Boom!
In that instant, the entire expanse of sand collapsed. Centered on the underground base, the ground sank layer by layer for hundreds of meters around, sand pouring inward to form an ever-widening funnel-shaped depression.
Gold dust surged out from underground, gushing through the gaps in the base's structure, as though a buried layer were being squeezed outward and forcing its way through the surface from below.
Churning waves of sand pushed rubble and earth outward, forming an expanding ring of raised ground. Fresh sand kept spilling from cracks along its edges, burying the original exit.
Rasa leaped from the center of the closing depression. Gold dust lifted him from beneath his feet, swiftly carrying him clear of the collapsing ground.
His expression was grim. His gaze swept rapidly over the surrounding terrain, confirming the direction and distance between his current position and the nearest Hidden Sand Village outpost.
He landed atop a dune that had yet to collapse completely, and the sand beneath his feet stabilized.
Dozens of figures appeared beside Rasa almost the instant he landed.
Ninja from the puppet corps poured out of concealed positions behind the dunes. Their movements were swift and coordinated, and they formed an encirclement as they took their places. Under their control, puppets extended forward, their blades and poisoned needles already adjusted and ready.
Chiyo stood at the front of the group, several humanoid puppets behind her, their joints gleaming.
Chiyo stepped forward, shifting her gaze from Rasa to the stretch of sand that was filling back in.
"What happened, Kazekage?"
Rasa's breathing had yet to settle. He was about to speak when the sensory ninja beside him suddenly raised his voice.
"There's a powerful chakra fluctuation below!"
His eyes remained fixed on the area that had collapsed into a basin as