The Land of Wind border

"Don't let it go to your head."

Yuhi Shinku spoke calmly, but his gaze remained fixed on the distant dunes. "Aoba, have you sensed anything?"

Kawaki Aoba closed his eyes and formed hand seals, rapidly spreading his chakra outward.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and frowned. "There are a few chakra signatures nearby, but they're all very faint, like ordinary people's.

The nearest caravan wreckage is to the northwest, about ten kilometers away."

"Ten kilometers..."

Yuhi Shinku nodded. "Let's pick up the pace and try to get there before dark."

"Yes!"

The three answered in unison, readied themselves, and followed Yuhi Shinku at a dash toward the northwest.

At dusk, the team reached the remains of a caravan.

Wrecked wagons lay overturned on the sand, with broken crates and torn fabric scattered around them. A faint scent of blood lingered in the air.

Kawaki Aoba crouched and picked up a bloodstained scrap of fabric, his brow tightly furrowed.

"This is..."

He examined the blood on the fabric, his expression shifting slightly. "The blood hasn't dried completely. This must have happened recently."

Yuhi Shinku came over, took the fabric, and studied it for a while before saying gravely, "It looks like we're a step too late.

The attackers may have already left."

"Father, who could the attackers be?"

Yuhi Kurenai frowned and looked around. "There's not a soul here. How did they get away so fast?"

"Not necessarily."

Kawaki Aoba stood, sweeping his gaze over the surrounding dunes. "I sensed some faint chakra signatures earlier. They were well concealed, but they were definitely there.

The attackers may still be nearby."

"Aoba, are you sure?"

Kazama Taro's eyes widened, his hand already gripping the hilt of his ninja blade. "Where? I'll drag them out!"

"Don't rush."

Yuhi Shinku waved a