Lost

"Do not talk nonsense. We currently have no evidence that the Leaf attacked Lord Kazekage," Chiyo said, her brow furrowed.

"Hmph! Whether or not it was the Leaf's dirty work, even if we lack direct evidence, I believe Senior Chiyo and Senior Ebizo know it in their hearts, given the coincidences," Sabaku Chiharu said. "Even if news of those four ninjas' deaths reaches the Leaf, we only need to claim they were involved in the traitor Chizuru's uprising, and the Leaf will be left speechless."

Seeing that neither Chiyo nor Ebizo spoke, Sabaku Chiharu felt that these two Sunagakure advisors were far too indecisive, lacking the swift and decisive methods the Third Kazekage had once possessed.

Dissatisfaction aside, Sabaku Chiharu suppressed his temper and said in a stiff tone, "Since the two advisors have no objections, I will take fifty ninjas from the Sabaku clan to deal with those little rats."

Without a moment's hesitation, Sabaku Chiharu turned and strode out of the Kazekage's office.

Watching Sabaku Chiharu leave, Chiyo suddenly turned to Ebizo. "Brother, do you think this is really appropriate?"

Ebizo let out a "haha" laugh and asked in confusion, "Sister, you who were always so ruthless in the past, when did you become so indecisive? You're actually worrying about ninjas from another village."

"You don't understand," Chiyo glanced at Ebizo and chuckled. "The ruthlessness I displayed in the past was all for the safety and development of the village. Yet, if I could choose again, I would rather be by a quiet river with you, brother, idling away the time without a care in the world."

"It is just a pity that the Third Kazekage, known as the 'Strongest Kazekage,' has suddenly gone missing." A trace of loneliness flashed in Chiyo's eyes. "And now, there isn't a single ninja in Sunagakure capable of taking on the position of Kazekage. Approaching fifty and nearing retirement, we are the only ones left to temporarily shoulder the burden of Sunagakure."

Because Scarlet Valley lies on the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, it takes three days to reach it whether starting from the Leaf or Sunagakure.

One day later.

Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage, citing "important matters," suddenly summoned the head of Root, Danzo Shimura, advisors Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and several elite jonin.

Seeing that everyone summoned had arrived, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, got straight to the point. "I have received a report from an Anbu member embedded in Sunagakure that a rebellion occurred there last night. The head of the Sabaku clan, Sabaku Chiharu, engaged the rebellion's instigator, Sabaku Chizuru, and the latter was ultimately defeated and captured."

"A rebellion in Sunagakure?" Before the Third Hokage could finish, Danzo Shimura said with a taut face, "This is indeed a good opportunity. I will secretly dispatch Root ninjas to stir up trouble while the chaos in Sunagakure has not yet fully subsided."

"Danzo, the Second Shinobi World War has just ended. Do you want to abandon peace and incite a war with the Land of Wind?" Koharu Utatane glared at Danzo Shimura, who let out a "hmph" and said nothing more.

"Third, you summoned us in the middle of the night, surely not just to tell us about a rebellion in Sunagakure!" Homura Mitokado asked with his arms crossed.

Hearing Homura Mitokado say this, everyone present turned their gaze toward the Third Hokage.

"Naturally not." The Third Hokage crossed his hands and rested his chin on them. "The trouble is that our Leaf ninjas have been drawn into Sunagakure's internal strife."

"What?" The people present were immediately unsettled.

This was no joke! Sunagakure had just suppressed a rebellion, and if the Leaf were found to have intervened in their internal conflict, it would be a guaranteed precursor to war between Sunagakure and the Leaf!

"The situation is as follows."

The Third Hokage explained the ins and outs of the matter from beginning to end, but he did not mention the disappearance of the Third Kazekage. It seemed Sunagakure's information blockade was indeed formidable; even the Third Hokage had not yet received any news regarding the Third Kazekage's disappearance.

After the Third Hokage finished speaking, everyone present fell into a collective silence.

A few seconds later, Sakumo Hatake, who was attending the meeting, suddenly spoke up: "In other words, Kato Dan and the other three are now in great danger while deep inside Sunagakure on their mission."

"Correct," the Third Hokage replied. "Therefore, I need someone to rescue them."

"I will go," Sakumo Hatake raised his hand.

"You cannot," the Third Hokage said suddenly.

In terms of the strength of the Leaf's ninjas, the only one currently capable of rivaling the Third Hokage was Sakumo Hatake, known as the "White Fang of the Leaf." Even Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya—hailed as the "Sannin" by the "Demigod" Hanzo of the Salamander—did not match Sakumo Hatake in strength.

Therefore, when it came to a rescue, the Third Hokage naturally could not go himself. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all away on missions. Thus, among the many ninjas of the Leaf, the most suitable person for the rescue was Sakumo Hatake.

However, it took at least six days to travel from the Leaf to Sunagakure. By the time Sakumo Hatake reached Sunagakure, the corpses of Kato Dan and the others would likely have rotted beyond recognition.

Without agreeing to Sakumo Hatake's request, the Third Hokage turned to the person in charge of the mission dispatch office and asked, "Which team is currently executing a mission near the Land of Wind?"

"Team 5, led by Lord Jiraiya, is executing a mission near the Land of Wind," a ninja from the mission dispatch office said respectfully.

"Immediately send someone to notify Jiraiya and have him rush to support Kato Dan and the others."

"Yes."

Two days later.

Three days had passed since the suppression of Sabaku Chizuru's rebellion.

Over these three days, unfamiliar with the terrain and geography of Scarlet Valley, Kato Dan and his three companions had unfortunately lost their way. It was not until the afternoon of the third day that the four members of Team 6 finally found the correct path.

As night began to fall, the four had no choice but to pitch their tents and light a campfire. The flickering firelight highlighted the desolation and emptiness of the surrounding uninhabited canyon.

"Sigh, we finally found the path. After being delayed for so many days, I bet the client is already furious," Nohara Shin said, his arms hanging wearily.

"It's a good thing we found the path this afternoon, otherwise we would have really had to live in this canyon," Kushina Uzumaki complained.

"Hahaha, it's alright. As long as we've found the right road, the rest will be easy to handle," Kato Dan said, seizing the opportunity to boost morale upon hearing his subordinates' complaints.

"Sigh, I wonder how things are over in Sunagakure," Uchiha Matsuri muttered softly.

Following the agreed-upon order, Nohara Shin, Uchiha Matsuri, and Kato Dan took turns standing guard by the tents one after another.