Chiyo Arrives

The earth-shaking battle between Shaye and Sasori sent chakra fluctuations and thunderous booms rippling outward like a boulder dropped into a still lake.

A Sunagakure border patrol team stationed dozens of miles from the rocky mountain region was the first to sense the anomaly. Their captain, an experienced Chunin, abruptly stopped and stared into the depths of the western desert, his expression grave.

"Such terrifying chakra clashes... and signs of large-scale puppet activity! This direction and distance... it's coming from Ghostcry Valley!" a team member reported uneasily.

"Send the village the highest emergency alert via communication hawk immediately! Report the location and the anomaly! Everyone, pick up the pace and advance carefully toward the source to investigate!" the captain ordered without hesitation. A well-trained ninja hawk immediately took to the sky, becoming a black speck as it sped toward the village.

Within Sunagakure, the Kazekage's office and the council of elders were instantly shaken upon receiving the highest emergency alert. Sasori had only recently wiped out a bandit gang in the western desert, and now a battle of such intensity had erupted there. The possibilities were chilling.

"It's Sasori! He must still be in that area! Who could be fighting him?" Elder Chiyo's heart clenched as she immediately thought of Shaye, who had gone off on his own to find Sasori!

"Assemble a support squad immediately! I'll lead it myself!" Elder Chiyo practically roared the order. Her aged figure burst forth with astonishing speed as she rushed straight for the village gates.

Before long, a rapid-response squad composed of twenty elite Chunin and five Jonin had assembled. Under Elder Chiyo's lead, they raced from the village at top speed toward the western desert.

Yet no matter how fast they were, they still relied on traditional ninja travel. The desert terrain