Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 392 Rescue Arrives

"We'll discuss the details when the second batch of leaders arrive. I'm going back to report now."

Regarding the arrangements for the Chunin Exams, one meeting certainly can't resolve all the issues. Temari's visit was only to confirm the exam items that both sides were responsible for, and only then could they develop a specific plan based on that.

Considering safety concerns, the desert environment of Sunagakure is still unsuitable as the examination venue for the second exam. For the convenience of the examinees, the first and second exams will ultimately be handled by Konoha. Sunagakure only needs to provide the venue for the third exam.

The decisive Sand Village princess wasted no time; she finished the business in two days and was about to return on the third day.

Konoha was very quiet in the early morning; there wasn't a soul in sight on the streets, and the shops were not open.

"Is something the matter so early?"

Unexpectedly, Temari was called to a stop. The ninja who always complained about trouble yawned and slowly walked over from the shadows. However, Temari hadn't told him when she was leaving yesterday.

"What are you doing here?" Temari was genuinely surprised.

"It's troublesome, but I'm your guide. Since it's a mission, there's nothing I can do about it." Shikamaru's reply was somewhat stubborn.

Temari responded with a smile, and the two walked side by side toward the gates of Konoha.

"That's enough. The next time we meet will be during the Chunin Exams."

"Yes, it's troublesome again."

Temari, who had already walked away, stopped and turned back, saying, "You should also get promoted to Jonin soon. Stop saying 'trouble' and focus on completing missions; it'll be quick."

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, especially after seeing Temari's bright smile. The female ninja left without looking back after saying that, leaving the confused little boy behind.

"What a nuisance." Shikamaru muttered his catchphrase, but he stood there until he could no longer see Temari's back.

The streets were slowly coming back to life. Shikamaru strolled back, habitually looking up at the sky.

Today should be a nice day.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a lithe eagle soaring past, something not commonly seen in Konoha.

In contrast to the peaceful Konoha, Sunagakure had once again fallen into chaos and leaderlessness. The death of the Fourth Kazekage was already incredibly sudden, even leaving the position vacant for two years. Gaara was finally given the chance to take over this mess, but he was kidnapped by the enemy deep within Sunagakure, right under the watchful eyes of the entire village.

"We've found Lord Kankuro, but..."

"These symptoms indicate poisoning! Quick! This way!"

"Kankuro, are you still conscious? Can you hear me?"

“Mr. Maki, this toxin can paralyze the nerves, so he probably won’t be able to respond to you. Please wait until we have treated him before we can talk to him again.”

"It's the venom of the Red Sand Scorpion. Fortunately, the doctor from Dongfeng has prepared an antidote..."

"No, his wound is deep; the poison may have seeped into his internal organs!"

"Let's try feeding them the antidote first!"

The hospital in Sunagakure was extremely busy, with almost every bed occupied by ninjas who had been injured two days prior. They were all ninjas wounded by Sasori of the Red Sand, and the poison was far more difficult to heal than a superficial wound.

When Gaara was kidnapped, Kankuro was the first to lead his troops in pursuit. However, they did not expect that Deidara still had the strength to spare. Under the rain of bombs, all beings were equal, and the head pursuit team was almost wiped out.

Even with such a powerful enemy, Kankuro and many others gave chase without hesitation. The enemy anticipated pursuers and used clones to confuse their direction, but the observant Kankuro noticed his brother's sand armor and did not lose his bearings.

They caught up, but still failed.

The second wave of pursuers found Kankuro's group. They had suffered heavy casualties and were on the verge of death. Even their captain, Kankuro, was poisoned and completely unconscious. But he clutched a tattered piece of cloth tightly in his hand, the only trophy they had obtained from the enemy.

"We probably can't rescue the Kazekage on our own; we must ask Konoha for help." Although Maki was often worried about the One-Tailed Beast going berserk, he remained a staunch advocate for rescuing Gaara when it came to his life.

Even if the old guard, who love to sing a different tune, is unwilling, the fact that the Kazekage was kidnapped in Sunagakure cannot be changed. This is undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face to Sunagakure. If they can't even protect their own Kage, how can they prove their abilities in the future? If they don't do their best to rescue him, even the Daimyo might start to doubt them.

The request for reinforcements from Sunagakure was sent out on the afternoon of the second day after the raid and arrived in Konoha at dawn on the third day.

"Akatsuki launched a surprise attack on Sunagakure and kidnapped the Kazekage. Based on the clues provided by Sunagakure, they are very likely to have entered the Land of Rivers."

"Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto. I need you as the advance team to go to Sunagakure immediately, confirm all the information about this raid, and assist Sunagakure in reclaiming the Kazekage!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

It was uncommon for Team 7, who had an excellent relationship with Tsunade, to be so serious. After leaving the Hokage Building, the three of them immediately began to prepare and gathered at the main entrance half an hour later.

Team 7's "immediate action" was truly immediate; Naruto flew directly to the entrance of Sunagakure, almost triggering another tense moment for the guards. Fortunately, Captain Yura recognized the three at a glance and quickly stopped the impending kunai rain.

"Sorry, Captain Yura, due to special circumstances, we came directly here." Naruto still remembered this one-eyed ninja with a goatee, but he had no intention of explaining the Flying Thunder God Mark.

Yura didn't ask anything. His only remaining eye was bloodshot, clearly indicating that he had been working non-stop for a long time. He only gave his team some brief instructions before personally leading them to the Sunagakure hospital.

Right now, all the high-ranking officials who have the authority are waiting in the hospital for Kankuro to wake up, but it has been a day and a half and he still hasn't shown any signs of life, and even the antidote hasn't worked.

The four had just run inside when an old woman who had been standing by the hospital bed suddenly sprang into action, raised her fist, and rushed past Yura and Sakura towards Naruto and Kakashi, who were at the very end.

No, to be precise, it was aimed at Kakashi.

"You bastard, wake up!"

The unexpected situation stunned everyone in the ward. Kakashi handled it skillfully, catching the old woman's fists twice, but it was the fleeting yet immense aura that truly frightened everyone.

The old woman's attack was sudden, and her retreat was swift; she immediately stopped once she realized that the people sent by the other side were not simple.

She wasn't truly senile; as an old woman who had experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, the hatred accumulated over the years wouldn't dissipate with a mere alliance. She saw White Fang's son, the hatred for his murder burning in her heart, yet she could do nothing. She only wanted to vent her anger and give him a warning, but unexpectedly, it backfired.

The boy who lagged behind looked up and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I thought there was an enemy attack just now."