The elders present could only shake their heads and smile helplessly at those words, unable to refute them.
They had all seen what Naruto had done throughout the Shinobi World.
Gaara's orders were concise and efficient.
"The entire village is to enter the highest state of alert."
Sunagakure, the enormous fortress built amid the desert, was instantly jolted awake from its usual languor.
No alarms sounded, but invisible orders were relayed through the ANBU, reaching every key post with precision.
At the village entrance, the number of guards assigned to inspections tripled. They were no longer merely checking identification. They swiftly changed equipment, each taking up a brand-new Thunderclap Bolter. The black muzzles reflected an unsettling metallic gleam beneath the scorching desert sun.
Within the village, squads of elite shinobi moved swiftly through the shadows of the buildings, deploying fire teams at every high point and major thoroughfare.
The entire village became a gigantic scorpion that had drawn in its claws, yet raised every spike across its body.
"Gaara, this still isn't enough." Temari watched the tense yet orderly mobilization outside the window and offered her suggestion. "Once the fighting starts, we can't guarantee that the battlefield will remain completely outside the village. Civilian casualties..."
"Fine." Gaara did not hesitate in the slightest.
He immediately issued his second order.
"Under the pretext of an annual disaster-prevention drill, evacuate all non-combat personnel."
Before long, gentle notification tones rang out over the village broadcast system, informing every resident that a sandstorm drill was about to begin.
No one suspected a thing.
Under the ANBU's secret guidance, children still at play, unsteady elderly people, and mothers carrying infants were silently led into the enormous shelter deep beneath the village.
Enough food and water to last three months had been stockpiled there.
After the