As Iwagakure's elite forces continued hunting down Sand Ninja within the Land of Rain, the Third Kazekage, Sajie, received reports from the front.
After reading the intelligence, Sajie's expression turned icy, anger surging within him. He said grimly, "I never expected Iwagakure to see through our plan. They probably knew all along that Sunagakure was behind these attacks."
"Lord Kazekage, what should we do next?" Niuji, a Sunagakure Jonin, stepped forward and asked.
"Heh... Does that bastard Ōnoki think Sunagakure is a pushover? Send men out to locate Iwagakure's forces immediately. I'll wipe them out myself!"
"But... Lord Kazekage, Konoha still hasn't made a move, and Hanzō remains a serious threat!"
"And shouldn't you consult Elder Chiyo before taking action?" Niuji immediately stepped forward to dissuade him.
Sajie interrupted impatiently. "Enough. I can't control what Konoha does. As for Hanzō, do you think he'll dare show his face once we clash with Iwagakure inside the Land of Rain?"
At that, he clenched his fists, his eyes growing colder. "My teacher died in the Land of Rain, and Sunagakure's prestige plummeted. I will never allow anyone to trample our village's dignity again!"
"My mind is made up. Gather men immediately and form elite squads to search for the Iwagakure ninja. Once you find them, do not engage recklessly. Return at once and report to me. I'll kill them myself. What can a mere Four-Tails Jinchūriki possibly do to me?"
"As for Elder Chiyo, I'll speak to her. Don't disturb her work on the antidote. Carry out my orders!"
"Yes!" Left with no choice, Niuji obeyed and went outside the tent to assemble the men.
As Iwagakure and Sunagakure's ninja squads continued searching for each other, both sides were effectively heading straight toward one another.
One day, in a vast stretch