Standing beneath Rōran's low city walls, they were met by an air of ancient desolation.
Before the walls lay endless yellow sands; beyond them stretched broad streets and towering buildings. Separated by only one wall, it nevertheless felt as though they had entered a world apart.
Because Rōran had long been coveted, and since it lay within the Wind Country, Sunagakure had stationed several ninja squads there.
When Minato Namikaze led the group through the city gates, several sharp-eyed Sand ninja spotted them.
"Hey, Sanji, pinch me. I'm not seeing things, am I? That's Leaf Village's Yellow Flash, right?" One of the Sand ninja rubbed his eyes and spoke uncertainly.
"Ah! Why did you actually pinch me? And so hard! That hurt!"
"Hehe, you were the one who asked." Sanji chuckled, then immediately turned serious. "But it really is the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze. And there are two Uchiha Clan members and a Hyuga Clan member in his group. Hiss... What could Leaf Village want in Rōran with a lineup like that?"
Sanji sucked in a breath and quickly ordered, "Hurry, Nakamura. Go back to the village and report this immediately. Tell them Leaf Village's Yellow Flash has come to Rōran with unknown intentions, and have the village send experts at once. I'll keep watch on them here."
"Will you be all right by yourself? That's the Yellow Flash..."
"Don't worry. I'll only watch from afar and won't provoke them. This is Wind Country territory, after all. As long as I don't make the first move, I doubt they'll attack recklessly."
"Then be careful. I'm going."
"Mm."
Sanji nodded solemnly. Though he had made it sound easy, he was actually nervous beyond measure. Still, his duty as a Chunin forced him to hold himself together.
"Teacher Minato, one of the