Chapter 111: First Arrival in the Village Hidden in the Sand

Guided by Kazekage, they wandered through the desert for three days and nights. Only when Shiraki threatened to abandon her did Kazekage reluctantly dismount and point out the correct path.

The Sand Hidden Camp was stationed at the edge of the desert, beside an oasis. Just a few miles away, the Konoha forces led by Orochimaru occupied the ancient Kikyo Fortress, like a nail firmly blocking the Sand’s route of attack.

“Ahhh! Lord Kazekage!”

“Lord Kazekage, you’re back!”

“Please, Lord Kazekage, come in!”

Two Sand guards at the camp entrance stared at Kazekage with blazing eyes, nearly drooling.

“I brought three people with me. No need to report, right?” Kazekage barely glanced at them.

“No need, no need. If it’s Lord Kazekage, it’s definitely fine! Please, please come in...” The guards bowed deeply, acting like sycophants.

“Let’s go.” Kazekage beckoned with a finger and led Shiraki and the others into the camp.

“Ahhh! Lord Kazekage spoke to me! My ears are melting!”

“Idiot, she was clearly talking to me!” The other guard refused to accept defeat.

“To me!”

“To me!”

...

And so, the two began to wrestle.

Shiraki and the others followed Kazekage toward the central command tent, drawing countless gazes. Clearly, Kazekage was wildly popular here.

Unfortunately, because Kazekage had used forbidden jutsu to transform her body into an immortal clay vessel, leaving only her red hair to house her soul, she could no longer extract chakra from her cells. She had to steal chakra through the “Kiss of the Dead,” draining it from others.

During wartime, it was manageable to occasionally capture Konoha shinobi, but when the fighting eased, she had to feed on her own Sand comrades. Once or twice was fine, but over time, someone would uncover the truth. The Sand’s most beloved queen Kazekage would ultimately fall into the disgrace of a rogue ninja.

...

Compared to Iwa, the entire Sand camp was inferior, resembling a desert tribe in every way. Everyone wore headscarves and veils to block the sand from sneaking into their collars.

Camels used for transporting supplies knelt on the ground, chewing on cacti with visible enjoyment, a sight that made onlookers’ mouths ache just watching.

“Don’t they fear getting pricked?” Nonou’s eye twitched involuntarily.

“Who knows? They’ve always eaten this,” Kazekage, born of the Wind Country, paid no mind—a question only outsiders would ask.

“People eat chili for the spice; camels eat cactus knowing it pricks,” Shiraki reached out and patted a camel’s head.

“What about when they defecate? How would that feel?” Afei stroked his chin, posing a deeply philosophical question.

“…You might have to ask the camel that one,” Shiraki admitted, stumped.

“Camel, camel... how does it feel when you poop?” Afei pressed his face against the camel’s head, earnestly questioning.

“Hmm hmm...” the camel responded.

...

The four continued deeper into the camp until they reached the largest tent.

The Sand command tent had noticeably more reliable guards outside than those by the camp’s entrance. After a brief glance at Kazekage and confirming the situation, they reported inside and received permission. The four then entered.

Shiraki recognized the four inside at once. Sitting in the seat of honor, cloaked in white, was the current Fourth Kazekage, Rasa—a fatherly figure as solid as a mountain.

Beside him, kneeling by the Yunxuan Pavilion, was the petite elderly woman—no mistaking her for the grandmother Chiyo.

Opposite Chiyo sat an old man with white eyebrows, likely the Sand’s strategist and Chiyo’s younger brother, Ebizō.

There was also a slender young woman inside. Shiraki caught sight of her backless outfit and her vibrant green hair—who else but Yekura?

“Kazekage, where have you been all this time? Disappearing for so long, are you planning to betray the village?” Yekura spoke sharply.

“With you around, what could possibly go wrong? I just needed a break after seeing too much blood. Why are you so eager to send me away?” Kazekage snapped back sarcastically.

“Hmph, I’m two years younger than you. I’m no big sister,” Yekura crossed her arms and snorted.

“You look great today, dressed so coolly. I bet a lot of boys like you—unlike me, who can’t even put on makeup.” Kazekage exuded a sly, teasing air.

“Tch...” Yekura clenched her teeth, unable to out-argue Kazekage.

“Enough. This is the command tent, not your playground,” Rasa frowned sternly.

“Yes, Lord Kazekage,” the two bowed, their eyes still sparking tension.

“Kazekage, who are these you’ve brought?” Chiyo asked, eyeing the three hooded figures.

“I was in trouble outside, and this gentleman saved me. They happened to be coming to see Lord Kazekage, so I brought them along.” Kazekage discreetly twirled some hair behind Shiraki’s ear.

“I am the Prophet Priest of the Equilibrium Sect. This is Equilibrium Guardian Kakuzu, and the Sacred Maiden Nayo. Greetings, Lord Kazekage.” Shiraki bowed deeply, speaking with practiced eloquence.

“Equilibrium Sect?” Rasa glanced at Ebizō, who handled intelligence.

“Never heard of them. Can you elaborate?” Ebizō inquired.

“We hail from Ionia Island beyond the continent. Our creed is love and peace...” Shiraki drew back her hood, gently stroking a sacred text, ready to impart their faith.

“Save it. Another group of ignorant fools lecturing us for waging war without permission, claiming we’re a corrupt force doomed to lose, urging retreat? Get lost—don’t make me act.” Rasa barked impatiently.

“Again? Has anyone else come here before?” Shiraki was curious—someone else as bored as him?

“A while ago, a group called Akatsuki also tried to persuade us to stop the war and seek peace, but they were driven off,” Ebizō answered calmly.

Ah, Yahiko and the others. No surprise they failed—if wars could be ended by mere words, mouths would be drowning in drool three thousand meters deep.

“Enough chatter—get out now!” Rasa was irritable. Already unable to beat Konoha, and now spies reported peace talks between Iwa and Konoha. The Sand would soon fall. A peace envoy showing up now was just bad luck for everyone.

“Lord Kazekage, you may have misunderstood. Our Equilibrium Sect’s beliefs differ from theirs.”

“Equilibrium exists in all things, including the shinobi world. No one should be overwhelmingly strong or weak. Balance is the first principle of peace in the shinobi world.”

“When the Fire Country grows too powerful, it feeds like a parasite on the entire continent, feasting on countless starving corpses, intimidating all from resistance.”

“When the Wind Country is too barren, its people suffer thirst and hunger, waging war just to survive. You only wish for your people to live better—what’s wrong with that?”

“Hmm, continue...” Rasa found Shiraki’s words unexpectedly intriguing.

“Only balance can maintain love and peace in the shinobi world. Our sect shuns worldly affairs and cultivates the soul. We appear only when war breaks out to help the weaker side restore their balance—and earn some money in the process.” Shiraki smiled faintly.

“Damn! First time I’ve heard mercenary ninjas described so elegantly!” Nonou’s inner voice spoke.

Help the weak, make some money on the side—that’s mercenaries through and through!

“Get lost. We have no money to hire you!” Rasa saw through the implication immediately.