Shocking News

Within Konoha Village, the discussion surrounding Uchiha Kyohaku and Orochimaru's thrilling sparring match had yet to die down. Just as the higher-ups and major ninja clans were still processing the shock brought by this suddenly emerged Uchiha genius, even more explosive news—news concerning the entire ninja world's balance of power—swept in like a hurricane from the western border, instantly scattering all internal speculation and debate.

Inside the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed water could drip from it. Hiruzen Sarutobi held the newly delivered encrypted scroll, completely unaware that his pipe had gone out long ago. Advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat nearby, their expressions equally grim. Even the ever-gloomy Danzo stood leaning on his cane, his one eye fixed on the Land of Wind's location on the map as he remained silent.

"Has the news been confirmed?" Koharu Utatane asked in a dry voice.

"It has." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded heavily and handed the scroll to the two of them. "The Cloud Village... what a bold move. An elite force led by the AB Combo bypassed our northern defenses, crossed through the seas of the Land of Hot Water, launched a surprise attack on the eastern coast of the Land of Wind, and struck straight at the heart of the Hidden Sand Village!"

"Have they gone mad? Such a long-range raid, with their supply line stretched so far!" Homura Mitokado said in shock, but his expression soon grew even uglier. "Could it be... they intend to take advantage of the Third Kazekage's disappearance and the chaos within the Hidden Sand Village to swallow the Land of Wind in one stroke?"

"That is most likely the case." Danzo spoke coldly. "What would that warmongering Raikage dare not do? If he succeeds in annexing the Land of Wind's resources and the Hidden Sand Village's ninjutsu, then the Land of Fire will inevitably be his next target!"

The office fell deathly silent. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation. If the Hidden Sand Village collapsed, Konoha would be left to face an unprecedentedly powerful and crazed Cloud Village alone.

However, the battle reports that arrived next brought a dramatic reversal.

Several days later, more detailed intelligence began arriving one after another.

The intelligence division ninja reported respectfully, his tone carrying a trace of disbelief. "The Cloud Village's AB Combo launched an incredibly fierce offensive. In particular, the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, Killer B, displayed astonishing destructive power after fully transforming into the tailed beast. Combined with the Fourth Raikage's terrifying speed and attack power, the Hidden Sand Village's frontline forces nearly collapsed at the first clash, suffering heavy losses."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows twisted into a knot. "The Hidden Sand Village... are they finished just like that?"

"No, Lord Hokage!" The intelligence ninja's voice suddenly rose. "At the critical moment, a Hidden Sand Village jonin named Rasa stepped forward! He may be the Third Kazekage's successor, and he used the same bloodline limit—Magnet Release: Gold Dust Technique!"

"Magnet Release? Gold Dust Technique?" Several of the higher-ups were stunned.

"Yes! According to descriptions from frontline observers and survivors, Rasa controlled gold dust that filled the sky, forming an absolute defense that forcibly withstood multiple Tailed Beast Bomb attacks from the fully transformed Eight-Tails! At the same time, the gold dust transformed into countless enormous arms and weapons, confronting the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode head-on. Though he remained on the defensive, he successfully contained the AB Combo's fiercest assault and bought precious time for the Hidden Sand Village's forces to regroup!"

The scene seemed to unfold before them through the intelligence officer's account:

Across the endless desert of the Land of Wind, the gigantic Eight-Tails Gyuki roared as a Tailed Beast Bomb gathered devastating energy. The Fourth Raikage A, his entire body blazing with Lightning Release chakra, moved like a bolt of blue lightning, each charge shaking the earth. Opposite them stood a red-haired young ninja with a resolute expression, both hands pressed to the ground. In an instant, the earth thundered, and endless gold dust—heavier than ordinary sand and gleaming with a luxurious yet lethal radiance—erupted into the sky. It became an impregnable barrier that withstood the Tailed Beast Bomb's explosion, then condensed into giant palms that crashed violently against the Raikage's Lariat!

"Magnet Release... it actually possesses such power?" Koharu Utatane murmured.

"More than that," the intelligence ninja continued, "after Rasa stabilized the battle line, Elder Chiyo of the Hidden Sand Village personally led the most elite puppet troops in rapid reinforcement. The White Secret Technique: Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, combined with Ebizo's strategic coordination, caused the Cloud Village forces enormous trouble. Seeing that they could not break through Rasa's defenses in a short time, that Chiyo's forces had already arrived, and that their supply line was too long for their long-range raid, leaving them without sufficient endurance, the AB Combo ultimately... had no choice but to retreat. The Cloud Village's invasion ended in failure!"

"..."

The Hokage's office fell silent once again, but this silence carried an entirely different meaning.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled, his gaze complicated. "Rasa... Magnet Release gold dust... it seems the Hidden Sand Village has produced a truly remarkable figure."

To step forward in a crisis, turn the tide, and repel the powerful AB Combo—Rasa's prestige in the Hidden Sand Village was bound to soar like the sun at noon. The power vacuum left by the Third Kazekage's disappearance would likely soon have a new master.

"The Hidden Sand Village has stabilized, and the Cloud Village has withdrawn. On the surface, this seems beneficial to us..." Homura Mitokado analyzed. "But after this battle, the enmity between the Hidden Sand Village and the Cloud Village has deepened. Rather than easing, the tensions throughout the ninja world have been doused with a bucket of hot oil. The shadow of a great war has drawn closer."

Danzo snorted coldly. "Now that the Hidden Sand Village has recovered, they may not thank us for standing by. And with a new hero, their ambitions may begin to grow again."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the window and looked out over the seemingly peaceful Konoha Village, his heart surging with turmoil. Orochimaru's disciple's astonishing strength, the Cloud Village's mad gamble, the sudden emergence of the Hidden Sand Village's new hero... all of it foretold that this stifled peace had reached its end.

"Pass down the order," he said as he turned around, his voice regaining its usual authority. "Raise border alert levels to the highest level! Cancel all leave for ninja currently on break; they are to remain on standby at all times! Send additional personnel to the mission assignment office, accelerate mission turnover, and stockpile strategic supplies!"

"Yes!"

The orders were swiftly relayed. Konoha's war machine had not yet formally started, but every gear had already begun spinning faster in idle motion, emitting a deep, rumbling roar.

Uchiha Kyohaku stood in his family courtyard, having heard this earth-shattering news as well. He looked up at the azure sky, as though he could feel the bloodshed of the distant desert and the gleam of gold dust.

"Rasa... the Fourth Kazekage?" he murmured. His three tomoe slowly turned in his eyes. "The AB Combo has appeared as well. The wheels of history really have begun to turn faster."

He clenched his fist, feeling chakra surge through his body. The storm had arrived. Amid the massive waves sweeping across the entire ninja world, he had to obtain enough power to complete the final restoration.

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