Deep inside the Daimyo's Mansion.
Someone jolted upright on his bed.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire threw on an outer robe and rushed to the window. In the eastern sky, golden light and dark shapes churned together.
"What's going on?!"
The captain of the guards stumbled in and dropped to one knee, his voice trembling.
"D-Daimyo! Someone's trying to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage! At the Official Inn!"
"The attackers are wearing... black robes with red clouds..."
"They're from the Akatsuki!!"
"The Akatsuki?!"
The Daimyo froze for a moment.
Then fury surged through him.
"The nerve of the Akatsuki!"
He slammed his palm onto the desk, making the brush stand jump.
"We haven't gone after them, and they dare come to us!"
"Send the order. Every guard outside the gates is to ride to the Official Inn!"
"Don't let a single member of the Akatsuki escape!!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Armor clattered.
Torches streamed like a dragon.
Thousands of uniformed Samurai poured from a side gate of the Daimyo's Mansion. Swords drawn and armor gleaming in the firelight, they marched straight down the long street toward the Official Inn.
Their footsteps beat in unison, like a drum pounding through the Capital night.
At the Ruins of the Official Inn.
The candidates watched the river of fire approach, their faces turning pale.
Thousands of Samurai. They weren't ninja, but they were still a formidable force.
An entire army formation.
The candidates were only a handful of Jonin, not Madara Uchiha. How could they stand against that?
The gaunt candidate's voice shook uncontrollably.
"Captain... what do we do...?"
"How noisy. Even ants think they can turn the world upside down."
Sasori frowned.
He turned his hooded head toward them all and said evenly:
"Hold on a little longer."
"I'll