Naruto: Scourge of the Ninja World

"It's exactly because of their harsh living conditions that Sunagakure's shinobi generally possess strong combat abilities."

"And that's also why Sunagakure has always coveted the Land of Fire."

Hatake Sakumo looked out over the desert ahead with a cold expression.

He had already set foot in this place during the Second Shinobi World War, and had personally slain many of Sunagakure's elite shinobi.

His chakra blade had achieved legendary status during that time.

"Let's go. Into the desert—straight toward Sunagakure."

Sakumo took the lead and stepped into the sands.

The others quickly followed.

As the group advanced, Chōmei suddenly spoke up.

"Damn! Why does it have to be a desert?!"

"That damn Shukaku is really living it up!"

"He's basically just a pile of sand!"

"Why the hell do I have to stay holed up in some cave?!"

"This is so unfair!"

Hearing Chōmei's indignant rant, Gekko Chizan couldn't help but laugh—laughing with obvious delight.

"You're laughing?! Let me tell you, if I run into Shukaku, I'm giving you my strength! You'd better beat the crap out of him for me!"

"Why do I have to stay in a cave while he gets to bask in the desert?!"

Gekko Chizan didn't respond. If he remembered correctly, the jinchūriki of Shukaku during this period should be an old monk.

Someone who had been implanted with Shukaku since childhood and had lived his whole life as a stable jinchūriki.

"Chōmei, ever consider the possibility that Shukaku's sealed up too? Just because you don't have a jinchūriki right now doesn't mean he doesn't either."

"And besides, do you think Shukaku would ever get a jinchūriki as good as me?"

Chōmei was momentarily speechless. Yeah, he didn't have a host… but that didn't mean Shukaku didn't.

In that instant, much of his anger dissipated.

"Kid, you're right. That damn tanuki could never get a host like you, ahahaha! I feel so much better now!"

Ever since Chōmei had been freed from the sealing grounds in Takigakure, his mood had improved day by day.

...

No one knew how long they had been trekking through the desert before the Konoha squad finally caught sight of Sunagakure in the distance.

A shinobi village surrounded by endless yellow sand.

Hatake Sakumo led the team to a well-concealed location for a short rest.

"Up ahead is Sunagakure."

"Chizan, what's your plan?"

After all, Gekko Chizan was the core of this mission. Only he could infiltrate Sunagakure without anyone noticing.

"I'll just sneak in. Sunagakure isn't like Takigakure—it doesn't have a waterfall defense."

"I'll slip in under the cover of night using Transparent Release."

Then, Gekko Chizan pulled a kunai from his pouch and handed it to Hatake Sakumo.

"This is my Flying Thunder God kunai, Sakumo-sama. You'd better keep it safe."

"I really don't want to get stuck in there."

Hatake Sakumo nodded seriously and stored the kunai away.

"I was actually thinking of having Yamanaka Heichi go in with you. He's a sensory ninja, and he can also read memories."

"We need to understand Sunagakure's current troop deployment."

Yamanaka Heichi nodded as he turned to look at Gekko Chizan.

Well, guess I'm bringing someone in with me. What a pain.

Oh well… it's Heichi, so I'll let it slide.

"I'll go in first, then use Flying Thunder God to bring him in."

"That way, we won't alert the enemy."

Hatake Sakumo nodded—that was exactly what he had in mind.

With Flying Thunder God, bringing someone in was easy. Though it would cost some chakra, the payoff was worth it.

"Then let's rest. When night falls, we move."

"I'll stay here on standby to support you both."

With that, everyone sat down on the ground to rest. Gekko Chizan immediately lay down in a relaxed pose and closed his eyes to conserve energy.

Seeing his nonchalant behavior, the others chuckled quietly.

They were about to execute a dangerous mission, yet his attitude was so calm—he didn't seem nervous at all.

Gekko Chizan: Come on, if you guys aren't nervous, why should I be? Worst case, I'll just run for it.

...

Sunagakure. Kazekage Tower.

Standing before the Third Kazekage, Haneda Zaimon, were two people—one man and one woman.

The man was covered in tattoos and dressed in all black.

The woman had a beautiful blend of birch and green in her long hair.

"Pakura, I'm counting on you to lead the surprise attack squad."

"Kemaki, the vanguard unit is yours—you'll be the captain."

"I hope neither of you disappoints me."

The Third Kazekage looked at them with a flicker of expectation in his eyes.

Pakura, a Scorch Release bloodline shinobi. Beneath her beautiful appearance, she possessed the strength of an elite jōnin. She was a rare talent in Sunagakure.

Kemaki, Chiyo's disciple. But unlike Chiyo, Kemaki had always served under Haneda Zaimon. His mastery of puppetry was formidable, and he wielded five powerful puppets.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama."

The two accepted their assignments and left the Kazekage's office.

"Tch. A surprise attack squad should've been mine to lead. Pakura, don't you disappoint the Kazekage."

Though Pakura had a powerful bloodline, Kemaki didn't think much of her.

She was just a woman with some skills, nothing more.

That was the kind of person Kemaki was—arrogant, conceited, and dismissive of everyone else.

"Tch. Puppet freak, spare me your lecture."

Pakura didn't have a good temper either. She turned and walked off without another word.

Clearly, these two were anything but united.

...

As night fell, Gekko Chizan abruptly awoke from his nap.

The moon had already risen high into the sky. He stretched his limbs.

Everyone's eyes were now on him.

"Sakumo-sama, I'm heading out."

Sakumo nodded. As the group watched, Gekko Chizan gave a small smile.

His body gradually became translucent, and within a few breaths, he had vanished completely.

"So that's Transparent Release... not a trace of his presence left."

Aoyama Ken watched the now-empty space with clear admiration.

It was his first time witnessing the Gekko clan's bloodline technique.

Equally astonished was Hyuga Kōjin, who had already activated his Byakugan.

Yet even with his eyes, which should have seen through everything, he couldn't see Gekko Chizan anymore.

"Incredible. Even the Byakugan can't track him."

"Of course not. My Transparent Release makes my body completely invisible. If I'm invisible, what exactly are you hoping to see?"

Chizan's voice rang out, though his figure was nowhere in sight.

Hearing his voice without seeing him filled the group with renewed confidence in the mission.

"Alright, Chizan, be quick—and be careful."

"Don't worry, White Fang-sama."

"Hmm... before I go—Sakumo-sama! Prepare yourself!"

Just as Sakumo's face turned puzzled, he suddenly felt something was off.

At that moment, Chizan's voice rang out once more.

"Konoha Style! Taijutsu Secret Technique! One Thousand Years of Death!"

Hatake Sakumo: ... Me! @##%#!@#

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