Real Shinobi World
Inside the Hokage's office, the air seemed to solidify, and even the sunlight streaming in through the window was dimmed by the heavy atmosphere.
Tsunade's fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm slow yet powerful, each tap feeling like a blow to the heart of the Sunagakure delegation.
Her gaze slowly swept over the compensation terms submitted by Sunagakure —huge compensation, iron ore mining rights, withdrawal of border outposts... Sunagakure had indeed shown unprecedented sincerity this time.
"Hmph..." She sneered, tossing the scroll onto the table. "Looks like you're really getting desperate."
Chiyo Chiyo's aged fingers stroked her cane, her wrinkled face revealing no emotion. "Lord Hokage, the Sunagakure's sincerity is plain to see."
"Sincerity?" Tsunade leaned forward slightly, her hands crossed and resting on her chin, her eyes sharp as knives. "These things alone won't win back your 'Kazekage'."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees, and Sosuke, an elite Jonin of the Sunagakure Puppet Squad standing behind Chiyo, unconsciously pressed his fingers on his ninja tool pouch.
Chiyo narrowed her eyes, her aged voice carrying the Sunagakure quality characteristic of Sunagakure: "Then what else do you want?"
Tsunade slowly straightened up and said, word by word, "I want the complete version of the Sunagakure's 'Secret Scroll of Puppet Technique'."
"What?!" Sosuke exclaimed, his face turning deathly pale. "This is impossible! That's the foundation of Sunagakure!"
Indeed, Puppet Technique is the core Ninjutsu system developed by Sunagakure over several generations. The secret techniques it contains, such as mechanism making, Chakra Threads manipulation, and poison formulation, have always been passed down only to elite ninjas who have undergone rigorous selection. Handing over this scroll is tantamount to surrendering Sunagakure's military lifeline.
Chiyo, to everyone's surprise, chuckled softly. She slowly took out a jet-black scroll from her sleeve, its surface inscribed with intricate Sealing Jutsu in Gold Dust. "Princess Tsunade, you are far more ruthless than I imagined." She pushed the scroll towards Tsunade, "But... I was already prepared."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and took the scroll. With a gentle flick of her fingertips, she gathered Chakra, and the Sealing Jutsu technique immediately emitted a pale golden light. She quickly browsed the contents, her pupils slightly contracting when she saw a few pages—it was indeed the genuine article, and it was more detailed than she had expected.
"It seems..." Tsunade closed the scroll, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "You were prepared for this all along."
Chiyo, leaning on her cane, spoke with an eerily calm voice, "Since you've decided to bow your head, then bow completely." She suddenly changed the subject, "However—I have an additional condition."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Say it."
Chiyo's gaze suddenly deepened, and she pointed to the lingering projection of the Heavenly Screen outside the window. "That future, you saw it too. An existence like Madara Uchiha is not something any single village can contend with alone."
"Therefore, I propose that Sunagakure and Konoha conclude a genuine military cooperation treaty. This should not be merely a ceasefire agreement, but a deep alliance encompassing intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and unified wartime command."
The room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The recording tablet in Shizune's hand clattered to the floor, and even the usually composed Anbu Captain unconsciously held his breath.
Tsunade stared at Chiyo for a full ten seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha... Old woman, you're quite the schemer!" She slammed her hand on the table, "Using a Puppet Technique scroll that we'll eventually crack, in exchange for Konoha's future military protection?"
Chiyo also revealed a rare smile, her missing front tooth making her mouth look particularly sly. "Same here. After all..." She glanced meaningfully at the portraits of past Hokage behind the Hokage's desk, "Some people's grandfathers were capable of single-handedly suppressing Tailed Beasts."
Deep in the dark dungeon
The damp air of the underground prison clung to the skin, and the dim light cast long shadows on the iron bars.
Gaara leaned against the wall, the "love" symbol on his forehead faintly visible in the shadows. Shukaku's Chakra was suppressed by a special seal, which gave him a rare sense of peace—even though he was a prisoner.
Suddenly, rhythmic footsteps sounded in the distance. It wasn't the patrolling Anbu; the rhythm...
With a jarring clang as the iron gate swung open, a member of the Anbu wearing a fox mask stood in the doorway. "You can leave now."
Gaara slowly raised his head, sand flowing silently between his fingers. "... Why?" he asked hoarsely.
The Anbu didn't answer, but simply stepped aside to make way.
At the end of the corridor, Chiyo and Sosuke stood there. Sosuke's face was terribly pale, while Chiyo... the old woman who had once taught him that "ninjas don't need emotions," now had a complex emotion in her eyes that he had never seen before.
"Come on, kid." Chiyo tapped the ground with her cane. "I'll deal with you when we get back." But there was little reproach in her tone.
As Gaara stepped out of Konoha Gates, the summer sun stung his eyes. He instinctively turned back, his gaze passing over the rows of buildings and landing on the Hokage Rock —where the Fifth Hokage's statue was just beginning to have its scaffolding erected.
(Will the future... truly unfold as the Heavenly Screen foretells?)
(And how should I face that kind of future?)
The grains of sand gathered in his palm, then quietly scattered.
Inside the Root Base, pale candlelight cast distorted shadows on the walls. Danzo, leaning on his cane, was bulging with veins, his knuckles white from the strain.
"Tsunade!" He slammed his cane into the ground, the dull thud echoing in the confined space. "How dare you bypass our elders and decide to release Jinchūriki on your own!"
The Aburame Torune: "According to intelligence, Sunagakure handed over the secret scroll of Puppet Techniques and signed a contract..."
"Foolish!" Danzo interrupted sharply. "How can a mere scroll compare to a strategic weapon?!" His face appeared particularly ferocious in the candlelight. "If I were here, I would make them hand over Shukaku's Sealing Jutsu!"
He slowly raised his bandaged right arm, a cold glint in his eyes. "It seems it's time to let some people understand who truly cares about Konoha."
As the towering cliffs of Sunagakure appeared on the horizon, Gaara unconsciously slowed his pace. Every time he returned to the village, he was greeted by the villagers' fearful gazes and whispers. But this time...
"It's Chiyo and the others!"
"Look! It really is Gaara- sama back!"
Among the villagers gathered at the village entrance, some even held up simple wooden signs that read "Welcome Home." A little girl with pigtails broke free from her mother's hand, stumbled over, and stuffed a desert rose into Gaara's hand.
"The Lord Kazekage in the Heavenly Screen... he's so handsome..." The girl said, blushing, and ran back.
Gaara stared blankly at the flower in his hand, grains of sand floating unconsciously around him. Chiyo chuckled softly behind him, "It seems my worries were unnecessary."
Entering the Kazekage's Office, Kankuro was excitedly waving new Puppet parts. "I heard the negotiations went smoothly? These were sent by Konoha..."
"Now is not the time to celebrate," Temari interrupted sternly. "The future within the Heavenly Screen..."
"That's why," Gaara suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet firm, "From this day forward, Sunagakure will undergo a complete transformation."
He walked to the window and looked down at the bustling street below. The villagers who used to avoid him were now pointing at the Heavenly Screen and discussing something in small groups.
"A special tactical team was formed to research combined Ninjutsu to counter Susanoo."
"Open the basic Puppet Technique course to all Genin."
"And..." He turned to Chiyo, "Thank you for teaching the younger generation of ninjas."
Chiyo squinted. "Oh? You're interested in my skills?"
The desert wind whipped up fine sand, pattering against the windowpane with a soft, rustling sound. In that instant, Gaara suddenly understood what true "shadow" was—not a terrifying weapon, but the light that could guide people in the darkness...