The windblown sand of the Land of Earth carried a distinctive earthy smell, but now a heavy burnt stench mingled with it-the lingering trace of rock instantly vaporized by extreme heat.
The doors to Iwagakure's treasury stood wide open, like the mouth of a tiger stripped of all its teeth, hollow and forlorn.
Controlling his Susanoo, Sasuke emerged carrying several oversized sealing scrolls, excitement written all over his face. He looked exactly like a wholesaler returning from the market with a full load.
"Lord Chiya, everything's been counted."
Sasuke casually piled the scrolls onto the ground with a dull thud. "These Iwagakure guys are born hoarders. They've stockpiled even more good stuff than Kumogakure. The raw materials for explosive tags alone will last Flame Emperor City ten years, and there are three whole warehouses of that specially made chakra metal."
He paused, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. "That big guy called Kitsuchi was crying while he carried it all out. He said they'd originally planned to use the metal to equip the Stone Ninja with new ninja tools. Now we get the lot."
Chiya leaned against his Susanoo's purple chakra greave, toying with a translucent, earthy-yellow bead.
It had been dug out of Ōnoki's private collection, supposedly a meteorite core containing exceptionally pure earth-style chakra.
"Crying? Let him cry."
With a casual toss, Chiya threw the priceless bead to Sasuke. "Once he's finished crying, he still has to mine for us. Tell Konan to reinforce Flame Emperor City's outer walls first when these supplies arrive. Since we're hosting a summit, we need to look the part. We can't have those country bumpkins coming into the city and thinking we're shabby."
"Yes, sir!" Sasuke caught the bead firmly and put it away with great care.
By now, his