In the Hidden Clouds
Chapter 35: Suna
Souma's team moved at high speed through the woods. They'd left Kumogakure almost a week earlier, and were now at the border of the Fire country. They were following a lead they'd heard in a small village just outside of Kumogakure. It wasn't long before they arrived at their destination.
"Well, well," Souma said, "Suna beat us to the punch."
Ahead were four Suna ninjas, surrounded by a number of enemy ninjas. They seemed a bit unconcerned considering their situation, but that didn't surprise Souma. He'd fought members of every ninja village on the continent, and Suna ninjas always gave him the hardest time. They had the odd ability to win when they absolutely had to, or when they were completely outmatched.
"Ah," I recognize these guys," Mokoto said, pointing at the Suna ninjas, "the blonde girl and kabuki looking guy are Temari and Kankuro of the sand, they're siblings of the Kazekage. They guy whose face is covered is names Baki, and the fourth guy is Yuura, the most powerful Jounin in Suna. I've fought Kankuro on a mission; he uses puppets, same as me. Damn good at it too."
"I see," Souma said, "I've met Yuura, he's got a good deal of power." Souma watched for a moment. The ninjas that surrounded the Suna group were Kumo ninjas, but they all looked identical. Kage Bunshins, no doubt. The real one was probably watching from a safe distance. "Zatoichi, find the real one and…speak with him. I want him alive, though, so make sure he can't silence himself."
Zatoichi nodded and took off. Meanwhile, the Suna ninjas below were busy fighting the Kage Bunshins. It was four on thirty, at least, but the Suna ninjas were winning, easily. There were roughly five left when the Kage Bunshins suddenly disappeared. Zatoichi had found the real guy, he was quickly dragged into Souma's presence, his arms cut off.
"Well," Kankuro said as he strolled up to the Kumo ninjas, "this is what you were up to." He waved at Mokoto, who returned the wave with a smile.
"You took his arms off," Temari said, "what are you gonna break during the torture session, now?"
"Whatever can be broken," Souma said, smiling wickedly, "or, nothing at all, if he decides to cooperate." The guy immediately cracked.
"They're in the Storm Country," he babbled, "I swear, that's where all the bosses were headed."
"Thanks," Souma said, "anything else you think we should know?" The guy shook his head. "Too bad," Souma said. They guy was then beheaded by Zatoichi, and Souma quickly set it on fire. "Sorry pal, but you would've been executed anyway."
"Still," Temari said, "that was a bit harsh."
"He would've bleed to death before we could get him back to Kumo, anyway," Souma said, "come on, we need to go find the Konoha ninjas."