felt.
At the western outskirts of the Forest of Death stood three ninjas dressed as Sand shinobi. One of them was especially conspicuous, with a huge gourd strapped to his back and an indifferent expression on his face.
The sudden violent explosion and intense shaking caused the cold-faced gourd-bearing boy's expression to change. He touched his stomach, a flash of viciousness passing over his face.
Then he said flatly, "Go!" and took the lead toward the explosion. The other two—a male ninja carrying what looked like a mummy on his back and a female ninja with a giant fan—both changed expression. The male ninja said anxiously, "Gaara, over there is clearly..." But before he could finish, he fell silent as though someone had strangled him.
His voice had died because the Sand ninja called Gaara was staring at him with icy eyes. Gaara snorted, said nothing more, and immediately took the lead, leaping toward that direction.
"Kankuro, it's not like you don't know Gaara's personality. Sigh..." the blonde female ninja said with a sigh.
"I know, but... forget it, forget it. Let's follow Gaara." Kankuro shook his head helplessly. Then the two followed Gaara and headed straight for the center of the explosion.
After seeing or sensing that massive explosion, most of the genin within the Forest of Death avoided that area with horrified expressions.
Hardly anyone would make the same choice as those three—or rather,