Anyo followed Rock Lee to the place where Temari and Deidara had fought. After a casual glance around, he picked a direction and walked forward.
Rock Lee could not help asking in surprise, "You've finished investigating already?"
Anyo nodded. "Yes. This is a desert. All traces disappear in a very short time, but there's one kind that's very hard to erase. Do you know what it is?"
After pondering for a moment, Rock Lee suddenly understood. "I get it. Scent."
Anyo replied appreciatively, "That's right. Follow me."
"Yes!" Rock Lee answered, brimming with enthusiasm.
With a whoosh, Anyo vanished before Rock Lee.
"So fast!"
Rather than being alarmed, Rock Lee was delighted. He took a running stance and charged after him.
As he ran, he howled, "Aaaah... this is youth!"
Back in Konoha, Tsunade had received the request for help Tenten had brought, and her brow was tightly furrowed.
Naruto and Sakura, who had already returned to Konoha, appeared in the Hokage Office. A short while later, Kakashi walked in as well.
Looking at the three before her, Tsunade quickly said, "This is an emergency. According to our intelligence, the perpetrators who attacked Sunagakure and are suspected of taking Gaara are members of the Akatsuki. Konoha has more intelligence on them, and some of you have fought them directly. I'm now assigning Team Kakashi a mission: head out immediately to support Sunagakure, gather intelligence, and send it back to Konoha. Also, Anyo is in Sunagakure as the lead instructor for the chunin ninja exams. Follow his instructions once you arrive."
After the three left, Shizune said to Tsunade, "You're only sending one squad? Their opponents are the Akatsuki."
Tsunade fell silent, as though she had not heard a word Shizune said.
Shizune could only continue, "Also, Tenten and Neji really