Hoshino took the scroll and quickly scanned its contents.
The scroll was densely covered with the signatures of the major puppet families, including some ninja clans he had never even heard of.
The Night Sand Clan had joined forces with other powers and was preparing to suppress him on all fronts.
"Lord Kazekage, this joint complaint from the ninja clans is only because I shut down their puppet shops for passing off inferior goods as quality products," Hoshino said.
"If you believe I acted wrongly, Lord Kazekage, I am willing to submit to an investigation."
"Before that, I would like to remind you that the problems with these clans' puppet quality have become a serious threat to the village's safety."
Rasa narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his fingers against the desk, seemingly weighing something.
He did not care whether there was a deeper reason behind Hoshino's actions. What mattered more to him was whether he could make use of Hoshino.
"Hoshino, you must also understand that Sunagakure's stability depends on the support of these ninja clans," Rasa said slowly. "By doing this, you're shaking the foundations of the village."
Hoshino said gravely, "Lord Kazekage, the village's foundations are not the interests of these ninja clans, but all of its ninja and villagers."
"If we can't even guarantee basic puppet quality, what future does Sunagakure have?"
Yes, those puppet families had indeed made some changes.
In the past, they had only guaranteed the quality of puppets supplied to the high-end market.
As for the mid-range and low-end markets, cutting corners and passing off inferior goods as quality products had been everyday fare.
After the Spirit Puppet Series was introduced, these families had been forced to make some adjustments.
At least in the mid-range market, they no longer dared to cut corners so brazenly.
Even so, civilian ninja and ordinary villagers still made up the majority of Sunagakure's population.
They could not afford high-end puppets and could barely afford mid-range ones, leaving them with no choice but the cheapest low-end puppets.
And these low-end puppets remained the worst affected by the puppet families' corner-cutting.
Inferior materials and shoddy workmanship meant that these puppets could fall apart at any moment in battle, even endangering their users' lives.
Rasa naturally understood this, but he was powerless to do anything.
After all, his position as Kazekage had always been inflated.
In peacetime, he simply could not mobilize any ninja outside his own loyal faction.
But Hoshino's presence had given him hope.
After a moment's silence, Rasa said meaningfully, "Hoshino, I too have thought about changing the village's current state, but it isn't something that can be achieved in a single step. Acting like this will only provoke a greater backlash."
Hoshino's heart stirred. He realized that Rasa's words seemed to contain a hint.
He ventured, "Lord Kazekage, if the village needs a reform, I'm willing to be the blade."
Rasa's smile deepened at those words.
"Hoshino, you're clever. If you truly want to do something for the village, I can give you some support. On one condition: you must learn to rein in your sharp edge."
Hoshino's heart tightened. He understood that Rasa was hinting at something.
As long as he was willing to stand on the Kazekage's side, Rasa would support his actions.
At the same time, he knew that Rasa's support came with conditions.
He had to become a blade in Rasa's hand, not an independent reformer.
"Lord Kazekage, I understand what you mean." Hoshino lowered his head slightly. "I'll act with caution and never let the village fall into chaos."
Rasa nodded in satisfaction. "Very good! From now on, I'll grant you some authority to continue investigating the quality of these clans' puppets."
"Remember, everything must be done within the Anbu's framework. Don't stir up too much trouble."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage," Hoshino said.
Rasa then waved his hand, indicating that Hoshino could leave.
By the time Hoshino returned to Team Six's room, he had already begun planning his next move.
Rasa's support was certainly an opportunity, but he would never be naive enough to think the Kazekage would stand by him without reservation.
What Rasa wanted was an obedient tool, not an independent reformer.
Hoshino's goal was to transform Sunagakure completely, break the monopoly of these corrupt ninja clans, and make the village truly strong.
What he had to do was use the authority Rasa had given him to further weaken those clans' influence while accumulating more resources for himself.
At the same time, he had to make Rasa understand that anyone who wanted to wield the blade needed the skill to do it.
"Hoshino, Lord Kazekage's transfer order is here!"
Less than an hour had passed.
A messenger ninja came to Team Six and handed Hoshino the document he carried.
Hoshino took the document and quickly scanned its contents.
Rasa's transfer order was brief and clear.
Anbu Team Eleven was to be established with Hoshino as its captain. Its members would include Temari, Maki, Yashamaru, and two others yet to be selected.
Temari was one of his own, while Maki was the disciple of Pakura of the Scorch Release.
As for Yashamaru, he was Gaara's maternal uncle.
In the original story, he would have died at Gaara's hands.
But because of Hoshino's presence, Shukaku had gone berserk less often, so naturally there had been no need to use Yashamaru.
Now that he was joining Team Eleven, he was probably there to keep watch.
The remaining two members represented the authority Rasa had given him: he could recruit ninja he deemed suitable.
Team Eleven's premises and office had also been chosen. They were in the Kazekage Building as well, near the Kazekage's Office.
Hoshino placed the transfer order on the desk and looked across the room at Fox Shadow and Faceless.
Both looked surprised when they saw the order.
"Team Eleven?" Fox Shadow raised an eyebrow and teased, "Looks like Lord Kazekage thinks highly of you, Spirit Puppet."
The Anbu had ten teams in all, with nearly sixty ninja. Countless people wanted to join but could not get in.
Now that Team Eleven had suddenly been established, it was clearly meant to groom Spirit Puppet. He might even become a candidate for Kazekage in the future.
Hoshino smiled and said, "It's only a temporary arrangement. Lord Kazekage probably wants to give me more experience."
Faceless shrugged and said enviously, "Either way, being captain of Team Eleven sounds a lot more impressive than being an ordinary member of Team Six like us."
"That's right!" Fox Shadow chimed in. "When you make it big, don't forget your old teammates!"
"Don't worry. Whenever there are benefits, you'll definitely get your share."
After leaving the Kazekage Building, Hoshino went straight home.
He pushed open the door to find the house silent. Grandma Chiyo was not home.
Hoshino frowned, puzzled.
Grandma Chiyo had rarely gone out before, but now she was nowhere to be seen every day, and her whereabouts were even harder to pin down.
What on earth has Grandma been doing?!