The office fell silent once more.
Ōnoki floated to the window and looked down at the village built amid jagged mountains, a complicated emotion flickering in his eyes.
Madara Uchiha... Even after all these years, the shadow cast by that name still stuck in his throat like a thorn.
But this trace of emotion was quickly replaced by an even stronger resolve.
"So what if you were once invincible beneath the heavens? In the end, you have become dust in the pages of history.
"And now, the key to the power of the new era lies in my hands—Ōnoki's!"
Sunagakure, the Kazekage's Office.
The Third Kazekage's robes still bore sand that had not yet been fully brushed away.
His expression was even gloomier and colder than before he had departed. He set a sealed scroll directly before the advisor Chiyo, his movements crisp and devoid of unnecessary words.
"One of the legacies of the Land of Whirlpools."
The Kazekage's voice was dry.
"Have suitable people below master it as soon as possible.
"We need more effective, more thorough methods."
Chiyo picked up the scroll and sensed its contents, her expression tightening slightly.
"It concerns... advanced applications of Sealing Jutsu, especially techniques for restraining individuals with enormous and chaotic chakra.
"You intend to..."
"Shukaku."
The Kazekage spoke the two words, his gaze as sharp as a venomous scorpion in the desert.
"The One-Tail's power can no longer be allowed to remain so freely as a burden and uncertain factor for the village.
"What we need is a completely controllable weapon that belongs to Sunagakure.
"This knowledge may be the key."
"Understood."
Chiyo put away the scroll and nodded solemnly. "I will supervise it personally. For the village's future."
The Kazekage nodded without another word, then turned to gaze at the endless