Half an hour later.
Hoshino finished his conversation with Rasa and returned to Team Eleven.
When the five team members in the room saw Hoshino return, they all turned to look at him.
The people here were almost all on the same side and working on the same mission, so naturally, there was no need to hide what had happened in the desert from them.
"How did it go?"
"I really didn't expect those puppet clans to be so bold."
"Hoshino, how is Lord Kazekage going to deal with the Red Sand Clan?"
"..."
Hoshino looked around at the group, his gaze lingering on Hizuki for a moment before he slowly spoke.
"Lord Kazekage has decided to take action against the Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan, tonight! As for the Red Sand Clan... he won't move against them for now."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room turned oppressive.
Hizuki clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening as a trace of anger and disappointment flashed through her eyes.
Maki and Temari frowned as well.
"Why?" Hizuki asked, suppressing her anger. "The Red Sand Clan was the mastermind behind this incident. Why do they get to escape punishment?"
"Ah!"
Hoshino sighed and gently patted her shoulder.
"The Red Sand Clan is too powerful in the village. Lord Kazekage is worried that moving against them directly would cause unrest within the village and might even split it apart."
"Don't worry, I'll help you. What I told you before still stands!"
Hearing this, Hizuki buried the anger in her eyes and returned to her usual icy demeanor.
"What about us now?" Temari asked.
"It's four in the afternoon!" Hoshino glanced at the time. "Everyone, go back and rest. We'll assemble here at nine tonight."
"Dismissed! Temari, come with me!"
With that, Hoshino turned and left the room.
Temari hurried after him, while the other team members went their separate ways to rest and build up their strength.
Although Hoshino hadn't said outright what they were assembling for that night, his meaning had been clear enough between the lines.
The Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan were finished.
After leaving the Kazekage's building, Hoshino and Temari headed toward the puppet factory.
People came and went along the streets. The villagers continued to live their peaceful lives, completely unaware of the upheaval about to take place that night.
Inside the factory, the place was a hive of activity.
Workers were testing and adjusting new puppet equipment.
Kankuro stood before a huge puppet, holding a tool as he carefully inspected each component.
When he saw Hoshino and Temari enter, he put down his tool, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and came over with a smile.
"What brings you two here? Is the mission over?"
"More or less!" Hoshino said in a low voice. "There are some things I need to discuss with you. Let's find somewhere quiet."
Kankuro nodded and led them into an office inside the factory.
Once the door was closed, the clamor outside was immediately shut out.
"What happened?"
After Kankuro sat down, his expression turned serious.
"Lord Kazekage has decided to wipe out the Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan tonight."
Hoshino didn't beat around the bush. He got straight to the point.
"Although the Kazekage's faction will take the lion's share, we can't just sit back and do nothing."
"I came to discuss how we can get a piece of the pie from this operation."
Kankuro raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in the subject.
"What's your plan?"
Hoshino leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped on the table, and spoke calmly.
"The Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan have businesses in several fields, including puppet manufacturing, mining, and trade. The Kazekage's faction can't possibly swallow them all."
"We can use the puppet factory's name to indirectly take control of some of those businesses."
Kankuro immediately understood what Hoshino had in mind.
"You mean we should seize the chance to acquire some key puppet technology and equipment, and even take in their craftsmen?"
Hoshino smiled. "Exactly! Although the Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan can't compare to the Red Sand Clan in puppet technology, they still have plenty of unique techniques."
"If we can incorporate those techniques into the puppet factory, our puppets' performance will definitely improve significantly."
Temari picked up the thread and added, "And we can use the puppet factory's name to negotiate with Father... Lord Kazekage for the rights to develop some of the mineral deposits."
"Only with mineral veins in our hands can we truly bring down the price of puppets!"
A flicker of excitement crossed Kankuro's eyes as he listened.
"That's a good idea! This way, our puppet factory can not only expand but also improve its technology."
"If we can get the rights to develop the mineral veins, we'll really strike it rich, and we'll have a say in the village too."
Hoshino nodded and continued, "So we need to move quickly, but keep a low profile."
"But will Lord Kazekage agree? Those mineral veins are strategic resources for the village," Kankuro said, somewhat worried.
Hoshino smiled and said confidently, "I'll handle the negotiations. I'll offer him terms he won't refuse."
Kankuro and Temari both looked curious when they heard this, but neither asked any further questions.
They were companions who had played together since childhood and could trust one another absolutely. Hoshino would never do anything to damage their friendship.
As for the Chakra Crystal technology, they hadn't considered it at all.
If Hoshino had wanted to hand it over, he would have done so long ago. There was no need to wait until now.
Unless... he already had an even more powerful technology in his hands.
The three talked for a while longer and settled on a preliminary plan.
Finally, Hoshino emphasized, "Remember, we have to move immediately after tonight's operation ends, or other factions will set their sights on those businesses too."
Kankuro clenched his fist and said firmly, "Don't worry! I'll go arrange the manpower now and get ready to take over the Black Scorpion Clan's and Night Sand Clan's puppet technology and equipment."
Hoshino nodded in satisfaction.
"Good! Kankuro, Temari, remember that we're one unit, a completely new faction, different from the Kazekage's faction, the elders' faction, and even the ninja clans' faction."
"So, although Lord Kazekage is your father, you still need to distinguish between public and private matters."
Hoshino's words caught both Temari and Kankuro off guard.
The two exchanged a glance, a trace of confusion flashing in their eyes. Why did it sound like he was giving them his final instructions?
Temari teased, "Hoshino, what do you mean by that? With you in the village, we'll definitely follow your lead."
Kankuro chimed in, "Exactly. You're our boss. Even if you go on a mission, you'll be back in a month at most!"
"Temari, Gaara, and I will definitely listen to you!"
Watching the two of them chime in one after the other, Hoshino couldn't help laughing, a warm current welling up in his heart.
They really were companions he had known since childhood.
He had only been giving them a little advance warning, yet they had gotten so worked up.
"You've misunderstood. I'm not giving you my final instructions, and I'm not leaving the village either."
"I just want you to understand!"
"After tonight, we'll truly be in the game. The other factions and powers won't leave us alone, and that even includes the Kazekage's faction."
"There's still time to back out now."