Homura and Koharu

Night.

The Land of Rain.

Rain fell in bursts. In the darkness, a squad of shinobi raced across open ground and between scattered rocks. Far ahead, pinpricks of light marked Iwagakure Camp.

"Lord Zebon, Iwagakure Camp is just ahead."

Zebon glanced toward it. "Takuma handled things well. After that disaster, he neither rushed into a fight to the death with the Sand Shinobi nor continued cooperating with them. He separated the Allied Forces instead.

"He waited for fresh orders from the village and preserved Iwagakure's strength."

After Nakagawa's death, the Tsuchikage had sent Zebon to take command of the camp. On his way there, Zebon learned that Saito and the other three had died and that the Sand Shinobi had attacked Iwagakure Camp.

He had originally planned to arrive the following afternoon. After receiving the news, he dared not delay. He traveled through the night, afraid another disaster might strike.

Only when he saw the camp standing intact did he finally relax.

Ahead of the camp, patrol after patrol stood guard.

Zebon's squad approached slowly.

"Lord Zebon, it's wonderful that you could get here now. Your arrival will put the shinobi in the camp at ease."

Zebon nodded. "Take me to Command Headquarters. Summon Takuma and Chitian as well. I need to know the current situation in the Land of Rain."

"Yes."

At Iwagakure Camp's Command Headquarters, Chitian and Takuma arrived one after the other.

"Lord Zebon."

Zebon nodded to them. "Takuma handled this incident well. He didn't act rashly."

"I know my abilities are limited. I didn't dare make a reckless move and risk losing more men."

"What's the situation in the Land of Rain?"

"Konoha's shinobi have begun gathering. Jiraiya and Sakumo Hatake are both at Konoha Camp now, and its ranks are filling with young geniuses. Their