A few days later, a piercing alarm rang out over Konoha at dawn. It was not the bell signaling an enemy attack, but an urgent message from a border patrol-several villages and a stretch of forest along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass had been engulfed in a strange, dense, pale pink mist. Every living creature that entered it, whether an animal or a ninja who wandered in by mistake, fell into a deep sleep within moments. Their chakra became sluggish, and their vital signs grew faint.
"It isn't ordinary poison gas," the ninja from the Intelligence Division reported gravely. "It severely suppresses chakra and paralyzes the mind. Standard antidotes have no effect. The mist isn't spreading quickly, but the affected area keeps expanding."
Tsunade immediately realized this was no natural disaster. Given their earlier intelligence, it was very likely the work of Akatsuki-or rather, Sasori, who lurked behind the scenes. A new, large-scale nonlethal weapon? What was its purpose? To spread panic? Test its effects? Or... lure us away?
"Purifying Karma Force, move out immediately!" Tsunade ordered without hesitation. "Your priority is to identify the nature of the mist, attempt to disperse or contain it, and rescue the trapped civilians! Kakashi, you'll lead. Ling, Naruto, Yamato, Neji... and Ino, you're going with him."
"Ino?" Naruto sounded surprised.
Tsunade turned to Ino. "Your mental sensing and linking abilities could be crucial in this environment. Help Neji locate survivors, and keep the team in contact when visibility is obstructed."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Ino straightened her back, determination and a sense of responsibility shining in her eyes. This was her first S-Rank Mission as an official member of Purifying Karma.
The team assembled swiftly and used the Flying Thunder God Formula to teleport to the border