"A kingdom in the desert..."
Orochimaru looked thoughtful. Some ancient texts did indeed record a prosperous desert kingdom that had suddenly vanished at its height, leaving behind only a few scattered words.
But there were far too many countries like that in the Shinobi World to count. Apart from the Five Great Nations, any country could suddenly vanish into history because of a war or a natural disaster, leaving behind only fragmentary records...
At that thought, Orochimaru's desire for "immortality" grew even stronger.
"Influence, wealth, power... all are so fragile before the relentless passage of time. Only by attaining immortality can one explore every secret in the world and seek the one truth!"
"Orochimaru, Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru suddenly stood rooted to the spot, showing no response no matter how Tsunade called to him from behind.
"Has he been dried into snake jerky by the sun?"
"Quite possibly."
Naoki Senju and Tsunade speculated with ill intent. Guren, who heard every word clearly, was speechless. Even if they were going to bad-mouth Lord Orochimaru behind his back, couldn't they keep their voices down?
Despite her casual teasing, Tsunade quickened her pace to check on Orochimaru. If Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, really got roasted into a dead snake in the desert, the joke would go much too far.
"Orochimaru, you're still alive, right?"
That call finally pulled Orochimaru back to reality. After a brief daze, he came to his senses.
"I'm fine..."
After reaching Orochimaru's side, Tsunade also saw what had distracted him from where he stood.
A vast expanse of ruined buildings loomed indistinctly through the windblown sand.
"What's that?" Tsunade asked in puzzlement.
"Some small country that perished in a massive sandstorm, I suppose," Orochimaru answered casually. After all, such things were hardly uncommon.
A country in the desert???
Naoki Senju keenly picked up on that detail. He reached Tsunade's side in a few quick steps and saw the vast ruins as well.
Ruins like these appearing anywhere else would not have drawn Naoki Senju's attention. Small countries like these were no different from towns, and there were simply too many of them in the vast Shinobi World.
But the Land of Wind was different. There was a country here that possessed a terrifying power-Rōran.
Deep beneath Rōran lay an extraordinarily mysterious Ryūmyaku. Its power could reverse time, surpassing even the Sage of Six Paths. It was simply that no one could control it yet.
If this really was the Land of Wind...
"Sister Tsunade, let's go take a look," Naoki Senju suggested.
"Hmm? Naoki, you're interested in ruins?"
Tsunade showed little interest. Right now, she only wanted to leave this desert as soon as possible. Its environment truly wasn't something the average person could endure.
"Let's take a look and rest there while we're at it. There's no rush, anyway. We can set off again tonight once it cools down."
This time, Naoki Senju's suggestion was impossible for Tsunade to refuse. Being in this scorching desert was not only a test of willpower but torture for her skin as well.
Tsunade nodded with "reluctance." "Since Naoki wants to rest, let's get going."
With that, she took the lead, walking at the very front of the group as she headed toward the nearby ruins with some impatience.
"If you're interested in such things, Naoki-kun, there are quite a few ancient texts at the base recording small countries that vanished into history. They're rather interesting."
Orochimaru had wanted to extend his long, scarlet tongue to suit his mood, but the sand constantly whipping against his face made him abandon that tempting idea.
What loathsome weather!
With his good mood spoiled by the weather, Orochimaru headed toward the ruins in some frustration.
After they reached the ruins, Guren moved through them with practiced ease while the others calmly waited for her findings. They had all experienced brutal war.
Guren had lost her family and home to war as a child, and Orochimaru and Tsunade might even have participated in that war. Kabuto Yakushi had also carried out numerous Root missions and was very familiar with such things.
Tsunade solemnly explained to Naoki, the only one unfamiliar with this:
"Naoki, even ruins hold potential dangers. There could be enemy shinobi or concealed traps. Of course, we might also be able to replenish our supplies, but who knows how many years have passed here? There won't be any supplies left."
Naoki Senju nodded in understanding. These were all lessons shinobi had learned with their lives. Behind each lesson were shinobi who had died for it.
Before long, Guren finished exploring the entire ruins and returned to report:
"Lord Orochimaru, I found no signs of other shinobi activity. Judging by the traces in the city, this place has been abandoned for more than a decade. It appears to have been destroyed from within by an extremely powerful force."
"A powerful force?"
Orochimaru's interest stirred. With the ruined buildings blocking much of the windblown sand, he extended his long, scarlet tongue in satisfaction.
"Interesting~ Take me to see it."
"We'll take a look too."
Naoki Senju took Tsunade's smooth, delicate hand and followed Guren without another word, giving Tsunade no chance to object.
"You little brat, what are you doing!"
Tsunade scolded him quietly. It was one thing when no one was around, but there were so many people here now, even Shizune. What if they were discovered?
Naoki Senju gave Tsunade's hand a slight squeeze. Without offering any explanation, he called to Shizune:
"Sister Shizune, come with us."
"Huh? I'm going too?"
Shizune was rather puzzled. She had never been interested in "powerful forces," and Naoki knew that. He shouldn't have invited her, should he?
"Of course. We can't leave you here alone, Sister Shizune."
"All right..."
I was going to give Tonton a bath... Shizune bent down and picked up the filthy little pink pig. Tonton looked rather listless. Snakes struggled to adapt to the desert environment, and pigs were no different-in fact, it was even worse for her. Tonton was a pig who loved cleanliness, and after three straight days in a desert filled with windblown sand, her entire body was covered in sand. It was simply unbearable.
"Then let's all go. Guren, lead the way."
"Yes."
The closer they drew to the city center, the more alarmed they became. A hideous fissure had almost torn the entire city in half. Though the desert sand had filled in many smaller cracks, the web-like fractures across the streets and buildings remained a shocking sight.
Orochimaru walked up to a fissure several meters wide and bent down to peer into its seemingly bottomless depths.
"This doesn't look like a fissure caused by an earthquake. What do you think, Naoki-kun?"