Autumn, Year 47 of Konoha. The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, at the edge of the Endless Sea of Sand.
The wind swept up scorching sand and hurled it against the brown rocky hills, producing a dull, monotonous sound.
Shinji Uchiha stood motionless atop a massive, weathered boulder, his Jonin vest fluttering slightly in the dry, hot wind.
His eyes were closed. The chakra surging through his body was like a dormant volcano, waiting for its chance to erupt.
Deeper still, a scorching, concentrated "intent" brewed within his scabbard-the new level of resonance he had achieved with his long blade, Blazing Inferno, after arduous training in seclusion.
What he needed was not to admire his own achievements, but a battle of sufficient weight to test what he had learned, announce his return, and-wash away certain humiliations branded into his memory.
The image of Dan Katō being swallowed by gold dust remained like a thorn, reminding him of Konoha's sole defeat during the Great Avalanche Offensive.
And the man responsible for it all, Rasa, was now active along this border, trying to reverse Sunagakure's decline with a more forceful stance.
"It's time." Shinji slowly opened his eyes. Deep within his black pupils, white sparks seemed to be brewing.
His right hand rested lightly on the hilt of Blazing Inferno.
The intelligence was accurate. Rasa would personally lead a team to patrol this disputed region today.
His goal was clear. All he had to do was wait for his quarry.
He did not have to wait long before several black dots appeared on the distant horizon and rapidly grew larger.
The man in the lead wore a Sunagakure Jonin uniform beneath a Hokage Robe. His face was stern, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. He was