Kõgi No Arashi - Saga of the Storm

Rogue Ninja from Konoha

KNA: Storm Saga

Chapter 5:

"Shit."
The Ninth Hokage mutters with a scowl, rearranging papers and rifling through them.
"Where is that fucking traitor?"
He was aware that countless shinobi and bounty hunters are standing there waiting for his order to go and track down Kyuseishu but he was waiting for a certain person to arrive at his office.
He glanced over, scanning across the desk, searching for anything that might be of help.

"Maybe he is not that clever."
The young male named Raph suggested, his fingers rigidly knotted together  behind his back.
Ninth Hokage grits his teeth.
"Fushi... "
Raph sneaks a peek at him, but he couldn't see his expression due to his dark glasses. It's been a week since Kyuseishu went missing  and Raph still felt uncertain about it. One week and he felt like he's walking barefoot on a cracked glass. He was always trying to stay one step ahead of Kyuseishu and it's finally time to show off how stronger he became.
It wasn't about strength, it was all because of the Ninth Hokage and the rumours.
"Listen, Raph."
The Ninth Hokage begins carefully.
"He might be a shinobi from Konoha but his powers are still unknown. You have incredible talent as well.  Get him back to the village, forcibly if needed, or I could have another shinobi do it."
He added before the younger male could think of an answer:
"He must've headed west. You'll probably  track him down in Sunagakure road if you depart right now."

Raph was not permitted to leave Konoha by himself before now but this special order gave him a chance to venture away from the village on his own so he would need only half an hour to set out.
The Ninth Hokage scribbled down some instructions for the ANBU guards standing outside by  by the door and placed in front of the young Chunnin:
"Get Kyuseishu. Don't underestimate him or he'll kill you. I need him back in Konoha."

☆☆☆

Back at Sunagakure desert ..

"Do you feel me brearhing down you neck? I am just perfect for you."
Came the words smooth as glass as Katsumi slipped behind the Ninja hunter  after using the dust as cover. Her kunai slid silently over his neck as her other hand rested on his chin ready to slay him.

"There's a memory inside my head. It feels like a part of me is dead. Telling me to see your blood as I stand here and cut you down. There's nothing you can say or do now, you swine. Your words mean nothing when your lips are blue."
Her words rang out as the Giant five legged scorpion sent some rocks soaring at her direction.
The Ninja hunter smirked behind his mask as his feet raced around, a dash and a slide before finally standing ontop of his scorpion's head:
" I think I just allowed you to make another attempt at my life but it's time to end it here. Sometimes preys are too damn easy and you're my prey now."

Katsumi would much more prefer a challenge but a mission was a mission. She said that words are meaningless to her so only action will matter in this battle from now on.

***
While Katsumi and the Sand Hunter had their own joust, Kyuseishu was able to slip past unnoticed with the roster. He believed that there's no way they could defeat a tenacious shinobi of his likes so escaping while they had a chance might not be a bad decision.

" This is enough. You both are wasting my precious time!"
The Ninja hunter shouted as he appeared suddenly in front of Kyuseishu like a ghost born out of darkness. He whispered, clapping his palms together:

" Sand Burial Jutsu !! "