"I brought you some food," Shinho Aburame said, looking down at Ichikishima-hime.
"Thank you, Master."
Ichikishima-hime bowed deeply in a dogeza posture, expressing her gratitude.
Shinho's gaze swept from her smooth back down to her white-stocking-clad hips and her kneeling, bent legs.
She smiled at him, then opened her mouth and used her tongue to curl around a takoyaki ball.
Shinho sighed softly.
That snake-like tongue was still unnerving at first glance.
Fortunately, Ichikishima-hime was in human form, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to stomach it.
"Mmm, mmm!"
Ichikishima-hime sucked hard, her mind momentarily blank.
But she quickly returned to smiling earnestly.
The meal was delicious.
Shinho watched her soft lips as she ate, suddenly reminded of a meme from his past life, the one about a fox practicing gratitude.
Though Ichikishima-hime wasn't a fox, she was a snake princess, and the comparison felt fitting.
Speaking of gratitude… did the life energy he had given her count?
[tl/n: I haven't the slightest idea what he's talking about!]
Shinho reached out and pinched her cheek.
His thoughts wandered to Tsunade.
Her full figure was undeniably better.
Of course, his emotional bond with Tsunade also made those moments more meaningful.
In contrast, Ichikishima-hime felt more like a tool in his eyes.
After all, she was a monstrous snake princess, who had taked countless lives by her hands.
Bad women, he thought, required thorough education.
Shinho figured his actions were, in a way, righteous.
He sighed again.
The weather was unbearably hot.
Ichikishima-hime was sweating heavily just from eating dinner.
Fine beads of sweat trickled down her pale skin, soaking into her white stockings and leaving visible stains.
Still, she didn't seem to mind, swaying happily as she ate.
Half an hour later, she lifted the bowl of miso soup and gulped it down, leaving not a drop.
"Go take a bath," Shinho suggested.
"Yes, Master," Ichikishima-hime replied, coughing lightly as she tried to stand up.
Having knelt for so long, her legs were numb.
"I'll carry you."
Shinho bent down slightly and lifted her into his arms.
Ichikishima-hime gasped in surprise.
Her stocking-clad feet left the ground as she instinctively clung to him like an octopus, wrapping herself tightly to avoid falling.
Shinho took a deep breath.
Her soft body pressed against him, bringing an unusual sense of comfort.
It was a feeling you'd get when you retired home from a long journey.
He carried her to the bathroom and turned on the hot water.
Steam began to rise.
As the water splashed onto her skin, Ichikishima-hime gasped softly, her pale complexion flushing pink.
"Do you know how to achieve Sage Mode?" Shinho suddenly asked having thought of it abruptly.
"Sage… Sage Mode is unique to humans," Ichikishima-hime managed to reply, though laboured breaths, "We can directly use senjutsu."
"I see," Shinho understood.
He recalled that beings like the Great Toad Sage and Fukasaku didn't require Sage Mode themselves to use senjutsu.
"Can you teach Sage Mode to others?" Shinho pressed.
He waited for a response, but none came.
Ichikishima-hime seemed distracted, breathing heavily.
Frowning, Shinho raised his hand and gave a light slap to her backside.
The impact left a distinct imprint on her wet white stockings, the fabric clinging to her curves.
Ichikishima-hime trembled, her face showing a bit of fear and embarrassment.
"Y-yes, it can be taught…but…" she stammered.
Shinho's brows furrowed as he listened to her hesitant explanation.
Sage Mode training in Mount Myoboku required special toad oil. Similarly, Ryuchi Cave had its own unique resource for training. But they were controlled by the White Snake Sage.
While Ichikishima-hime could teach the principles, she couldn't provide the necessary resources.
Without exceptional talent, it would be incredibly difficult to learn.
Shinho surmised that someone like Kabuto might have a chance, but given Kabuto's lack of loyalty, there was no point in him pursuing it.
"Don't slip," Shinho said.
Ichikishima-hime didn't reply, she was already light-headed.
Being a snake princess, not human, soaking in hot water for too long left her breath ragged, as if she were drowning in waves.
Instinctively, she clung tighter to Shinho, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
Fortunately, her ability to hover and float meant she wouldn't collapse completely.
"Let's go."
After half an hour, Shinho carried Ichikishima-hime back to the room.
The moon hung high outside the window.
Shinho yawned.
He wondered what Tsunade was doing at that moment.
Ichikishima-hime rested her head on his chest, her breathing soft and steady.
She quickly fell asleep.
She was indeed clearly exhausted.
…
A New Day
Shinho awoke feeling stifled by the heat and humidity.
Opening his eyes, he glanced at Ichikishima-hime and thought to himself how unaccustomed he was to Sunagakure's weather.
"Another thirty minutes," Shinho murmured, calculating the time.
Ichikishima-hime couldn't speak but nodded vigorously.
Closing his eyes again, Shinho managed to nap for another half hour, despite the oppressive warmth.
Sighing deeply, he said, "Go wash up. We have negotiations to attend today."
After washing and changing into clean clothes, Shinho headed to the inn's lobby.
Since the meeting was in the Kazekage's office, he decided to bring everyone along.
At 8 a.m., the meeting room was already packed.
Sunagakure's delegation was just as imposing as Konoha's.
Present were Chiyo, Ebizō, Gaara, Baki, Kankuro, and Temari, along with other high ranking people.
"Lord Hokage,"
Gaara stood as Shinho entered, extending his hand.
"Good morning, Lord Kazekage,"
Shinho greeted with a smile, shaking hands before taking a seat.
Behind him, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and the others followed suit.
"Lord Hokage,"
Gaara began with a slight bow, "On behalf of Sunagakure, I once again extend our deepest gratitude to Konoha."
"As allies, it's the least we could do," Shinho replied with a nod.
"Lord Hokage, I have a question,"
Gaara asked directly. "Do you know why Akatsuki attacked Sunagakure?"
"For Shukaku," Shinho answered without hesitation.
"What?"
Gaara and the others were visibly shocked.
They had considered many possibilities but never imagined the target was Shukaku.
"Thankfully, you intervened, Lord Hokage," Gaara said, his voice tinged with lingering fear.
For a jinchuriki, losing his tailed beast would mean death.
In other words, for the Akatsuki to capture Shukaku, they would have to kill him.
Temari and the others also looked relieved.
"Why did Sasori join the Akatsuki?"
Chiyo asked suddenly.
"That's something only he knows," Shinho replied, spreading his hands.
"True," Chiyo murmured, falling silent.
"While we're here, I'd like to propose two business deals with Sunagakure,"
Shinho said, changing the subject.
"What kind?"
Gaara tensed, knowing this was inevitable.
"Is Sunagakure short of water?"
Shinho asked.
"Of course,"
Gaara admitted, though puzzled by the question.
In the desert, water is as precious as gold.
Not only is water essential for daily human needs, but it's also crucial for growing vegetables and fruits.
"Konoha can provide Sunagakure with water. In exchange, the payment will be in gold. What do you think?"
Shinho presented his proposal with a smile.
With the River-Swallowing Toad at his disposal, water was essentially a free resource for him.
"Water for gold?"
Gaara instinctively glanced at Chiyo.
"What's the specific exchange ratio?"
Chiyo pondered for a few seconds before asking.
"We'll determine the details later and assign dedicated personnel to handle the negotiations," Shinho replied.
Chiyo gave a small nod.
"Alright,"
Gaara said, seeing her reaction. "We agree to trade with Konoha."
"The second deal,"
Shinho continued, taking out the Living Core, "is about Sasori."
Chiyo shot to her feet.
Upon inspecting the core closely, her excitement grew.
Sasori was indeed alive!
"This transaction is straightforward,"
Shinho said with a smile. "I need Sunagakure's puppet brigade to work for Konoha for free for three years."
He set the duration at three years, believing that by then, he would have unified the shinobi world.
At that point, payment or the like would no longer matter.
"Impossible!"
Kankuro immediately rejected the idea.
As the head of Sunagakure's puppet brigade, the thought of working for Konoha—especially without compensation—for three years was unbearable, worse than death. It was humiliation of the extreme.
"Kankuro!"
Chiyo frowned deeply.
Kankuro hesitated but held his tongue, realizing the decision wasn't his to make. It rested with Chiyo and Gaara.
The room fell into silence.
Chiyo stared at the Living Core in Shinho's hand, visibly torn.
Sending the puppet brigade to Konoha would undeniably be a sign of weakness.
If other villages found out, Sunagakure would become a laughingstock.
But this was Sasori—the greatest puppet master the shinobi world had ever known.
Chiyo believed that Sasori alone outweighed the entire puppet brigade.
Moreover, hearing about the previous day's battle from Baki left her stunned.
Sasori could control over a hundred puppets at once, a feat she considered the pinnacle of puppet mastery.
"I have a condition,"
Gaara broke the silence. "I want Konoha's protection the next time the Akatsuki attack."
"That wouldn't be a problem," Shinho agreed without hesitation.
"We accept your terms,"
Gaara said after a glance at Chiyo.
Chiyo froze, her expression complicated.
Kankuro clenched his fists.
The decision meant he would be working for Konoha for the next three years. The thought left him deeply frustrated.
"As you all know, Sasori is a puppet master, and technically, he's included in this agreement,"
Shinho added casually.
"That's unacceptable!"
Chiyo's face stiffened as she immediately refused.
"If you intend to keep Sasori in Sunagakure, are you confident in being able to control him with your strength?"
Shinho asked slowly.
Chiyo's breath caught in her throat.
She wanted to believe in an ideal scenario, but she knew Sasori too well—he wouldn't change that easily. Nor would he be easy to control.
Could they guarantee he would abandon the Akatsuki and give up his pursuit of Shukaku if he stayed in Sunagakure?
No one could promise that.
"How about this,"
Shinho proposed with a smile. "You can visit him in Konoha anytime. Three years is enough time for you to convince him."
Chiyo frowned deeply.
"I think that's reasonable,"
Temari said after a few seconds of hesitation.
For her, Gaara's safety took precedence over Sasori, who had, in the end, betrayed sanahakure.
Chiyo understood her reasoning.
Seeing Gaara's silence, she reluctantly agreed.
..
[Achievement Unlocked: "A Guiding Light in the Desert." Reward: Blood Wight Gu.]
[Blood Wight Gu: Rank 5 Gu insect, of the Transformation Path. Grants the ability to transform into one of the Six Great Flying Zombies—the Blood Wight.]
..
A guiding light? Shinho felt the title was unwarranted.
This is a trade, he thought. I'm providing a service and receiving compensation.
Still, the reward was excellent.
With this, he had collected four of the Six Great Flying Zombies, leaving only two to complete the set for his Rank 5 killer move: Six-Armed Heavenly Zombie King.
…
Meanwhile, in Iwagakure
A ninja hawk landed at the Tsuchikage's office.
Moments later, an Anbu ninja appeared to retrieve it.
Inside the office, Onoki let out a long sigh.
"Another peaceful day."
"It's best if nothing happens."
Kurotsuchi said, lounging on a couch with her legs crossed.
"Konoha's been lively lately,"
Onoki mused aloud. He was referring to Orochimaru's capture.
"More like troublesome,"
Kurotsuchi replied, shaking her head.
"Your Lava Release and Earth Release aren't lacking in any way,"
Onoki said, slightly annoyed. "Remember the Will of Stone—no matter how strong the enemy, we stand firm!"
"Tsuchikage-sama!"
A voice called urgently from outside.
"Come in,"
Onoki said, his displeasure evident in his tone, "What's the commotion about?"
"There's some news from Sunagakure."
The young ninja quickly presented a report with both hands.
"Sunagakure?"
Onoki's brows furrowed as he took the report. What critical news could come from there?
As he read the contents, his face turned pale.
"What happened?"
Kurotsuchi noticed his reaction and strode over.
But Onoki seemed not to hear her question.
Sensing something amiss, Kurotsuchi snatched the report.
Scanning the text, her hands trembled, and she froze in shock.
Deidara was dead?
Not long ago, she and Onoki had discussed when Deidara would return.
Now, it was confirmed, he would never come back.
"Shinho Aburame!"
Onoki snarled, his teeth clenched.
Though Deidara had died by self-detonation, Shinho was undoubtedly the instigator.
Iwagakure already held a grudge against Konoha, and this only added fuel to the fire.
Kurotsuchi remained silent.
According to the report, Deidara had attacked Sunagakure first.
But did that matter?
If an opportunity for revenge arose, neither she nor Onoki would hesitate.
Still, why had Deidara gone to Sunagakure?
Had he joined some sort of terrorist organization?