Konoha Jonin Yamashita Daimaru, Reporting for Duty!

Jagged rocks covered the cliffs on both sides of Riftwind Valley. Howling winds swept sand and dust in from the valley mouth, and wherever the eye could see, blind spots offered places for an ambush.

Before long, Hatake Sakumo led two squads of ninja—nine people in all—into the valley.

"Ten, activate your Byakugan and search the area carefully. See if you can find any trace of our comrades. Everyone else, spread out and search. Stay alert," Hatake Sakumo said after surveying the area.

At his words, the Hyuga ninja called Hyuga Ten raised two fingers to his brow. With a low shout, he activated his Byakugan and scanned the valley. The others spread out. Some crouched to examine footprints left on the ground, while others looked around, searching every corner...

Just as they had spread out and begun their search—

A swish cut through the air.

Several figures burst from the darkness and lunged at the Konoha Ninja.

With a wet thud, several long blades pierced a Konoha Ninja. He slowly collapsed.

"Koizumi!" a comrade beside him cried out.

"Enemy attack!" The other ninja jolted and immediately regrouped around Sakumo.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A Konoha Ninja rapidly formed Hand Seals and unleashed the Ninjutsu. In the fireball's light, everyone saw the attackers: several humanoid figures wearing fearsome masks, their joints connected by wood. Puppets?

"Stay calm! It's Sunagakure. Medical ninja, treat the wounded. Everyone else, form a defensive line and fire a signal flare!" Hatake Sakumo ordered, grave but composed.

Just then, the chests of the puppets sprang open, firing a storm of Senbon at them.

"Lord Sakumo! I've got this!"

A Konoha Jonin stepped forward, his fingers flying through Hand Seals. "Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" He slammed both palms against the ground, and a thick wall