"Did Gaara come by?"
Shinho asked, standing at Shino Aburame's door.
"He left not too long ago," Shino explained, "He planned to wait for you, but Lady Chiyo suddenly called for him."
"Lady Chiyo, huh? Not surprising," Shinho said with a faint smile, "After all, I killed her grandson."
The people of Sunagakure were unaware of the Living Core, so they believed Sasori of the Red Sand was truly dead.
Given the near disaster they went though, it would be strange if Chiyo stayed in her peaceful retirement home.
"Gaara mentioned that there will be a meeting tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock in the Kazekage's office," Shino continued.
"Understood."
Shinho turned toward Kakashi and Team 7. "You've been traveling for quite a while. Get a good night's rest."
"Got it," Kakashi and the others nodded.
"Apart from these three rooms, the rest are vacant. You can chose whichever you like."
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto quickly chose their rooms.
"Shinho-kun, where are you staying?"
Karin approached him, grabbing his hand, her eyes sparkling.
Shino wisely shut his door to give them privacy.
"This one," Shinho said, pointing, "You can stay in the room next to mine."
"Okay!"
Karin grabbed his hand and pulled him toward his room.
"Wait."
Shinho stopped her. "Let's talk in your room."
There was something in his room, that couldn't be casually exposed to the world.
"Alright!!"
Karin, not suspecting anything, happily agreed.
…
In her room, she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms.
Her legs, clad in black thigh-high stockings, wrapped around his waist.
"Careful," Shinho said quickly, extending his hands to support her soft buttocks.
"It's fine," Karin replied, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I know Shinho-nii would never let me fall."
"What's with the odd phrasing?" Shinho shook his head and sat on the couch.
"Odd? How so?" Karin adjusted her position, sitting sideways with her legs together.
"How is it working with Sasuke and the others on missions?" Shinho asked as he helped remove her shoes.
"It's… it's fine," Karin answered, her body tensing as Shinho's left hand brushed against her thigh, gently caressing the indentation where her stockings pressed into her skin.
"They argue a lot, though."
Despite the strange sensation, Karin managed to speak. Her toes curled involuntarily, but she made no effort to resist.
For her, any physical closeness with Shinho was a joy. If he didn't initiate, she'd feel uneasy.
"Arguments are normal between them."
Shinho smiled. "You'll get used to it."
"When can I go on a mission with you again?" Karin asked with an expectant look on her face..
"There'll be chances. It depends on the assignments," Shinho said as he lightly tugged at her stocking's edge, letting it snap back against her thigh.
Caught off guard, Karin yelped.
"Shinho-nii!" she pouted, puffing out her cheeks in mild dissatisfaction.
But her complaint was cut short by a soft gasp as Shinho's hand slid down to her calf, cradling her foot.
The warmth of his touch made her heart race.
"Do you… want to take off the stockings?" Karin asked softly, biting her lip.
Shinho glanced at her, surprised.
As expected, she was a bit of a pervert.
Well, not that he could judge.
He removed one of her black stockings, revealing a fair, delicate ankle, a beautifully arched sole, and slender, curled toes.
The contrast with her still-covered right leg created a striking view.
"No need to take off the other. This is fine."
Shinho stopped her from removing the second stocking.
"Okay."
Karin obeyed, though she didn't quite understand his reasoning.
"How's your progress with the Yin Seal?" Shinho asked, massaging her pale, tender foot.
After Karin and Chihiro joined Konoha, he taught them the Yin Seal.
First, it was a technique well-suited for members of the Uzumaki clan.
Second, it had multiple useful applications.
"I think… I'll have it mastered in about two months," Karin replied, her eyes shimmering slightly.
"That's pretty fast," Shinho nodded, then asked, "What about Aunt Chihiro?"
"Her progress is about the same," Karin answered.
Shinho suddenly thought of Hinata and Ino.
Could they learn the Yin Seal?
Probably not.
In the original storyline, both Hinata and Ino had some training in medical ninjutsu, but only superficially. But sakura did manage to master Yin Seal.
Shinho's hand moved up from Karin's bare foot, gently massaging her thigh.
Karin glanced at him, her body stiffening as the blush on her face deepened.
The intimate and ambiguous movements left her flustered but also brought a sense of happiness.
Shinho, on the other hand, remained calm.
Having indulged in Ichikishima-hime's treats earlier, his mind was clear, and his thoughts were sharp.
If the Yin Seal wasn't viable, there was always Gu.
Though he didn't currently possess Gu for eternal youth, there was hope for the future.
Shinho glanced at Karin.
Her head rested against his chest, looking like she was completely at hsis mercy.
Shinho chuckled.
His mind shifted to the Akatsuki.
How would they react to their rough start?
Would they regroup for an all-out assault on Konoha, or would they prioritize capturing the remaining tailed beasts?
The latter seemed more likely.
In the original story, Nagato had saved Konoha for last.
Now, he'd likely include Sunagakure in that final push.
As for the other villages, Shinho had no plans to warn them.
Unlike the original storyline, he didn't intend to unite the Five Great Nations against the Akatsuki.
In truth, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Konoha had played the most crucial role.
The other villages primarily served to counter the Edo Tensei army.
But with Orochimaru and Kabuto now in Konoha, would the Edo Tensei army even exist?
Probably not.
The absense of tailed beasts int heir respective villages would further help Shinho's ambition to unify the shinobi world, making it easier to achieve.
His best course of action was to seize the opportunity to earn more achievements, so that he would have enough strength to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Rinnegan.
…
Half an Hour Earlier
At Chiyo's secluded residence in Sunagakure, Ebizō was fishing by the pond, his eyes half-closed in focus.
Chiyo stood nearby, lost in thought.
Moments ago, she had sensed several powerful chakra signatures emanating from the direction of Sunagakure.
Though she had retired, it didn't mean she was completely indifferent to the village's affairs.
Judging by the chakra, one of the signatures belonged to Gaara.
He had undoubtedly encountered strong enemies.
However, the fluctuations soon disappeared, indicating that the battle had ended.
But who had emerged victorious?
The sound of wind carried over from a distance.
"It's Baki," Chiyo took a look at the figure, relaxing slightly.
If someone like Baki had survived the intense chakra fluctuations, it likely meant Sunagakure had won.
"Lady Chiyo."
Baki stopped a few steps away and bowed slightly.
"What is it?"
Chiyo asked, her tone calm. "Didn't I say not to disturb our retirement?"
"This time, it's a serious matter."
Baki took a deep breath and said, "Two Akatsuki members attacked Sunagakure."
"We won, didn't we?"
Chiyo paused. "Did Gaara get injured?"
"No," Baki explained, "Thanks to the timely intervention of the Hokage, the Akatsuki members were defeated and killed."
"The Hokage?"
Chiyo's expression turned curious. "I never thought Tsunade would end up saving Sunagakure one day."
"It wasn't Tsunade—it was Shinho Aburame. He's now the Sixth Hokage," Baki corrected her.
Chiyo recalled the Chunin Exams from years ago.
After Rasa's death, she had stepped out of retirement to assist the village.
Back then, she had met Shinho, who left a strong impression on her.
"That young man became the Hokage?" Chiyo mused, then shifted her focus, "If Sunagakure is safe, why did you seek me out?"
Baki's expression grew a bit complicated.
"Well? Speak."
Chiyo frowned, although her expression didn't look the slightest bit furious, it presence alone was commanding.
"One of the Akatsuki members who attacked the village… was your long-lost grandson, Sasori," Baki said hesitantly.
"What?!"
Chiyo trembled, instinctively asking, "Are you certain?"
Ebizō also opened his eyes, disbelief flashing within them.
Sunagakure had never discovered Sasori's involvement in the Third Kazekage's assassination. To them, Sasori was missing, not a rogue ninja.
"It was him," Baki affirmed, "He had turned himself into a human puppet."
"A human puppet?"
Chiyo staggered back, her voice pained. "He really walked that forbidden path…"
The creation of human puppets—turning living beings into puppets—was a taboo among puppet masters, akin to Orochimaru's experiments with Wood Release in Konoha.
"Wait."
Chiyo snapped out of her despair and asked, "He… he's dead?"
"Yes," Baki sighed, "I witnessed it myself. The Hokage killed him."
To Baki, Shinho wasn't the slightest bit at fault. Sasori had betrayed the village first. Without Shinho, Gaara would have been in grave danger.
Chiyo's face went blank.
Sasori's parents, her son and daughter-in-law, had died early.
She had always harbored guilt toward Sasori.
Now, after so many years, the only news of him was his death.
"Sasori might not be truly dead," Ebizō interjected, his tone thoughtful, "You've forgotten that human puppets have living cores. If the core remains intact, he could still survive."
Chiyo's eyes lit up.
"Baki, tell me everything that happened in detail," she urged.
Baki hesitated but nodded.
The more Chiyo heard, the more astonished she became.
Shinho's power seemed unreal, far surpassing that of his mentor, Tsunade.
Initially, Chiyo thought Shinho had teamed up with Gaara.
But the reality was entirely different.
Such strength, combined with his youth, meant a bright future for Konoha.
When Baki mentioned that Shinho had extracted a Core from Sasori's chest, Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged a knowing glance.
This must be Sasori's core.
"Does the Hokage know?" Ebizō wondered aloud.
"Human puppets are a secret of puppeteers. He shouldn't know," Chiyo said in a deep voice, "We need to find a way to get it back."
She wanted to know why Sasori had betrayed Sunagakure.
And she held a faint hope that Sasori might return to the village, easing some of Gaara's burden.
"Where's Gaara?"
Chiyo asked.
"He's dealing with the aftermath," Baki replied.
"Go inform him," Chiyo thought for a moment and said, "I'll wait for him in the Kazekage's office."
"Yes."
Baki felt a sense of relief.
His purpose in coming was to convince Chiyo and Ebizō to return to Sunagakure.
First, to guard against the Akatsuki's return.
Second, to calm the people of the village.
After Baki left, Chiyo and Ebizō headed to the Kazekage's office.
Minutes later, the door opened, and Gaara entered.
"We've been informed of the situation," Chiyo began bluntly, "What terms has Konoha proposed?"
"We haven't discussed anything yet," Gaara said, shaking his head, "The meeting is set for tomorrow at 8 a.m."
Both understood that Konoha's help wouldn't come without a price.
Though the two villages had an alliance, it wasn't particularly favorable toward Sunagakure.
After all, the treaty was signed when Konoha had the upper hand.
"Very well," Chiyo said, relieved, "I'll join you at the meeting tomorrow."
Gaara nodded. He had no reason to refuse.
Chiyo's experience made her a more suitable negotiator for such occasions.
He only hoped that Konoha wouldn't make excessive demands.
"What's with the Akatsuki?"
Chiyo asked, her brows furrowing, "Why did Sasori join them and attack Sunagakure?"
"The information on the Akatsuki came from Konoha, but it wasn't detailed. We don't know their motives," Gaara explained.
"We'll have to ask the Hokage directly," Chiyo said grimly.
She felt that the current Sunagakure was extremely powerless, and no longer held the glory it once held.
Back when the Third Kazekage was alive and she and Ebizō were in their prime, they could hold their own against Konoha.
Now, Shinho had them completely outmatched.
…
Night fell.
The seven shinobi from Konoha gathered for a dinner of Sunagakure specialties before returning to their rooms.
When Shinho opened his door, his eyes lit up.
Ichikishima-hime was lounging on the bed, wearing nothing but white stockings.
Under the light, her stockings gleamed faintly, like peeled ice cream.
"Master!"
Ichikishima-hime got off the bed, her stockinged feet padding softly across the floor as she approached him.
"You took a bath. Why didn't you change clothes?" Shinho asked, catching a faint fragrance.
"Does Master not like it?"
Ichikishima-hime twirled, showing off her pale, flawless skin, unmarred except for her hair.
"I like it," Shinho said, swallowing hard.
Noticing his expression, Ichikishima-hime's face lit up with a smile.
As she wasn't human, there was only purity in her smile.
Shinho recalled telling her the story of the Flooding of Jinshan Temple earlier that morning. She had been moved to tears.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.
"Master!"
Ichikishima-hime's cheeks flushed faintly as she murmured, "I'm hungry."
Shinho hadn't brought her to dinner, to avoid unnecessary complications, especially with Karin present.
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