Concealing the Truth

The setting sun cast their shadows long across the ruins. Shaye briefly treated his wounds and swallowed Soldier Pills to restore his chakra, while Elder Chiyo stood silently where she was. The wrinkles on her aged face seemed deeper than before. Her gaze swept across the devastated battlefield before finally settling on several enormous fragments of Iron Sand—the remnants of the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release. Her eyes were filled with pain and conflict.

The scouting Jonin returned to report. "Elder Chiyo, no traces of any other personnel were found in the vicinity. The enemy's retreat route points toward the depths of the northwestern desert, but the trail vanished after entering an area of quicksand. Also... the residual chakra at the scene is complex, but the main signs seem to be... violent Magnet Release clashes and extensive Puppet Technique activity." He carefully avoided voicing the most terrifying possibility, but the shock and doubt in his eyes could not be hidden.

"I understand. Maintain the perimeter." Elder Chiyo waved a hand, her voice somewhat weary.

After the Jonin left, she slowly walked over to Shaye and lowered her voice. Every word seemed incomparably heavy. "Shaye, you saw it all. Sasori... has completely lost his mind. What happened to the Third Kazekage... must never be made public."

Shaye raised his head. He understood Elder Chiyo's concerns. He nodded and said quietly, "I understand. If the news gets out, Lord Fourth Kazekage will certainly fly into a rage and mobilize the entire village to hunt down Brother Sasori. But right now..." He looked at the Sunagakure ninja searching the area around them. "Kumogakure has only just retreated, while Hidden Rock Village is watching us from the northwest. The war has already begun. The village can no longer withstand any major internal upheaval or division