Taking Command Once More

The air over Sunagakure had yet to settle from the humiliation and grief of its crushing defeat at Kikyō Mountain when a new, even more bone-chilling threat suddenly descended.

Inside the Kazekage's office, the atmosphere was so grave it was nearly suffocating. Elder Chiyo's face was livid as Ebizo rapidly flipped through a freshly delivered intelligence scroll, its hurried writing even stained with blood. Baki, one of the Jonin left behind, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

"The reports have been confirmed." Ebizo's dry, hoarse voice broke the silence. "To the southeast, Ao has led Hidden Mist Village's elite forces through the border. They are moving extremely fast, and their target is the village. On the southern coast... the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have landed. The outposts along their route... have all been wiped out."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!" Baki gritted his teeth. That name brought not only pressure, but also an indelible humiliation. This very group had nearly allowed Konoha to shatter the backbone of the Hidden Mist Village with a single kick, yet now they dared come knocking at their door!

"Where is Rasa?" Chiyo asked heavily, though she already knew the answer.

"Lord Kazekage is still deep in the desert... raising funds." Baki's voice was low, carrying a trace of helplessness. A village's Kage having to spend every day amid the yellow sands like a miner was itself the greatest irony and tragedy.

"There is no time to wait for him to return." Chiyo slammed her palm onto the table and declared decisively, "We must respond immediately! Baki, organize every ninja in the village still capable of fighting. Use the defensive fortifications and defend the village's core at all costs. The Hidden Mist Village must not be