Chapter 56: The Hokage's Response
The air in Sunagakure was thick with tension after the wounded guard delivered his message. Kankuro stared at his younger brother, his painted face a mask of concern.
"Gaara, what are you thinking?" he asked, his voice tight.
"Before noon tomorrow? I will go," Gaara stated, his voice eerily calm, devoid of any emotion. It was the flat, decisive tone of the Kazekage, not the unstable boy he once was.
"This is too risky! We should tell Elder Chiyo and the council first, see what they advise!" Kankuro argued, the protective older brother in him warring with the loyal shinobi.
"No. I will handle this myself," Gaara replied, his tone leaving no room for debate. He knew the council's stance on him. They would see this as his problem to solve. A monster dealing with another monster. They would offer no help.
"But... Fine," Kankuro relented, knowing it was useless. "I'll go with you tomorrow. Temari, you go to Konoha. Now. Tell them the news. Let them send a team immediately to deal with their own rogue ninja." It was the only logical move. This was Konoha's mess; let them clean it up.
"I understand," Temari said, her voice firm. She looked from Kankuro to Gaara, her worry for them clear in her eyes. "Be careful, both of you." Without another word, she turned and sprinted out of the village gates, heading east toward the Land of Fire at top speed.
"Alright, let's get him to the infirmary," Kankuro instructed the other guards, pointing to the man with the shattered wrist. "Then reorganize the patrols for the canyon. Double the watch." He and Gaara then left, the weight of the coming confrontation heavy upon them.
Meanwhile, Ren, riding on the shoulder of his massive canine summon, Sentinel, moved toward the wooded area he had scouted on his journey to Suna. The net full of groaning, struggling Sand ninja swung from Sentinel's other hand.
"Bastard! What do you want?" one of the captured shinobi yelled, straining against the unbreakable cords of the net. "What are you planning to do with Gaara? If you think you can use us to blackmail him, you're a fool! He's a cold-blooded monster! He doesn't care about anyone! He won't be threatened for our sakes!"
Ren glanced down at them, a smirk playing on his lips. "I understand what kind of person he is far better than you do. Your commentary is unnecessary. All you need to do is be quiet hostages." His voice turned cold. "In fact, the best thing you can do right now is pray together that he shows up. Otherwise, you're all dead."
"Damn you! Just let us go!" another cried, his voice cracking with fear and frustration.
The constant noise and struggling were grating on Ren's nerves. He remembered his personal dimension. Could I just dump them in there? he thought. It would certainly be quieter.
He focused his will, attempting to transport the captives into the void. Nothing happened. The Sand ninja remained stubbornly in the net, still complaining. He tried again, concentrating harder, but the result was the same.
System, why can't I put them in the space? he mentally demanded, irritated. I thought it could store living things.
Answering Host: To transport a living target into the personal dimension, the target must be willing or completely unconscious. Any trace of active resistance will prevent the transfer. Updates are released by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Of course it's not that easy, Ren thought with a sigh of frustration. Nothing ever is. He gave up on the idea, resigning himself to the incessant noise for the time being.
Unbeknownst to Ren, his gambit had already triggered a chain reaction. Temari, pushing her body to its limits, had raced through the night, crossing the desert and into the forests of the Land of Fire. By the time the moon was high, she was sprinting toward the towering gates of Konohagakure.
In the dead of night, the village was silent, its residents asleep. Vigilance, however, was high. After the security failure of Sasuke's defection, Tsunade had drastically increased patrols and gate security.
At the main gate, a Chunin named Daiki was on watch. His sharp eyes caught movement in the darkness far down the road.
"Hey, stay alert!" he called to his partner, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword. "We've got movement! A single runner, coming fast!"
The guards tensed, one readying a signal flare to alert the village of a potential nighttime incursion.
Soon, the figure resolved into a young woman, her breathing ragged, her clothes dusty from the road. The hitai-ate on her forehead glinted in the torchlight: the symbol of Sunagakure.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" Daiki commanded, stepping forward.
"I am Temari of Sunagakure!" she gasped, bending over to catch her breath. "I need to see the Hokage immediately! It's an emergency!"
"The Hokage is resting," another guard said, his tone wary. "You can present your business in the morning."
"There's no time!" Temari insisted, straightening up, her eyes blazing with urgency. "This is about Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja, Uchiha Sasuke! He has appeared in our village, taken our shinobi hostage, and has threatened to kill them if our Kazekage does not meet his demands by noon tomorrow! I must speak with Lady Tsunade now!"
The name "Sasuke" acted like a spark. The guards' professional caution was replaced by immediate alarm.
"Sasuke Uchiha? The situation is critical. Daiki, escort her to Shizune-sama's residence immediately. She will take her to the Hokage."
Daiki quickly led the exhausted Temari through the sleeping village to a small apartment. After a series of urgent knocks, a very tired-looking Shizune opened the door, holding a yawning Tonton.
"Shizune-sama, I apologize for the hour," Daiki said quickly. "This is Temari of Sunagakure. She brings urgent news regarding Sasuke Uchiha."
Shizune's fatigue vanished, replaced by sharp focus. She listened as Temari repeated her dire message.
"I see. Daiki, return to your post. Temari, come with me. Now."
Shizune then led Temari directly to the Hokage Tower and into Tsunade's office. They didn't have to wait long before a very disgruntled Tsunade arrived, her hair slightly messy, a light robe thrown over her nightclothes.
"Shizune," she grumbled, sinking into her chair. "What time is it? This had better be a matter of national security."
"Lady Tsunade, it's nearly one in the morning," Shizune replied. "And it is. Temari of Suna has brought news. Sasuke Uchiha has attacked Sunagakure and taken hostages. He has issued a threat to Kazekage Gaara."
Tsunade was instantly awake, all traces of sleep gone. She listened intently as Temari delivered her report for the third time.
"…He said if Gaara is not alone at the meeting point southeast of our village by noon, he will execute the hostages."
"Ten hours until noon," Tsunade calculated swiftly, her mind racing. "At a forced march, a team can just make it." She slammed her fist on the desk. "Guards!"
There was a soft shunshin sound, and three ANBU operatives materialized in the office, kneeling before her desk. "Your orders, Hokage-sama?"
"Find Asuma Sarutobi and his team, and Hatake Kakashi and his team. Bring them to me immediately. This is a priority-one summons."
"Hai!" The ANBU vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
Within twenty minutes, six figures were ushered into the office: a yawning Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi of Team 10; and a sleepy Naruto Uzumaki, an anxious Sakura Haruno, and an alert Kakashi Hatake of Team 7.
"Troublesome… pulling us out of bed in the middle of the night," Shikamaru mumbled, rubbing his eyes. Then he spotted Temari and blinked in surprise. "You? What are you doing here?"
Temari merely shot him a withering glare, too worried and exhausted for banter.
"Granny Tsunade, what's going on?" Naruto asked through a massive yawn.
"Listen up, all of you," Tsunade began, her voice grave. "I apologize for the hour, but an urgent mission has come in. You are to depart for Sunagakure immediately. Your objective is to apprehend Konoha's rogue ninja, Uchiha Sasuke."
The announcement was a bucket of cold water. Every trace of sleepiness vanished from the room.
"What?!" Naruto yelled, suddenly wide awake.
"Lady Tsunade, you have news of Sasuke?" Sakura asked, her hands flying to her mouth, her voice a mixture of hope and dread.
"It's true," Tsunade confirmed. "According to Temari, Sasuke has appeared in Sunagakure, taken Sand shinobi hostage, and challenged Gaara. You will accompany Temari back to Suna and must reach the rendezvous point before noon. Kakashi, you will lead this mission. The details are critical; Temari will brief you on the way. You leave now. That is an order."
A chorus of "Hai!" echoed in the office, this time filled with grim determination. Without another word, the two teams, led by a weary but resolute Kakashi and guided by Temari, filed out of the office and into the night. They moved as one, a blur of motion heading for the village gates, their mission clear: find Sasuke, and bring him home.
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