The Inspection Department's underground interrogation room.
Under the stark white light, the Third Elder was shackled and strapped to a metal chair.
Yashamaru slammed the notebook heavily onto the table.
"Name."
The Third Elder slowly raised his eyes, a mocking expression on his wrinkled face.
This is why he looked down on the Reform Society.
If you really want to convict someone, why make it so complicated?
Isn't it all just a matter of a word from them?
"Let's skip this formality. Do you know what the consequences will be if you arrest me?" the Third Elder said.
"Now it's my turn to ask questions," Yashamaru said, tapping his fingers on the table with a displeased expression.
"Oh..."
The Third Elder suddenly burst out laughing, his relaxed neck panel trembling.
"Sixty percent of Sunagakure's grain reserves, fifty percent of its medical supplies, Chakra supply stations, smelting workshops..."
He listed them off as if they were his own treasures, saying, " The Council of Elders controls more than 60% of the people's livelihood resources."
"Your Reform Society..."
"Do you really think you can manage a village with just a few cybernetic bodies?"
Yashamaru frowned and said coldly, "Can I take this as a threat?"
I'm just stating the facts.
The Third Elder spread out his handcuffed hands. " Sunagakure needs the Council of Elders as much as it needs air. That brat Rasa doesn't understand this, but you should."
"If I don't go back tonight, the price of grain will rise by 30% tomorrow. If I don't show up for three days, the hospital will run out of medicine, and then..."
He glanced meaningfully at the one-way glass. "Who do you think the public's anger will be directed at?"
Behind the one-way glass.
Gaara's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
At that moment, the door to the interrogation room was gently pushed open.
A clerk walked over quickly and handed a file to Gaara.
"Minister, the interrogations of the others have been completed, and they've all confessed." The clerk lowered his voice. "Here's the record."
Gaara quickly flipped through the files, his finger pausing on the page with the transaction records.
"Third Elder, your subordinates have reported quite a few interesting things."
His voice rang out through the microphone in the interrogation room.
"Tch, it's just a story made up by a few cowardly good-for-nothings," the Third Elder said calmly.
"Believe it or not, they can recant every single thing they say tomorrow."
"I believe you, of course I believe you!" Gaara laughed. "But don't forget, this is the Reform Society's territory."
"If I really wanted to lock you up, the Council of Elders wouldn't go to war with us because of you."
"I'll ask you one more time, where did those military prosthetics go?"
The Third Elder's lips twitched slightly, and his withered fingers tapped lightly on the shackles in a rhythmic manner.
It seems they are weighing the pros and cons.
The Council of Elders will indeed use grain prices to threaten the Reform Society, but it certainly won't last long.
The village is already in a bad enough situation. If this continues, it will lead to a complete breakdown in relations and we'll lose a lot of money. It's really not worth it.
After all, the Reform Society was unwilling to start a war at this time, and neither was their Council of Elders.
"Okay, okay..."
After making the decision, the Third Elder shook his head helplessly.
" Konoha's Anbu purchased fifteen reconnaissance sets, Root requested over twenty combat sets."
"As for the Kumogakure, they requested twenty sets of Lightning Release- compatible modules, while the Iwagakure specially customized anti-shock modules capable of withstanding Explosion Release."
"Oh, right! They also want black market dealers to help them find a few experts in the field of mechanics."
Yashamaru frowned and asked, "You helped?"
"I don't know about that!"
The Third Elder shrugged. "These days, the entire Shinobi World is extremely competitive in its search for talent in the field of mechanics; they're not so easy to find."
Behind the one-way glass, the intelligence officer quickly jotted down what the Third Elder had said.
Gaara's gaze grew increasingly sharp.
This black market has really grown and expanded; it now includes so many different services.
Starting with Chakra Crystal as payment, the smuggling of prosthetic bodies, human trafficking, and resource trading...
It has become the darkest aspect of the Shinobi World.
Although this was the outcome the Reform Society had hoped for, its growth rate still exceeded expectations.
It seems we'll have to strike hard.
Let those people know that Sunagakure can develop and expand the black market, increasing its profits, but it can also destroy it.
"What's the method of the transaction?" Gaara pressed.
The Third Elder's cloudy eyes darted around, and his lips curled up slightly.
"On the seventh day of each month, at an abandoned post station within the Land of Rain, the next transaction will take place in three days. Representatives from Iwagakure, Root, and Kumogakure will all be present."
He paused deliberately, "However..."
Yashamaru asked, "But what? Just say it!"
"Do you really think you can take down this line by arresting a few contacts?" the Third Elder suddenly lowered his voice.
"This connection involves more than just Sunagakure; it includes the Hokage and Danzo of Konoha, the Raikage's secretary from Kumogakure, and the Tsuchikage's son from Iwagakure..."
With each name mentioned, the temperature in the interrogation room seemed to drop a degree.
"Even within your Reform Society, quite a few people are secretly buying and selling these prosthetic bodies."
Upon hearing this, Gaara tapped his fingers lightly on the file, making a rhythmic sound.
A brief silence fell over the interrogation room.
Indeed, this is the very reason for the existence of the Inspection Department.
Although it can only govern the area of Sunagakure now, one day the power of the Inspection Department will cover the entire Shinobi World.
Let's start by cracking down on the black market for prosthetic bodies.
Let them know that the Inspection Department has the right to intervene in anything related to Sunagakure.
"Now..." the Third Elder said with a smile, "It's time to talk about your sincerity."
What do you want?
"First, pretend tonight's events never happened." The Third Elder held up one finger. "Second, return the confiscated prosthetic bodies intact."
"Impossible!" Gaara refused outright.
The Third Elder didn't hesitate and calmly said, "Then let's release my few confessing subordinates instead."
Gaara pondered for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "Fine, but you must personally lead our people to the transaction site."
For the first time, a crack appeared in the Third Elder's expression. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Are we going to go this far?"
Knowing full well that this line of work is fraught with danger, they still dared to get involved.
Once you leave the Land of Wind, those people won't care about the name of the Reform Society's Inspection Department.
Trying to show off there won't get you anywhere.
"This is none of your business," Gaara said coldly. "Either cooperate, or you stay locked up here."
"Fine!" the Third Elder sneered. "Meet me at the border post in three days, but I must warn you, the people along this route are not to be trifled with."
"What if something unexpected happens..."
"Then you won't need to trouble yourself." Gaara interrupted, " Yashamaru, prepare to release the Third Elder."
When the shackles were removed.
The Third Elder cracked his wrists, making a popping sound as his bones rubbed together.
He then leaned close to Yashamaru's ear and whispered, "Tell your captain, the heavens of Sunagakure don't change so easily."
"Oh, and please pass on a message to Hoshino: the Elder would like to have a meal with him. He can decide the time; he's available anytime."
After speaking, the Third Elder walked out of the interrogation room, his hunched back casting a long shadow under the corridor lights.
Yashamaru entered Gaara's room and said unwillingly, "Are we just going to let him go like that?"
You have to cast a long line to catch a big fish.
Gaara gazed at the empty corridor. "For the operation three days from now, I will request the intervention of the Armed Forces Department."