Magnet Release Emerges

In a natural underground pit buried beneath windblown sand.

The air inside the pit was murky, thick with the smell of motor oil and some special preservative.

Several hurricane lamps hung from the rock wall, casting wavering halos of indistinct light.

They illuminated seven or eight figures, some sitting, some standing.

Most of them wore Hidden Sand Village-style clothing. Many had tactical goggles over their faces.

They carried all manner of scrolls and tool pouches. They were members of Hidden Sand Village's elite puppet corps.

At the center of the pit, a palm-sized, earth-brown lizard-like summoned beast lay sprawled atop a flat stone.

Its mouth bulged slightly before it spat out a scroll. The captain beside it opened the scroll.

"...Leaf Village's Princess Tsunade has been confirmed to have arrived at the front-line camp with an elite medical unit.

"She is one of the Ninja World's foremost medical ninjas. Lady Chiyo has judged

"that her presence will greatly reduce the effectiveness of our poison tactics.

"She may also accelerate Leaf Village's development of antidotes. To maintain pressure and disrupt their rhythm,

"all puppet harassment squads are ordered, effective immediately, to increase the frequency and intensity of their operations.

"Focus on striking their logistical supply lines, especially convoys transporting medicinal herbs and clean water.

"Before they gain a firm foothold, be sure to maximize their expenditure of manpower and supplies.

"The specific timing and targets may be determined at your own discretion, but the harassment must remain continuous."

After the captain finished reading, he formed hand seals. With a poof, the lizard summoned beast turned into a small puff of white smoke and vanished.

The pit fell silent for a moment. A middle-aged puppeteer seated in the position of honor slowly removed his goggles.

He revealed deeply sunken eyes, with fine