The Enemy's Point of Entry!

Kazama sighed. "Yeah. And the ninja tools and ninjutsu that Shadow Clone used were strange. They weren't the kind Konoha Ninja usually use."

"I suspect there's more to this than meets the eye. There may be a bigger plot behind it."

Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A plot? If that's true, we can't let our guard down."

"Come back to Konoha with me first. We'll tell Lord Hokage what happened here and let him decide."

Sand Fang and Kazama exchanged a glance, then nodded.

They were in danger. Only by returning to Konoha could they get better protection.

And telling Lord Hokage what had happened would help Konoha and Sunagakure respond to any crisis ahead.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance.

Naruto, Sand Fang, and Kazama immediately went on alert, ready for a fight.

A group of masked figures in black emerged from behind a sand dune. They carried all manner of ninja tools and radiated a sinister aura.

"Looks like our trouble isn't over yet."

Naruto tightened his grip on his Kunai, resolve hardening in his eyes.

Sand Fang and Kazama readied themselves too. The next fight would be even harder.

But they would not retreat. They had themselves, their comrades, and their villages to protect.

The leader of the black-clad figures removed his mask, revealing a vicious face. "I didn't expect to run into Konoha ninja here. All the better. Now we won't have to hunt you down."

"You're all going to die here today!"

Naruto gave a cold laugh. "You can try."

His hands flashed through Hand Seals as Chakra gathered before him. "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Countless Narutos appeared around him, surrounding the black-clad figures.

The morning breeze stirred the sand across the training ground. Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, casting mottled shadows on