[Land of Wind]
[Edge of the Demon Desert]
With an ample water supply, Konoha quickly extended the oasis once again.
Without stopping, they entered the Demon Desert itself.
This stretch was the most dangerous and open part of the region. When Iwagakure's shinobi came to harden the ground, they encountered numerous quicksand pits.
There were large numbers of highly venomous lizards, snakes, spiders, and scorpions.
There were also many salt marshes where a hard salt crust covered semi-liquid mud beneath.
The winds here were also extremely strong, and the terrain could easily be reshaped by blowing sand. If they weren't careful, they could easily lose their way back.
Even for ninja, it was extremely dangerous.
As a result, both Konoha's and Iwagakure's progress slowed considerably.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Deidara handed his work over to the new Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, and returned to Iwagakure himself.
Han's daily task was simply to have the Iwagakure shinobi harden the sandy ground.
Then they would drill holes through the underground rock slabs and channel water in from the canals.
The rest was left to Nawaki and Yamato.
After Tsunade arrived, she often transferred her chakra to Nawaki as well to speed up the work.
With the Hyuga Clan present, there was basically no need to worry about security.
Most of the Hyuga clan members were responsible for locating various natural traps.
Although this was the front line, Tsunade and the others still had houses to live in.
After all, with a clap of Yamato's hands, a house could be built immediately.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Late that night, Hyuga Hitomi hurriedly knocked on Tsunade's door.
Tsunade was sitting inside drinking. She flicked a peanut with her finger.
The peanut struck the door, and with a click, it opened.
"Lady Tsunade, a sandstorm is coming! It should reach us in about twenty minutes!"
Tsunade immediately stood up.
"Did you notify Iwagakure?"
Hyuga Hitomi nodded, "Hyuga Shio has already gone over there."
"Good. Go get Elder Chiyo and Fugaku. Have Han from Iwagakure come over too."
"Yes!"
Hyuga Hitomi quickly accepted the order and left.
Originally, after evolving her bloodline with the "Hashirama No. 1" serum, Tsunade had wanted to really show what she could do.
But the method Rengoku had chosen wasn't what Tsunade had expected.
With Nawaki steadily planting forests all the way through instead of fighting, Tsunade never got the chance to make a move.
At times like this, all she could do was comfort herself with the thought that at least fewer people would die.
Before entering the Demon Desert, Konoha had already carried out thorough research and preparations.
Still, this was their first encounter with a sandstorm, so Tsunade wanted to be cautious.
Before long, Han from Iwagakure arrived together with Fugaku and Chiyo.
Han naturally knew Chiyo, but seeing her standing with Konoha still left him a little confused.
"Elder Chiyo, this is our first time encountering a sandstorm. What do you think is the safest way to handle it?"
Since there was a local expert, asking her was naturally the easiest option.
By the time Chiyo arrived, she had already prepared what she wanted to say. Sandstorms didn't wait for anyone.
She immediately said, "The Demon Desert covers an enormous area. Every sandstorm that forms here is at least medium in scale."
"The only way to deal with a sandstorm is to avoid it. The houses we're staying in now won't withstand one."
"Iwagakure only needs to create underground shelters with Earth Release."
"I can't say how large this sandstorm will be, but underground is definitely the safest place."
Han looked at Chiyo, then at Tsunade.
Tsunade nodded, "Sorry to trouble you, Han."
"No problem! We might as well see just how powerful a sandstorm really is."
"There's no time to waste. I'll gather everyone immediately. You should gather your people too."
The tower-like Han quickly headed out and pulled a signal flare from his ninja pouch, firing it into the sky.
It exploded into a large assembly signal overhead.
After all, there were already three thousand Iwagakure shinobi gathered here. There was no way he could call them all together by shouting.
Konoha had far fewer people.
Besides Tsunade, Fugaku, White Fang, Nawaki, and Yamato, there were also one hundred Hyuga clan members, one hundred Uchiha clan members, and thirty Anbu.
Konoha's side moved quickly as well. After Fugaku fired the signal flare, everyone on night watch went to gather their respective squads.
They soon assembled in front of Tsunade.
"Each squad, report your numbers. Is everyone here? The sandstorm will arrive soon. Anyone who hasn't made it here will be responsible for their own life!"
"First Battalion, all present!"
"Second Battalion, all present!"
"Third Battalion, all present!"
Han shouted loudly as he had the Iwagakure shinobi check their numbers.
If he didn't shout, no one would be able to hear him.
The wind outside had already grown fierce.
In the distance came a deep rumbling like muffled thunder.
The sky far away had turned completely black, with visibility reduced to almost nothing.
Compared to Iwagakure, Konoha had far fewer people, and they were all elites, so they finished their headcount very quickly.
Hyuga Hitomi reported to Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, the sandstorm will reach us in about seven minutes."
Tsunade called over to Han.
"Our side is all accounted for!"
Han had already finished checking his own numbers.
The Iwagakure shinobi beside him immediately raised a large signal lamp above his head.
Han then took out a signal flag and began waving it rapidly.
As soon as the Iwagakure shinobi saw the orders, they immediately gathered together.
They split into teams of one hundred and each took up their assigned positions.
"Earth Release: Super Earth Moving Core!"
The Iwagakure shinobi formed hand seals in perfect unison before slamming their palms onto the ground together.
Rumble! Rumble!
The ground shook continuously.
The entire area where the more than three thousand of them stood began sinking all at once.
An area larger than a football field descended immediately, dropping a full hundred meters.
The Konoha shinobi only felt a slight tremor before finding themselves underground.
The surrounding earth had become towering walls.
Looking up, they could still see the pitch-black sky.
Chiyo immediately reminded them, "You need to seal the top as well. Otherwise, tens of thousands of tons of sand will fall on us and bury us alive."
Han nodded to show he understood, then waved the signal flag again.
Two more Iwagakure teams began forming hand seals.
"Earth Release: Heavenly Dome Cover!"
The four teams moved to the edges and pressed both palms against the earthen walls.
The tops of the walls immediately began to shift.
Stone structures extended inward from all four sides like bridges.
They quickly joined together in the center.
At the same time, numerous stone pillars rose beneath them to support the ceiling. It was an extremely professional construction.
Once the opening above was sealed, complete darkness fell underground.
Fortunately, both Konoha and Iwagakure had brought lighting equipment.
As the lamps were lit, everyone quickly sat down to rest.
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