Chapter 14: Shadows in the Sand

The weight of the Sand's actions lingered over Konoha like an approaching storm. The village was calm on the surface, but those who knew better could sense the shifts beneath. Tensions had risen among the shinobi forces, training had intensified, and reconnaissance missions had doubled. Hiruzen had taken a cautious approach, but Danzo was undoubtedly making moves in the shadows.

For Ryūsei, it was more than just a political game. The attempt on his and his comrades' lives during the survival trial had made it personal. If the Sand was bold enough to send assassins into Konoha's borders during a training exercise, then this was just the beginning.

That's why he was here, moving silently through the thick forests near Konoha's border, his Byakugan activated. His vision extended far ahead, scanning for disturbances. Orochimaru had suggested that if the Sand had sent assassins once, there was a chance they had left traces behind.

This mission wasn't official. It was something he, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had taken upon themselves. Their team had grown closer after the trial, and they all knew that if the Sand was moving against Konoha's young talent, they needed to respond.

The four of them moved soundlessly through the dense undergrowth. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound aside from their steady, measured breaths.

"We're nearing the point where the assassins were first spotted," Jiraiya muttered, scanning the area. "Feels too quiet, don't you think?"

Ryūsei's golden Byakugan flickered as he focused. His vision cut through the trees, the soil, and the chakra signatures hidden beneath the surface. He frowned.

"There's something ahead," he said.

The group slowed, moving cautiously toward a small clearing. The ground had been disturbed—subtle, but noticeable. Someone had been here recently, and they had gone to great lengths to cover their tracks.

Orochimaru knelt, brushing his fingers over the dirt. "A concealment jutsu was used here. Sloppy."

Ryūsei pressed his palm against the ground, channeling a pulse of chakra. The earth trembled slightly before shifting, revealing a partially buried scroll.

Jiraiya whistled. "Looks like we're not the only ones looking for answers."

Tsunade reached for the scroll and unraveled it. The symbols were unfamiliar, but one thing stood out immediately—the mark of the Kazekage.

Orochimaru's smirk widened. "Well, well. Looks like we found something important."

Ryūsei studied the markings carefully. The Sand had a reputation for secrecy, and anything carrying the Kazekage's seal wouldn't be left behind unless something had gone wrong.

"If this was left behind, they either didn't expect to fail… or someone within the Sand doesn't agree with their actions," Ryūsei murmured.

Tsunade frowned. "That's a dangerous assumption to make."

"Maybe," Ryūsei said. "But if there's division within the Sand, we can use it."

Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head. "I dunno. Playing politics isn't really our style."

"Then we don't play politics," Ryūsei said. "We use the information to hit them before they hit us."

Orochimaru chuckled. "I like the way you think."

Tsunade sighed, rolling up the scroll. "Fine. Let's just get back before someone realizes we're missing."

But before they could leave, Ryūsei's Byakugan caught movement in the distance.

He stiffened. "We're not alone."

Jiraiya and Orochimaru tensed instantly. Tsunade's grip on the scroll tightened.

Ryūsei turned sharply toward the treetops. "Two, no—three shinobi. Approaching fast."

A gust of wind swept through the clearing, and suddenly, three figures landed in a crouch at the edge of the trees. Their movements were precise, deliberate—shinobi trained for ambush tactics.

They wore no visible village headbands, but their garments bore the distinct desert patterns of Sunagakure. Their faces were partially covered with cloth masks, but their eyes were sharp, cold, and unreadable.

One of them—a lean, dark-haired man—spoke first. "That scroll doesn't belong to you."

Ryūsei stepped forward, his Byakugan gleaming. "Then you shouldn't have left it behind."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Hand it over, and we won't have to escalate this."

Jiraiya cracked his knuckles. "I don't like your tone."

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Neither do I. But I do appreciate the confidence."

Tsunade took a step forward, cracking her neck. "You think we're just going to let you walk away with this?"

The man's gaze flickered between them, assessing the situation. Then, without another word, he gave a sharp signal to his comrades.

They moved.

Ryūsei barely had time to react as the enemy launched forward, their speed impressive—but not enough. His Byakugan caught their movements instantly.

He sidestepped the first strike, driving a precise palm strike into his opponent's ribs, sending them skidding backward.

Tsunade's fist blurred forward, and the impact sent another attacker flying.

Jiraiya grappled with the third, exchanging a quick series of blows before flipping backward, gathering chakra into his palm.

Orochimaru stood still, his eyes gleaming with something close to amusement as he watched.

The rogue shinobi regrouped, reassessing. They hadn't expected this level of resistance.

Ryūsei's stance remained calm, controlled. "Last chance. Walk away."

The lead shinobi wiped a trickle of blood from his lip. "You don't understand what you're interfering with."

Ryūsei's gaze sharpened. "Then explain."

The man hesitated. But before he could speak, he suddenly stiffened, as if sensing something unseen.

Then, without another word, he threw down a smoke bomb.

The field exploded in a cloud of thick, choking mist.

Ryūsei's Byakugan pierced through the smoke instantly. He saw the enemy retreating—fast.

Orochimaru's voice was calm. "Let them go."

Tsunade clenched her fists. "Are you kidding? We had them."

Orochimaru shook his head. "If they ran, it's because they had no choice. We already got what we came for."

Ryūsei lowered his hands. He didn't like letting enemies escape—but Orochimaru had a point.

Jiraiya coughed. "So… what now?"

Ryūsei turned to the scroll still clutched in Tsunade's hand.

"Now," he said, "we find out exactly what the Sand is hiding."

As the smoke cleared and the last traces of the enemy disappeared into the distance, Ryūsei took one last glance toward the horizon.

The Sand had made their move.

Now, it was Konoha's turn.