Sunagakure · Amid the ruins
Chiyo stood beside Bunpuku's body, silently listening to the intelligence officer's report.
"...The One-Tail broke free of its seal at approximately three in the morning. The exact cause is unknown, but we suspect Hyuga Tianyi of the Leaf Village was involved.
The One-Tail then rampaged through the village, causing heavy casualties.
At approximately four, Hyuga Tianyi appeared above the Kazekage Office and used Magnet Release to gather metal from across the village, destroying the Kazekage Office building and its underground archives."
The intelligence officer paused, his voice trembling slightly.
"At approximately five, Hyuga Tianyi engaged the One-Tail head-on.
He... he hurled an enormous metal sphere at the One-Tail, then killed Shukaku outright with a technique that descended from the sky. The One-Tail's chakra dissipated."
Chiyo listened quietly, her face expressionless.
Bunpuku's body had already been cleaned, and a white cloth covered his aged face.
The old monk who had protected the Hidden Sand Village for decades had ultimately been denied a peaceful end to his life.
The intelligence officer continued, "Our current count puts shinobi deaths at approximately six hundred, with civilian casualties exceeding two thousand.
The Kazekage Office building was completely destroyed, along with all classified records.
More than forty percent of the village's buildings were destroyed, and there's also..."
"Enough."
Chiyo's voice was low and hoarse.
The intelligence officer closed his mouth and quietly withdrew.
Chiyo slowly raised her head and looked around.
Surviving Hidden Sand Village shinobi had gathered all around her.
Some sobbed quietly, some shed silent tears, and some stared at her with bloodshot eyes filled with unspoken grief and anger.
Ruins.
Bodies.
Thick smoke.
Weeping.
This was her village.
This was the place she had spent her entire life protecting.
Chiyo drew a deep breath and slowly began to