Specific Time

Iwagakure.

Ōnoki floated above his seat, his face ashen.

Below him stood a group of Stone Village shinobi with their heads lowered.

They were the Anbu led by Iwa-kyu, specifically assigned to protect Roshi.

"What the hell have you all been doing!?"

"How did Roshi go missing!?"

"Didn't yesterday's report say everything was normal?"

The several Stone Village shinobi below remained silent. There was nothing they could say. Roshi, a living, breathing man, had vanished without a trace right under their noses.

This already counted as a severe dereliction of duty.

Iwa-kyu forced himself to speak. "Since the last surprise attack, Lord Roshi has become much more reasonable."

"He shouldn't have left without saying a word."

How could Ōnoki not know that? Although Roshi disagreed with him politically,

Roshi was an old man, after all. He knew what mattered.

For him to suddenly disappear at a time like this, there was a strong chance that something had happened to him.

Just then, the door suddenly flew open. "Old man, something happened!"

Ōnoki saw that it was Deidara.

"You can leave for now. Investigate again and see if there are any clues."

"How long until Han reaches the village? Check his whereabouts."

Iwa-kyu and the others felt as though they had been pardoned. They hurriedly bowed and withdrew.

"What is it, Deidara?"

Seeing Deidara relaxed Ōnoki somewhat as well.

Deidara was unusually serious. "Old man, Brother Sasori sent me a message through the black market."

"Obito launched a surprise attack on Sand Village. Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, died in battle. Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, had his Tailed Beast extracted and died. The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki of Takigakure also had his Tailed Beast extracted and died."

Ōnoki was shocked. "What? Both Kazekage of Sand Village are dead?"

Deidara nodded firmly. "Yes. Didn't Iwa-kyu