There Was Something Wrong After All!

He pressed both hands to the ground. The sand beneath their feet instantly softened, and a narrow tunnel slowly formed ahead of them. A hard shell of earth coated its walls to keep them from collapsing.

Kawaki Aoba immediately dispelled his Shadow Clone and followed Iwabe Yuino into the tunnel.

The tunnel smelled of damp earth. With every step, they heard grains of sand trickling down.

Iwabe Yuino led the way, occasionally feeling the thickness of the tunnel wall to make sure the ninjas above would not notice them.

"Aoba, what do you think Sunagakure is hiding in that abandoned mine?"

Iwabe Yuino could not help asking as he walked. "

Could it have something to do with Shukaku? But Lord Gaara would never let them do anything to Shukaku, would he?"

Kawaki Aoba ducked beneath a protruding rock. His voice sounded muffled in the cramped space. "Hard to say.

I once saw a record in Konoha's archives. Although Shukaku has made peace with Sunagakure, his Chakra is still unstable and occasionally leaks.

If Sunagakure really is doing something in the mine, they may be dealing with a Shukaku Chakra leak and trying to keep it from the outside world."

He paused, then added, "Or they could be hiding a forbidden ninjutsu scroll they obtained elsewhere. They may have sent out patrols to conceal the mine because they're afraid another village will discover it."

Iwabe Yuino's brow furrowed, and he quickened his pace. "Either way, we need to find out as soon as possible.

If Shukaku is involved, a delay could lead to disaster."

Just then, a tremor ran through the tunnel roof, accompanied by ninja footsteps.

Kawaki Aoba grabbed Iwabe Yuino. They pressed themselves against the tunnel wall and held their breath.

Two Sunagakure ninjas were talking above them.