A blade-sharp wind swept through the air, carrying tiny shards of stone. If they struck someone, they would likely cause serious injuries.
This was a unique phenomenon known as Rock Rain, found only in Iwagakure. It could not occur naturally without the towering mountains nearby and the harsh climate.
At that moment, Iwagakure was abuzz with discussion.
When Nanli Hu and a group of young Rock Ninja returned to the village, dusty and exhausted, their arrival astonished the villagers. No one knew what had happened.
At Nanli Hu's request, he was soon escorted to the Tsuchikage's meeting room.
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, several Tsuchikage advisers and Ōnoki watched Nanli Hu with sharp eyes. He sat below them, tense, but did his best to recount in detail what had happened along the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire, leaving nothing out.
Soon, he had relayed everything to Ōnoki and the others. He let out a quiet breath of relief. His mission was finally complete.
"You're saying Konoha sent the Hyuga Clan, and they joined forces with the Cloud Ninja?"
One of the Tsuchikage's advisers beside Ōnoki asked gravely.
At the question, Nanli Hu hurriedly replied with due respect.
"Yes. And... with the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan, I'm afraid our and Sunagakure's outposts near that stretch of the border have already been exposed."
The adviser's expression turned troubled. He hesitated, then looked toward Ōnoki and said gravely, "Lord Tsuchikage, for some reason, the Cloud Ninja have chosen to join forces with Konoha. I'm afraid this war..."
Before he could finish, Ōnoki raised a hand and cut him off. His brows were slightly furrowed and his eyes grave, but he did not seem concerned about the Cloud Ninja. He said, "The Cloud Ninja entering the war was