In Sunagakure.
Near the central circular building.
Many Sand Ninja stood guard in the shadowy corners nearby, warily watching their surroundings and missing not the slightest sign of anything unusual.
Their vigilance was nothing short of extreme.
Inside the building, Chiyo, an advisor to Sunagakure, was busy in a room.
A sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead as she watched a badly burned ninja with a solemn expression, her hands moving without pause.
A green chakra glow swirled around her palms, steadily healing him.
"Cough... How is it... Is the treatment finished...?"
The ninja, whose entire body was severely burned, suddenly coughed and spoke in a low voice.
Hearing him, Chiyo continued treating him with a focused gaze and said gravely,
"Third Kazekage, that man's Lightning Style destroyed sixty percent of your skin. Even now, traces of that terrifying Black Lightning remain. It'll take at least another day for you to recover completely."
The Third Kazekage, whose body was extensively burned, fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
"So that's the Uchiha Clan of Konoha... What a terrifying man..."
"Fortunately, we dealt with him this time. Otherwise, if he had grown stronger, he would have posed far too great a threat to Sunagakure!"
At his words, Chiyo's slightly clouded eyes lowered as she spoke softly.
"'Konoha Asura' has been dealt with... but whether Sosuke, the 'Child of Konoha,' is alive or dead remains unknown..."
"As you said, if that man has mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu, then even your terrifying technique might not be enough against him..."
"And judging by the intelligence, that man is... an even more important figure to Konoha than the 'Konoha Asura'..."
A cold glint flashed through the Third Kazekage's eyes, but he said nothing.
Meanwhile.
In Sunagakure, the villagers who had