The sandstorm finally subsided, though no one knew how much time had passed.
Kiyosuke pushed against his protective gear, shaking off the heavy layer of sand that had piled on top. He flung it aside, only for the sand to immediately shift and flow back toward their position, as if trying to swallow them whole.
The group quickly leapt out of the pit. Naruto, unable to contain himself any longer, bolted off in one direction. Kiyosuke stored away his gear, watching Naruto's back as the others—boys and girls alike—hurried after him. Turning to Kakashi, he shouted loudly:
"You're running the wrong way! Hey! Sunagakure isn't in that direction!!!"
Shh!
All six of them screeched to a stop, embarrassed.
"Geez, Naruto," Kiba muttered, "stop charging ahead like that. I thought you actually knew the way."
"Eh? Sunagakure's not this way?" Naruto asked. "I could've sworn last time I came, I walked this path."
"That's the route to the Devil's Desert where the Chūnin Exams are held," Shino adjusted the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and spoke calmly. "You could reach Sunagakure from here, but only if you cross the entire desert."
"Why didn't you say so earlier, Shino? You ran right along with us!"
"I assumed you all already knew."
"..."
Kiyosuke and Kakashi finally caught up.
"What's the rush?" Kiyosuke said. "Sunagakure is that way."
He pointed southwest. Naruto immediately sprinted off again, the others chasing after him. Watching the lively backs of the younger generation, Kakashi sighed with a smile.
"They sure are full of energy. Makes me feel old."
"If Guy were here," Kiyosuke said, "he'd already be yelling about youth and dragging us into some ridiculous competition. Hard to believe he's nearly thirty and still that energetic."
"Well, he is a hot-blooded fool," Kakashi chuckled, then added, "Come on, we should catch up. Can't let the kids leave us behind."
"They're destined to step over our corpses one day, Kakashi. I've already reached the age of an old man—I'd rather keep things steady."
Kiyosuke let out a quiet laugh and followed at a measured pace.
Kakashi only smiled before running after them.
Beneath the clear blue sky, the group dashed across golden sands.
...
After another half day's journey, Kiyosuke and the others finally reached Sunagakure.
Much of the village was under repair. A few nights ago, Sunagakure had been attacked. Though the Sixth Kazekage, Gaara, had protected the village with his sand, parts of it were still destroyed and were now being rebuilt.
"Kiyosuke-sama! I never imagined it would be you who came—this is wonderful!"
Baki, a jōnin of Sunagakure, hurried over, his voice full of relief and joy. He had been worried Konoha would just send a token force to fulfill the request, but instead, one of their strongest had arrived.
He was glad he'd listened to the Fifth's advice and requested aid from Konoha. Seeing Kiyosuke in person finally eased the weight pressing on his chest.
This is good. The Sixth Kazekage can still be saved.
Unaware of the flag Baki had just raised in his heart, Kiyosuke asked:
"How is Kazekage-sama?"
"The Fifth is still recovering," Baki answered.
Pakura had been gravely injured by Deidara and Sasori while protecting Gaara. Though she had regained consciousness after emergency treatment, her wounds were severe, and she remained in recovery.
"Also…" Baki hesitated. "I don't know if you brought a medical-nin with you. Kankurō was heavily poisoned while pursuing the enemy on his own. Even with Chiyo-sama's help, we've been unable to treat him. He's in critical condition."
All his hopes now rested on the reinforcements from Konoha, though he didn't dare expect too much.
Kiyosuke gestured toward the two medics beside him.
"Then you've asked the right people. These two are Tsunade-sama's own apprentices. Karin, Sakura—this is your time to step up."
"That's wonderful news!" Baki's relief was palpable. The name of Tsunade was known far and wide—back in the day, even their own Chiyo had suffered plenty of defeats at her hands.
"Please, come with me!"
...
Led by Baki, they entered Sunagakure's hospital.
There, the long-retired Chiyo and a team of medics were struggling to save Kankurō, whose body was a sickly shade of purple, sweat pouring down his face as his breathing grew labored.
The moment Karin and Sakura saw him, they rushed forward, tying up their hair, snapping on medical gloves, and beginning treatment without hesitation.
Chiyo barely reacted to the group entering—until her eyes fell on Kiyosuke. Her expression shifted slightly, but when she saw Kakashi, she finally lost control.
The frail old woman suddenly lunged forward, shrieking:
"Damn you, White Fang of Konoha! You bastard! Prepare yourself!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto instantly split into clones, blocking Chiyo's charge.
"Hey, old hag! What the hell are you trying to do to Kakashi-sensei?!"
"Shut your mouth, brat! White Fang of Konoha—today I'll avenge my son and daughter-in-law once and for all!"
"Uh, wait, hold on—" Kakashi tried to explain, but Chiyo cut him off.
"Save your breath! Die!"
Just as she was about to attack, her brother Ebizō grabbed her.
"Look closely! That's not White Fang!"
Chiyo squinted, leaned closer, and declared:
"It is White Fang! Prepare to die!"
Had old age finally taken her mind?
"Chiyo-sama," Kiyosuke stepped in, "this isn't Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang. This is his son, Hatake Kakashi."
"That's right, sister," Ebizō said quickly. "The White Fang committed suicide long ago. Don't you remember? You even told me yourself that his death was too easy—that you wept bitterly because you couldn't kill him with your own hands."
At that, Chiyo suddenly chuckled.
"Oh yes, that's right! I was just pretending to be senile, you see. Fooled you all, didn't I? Hahaha!"
"..."
No. She really was senile.
Kiyosuke muttered dryly:
"Chiyo-sama, that's a pretty cold way to cover up your mistake."
"Shut up!" she snapped. "If I'd known you'd grow into such a threat, I would've made sure to leave your corpse on the battlefield back then."
"What a shame," Kiyosuke said with mock regret. "Sorry to disappoint you by surviving."
"Hmph! No respect for your elders, you damn brat."
...
Meanwhile, Karin and Sakura had already begun treatment. The others stepped out into the hallway to wait.
Sitting on the benches, Naruto leaned forward curiously.
"Kiyosuke-san, Kakashi-sensei—who's this 'White Fang of Konoha' that old lady was talking about?"
Kakashi thought for a moment, then said:
"In short, he was my father."
"Back then, his fame even surpassed Jiraiya-sama's," Kiyosuke added. "They used to say his blade could reach from Konoha all the way to Sunagakure. He was known as the White Fang of Konoha—the man who could cut down anything."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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