The desolate hills were swept by a gentle breeze carrying a few grains of sand. Vegetation was sparse.
On the other side, however, the scenery was entirely different. Lush forests stretched as far as the eye could see.
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.
Inside a hidden Konoha outpost.
A tall figure slowly appeared.
"Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!"...
The figure walked slowly through the outpost. His steady footsteps brought a sense of calm and peace.
Before long, several Konoha Ninja who had recently arrived at the outpost gathered nearby. They pretended to be busy, but secretly stole glances at the captain, whose strength was said to be extraordinary.
Hmm... judging by the look of him... was this captain really as strong as the rumors claimed?
He was clearly... just a handsome guy...
Though... that smile on the captain's face really was charming...
A few young Ninja who had recently arrived furtively glanced at the tall figure, thinking to themselves.
Just then.
A figure suddenly appeared in front of the tall man.
"C-Captain Sosuke, you're back!"
The older Konoha Ninja who had stepped forward looked at the upright figure, his face bright with joy and excitement as he spoke.
"Mm, I'm back. Things look very promising. It seems Iwagakure is already struggling to cope with Kumogakure's relentless attacks. They probably won't have the energy to deal with us for the time being."
Sosuke nodded at him with a warm smile and spoke softly in his deep, magnetic voice.
Hearing this, the Ninja was overcome with excitement and disbelief.
"You really went to Iwagakure? But... that place is heavily guarded! That was far too dangerous!"
The rookie Ninja gathered nearby had been sneaking admiring glances at Sosuke. After hearing the man's words, they looked at him