Windblown sand battered the wooden scales with a series of dull thuds.
Naruto clung desperately to the dragon's horn, unable to open his eyes against the wind.
"Big bro, there's a huge ravine in the sandstorm ahead!"
"That's not a ravine. It's the Sunagakure Narrow Pass."
Sen tilted his head lazily, both hands tucked into his pockets.
His geta clicked crisply as he tapped them against the wooden armor.
Kakashi rubbed his eyes and took a gulp of water.
"Sakura, check the time. How long have we been traveling?"
"Kakashi-sensei, it's been... five and a half hours."
Sakura shook out her pink hair, feeling numb all over.
Her face was pale, clearly shaken by the Wood Dragon's speed.
"Five hours? Across two countries? How is that possible?"
Kakashi stared at the enormous canyon, the corner of his eye twitching.
Even an elite jonin needed at least three days to get from Konoha to Sunagakure.
This kid had summoned a Wood Dragon and flown the entire team straight over.
It simply defied reason.
"There's a monster flying toward us!"
On the stone platform at the canyon entrance, a guard sounded the alarm.
The siren echoed through the canyon again and again.
Dozens of Sand Ninja carrying heavy crossbows poked their heads out.
"Don't attack! We're the rescue team!"
Standing on the dragon's head, Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs.
"You must be joking! We only sent the request for help last night!"
The captain in charge roared, gripping his heavy crossbow tightly.
Sen sighed helplessly and tapped the dragon's head with his toes.
Boom.
The enormous wooden dragon swept its tail, whipping up a fierce wind.
The Wood Dragon landed steadily at the canyon entrance, sending yellow sand billowing everywhere.
The heavy impact shook loose chunks of the stone