Chapter 179: ### Chapter 179
The Sand Village was in turmoil, and the Third Kazekage was losing patience. Every new piece of information only deepened his frustration—and his determination.
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### Shinki Watches the Chaos
Shinki, seated comfortably in the Bear Country, had been following the Sand Village's frantic pursuit through his puppets. The Third Kazekage's decision to personally capture a Konoha ninja marked a turning point in the drama unfolding before him.
He finished his last piece of grilled venison with a contented smile. *Finally, the show begins.*
The Third Kazekage had managed to capture a ninja left behind to pass information. Encased in a cocoon of iron sand, the prisoner had no chance to resist. Shinki recognized him immediately.
*A Shimura, huh?* he thought, recalling the sour expression the man had given him before departing Konoha. *How fitting.*
As the Third Kazekage handed the prisoner over for interrogation, Shinki chuckled. *This is going to be interesting.*
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### The Kazekage Unravels the Truth
It didn't take long for the Sand Village's interrogation team to extract the information. By the time the scroll reached the Third Kazekage, the ninja had been thoroughly questioned.
The Kazekage unrolled the scroll and scanned its contents. His eyes widened.
*What…*
The scroll detailed the Konoha team's composition: Mitokado Hamura, Utatane Koharu, and Hyuga Shinki, all high-ranking officials. Worse, the team had split up, with Shinki singlehandedly responsible for the devastating attacks in the southern Wind Country.
The scroll trembled in the Kazekage's hands as he crushed it, turning it into shredded paper. His composure cracked, and his voice rang out, sharp and angry:
"Send word to the village—immediately deploy reinforcements! We're taking them all down!"
His anger gave way to cold calculation. Capturing or killing these three high-ranking Konoha officials would be a significant victory, one that could turn the tide of the war. The loss of villages and oases paled in comparison to the potential rewards.
The Third Kazekage couldn't suppress a smirk. *Three of Konoha's most valuable leaders, here in my country. What a gift.*
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### Koharu and Hamura's Predicament
Back in the desert, Koharu and Hamura were on edge. Their rear guard had been compromised, and they had no illusions about what that meant.
"The secret sentry is gone," Hamura said grimly, folding the map. "If they've caught him, our identities may already be exposed. We need to retreat."
Koharu hesitated. "But the mission isn't finished. We've only scratched the surface."
Hamura shook his head. "We've done enough. We've inflicted significant damage. To stay now is to risk total failure."
Reluctantly, Koharu nodded. "Fine. Which way?"
"North," Hamura said firmly. "The sea route is too risky without proper preparation. If we go north, we can lose them in the smaller nations."
Koharu sighed, her frustration evident. "This revenge mission feels so… incomplete. We barely made an impact compared to Shinki."
Hamura gave her a small, tired smile. "It's not a competition, Koharu. Let's get out of here alive first."
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### The Third Kazekage's Pursuit
The Third Kazekage, now armed with the truth, was more determined than ever. For him, this wasn't just about revenge—it was an opportunity to deliver a crushing blow to Konoha. He barked orders at his subordinates:
"Mobilize every available ninja! Leave no gaps in the encirclement! We will not let them escape!"
He soared into the sky on his iron sand platform, scanning the desert for any sign of the fleeing Konoha ninjas. His mind raced.
*What was the Third Hokage thinking, sending these people here? Was it arrogance? Desperation?*
Regardless, the Kazekage was resolved. *They won't leave this country alive.*
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### Shinki's Amusement
From his vantage point in the Bear Country, Shinki watched as the Sand Village forces mobilized. The Kazekage's desperation was palpable, even from a distance.
He chuckled, leaning back against a tree. "Looks like I really stirred the pot."
Through his puppets, Shinki monitored the elders as they prepared their retreat. Despite their efforts to stay ahead, it was clear they were feeling the pressure.
*Koharu and Hamura wanted to play leaders. Let's see how they handle the weight of their decisions.*
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### A Shaky Plan
As Koharu and Hamura began their retreat north, the tension between them was evident. The loss of their rear guard had shaken them, and the pressure of being relentlessly pursued by the Sand Village was taking its toll.
"This mission has been one disaster after another," Koharu muttered. "We're lucky to still be alive."
Hamura didn't respond immediately. He was focused on the map, calculating the best route to evade their pursuers. Finally, he said, "We'll make it out. We have to."
Their optimism, however, was fragile. The Sand Village forces were closing in, and the Third Kazekage himself wasn't far behind.
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### The Kazekage's Resolve
Far ahead, the Third Kazekage's pursuit continued unabated. His iron sand platform gave him a significant advantage, allowing him to cover ground quickly and scout from above. He was determined to catch at least one of the Konoha leaders alive.
*Three of their leaders, here in my grasp. If I can bring their heads back to the Sand Village…*
The thought sent a surge of excitement through him. The Wind Country's losses would be forgotten in the face of such a monumental victory.
"Konoha will regret this," he murmured, his voice filled with cold determination.
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### The Stage is Set
As the Sand Village forces closed in, Koharu and Hamura were running out of options. Shinki, watching from afar, continued to enjoy the unfolding chaos.
"Let's see how this ends," he said, a faint smirk on his lips.
The desert was a battlefield, and the stakes couldn't be higher. For the Third Kazekage, it was a chance for retribution. For Koharu and Hamura, it was a fight for survival. And for Shinki, it was all just another act in a play he had orchestrated from the shadows.
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