The enormous rocks, eroded by years of wind and sand, had transformed into pillars of stone standing across the desolate land.
As far as the eye could see, a desolate expanse of Gobi stretched across the earth.
On top of one towering red pillar, several figures waited.
The man at the head had his hair tied up in a topknot. His grizzled beard did nothing to make him seem kindly, for his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.
He was very short, yet wore armor, clearly prepared to fight at a moment's notice.
This man was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. Around him stood a group of Tsuchikage guards, including the burly Kitsuchi. All of them gazed solemnly toward a distant spot.
"Lord Tsuchikage, approaching Aizen so rashly this time is far too dangerous, especially when you've brought so few guards... Sigh, anyway, if the advisors find out about this, they'll definitely give you an earful."
At that moment, Kitsuchi glanced helplessly at the grave Ōnoki and muttered under his breath.
Hearing Kitsuchi's words, Ōnoki furrowed his brow and shot him a displeased look.
"As Tsuchikage, I naturally have my reasons. Do you think the advisors' objections would change anything!?"
"If I don't even dare take this little risk, and spend every day cowering in Iwagakure, what could I possibly do for the Rock Ninja as their Tsuchikage!"
At Ōnoki's angry rebuke, Kitsuchi, standing behind him, ducked his head, but stubbornly continued.
"But you have to consider who you're dealing with. You know how powerful Aizen is, and... he may even have had something to do with the Third Kazekage's disappearance this time. After all, he openly declared that he would bring about the end of the age of the ninja."
At that, Ōnoki swallowed the rebuke he had been