Most of the Land of Wind is covered by desert. Since entering the Land of Wind, Shinsei's initial sense of novelty has gradually dissipated, and he has now become accustomed to it.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky as the group slowly made their way through the desert.
This trip to Sunagakure was led by Shinsei and Kurenai Yuhi.
Konoha's Chiyo brother, Ebizo, along with Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara, came to Konoha to meet them.
Shinsei originally planned to have Shikamaru accompany him, since Temari was also there, but considering that Ino was in Shikamaru's team, he ultimately chose Team 8.
Kiba and Akamaru looked dejected and listless. A wave of heat washed over them, and Kiba finally couldn't help but ask, "Hey, how much longer do we have to walk?"
The Sand Ninja ahead stopped and turned to look at Kiba. Ebizo, his wrinkled face filled with apology, said, "I'm sorry, young brothers from Konoha, I've held everyone back. There's an oasis a little further on; we can rest there."
"But you said the same thing before," Kiba muttered, dissatisfied. Kurenai Yuhi gently patted Kiba's head, interrupting his complaint, and said to the Sand Shinobi, "It's alright, you can rest up ahead. Kiba is just worried about his little dog."
Akamaru responded weakly.
Normally, ninjas wouldn't need to be this slow, but there was Ebizo in the group.
Moreover, the weather was extremely hot, the sky was cloudless, there was not a breath of wind on the ground, and the sun shone on the golden sand, its light dazzling.
Shinsei Hand Seals, gathering Chakra in his hands. This action instantly put several Sand Ninja on edge. Baki quickly grabbed his Kunai, and sand began to seep from the gourd on Gaara's back.
Seeing Shinsei- chan chuckled and said, "Don't be so tense, everyone. I'm just using a Ninjutsu to cool off."
A large amount of water gushed from Shinsei's hands, gathering into a pond in the sand.
Shinsei was the first to leap in, the cool sensation instantly spreading throughout his body. He waved to the others, "Come on!"
Kiba was the first to respond, jumping right in, while Akamaru swam happily in the water.
Kurenai Yuhi also pulled Hinata into the water at the corner of the pond.
Unlike the previous two, Shino Aburame didn't just keep splashing water on herself.
Shinsei noticed his strange behavior and immediately understood. The clothes of the Aburame Clan were full of insects, and if they really entered the water, there would probably be a layer of Kikaichū floating on the surface.
The pool of water created by Chakra doesn't worry about getting your clothes wet or revealing them; as long as you release the Water Release Chakra, your clothes will dry naturally.
The Sunagakure ninjas exchanged bewildered glances. The pond before them was actually formed from Shinsei's Chakra, and entering rashly would be tantamount to handing their lives over to ninjas from another country.
Gaara placed the gourd on his back aside and silently walked into the pond.
Temari and squatted down by the pond with her younger brother. Kankuro then came in as well, leaving only Baki and Ebizo on the bank.
Ebizo sighed softly, "I'm getting old; I'm not as brave as a young person anymore."
After saying that, he walked into the pond. Baki, no longer troubled, also stepped into it, looking lost and dejected.
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Shinsei's face. This was actually a simple test, probing whether Sunagakure was still hostile to Konoha.
After the Chunin Ninja Exams, Sunagakure suffered heavy losses. Their own Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru, the ninja who attacked Konoha were killed in retaliation, and even the Jinchūriki were captured by Konoha.
As one of the Five Great Nations, the Sunagakure of the Land of Wind struggles to find even a Kage Level figure, leaving the Chiyo to take charge.
Baki, a candidate for Kazekage, couldn't last two rounds against Shinsei, while the next Kazekage Gaara, is not even 13 years old yet.
Therefore, after the Chunin Ninja Exams, they couldn't wait to surrender to Konoha and seek an alliance.
The test we just did was to see if Sunagakure was sincere. If they can't even pass this test, then the conditions Shinsei will propose when he arrives in Sunagakure will be very different.
Shinsei doesn't want to raise an ungrateful child.
After everyone cooled off from the heat, they continued their journey. Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere, Shinsei asked, " Ebizo, when will Sunagakure choose Kazekage?"
Ebizo slightly embarrassed, glanced at Gaara, and shook his head, saying, " Sunagakure doesn't have a suitable Kazekage yet, but Lord Shinsei, rest assured, my sister Chiyo can temporarily act as the head of Sunagakure. She will never go back on her promise to Konoha."
"I hope so, but your village should choose Kazekage as soon as possible, otherwise people from other villages will think that some elders are greedy for power." As Shinsei 'Tsunade disciple, Shinsei naturally didn't have a good impression of Chiyo. When Tsunade mentioned Chiyo, she also gave this old woman who liked to use poison a cold look.
Ebizo smiled awkwardly and did not respond.
The group traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently, and it took them six days to finally reach Sunagakure. Fortunately, there were no unexpected incidents along the way.
Most of the houses in Sunagakure are built of sand, contrasting with the desert outside the village. The Kazekage Building looks like a giant casserole made of sand.
Chiyo and a group of elders were already standing at the gate of Sunagakure.
"Welcome to our Sunagakure, envoys from Konoha. You have traveled a long way and must be tired. We have prepared rooms for you, please go and rest." Chiyo said slowly, her trembling hand making an inviting gesture.
Even though he knew Chiyo was acting, Shinsei still felt a little sorry for her. She was over 70 years old, which was considered very old for a ninja, yet she still had to work hard for the village and even abandon her dignity to greet a group of younger people at the gate.
" Elder Chiyo, there's no need for such formalities. Thank you for your trouble." Shinsei gestured for everyone to enter.
In the Shinobi World, strength is paramount. Even with Jonin like Kurenai Yuhi among their companions, the people of Sunagakure still centered around Shinsei and welcomed the Konoha group inside.
There were ten elders, including Chiyo, who came to greet Konoha. The youngest of them looked to be at least 50 years old.
Shinsei was tired of dealing with them, finding them dull, lifeless, and rotten.
Faced with the flattery of the Konoha envoys, who kept praising Shinsei's youthful talent, strength, and rare genius in the Shinobi World, Shinsei could only patiently deal with them.
Once they arrived at their room, Shinsei stopped being polite and declined their arranged dinner, only asking them to bring in some food.
After all, they came to Sunagakure not to make friends, but to demonstrate their strength.
Konoha doesn't need Sunagakure as an ally, but rather as an obedient subordinate.
Such is the cold indifference between nations.