arrow Sunagakure Gate

Areno stood just beyond the refinished and refurbished gate of the Hidden Sand Village. Four SAWA and a tactical squad composed of four Jounin and four Chuunin (including Areno himself) checked their gear one last time before accepting the mission packet from the acting Elder of Sunagakure, who oversaw the village since Kazekage Shiko stepped down.

The boy nodded to the Elder and set off with the SAWA in the lead, the Jounin forming a perimeter behind them, and the Chuunin bringing up the rear. This is what a desert war party should look like.

Throat mics crackled shortly before dying down as the mission commander initiated the link.

SAWA 1: Mission portfolio says we're heading for an out-of-country waypoint to meet up with a multi-national strike force including other Villages which were attacked by the same mysterious enemy that fell upon Hidden Sand recently. Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf were attacked and have sent what ninja could be spared, including those responsible for repelling the invaders... we have done the same.

Areno didn't need to turn his head to know Mission Leader was looking at him.

SAWA 1: Hidden Stone and Hidden Snow have agreed to send help as well, as a sign of good faith. This mission will be tendered and led by Hidden Leaf. We may have just recently lost friends and loved ones to their forces, but remember, we are ninja. That is in the past.

The spread-out group sped across the desert dunes quickly, headed for the green of the forests at the far horizon.