Konoha Prodigy

In Konoha Year 43, the Hidden Sand Village was still struggling for breath beneath the shadow of defeat and the harsh reality of scarce resources. Life at the ninja academy proceeded as usual, and Shaye maintained his low-key yet efficient pace of study, as though everything outside had nothing to do with him. However, news from the distant Land of Fire fell like a boulder into stagnant water, abruptly shattering the surface calm among the Hidden Sand Village's upper ranks.

The news came through secret channels, brief yet enough to cause an earthquake: Konoha's seven-year-old Kakashi had officially been promoted to Chunin.

A seven-year-old Chunin!

At first, the news spread only within a small circle among the Hidden Sand Village's higher-ups, but its impact was unparalleled. In his office, the Third Kazekage stared at the intelligence scroll in his hand, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the desk. His expression was so dark it seemed ready to drip water. The elders and advisers below exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief and deep wariness.

"Hatake Sakumo's son..." an elder murmured, his voice dry. That name was still a nightmare in the hearts of many Hidden Sand ninja.

"Seven years old... Chunin..." another adviser repeated the words, as if unable to comprehend what they meant when put together. "Has Konoha... already become this powerful? What does a prodigy like that signify?"

Panic and frustration silently spread among the higher-ups. Their defeat in the Second Shinobi World War was already a heavy burden, and now their rival village had produced such a monstrous genius. It was undoubtedly another severe blow to the Hidden Sand Village's morale. This was not merely a matter of pride; it concerned the balance of national strength over the next ten, perhaps even twenty years!

The Third Kazekage suddenly rose to his feet and walked to the window. He looked out at the somewhat dilapidated village shrouded in windblown sand, his gaze sharp and cold. Konoha absolutely could not be allowed to monopolize the glory of having a "genius," nor could the village's already depressed morale suffer another blow.

He turned around, his voice low and decisive. "Konoha has their 'genius.' Does our Hidden Sand have none?"

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.

"Bring Elder Chiyo here at once," the Kazekage ordered.

Not long afterward, Elder Chiyo arrived at the Kazekage's office. After learning the reason and the Kazekage's intentions, no expression appeared on her aged face. Yet in those eyes that had weathered countless storms, an exceptionally complicated glimmer flashed. There was pride in her grandson's talent, but even more than that, an indescribable heaviness and concern. More than anyone, she understood what kind of loneliness and distortion lay hidden behind Sasori's genius.

"Elder Chiyo," the Third Kazekage said in a tone that allowed no question, "we need a voice to counter Konoha's propaganda. Sasori's talent is a treasure of the village and should not be buried. It is time for the Land of Wind, for the entire shinobi world, to know that our Hidden Sand Village possesses an unparalleled genius as well!"

This was not a discussion, but an order. For the village's interests and reputation, personal wishes had to yield.

Chiyo fell silent for a moment, then slowly lowered her head. "...This old woman understands."

Thus, a propaganda campaign authorized by the Kazekage, driven by the upper ranks, and reluctantly carried out by Elder Chiyo quietly unfolded throughout the Hidden Sand Village and the entire Land of Wind.

Official channels began deliberately revealing and exaggerating Sasori's accomplishments in Puppet Technique. "At eleven years old, he has already mastered every basic Puppet Technique and can independently create advanced puppets!" "His puppet design concepts are ahead of their time, and his strength far surpasses that of his peers. He is a rare prodigy seen only once in a century!"

"Sasori of the Red Sand is the future hope of our Hidden Sand Village and will surely shine across the shinobi world!"

These words rapidly spread through ninja, merchants, and wandering performers. Sasori, who had already risen to prominence within the puppet forces, saw his title as a "genius puppeteer" grow like a snowball. It quickly spread through every street and alley of the Land of Wind, with faint signs of expanding beyond the country's borders.

Over tea and meals, the villagers began eagerly discussing their village's genius, talking about how he had achieved such extraordinary skill at such a young age. It was as though doing so could dispel the gloom of defeat and offset their fear of Konoha's seven-year-old Chunin. In a short time, Sasori's name had been fashioned into the Hidden Sand Village's pride and symbol of the future.

In the Maintenance Unit, the craftsmen discussed it during their breaks as well. "Did you hear? Lord Sasori is incredible!" "Yeah, as expected of Elder Chiyo's grandson. Let's see how Konoha can keep acting so arrogant now!" "Our Hidden Sand Village has geniuses too!"

Shaye sat quietly in his corner, polishing a new small component as he listened to the conversations around him. His dark eyes remained calm. He had seen Sasori and witnessed the near-obsessive focus on Puppet Technique beneath that cold gaze, as well as his astonishing talent. He knew the propaganda might have been exaggerated, but Sasori's talent was undeniably real.

Still, for some reason, he felt that this "glory" forcibly pushed into the spotlight was entirely incompatible with the boy who immersed himself in his workshop and remained indifferent to the outside world. It seemed more like the need of a political contest than genuine respect for a genius.

He also thought of Konoha's genius, Kakashi. A seven-year-old Chunin... What kind of terrifying strength and talent would that require? The shinobi world truly was vast.

Pressure arose invisibly. Konoha's genius had provoked the Hidden Sand, and the genius put forth by the Hidden Sand might in turn provoke other villages. A silent competition over the future seemed to have already begun.

Shaye lowered his head and continued focusing on the component in his hands. The clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with him. Whether it was Konoha's Kakashi or Sasori, who had been pushed into the eye of the storm, they were merely points of reference on his path forward. The only thing he needed to do was continue accumulating, continue thinking, and silently catch up in his own way until he surpassed them.

His path had never been beneath the spotlight, but within the silent sea of knowledge and among cold mechanical components.

(End of Chapter)