Standing Aside and Timely Rescue Amid a Sudden Sandstorm

The sound of the wind changed.

At first, it was only a whimper threading through the canyon walls. Gradually, it took on the hiss of sand scraping against sand, until it finally gathered into a deep roar.

The already-dim moon on the horizon was completely swallowed by a churning mass of yellow sand.

Visibility dropped at a rate visible to the naked eye—from a hundred meters, to ten, and then to less than three. Saying that they could not see their own hands was no longer enough. The yellow sand was like ink too thick to dissolve, smearing across everyone's eyes, mouths, and noses.

"Everyone, close ranks! Back against the carriage! Defensive formation!"

Inuzuka's roar was torn to pieces by the gale. The ANBU ninja beside him immediately moved, trying to use their bodies and kunai to pin down the windbreak cloth and construct a temporary shelter around the carriage.

But they had clearly underestimated Black Sand Valley's temper.

These elites, accustomed to carrying out assassination missions in forests and cities, looked clumsy and bedraggled before the might of nature.

The moment a piece of windbreak cloth was pulled open, the gale snatched it away and it vanished into the darkness. An ANBU ninja tried to use Earth Release to build a low wall, but the soft sand could not provide any effective support. The sand wall was blown apart by the storm the instant it took shape.

They were excellent ninja, but they were not qualified desert survival experts.

"Bang!"

A black rock swept up by the wind slammed into the side of the metal carriage, leaving a clear dent with a deafening crash.

The carriage shook violently.

The Sealing Runes embedded in its surface began flashing wildly, like a flickering lightbulb with a loose connection, emitting an ear-piercing