The last fires in the Capital of the Land of Wind burned for two full days.
At dusk on the second day, in Sunagakure.
Sand filled the air, shredding the dim yellow light.
On the watchtower by the village entrance, a sentry squinted in boredom.
Then a large group of figures appeared at the far end of the Imperial Road, staggering toward him.
More than thirty of them.
They were the Sunagakure Jonin sent to meet Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
Some were wounded. Among the ninjas in torn clothing, the sentry recognized Rasa's guards.
His heart tightened. "What happened to you?"
One of the Kazekage's guards collapsed into the scorching sand. His hoarse scream cracked across the silent village like thunder:
"Lord Kazekage... Lord Kazekage died in battle!"
"One-Tail Shukaku was taken! The Jinchūriki was abducted!"
"The Capital was destroyed! The Daimyo died! Every noble in the western quarter is dead!"
The waterskin slipped from the sentry's hand and hit the sand.
The news spread down Sunagakure's streets like a plague. The entire village fell into silence and panic.
In the innermost room of the Medical Department, Baki's eyes snapped open.
The six ribs broken in the Battle of Amegakure had yet to heal. Bandages still wrapped his chest, layer upon layer.
Ignoring the pain, he scrambled off the bed and seized the messenger by the collar. His eyes were nearly wild with rage.
"Say that again!"
The messenger's face was deathly pale. His voice shook. "Lord Baki... Lord Kazekage, he..."
"Pfft..."
Hot blood burst from Baki's mouth, splattering across the ninja's face.
Baki sank to the floor.
His old injuries sent stabbing pain through his ribs. His vision went black and the room spun, but the pain and regret in his heart were a hundred times worse.
The chaos,