Chapter 10: The Land of Wind Invasion

The following day, Sakura awoke to find Kankuro peacefully sleeping beside her. She couldn't help but smile as she gently stroked his cheek, her thoughts filled with contentment over the previous night's events when they had returned home for round two.

As Sakura quietly giggled at her slumbering lover, the bedroom door suddenly swung open, catching her off guard. Startled, she sat up abruptly, and in her haste, her bare chest was exposed to the intruder. To her surprise, Gaara was standing there, his face flushed with embarrassment as he took in the unexpected sight.

For a brief, awkward moment, Sakura and Gaara locked eyes, neither knowing how to react. Eventually, Gaara regained his composure and hastily closed the door behind him.

"They're awake, Temari..." Gaara called out, his voice betraying his unease as he retreated.

Not one to let an opportunity for mischief pass her by, Temari appeared curious and poked her head into the bedroom. With a teasing grin, she addressed the couple, "Rise and shine, you two! Had a long night?"

Kankuro, now fully awake and realizing Temari's intentions, nearly tumbled out of bed in his haste. He hastily grabbed the bedcovers and pulled them up to cover both Sakura's exposed form and his own.

"Temari, what are you doing?" Kankuro exclaimed, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Temari retorted, "What are you doing? Today is Gaara's inaugural Kazekage speech. I'll ask the maids to leave your outfits by the door. You truly are full of surprises, Kankuro."

Amidst the laughter and playful banter, the sand siblings and Sakura prepared for Gaara's important day ahead.

"Close the door!" Kankuro cried out in exasperation. He hastily picked up a stray shoe from the floor and flung it towards the door just as Temari closed it behind her. A soft chuckle escaped Temari's lips as she retreated downstairs, leaving Kankuro to collect his thoughts.

Sighing in frustration, Kankuro quickly donned a pair of pants before leaving the room. Curious about his reaction, Sakura inquired, "Kankuro, what's wrong?"

"Don't worry about it," Kankuro replied with a hint of annoyance. "I wish we could have some time alone without anyone bothering us. I want to wake up to you, not with Temari barging in as we're lying naked in bed."

Sakura nodded in understanding, recalling the awkward encounter with Gaara earlier. "Gaara stepped in here too, and I didn't realize it was him at first."

Kankuro's frustration remained palpable as he headed outside. He retrieved the two sets of traditional clothing, which resembled funeral attire but in white instead of black. Throwing Sakura her outfit, they both changed into conventional garments. After sharing a final breakfast, the family approached the ceremonial building, where the entire village awaited them, all dressed in the same white traditional attire. The villagers' expressions ranged from uncertainty to approval.

Once they reached the podium, Gaara ascended it, flanked by Sakura, Temari, and Kankuro.

"Good morning, villagers of the Sand," Gaara began, addressing the crowd. "I am Gaara, for those who may not know me. I am the fifth Kazekage. I accepted this position to show you that I am no longer the monster my father made me out to be. During the Hidden Leaf Village attack, I had the opportunity to fight alongside someone my age, Naruto Uzumaki. He changed my perspective on the world and its people, helping me discover my true self and strengthened my bond with my siblings. Now, I want to make Suna a better place for all of us to live."

The Sunagakure villagers exchanged surprised glances, gradually breaking into smiles and applause. The crowd dispersed as they resumed their daily tasks, leaving Gaara, his family, and Sakura to embrace their new responsibilities. While Sakura assisted him, Gaara sat at his desk, deeply engrossed in paperwork concerning the education of the village's young students.

"Sakura, bring Kankuro to my office. I have to discuss his new position with him," Gaara instructed, his gaze focused on the documents before him.

"Of course, right away," Sakura replied professionally.  Under the scorching sun of the beautiful, hot day, Sakura quickly made her way from the building to their house. As she approached their residence, she was drawn to a hidden doorway outside the home, leading to an inconspicuous basement. Beside it stood a large wooden sign that read "Kankuro Puppet Workshop," its eerie appearance giving her a moment of hesitation.

She couldn't help but chuckle as she slowly reached for the doorknob, hoping Kankuro hadn't heard her. The sound of loud banging and sawing emanated from below, signaling that he was deeply engrossed in his work. Confident she could sneak a peek, Sakura cautiously pushed the door open.

Stepping inside, she descended the cement steps one at a time, leading her into a wooden underground chamber resembling a mine shaft. The space was filled with numerous puppet arms and legs hanging from the ceiling and a large workshop table extended from all sides of the underground lair. Among the assortment of puppets, she spotted Crow resting on a table beside some cleaning supplies.

Not far away, Kankuro was working hard on a new puppet he had recently acquired and was still learning to manipulate effectively. It had once belonged to Sasori, the previous puppet master, and was a valuable addition to his collection.

Continuing her stealthy approach, Sakura moved further into the workshop behind Kankuro, who suddenly halted his work and flashed a confident smirk. "Hey, gorgeous," he greeted her with a sly tone.

Unsurprisingly, Sakura gasped softly, "How did you know it was me?"

Kankuro turned around, reaching out to hold her in his arms as he leaned in for a passionate kiss. "Eventually, you'll learn to sense other people's chakra, making it quite difficult for anyone to sneak up on you," he explained.

Sakura nestled her head on his chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Kind of ruins some of the fun when we can't sneak up on each other," she mused.

Kankuro chuckled playfully, "Trust me, we have more than one way to keep our relationship exciting."

Intrigued, Sakura asked, "What do you mean?"

Kankuro gestured to his puppet, a formidable creation with long spiked brown hair and menacing red horns at the top of its head. "This is Black Ant. Its belly can open and capture its target," he revealed.

Sakura couldn't help but giggle, shaking her head in amusement. "How do you manage to turn something so deadly into something so... sexual?"

Kankuro simply shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, why are you here? Did you miss me already?" he inquired.

Sakura nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, and Gaara wants to speak with you about the new job he's assigned to you."

Kankuro sighed, the thought of his brother dampening his good mood. "Yeah, he's giving me a new Bingo book. We've decided to place your father at the top of the list as 'most wanted' because he's even more dangerous than we initially thought."

Concern creased Sakura's brow as she cautioned, "Don't get yourself killed trying to settle the score with my father. You have to think rationally."

Kankuro couldn't help but smirk at her words. "I should be telling you that," he retorted playfully. "But don't worry, everything will be fine. Let's go to his office now."  Sakura nodded and linked her arm with Kankuro's as they strolled leisurely toward the Kazekage's office building, basking in the warmth of the beautiful day. The villagers they passed by couldn't help but smile, happy to see Sakura with someone who made her feel special.

Upon entering the building, they noticed the council elders whispering among themselves. Undeterred, Kankuro opened the door to Gaara's office and gestured for Sakura to enter first. With a polite smile, she greeted, "Hey, Gaara. I brought Kankuro with me."

Gaara nodded in acknowledgment and replied, "You can step out now, Sakura."

Kankuro rolled his eyes playfully and retorted, "I've already spilled the beans to her."

Sakura's expression shifted to one of concern as she said, "I knew my father was still out there, but I had no idea he was causing harm to more people."

Gaara sighed, standing up from his desk. "I didn't want to burden you with the gruesome details of his recent actions, but it's essential that you know we're doing everything in our power to apprehend him. He's at the top of our Bingo book, and I asked Kankuro to dispatch some Jonin teams to locate him and report back without engaging in combat."

Sakura nodded solemnly, her resolve unwavering. "Okay."

Kankuro said, "I know a few teams I can contact. I'll get on it and see you all later."

Sakura called out after him, a hint of worry in her voice, "Be careful."

Kankuro smirked and replied as he exited the room, "Always am."

Shortly after, a man entered the room, donning a Jonin uniform and sporting short, spiky blonde hair. He waved to the Kazekage and greeted, "Good afternoon, Kazekage. I am Shiro, the head of the Sunagakure Academy. I heard you wished to discuss a potential shift in our teaching methods."

Gaara acknowledged with a nod and replied, "Welcome, yes. I would like to propose a new policy that deviates from my father's outdated regulations."  "Oh, and what would that be?" Shiro asked, picking up the paperwork, his interest piqued.

"I'd like to allow anyone who cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu to enter the academy. For example, Kankuro just mentioned to me that a student named Shira knows only Taijutsu because his abilities were blocked," Gaara explained.

"Yes, I agree. I'm glad you and I can reach an agreement on that. Your father caused quite a stir with the parents and the school over this issue, but he didn't live long enough to see it through," Shiro commented, recalling past tensions.

"Well, I'm glad I can help. Shiro, if you need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask," Gaara offered, extending his support.

"Thank you, sir," Shiro acknowledged, appreciative of the Kazekage's willingness to collaborate.

Sakura glanced at Gaara with gratitude in her eyes, touched by his commitment to positive change and the well-being of their village. Despite her emotions, she maintained her composure, recognizing that Gaara was already an exceptional leader.

Once Shiro had departed, Gaara returned to the window, taking a deep breath in the following silence. The moment of introspection was interrupted as a messenger arrived, handed Gaara a letter, and promptly left the room. Gaara opened the letter and began reading, his expression shifting as he absorbed its contents.

"I might seem a bit self-centered for saying this, but did you implement that new rule to allow people who ended up like me to be accepted into the school so we can be taught to fight as well?" Sakura inquired, her curiosity evident.

"That was part of the reason," Gaara confessed, not shying away from the honesty. "There may come a day when, no matter how many ninjas we send out to protect our village, it might not be enough. I want to ensure we have strong fighters."

Sakura pressed further, seeking clarity. "Strong fighters for what?"

Gaara sighed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. He ran a hand through his messy hair, his expression showing the stress of his role. "For a possible war…"

Sakura gasped, the idea of war unsettling. "Why would we be at war, and with whom? Orochimaru?"

"Have you ever heard of the Akatsuki?" Gaara asked, dropping a name unfamiliar to Sakura.

"No," Sakura replied, her concern growing as she sensed the seriousness in Gaara's tone.

"Konoha has encountered individuals on a few missions who claim to be part of the Akatsuki group. I need to investigate who might have information about them. I'm concerned they might target our village." Gaara explained, revealing his fears about potential threats.

A sudden knock on the door distracted their attention from the pressing conversation. Gaara's older siblings entered, returning much sooner than expected.

"What's going on?" Sakura asked, her curiosity piqued.

Temari crossed her arms and said, "I have new information on the Akatsuki."

Gaara, the vigilant leader, was quick to ask, "Who provided you with this information?"

Eager to share her findings, Temari explained, "Well, I have a close friend in Konoha now."

Kankuro couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Friend my ass…"

Not tolerating his commentary, Temari smacked Kankuro on the back of his head and continued, "He shared with me all the details and asked me to convey them to you."

Gaara urged her to proceed. "Please, go on."

Shifting through Sunagakure records, Kankuro spoke up, his voice filled with seriousness. "I researched in the library to see if we had any information on this Akatsuki group. It turns out that after the Third Shinobi World War, a Shinobi named Yahiko, alongside his two comrades, Nagato and Konan, founded this enigmatic organization. Interestingly, these two friends were once orphans who had suffered the consequences of the Second Shinobi World War. Their goal was to bring peace to Amegakure, a village that had been caught in the crossfire of numerous conflicts. It also mentions that Nagato possesses a rare and powerful ability known as the Rinnegan."

Temari picked up where Kankuro left off, her tone resolute. "After we annihilated Konoha following the passing of the Hokage, Danzō Shimura assumed the Hokage's position. During his tenure, Amegakure's leader, Hanzō, sought to make peace agreements with the involved nations. However, instead of peaceful negotiations, he orchestrated a treacherous ambush, utilizing his forces and those of Danzō. According to the information we obtained from Danzō Shimura himself, Yahiko met his tragic end during this attack."

Sakura, empathizing with the situation, expressed her understanding. "I can imagine his companions didn't handle that well."

Kankuro delved further into the grim history. "Exactly. Yahiko's dying wish was for Nagato to lead the Akatsuki. Tragically, Nagato and his group ended up eliminating all of them. The records indicate that four bodies were identified as members of the Akatsuki: Kei, Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and Yahiko. The sole survivors were Nagato and Konan. Nagato, driven by a desire to turn the world away from perpetual warfare, believed that the only way to achieve such a drastic transformation was to subject it to catastrophic death and destruction, with the hope that the world would never again tolerate the horrors of conflict."

Remark continued his tone grave, "Currently, according to the information provided by Konoha and my friend, Nagato has orchestrated the creation of the Six Paths of Pain, a coalition of individuals who all adopt the name 'Pain,' using Yahiko's deceased body as part of their ranks. Furthermore, they are actively recruiting S-ranked Shinobi who have been ostracized by their respective villages due to their involvement in criminal activities."

Gaara, now standing before the expansive window with a view of the rising sun, pondered the implications of this dire situation. "What are they trying to achieve?"

Remark elucidated, "The Akatsuki is believed to be embarking on a quest to capture all the tailed beasts, harnessing their immense chakra to facilitate the destruction and subsequent reconstruction of the world, based on the information we've gathered."

His thoughts racing, Gaara issued a command to Kankuro as they exited his office. "Kankuro, I need you to comb through our records and search for any surviving outlaws who may have connections to the Akatsuki. Determine if any of them could potentially be a member of this organization with intentions toward Shukaku."

Kankuro nodded, acknowledging the task at hand. "I'll start investigating right away."  0"Well, I'll be helping out on a few missions in Konoha. I'll be back once they're done," Temari explained.

Sakura couldn't help but whimper, her concern for Temari's safety evident in her voice. "You're going out there on your own?"

Temari smiled, appreciating Sakura's genuine concern. She reassured her, "It will be okay. Instead of sleeping in the desert, I'll stay at a few villages to be safe."

Sakura nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. "At least let me walk you to the entrance."

Temari grinned and agreed, "Sure."

As Sakura and Temari walked towards the village entrance, the two brothers, Kankuro and Gaara, silently crossed their arms, observing the scene. They exchanged no words but kept a watchful eye on their departing loved ones.

Passing through the main road in the center of the village, Sakura and Temari enjoyed their stroll. The streets were full of excited children pretending to be Shinobi and business owners announcing discounts on essential supplies for the Shinobi heading out on missions. The roads were more lively than ever in the afternoon, showcasing the village's vitality.

Breaking the silence between them, Sakura inquired, "So, why are you heading out alone?"

Temari couldn't help but smirk as she responded, "Well, like I said earlier, I made a new friend who happens to be a guy."

Sakura playfully teased, "Oh, who is it? Is it Shikamaru?"

Temari blushed and waved, exclaiming, "Yes, but it's not like that."

Sakura laughed, not entirely convinced, "Sure it isn't..."

With a sly grin, Temari countered, "Oh yeah? Well, what about you and Kankuro?"

Sakura blushed, her words stuttering, "He's nice."

Temari continued to tease, "You two are so cute together; you should get married so we can legally be sisters."

Sakura blushed even more profoundly and stammered, "What? No, I don't think... we haven't dated for that long..."

Temari couldn't help but laugh, thoroughly enjoying their usual playful banter. She shifted the conversation, asking, "If you were to date any of the Konoha Genin, who would you choose?"

Sakura smirked and teased, "If I say Shikamaru, would you get upset?"

Temari, now red-faced, kept blushing throughout their journey to the village gates. Upon reaching the gates, she informed the Jonin of the duty of her mission and waved a cheerful goodbye to Sakura.

As Sakura waved goodbye to Temari, Kankuro strolled up to her from behind, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He rubbed her back gently to get her attention, a warm smile on his lips.

"Hey, I know it's a bit late, but do you want to go out for some lunch? I know a great Tempura Udon place," Kankuro suggested, his tone friendly and inviting.

Sakura blushed, touched by his offer. "That's so sweet, yeah. I am starving."

Kankuro took her hand and led her back towards the village. They walked together along the bustling main street, heading to a small outdoor restaurant with cozy booths. Kankuro raised the curtain above the shop's entrance and gallantly gestured for Sakura to sit down first, showing his gentlemanly side.

Once they were settled, Kankuro raised two fingers to signal the chef working in front of them, his smile warm and inviting. "Two Tempura Udons, please."

The chef acknowledged their order with a friendly nod. Kankuro reached into his wallet and paid for their meals, prompting Sakura to protest.

"Oh, you don't have to pay for both of us. I can pay for mine," Sakura insisted.

Kankuro frowned playfully and replied, "No, you've only recently become a Shinobi. I've been going on paid missions longer than you. Besides, you're my beautiful girlfriend, and you deserve to be treated like the princess that you are."

Sakura blushed deeper at his words and gently touched his mouth. "Okay, fine. Stop talking about it."

Kankuro chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her reaction. As their meals arrived, Kankuro couldn't help but watch Sakura with affectionate eyes as she slurped up her Tempura Udon. He leaned in and kissed her cheek sweetly, causing her face to turn a bright shade of red. While slurping the udon noodles, she asked, "So how's your reaserch going for the Akatsuki?" 

Kankuro sighed, "Yeah, I got sidetracked reading Sasori's file."

"Isn't that Granny Chiyo's grandson? When I asked her about him, she always refused to talk about it."

Kankuro sighed and replied, "Yes, that's Sasori. When Sasori was young, his parents were tragically killed by Kakashi's father. This left him in the care of Granny Chiyo. In an attempt to ease his sorrow, she taught him puppetry. It quickly became evident that Sasori possessed an innate talent for this art, and he began to develop ingenious ways to overcome a puppet master's vulnerabilities in battle. He even created two puppets resembling his parents to fill the void of their absence. However, as these puppets couldn't provide him with the genuine parental love he craved, Sasori eventually lost interest in them, and they later ended up in Chiyo's possession."

Sakura was sad as she absorbed Kankuro's account of Sasori's tragic past. She remarked, "That's truly heartbreaking. It makes sense now why she refused to teach you because of what happened to your parents. What happened to him?"

Kankuro nodded solemnly and replied, "Sasori disappeared over two decades ago. I stumbled upon this while researching Rogue Shinobi. Officially, he's categorized as a missing shinobi since he never abandoned the village."  Sakura couldn't help but empathize with the likely heartbreak Granny Chiyo endured when Sasori disappeared. The thought of the elderly woman's prolonged suffering weighed heavily on her heart. She believed that someone as kind as Granny Chiyo deserved better than the immense heartache she had experienced.

As they finished their meal, Sakura and Kankuro returned their empty bowls to the chef for cleaning, allowing them to be reused for future customers. Kankuro then suggested, "Let's head back to the office. I still have a lot more research to get through."

Sakura nodded in agreement and replied, "Right."

Sakura and Kankuro strolled through the bustling marketplace, their eyes examining the various stalls and vendors displaying multiple goods. Out of nowhere, as was his usual demeanor, Gaara approached them, his arms crossed, and spoke with his characteristic calmness, "Slacking off from your duties?"

Sakura swiftly responded, "Not at all. Kankuro offered to take me out for lunch. We were just on our way to the office."

Gaara changed the topic and suggested, "Well, we should fit in some training before it gets too dark."

Kankuro sighed and began to walk away from the two of them, saying, "I'll go ahead and finish my work. See you."

With Kankuro departing, Gaara and Sakura continued on their way to the office building, their steps echoing the fading daylight of the day.

As Sakura and Gaara walked through the bustling marketplace, their eyes scanned the various stalls and vendors selling all sorts of goods. Gaara's attention was suddenly drawn to a display of shinobi weapons among the many items on display. His gaze fixated on a pair of tekko-kagi, metal claws designed for scraping and striking.

Sakura noticed Gaara's interest and asked, "What's wrong, Gaara? Something catch your eye?"

Gaara hesitated momentarily, then replied, "It's those tekko-kagi. They could be useful for you in tough situations."

Gaara directed Sakura to a set of tiny steel claws on a cushion. A neatly printed paper label accompanied them, stating their name and price: eight hundred yen. The claws seemed tailored for smaller hands, ideally suited to Sakura's size.

Sakura's brow furrowed as she looked at the weapon. "You don't have to buy them for me, Gaara. I can defend myself just fine."

But Gaara was determined. He walked over to the market owner and spoke to him, negotiating a price. After a brief exchange, he returned to Sakura with a satisfied look.

"I got them for you," Gaara said as he handed the tekko-kagi to Sakura. "Consider it a gift."

Sakura sighed, touched by his gesture. "Thank you, Gaara, but you really didn't have to."

Gaara nodded and replied, "I want you to have more ways to protect yourself."

With the tekko-kagi in hand, they returned to the Kazekage building. Gaara suggested, "Why don't we have a training session on how to use these with your wind release?"

Sakura agreed, eager to learn. Gaara summoned his sand, causing the metal claws to float gently to the top of the Kazekage building. He held them in his hands, chakra flowing through them as he demonstrated their use. He swung his fists around swiftly and precisely, showcasing the weapon's effectiveness.

"These tekko-kagi are light and easy to use," Gaara remarked. He handed them over to Sakura, positioning her arms with Taijutsu as best he could, even though it wasn't his strong suit.

Sakura appreciated his effort and dedication to helping her improve. With Gaara's guidance, she began to practice with the tekko-kagi, determined to master this new addition to her arsenal. Kankuro entered the rooftop through the metal door in a rush, with an urgent expression as he approached Gaara. He wasted no time delivering the news, "Hey, we've got trouble in the villages east of here. A group was suddenly attacked at the beach."

Sakura's eyes widened in alarm as she grasped the gravity of the situation. "Those villages are full of civilians. They won't stand a chance."

Gaara nodded, his demeanor remaining composed even in the face of impending danger. "Sakura, go with Kankuro to the eastern villages. I will inform the council and catch up with you later."

Sakura nodded resolutely and followed Kankuro, their footsteps echoing through the building as they descended to retrieve their arsenal from the first floor. Kankuro efficiently gathered both puppets while Sakura secured her Shamisen, fastening it with a red sash around her waist. A group of Chunin joined them, and together, they swiftly made their way to the village entrance, their hearts pounding with urgency.

As they sprinted through the desert, Sakura questioned, "Who are we fighting with?"

Kankuro, his brow furrowed in concentration and perspiration glistening on his forehead, replied, "I have no idea. They only said they needed backup because their villages were under attack. We have to hurry."

With determination in her eyes, Sakura nodded and followed Kankuro as the desert gradually succumbed to darkness, the horizon punctuated by a distant, foreboding bonfire that marked the location of the ongoing crisis.

Sakura and Kankuro's group sprinted closer to the edge of the Land of Wind. The scent of saltwater mingled with the acrid tang of burning wood, and the cacophony of battle filled their ears. The rhythmic clash of weapons, the frantic squawking of seagulls overhead, and the crackling of flames in the distance all coalesced into a disconcerting symphony.

As they approached the edge of the shoreline, the full-scale battlefield came into view. Armed with swords and a palpable sense of desperation, civilians were locked in combat with armored knights wielding morning stars. The clash of steel against steel and the cries of the combatants echoed across the sandy expanse.

Kankuro, ever the master of subterfuge, swiftly vanished from sight, melding into the shadows as he prepared his strategy. He enacted a quick transformation jutsu, morphing his Black Ant puppet into a humanoid Shinobi guise. With a leap, the puppet entered the fray alongside the Chunin. Black Ant moved with uncanny agility, lunging at one of the knights and thrusting its sword through the knight's chest. However, the knight responded with surprising resilience, hurling Black Ant into a nearby wooden fort.

Kankuro, observing the battlefield through Black Ant's eyes, muttered in disbelief, "What are they, immortal?"

Meanwhile, Sakura climbed atop a rock formation that gave her a commanding view of the battlefield. She swiftly drew her Shamisen, her nimble fingers strumming its strings to produce powerful sonic waves of high frequency. The knights, momentarily affected by the intense vibrations, quivered but soon resumed their relentless assault on the Chunin.

Gasping for breath as she witnessed the knight's almost supernatural resilience, Sakura replied to Kankuro's inquiry, her voice tinged with concern, "You may be right, Kankuro."

With this unusual challenge, Sakura had little choice but to rely on her Taijutsu skills, as her Ongaku-Jutsu seemed utterly ineffective against these formidable metal foes. Gritting her teeth in determination, she dropped her palms into the sand and executed a swift leg sweep, attempting to trip one of the knights. She snatched the morning star from the knight's grasp with deft precision and used it to strike at the metallic armor, hoping to find a weak point.

Meanwhile, one of the armored beasts charged toward Black Ant, exposing the puppet's proper form as its disguise crumbled. Kankuro, ever resourceful, swiftly stood Black Ant back up to face this formidable foe. He harbored a plan to put these seemingly immortal creatures to the test. With a deft movement, he opened Black Ant's torso, revealing chakra strings within, which he manipulated expertly to ensnare the armored beast. With a visceral, metallic shriek, he dragged the creature into the puppet's interior, where a set of hidden swords awaited. Black Ant proceeded to slice the armored adversary into pieces, and Kankuro observed, intrigued, as more knights began to close in on his puppet.

However, a loud, ominous rumbling resonated through the battlefield, jolting the Shinobi into action. It was a signal they all recognized. One of the Shinobi shouted, "Fall back!" The urgent command echoed through the ranks as they swiftly disengaged from their adversaries, retreating to a safer distance, their curiosity about the nature of these seemingly immortal foes giving way to the instinct for self-preservation.

The sudden announcement sent shockwaves through the battlefield, causing Sakura to stumble unsteadily on her feet as the very ground rumbled beneath her. She struggled to regain her balance, her gaze darting in alarm as the Chunin began their hasty retreat. Meanwhile, Kankuro, quick to react, guided Black Ant further into the chaos of battle. With precision and determination, he reached out to grab Sakura, yanking her away from danger and pulling her towards the relative safety on the other side of the battlefield, where they could seek shelter amid the burnt remains of wooden structures.

Just as the odds seemed overwhelmingly against them, an unexpected twist of fate occurred. A colossal sandstorm materialized out of thin air, descending upon the battlefield with furious force. The swirling tempest of sand struck the metal beasts with unrelenting power, leaving only a handful of them standing amid the devastation.

Perched atop a substantial rock formation beside the blazing fire pit, Gaara was the architect of this sudden reversal. He slammed his palms onto the rock at his feet and bellowed, "Giant Sand Burial!" 

In an instant, the armored beasts ensnared within the swirling sands met their grim fate as the tremendous pressure from the Jutsu crushed them into inanimate masses.

Sakura couldn't contain her elation and cheered, "Yeah, Gaara's here! You're all fucked now!" Her confidence soared, buoyed by the arrival of the Kazekage, who swiftly turned the tide of battle in their favor.

Emerging from the shadows with a characteristic smirk, Kankuro playfully teased, "Late as usual, Gaara."

Gaara, unperturbed by the remark, straightened up and crossed his arms, his piercing gaze focused on the situation. He inquired, "So, what are we dealing with here?"

One of the villagers, clutching his sword tightly, turned to address Gaara, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "We're not sure," he explained. "They all just emerged from the sea when we set up camp for the night."

The creatures, seemingly sensing the formidable presence of the Sunagakure Shinobi, began to retreat back into the sea. A brave villager determined not to let them escape, pushed a small boat over the wooden rods embedded in the sand that led to the water's edge. He leaped into the ship, his resolve unwavering as he shouted, "I'm not letting you get away."

Kankuro, quick to assess the situation, urgently called out, "Hey, stop! Don't go after them."

Two more villagers joined the man in the boat, which slowly drifted out to sea, disappearing into the darkness beyond the shoreline. The onlookers on the sandy shore fell into an eerie silence, their collective breaths held as they strained to hear any sign of what was happening.

In the distance, a cacophony of chaos erupted as the boat was violently torn asunder, and the desperate cries of the men filled the night air. The screams soon subsided, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Kankuro, clutching the cloth-wrapped puppet Crow to his back, faced the grim reality of their situation. He admitted, "We're at a complete disadvantage, and it's pitch black out there."

As evident in her voice, Sakura's fatigue questioned, "What do we do now?"

In a commanding tone, Gaara ordered, "Fire off a few flares."

Armed with large drum-shaped devices, the villagers ignited the flares, causing them to emit smoke as they ascended into the night sky. The flares burst into brilliant light, revealing the ominous silhouette of three massive ships on the horizon. A villager gasped, "What on earth is that? I've never seen a boat like that in my life."

The nearest ship began to pivot, adjusting its position to align seven ominous cannons directly toward them. Glowing orbs of red chakra erupted from the cannons, hurtling towards them with frightening speed. Kankuro instinctively pulled his head and shoulders back, clenching his teeth as he urgently shouted, "This is bad."

Gaara, somehow maintaining his composure in the face of imminent danger, decisively slammed his palms together, his voice unwavering as he declared, "No."

With a surge of sand cascading down like a tidal wave from higher ground, it raced toward the water to create a last-minute sand wall to shield everyone. However, as the sand hardened, the relentless red chakra balls bore through Gaara's formidable defense, unleashing a devastating explosion that sent the Shinobi hurtling backward. In a desperate move, Kankuro swung his Black Ant puppet to snatch Sakura inside, protecting her from the ensuing blast, at least ensuring her safety amid the unfolding disaster. The immense force of the explosion shattered the massive fire pit, plunging them all into darkness.