Another day passed.
The sandstorm finally stopped...
Ning Xue stood in front of the hotel window, looking at the sky that had become clear again outside, and let out a long breath.
In the past few days, except for eating and sleeping, he spent almost all the time practicing that technique.
Fail, try again. Fail again, try again.
Although it only lasted less than five seconds before falling apart, at least it took shape.
Making progress is enough.
He simply packed his luggage and then left the hotel.
After the sandstorm passed, Sunagakure returned to its former appearance.
People are coming and going on the streets, vendors are setting out their goods, children are chasing and playing, and ninjas are walking in a hurry.
Everything is the same as a few days ago.
But everything seems different.
When passing a post station, he stopped and took out the letter from his arms.
"Land of Demons Miko Shion"
He handed the letter to the clerk at the inn and paid the postage.
The clerk glanced at the address on the envelope and raised his head in surprise.
"Land of Demons? It's rare! But don't worry, customers, we have special channels here to guarantee delivery."
Ning Xue nodded, turned and left.
At the entrance of the village, two Sand Ninja were on guard duty.
Seeing Ning Xue approaching, the two looked at each other, and one of them took a step forward with a polite tone.
"Mr. Fujiwara, are you leaving?"
Ning Xue nodded.
The sand ninja didn't stop him, he just stepped aside to get out of the way.
"Bon voyage."
Ning Xue did not respond, but walked straight forward until his back gradually disappeared into the wind and sand.
And not long after Ning Xue left, Sunagakure welcomed another returnee.
Temari.
She carried a three-star fan as tall as one person on her back, Earth Flow Earth Flow arrived with a face full of fatigue after a long journey, but her eyes were still sharp.
"I'm back."
She nodded to the sand ninja on duty and was about to enter the village when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye.
It was a stooped old man, short in stature, with wrinkles on his face, carrying a small bag on his back, and was walking towards the entrance of the village step by step.
"Chiyo... Sir?"
Temari was stunned.
She hurried up to meet him and took a closer look to confirm that it was correct.
"Chiyo Master, are you... going to leave the village?"
Chiyo raised his head, his cloudy eyes turned and landed on Temari's face.
Temari ah... are you back?"
Her voice was hoarse, with the characteristic slowness of an elderly person.
Temari nodded, his eyes fell on the small bag on her back, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart.
"Where are you going?"
Chiyo was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Go find Scorpion."
Temari's pupils shrank.
Scorpion?
The genius puppet master who mysteriously disappeared 20 years ago? Master Chiyo's proud grandson--Sasori of the Red Sands?
"Sir Chiyo..." Temari's voice was a little dry.
"Do you think... Scorpion is still alive?"
Chiyo did not speak, but nodded slowly.
There was some indescribable light shining in those cloudy eyes.
It was not hatred or anger, but a deeper emotion that had been suppressed for twenty years.
"But..." Temari opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
She wants to say that Xie has been missing for twenty years.
She wanted to say that even if he was still alive, he was no longer the child he was back then.
She wanted to say that it is too dangerous for you to leave the village alone at your age.
But looking at Chiyo's wrinkled face and those cloudy but determined eyes, she couldn't say anything.
"Temari." Chiyo suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and calm.
"I've lived for so many years."
She raised her head and looked at the vast expanse of yellow sand outside the village.
"In this life, I have experienced wars, losses, and so much."
She paused.
"I personally gave away my son and my daughter-in-law. Later I heard that my grandson was missing and his life and death were unknown."
"I have hated Konoha's Hatake Sakumo, I have hated this village, I have hated my fate.
Hate comes and goes, and in the end, all that's left are these old bones and a bunch of puppets that no one wants."
She lowered her head and looked at her wrinkled hands.
"I have lived long enough."
Her voice was very soft, almost drowned by the wind.
"Now, I just want to... find him in the remaining time."
Temari was silent.
She looked at the rickety old man in front of her and her cloudy but determined eyes, and suddenly thought of her grandmother.
If it were her, what would she do?
"Sir Chiyo..." Temari spoke, his voice a little hoarse.
"I'll go with you."
Chiyo was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
"No need. You just came back, have a good rest.
And..."
She raised her head and looked at Temari, with a very faint arc at the corner of her mouth.
"This is my own obsession, and you young people should not be involved."
Temari opened his mouth and wanted to say something else, but was cut off by Chiyo lifting Teuchi.
"Okay, let's go back."
She turned around, turned her back to the village, and walked towards the vast expanse of yellow sand.
After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
"Right."
She didn't look back, just turned her face slightly.
"If I can't come back... tell Kazekage and ask him not to send anyone to find me."
"I, an old woman, have lived for so many years, and it's time for me to go."
After saying that, she continued to walk forward.
The rickety figure disappeared into the yellow sand in the sky step by step.