Each step the wooden man took left a crater, making the ground tremble.
The vibrations traveled up from its feet to its shoulders.
Wind howled past their ears, spinning Sen's straw hat.
"Fine, I'll use some trees to block that sandstorm."
Sen held his hat brim and muttered around the rotten grass root he was chewing.
"Big bro, this is fast! Way better than running!"
Naruto crouched on its shoulder, waving excitedly.
"Shut up, or the wind will stuff your mouth with sand."
Sen stretched lazily, then reluctantly slipped his hands back into his pockets.
Just then, he felt something sticky at his collar.
A tiny snow-white slug with blue stripes crawled out.
"Lord Sen, sorry for the trouble."
Katsuyu's voice was gentle, barely audible in the wind.
Sen flicked her feelers with a fingertip, looking rather disgusted.
"What does that old hag Tsunade want now?"
"The roster has been filed. You're listed as the captain, Lord Sen."
Katsuyu swayed her feelers, her tone still gentle.
Sen froze, both eyes bulging.
"Me, lead the team? Isn't Kakashi right here?"
Sen whipped his head around to stare at the white-haired man beside him.
Kakashi closed his red book, amusement crinkling the corner of his eye.
"Don't look at me. Tsunade really did make that decision."
"Why me? I'm just a genin! I'm not qualified!"
Sen slapped the wooden forehead, his palms slick with cold sweat.
"Because Sunagakure specifically requested you as captain when they asked for help."
Kakashi loosened his mask, amusement in his dead-fish eye.
"They still remember how you flattened Shukaku back then."
"That was ages ago. Those people have way too good a memory."
Sen waved his hands repeatedly, looking miserable and cursing his luck.
"Don't turn them down, Sen. Sunagakure is desperate right now."
Sakura stepped forward,