Early in the morning, news of the public trial spread across the village.
At the same time, rumors swept through Sunagakure.
The verdict would be decided by the envoy from the Land of Wind…
And that envoy turned out to be none other than Sunagakure's hero—Pakura.
Stories of a noble prince and a fallen kunoichi began circulating, adding a touch of intrigue to the event and slightly easing the village's tensions.
A large crowd of civilians gathered at the central square, with shinobi stationed around to maintain order. But all eyes were fixed on the front, where Sunagakure's high-ranking officials stood alongside the envoy from the Land of Wind—Pakura.
The village leaders solemnly recounted the events, expressing their condolences for the fallen villagers. Yet, once they finished, they quietly stepped back, making no mention of the judgment for the shinobi involved.
At that moment, Pakura stepped forward, facing thousands—tens of thousands—of villagers.
"This is the village's hero? She looks so young…"
"I wish I could meet my own noble prince. I'm so jealous."
"She's beautiful…"
Standing on the high platform, Pakura gazed down at the crowd.
This was the very place where she had once been honored and cheered…
"...Shinobi exist to protect.
Protectors of the Land of Wind.
Protectors of the village.
But if one day that purpose is corrupted, then they must be eliminated and replaced…"
Everything proceeded smoothly. Fifty shinobi were sentenced to death.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, the higher-ups breathed a sigh of relief.
The matter had been resolved perfectly.
Not only did they fulfill the civilians' demands, but they also prevented the shinobi from harboring resentment toward the leadership—an outcome that satisfied both sides.
As for Pakura, the envoy of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure's hero, she quickly became the most talked-about figure in the village.
Some worshiped her, some envied her, some resented her, and some admired her…
...
The Second Day of the Trial
A merchant caravan carrying twenty carts of supplies slowly entered Sunagakure.
The families of the fifty executed shinobi each received a generous compensation of supplies.
This only further fueled the public's discussion.
Pakura, the envoy of the Land of Wind, had managed to secure resources…
Even Elder Chiyo personally came to ask if she could procure supplies for the village. However, Pakura refused.
Yet, not long after, another batch of food arrived, given to Pakura's old friends and struggling civilians.
Then came a third batch, a fourth…
The amount wasn't large each time, but like a steady stream, it kept flowing in.
Though the supplies weren't officially distributed in the village's name, they undeniably eased Sunagakure's hardships. Elder Chiyo chose not to comment.
...
The Desert at Night
The desert was eerily silent under the bright moonlight, disturbed only by the distant howls of lone wolves.
A group of over twenty shinobi moved swiftly across the sands.
"He's up ahead, two kilometers away…" a sensory shinobi suddenly reported.
"Are you certain?" Elder Chiyo asked, frowning.
"Positive. The Fourth Kazekage's Magnet Release chakra cannot be imitated."
Upon confirmation, Chiyo's expression hardened.
"Sister, why would Rasa appear here alone? Doesn't this seem suspicious?" Ebizō voiced his doubts, still skeptical about Rasa's alleged attack on the feudal lord.
"No matter what the truth is, we have to find him quickly. If we don't, the village is doomed."
Though she acknowledged her brother's concerns, Chiyo had no time for hesitation.
Things had spiraled beyond her control. The truth no longer mattered.
Her only wish was that, in her lifetime, she wouldn't have to witness Sunagakure's downfall.
As they approached their target in a tight, cautious formation, Chiyo's eyes narrowed upon spotting a lone figure in the distance.
"Rasa…"
Magnet Release: Sands of Burial!
Without a word, waves of golden sand surged toward them like a tidal wave.
"Spread out and hold position! We can't let him escape! Ebizō, Pakura, we're going in!"
Five puppets emerged at Chiyo's side, undeterred by the shifting sands. They maneuvered fluidly through the currents, pushing against the golden tide as they charged toward Rasa.
Ebizō and Pakura split off, circling from the sides to form an encirclement.
The other shinobi scattered, searching for an opening.
Magnet Release: Sandstorm Surge!
The surrounding desert, spanning a kilometer, began to spiral into a massive vortex. Even those using chakra to steady themselves found it impossible to maintain their footing.
"Aahhh—!!"
Several Sunagakure shinobi were sucked in and shredded, leaving only crimson stains on the sand.
"Shhhk! Shhhk! Shhhk!"
Hundreds of tiny senbon launched from Chiyo's puppets, only to be blocked by Rasa's sand shield.
"Rasa, what are you trying to do?!" Chiyo's eyes blazed with fury as she watched her comrades fall.
Rasa slammed both hands onto the ground. Golden sands swirled into a labyrinth-like vortex, isolating everyone from one another.
"Damn it…"
Not only had the labyrinth separated them, but it also blocked all sensory abilities.
Chiyo had completely lost track of Rasa.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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