Konoha – Hokage's Office
"So, you're the brat who defeated Sasori?"
Chiyo scrutinized Link carefully, then turned to the Third Hokage.
"Hey, Third Hokage, you're not senile enough to mistake the wrong person, are you?"
Before the Third Hokage could respond, Koharu Utatane immediately snapped at her.
"Watch your words!"
She had never been fond of this old woman, who had caused plenty of trouble for Konoha in the past.
And now, despite her age and supposed retirement, she was still causing problems.
"Sister."
Ebizo subtly reminded her to calm down.
Link, completely unfazed, casually pulled out a sealing scroll.
"The puppet he used is right here."
Chiyo was silent for a few seconds before taking the scroll and unsealing it.
The human puppet that fell onto the floor was identical to Sasori's younger self.
Its hollowed-out body and dragging steel cables made her squint slightly.
Link then placed another scroll on the Hokage's desk.
"And this is the 'Third Kazekage' puppet Sasori used."
Chiyo gently touched the puppet's lifeless face, speaking softly:
"I see."
It was clear that she hadn't come for the Kazekage's whereabouts—
This was something more personal.
Meanwhile, Ebizo exchanged a glance with the Third Hokage, then used Summoning Jutsu to unseal another puppet.
A badly damaged Third Kazekage puppet appeared—
It was missing an arm, part of its torso, and its head was barely intact.
Just as expected.
Ebizo's expression remained unreadable, but internally, he sighed heavily.
Sasori hadn't just defected from the village—
He had killed the Third Kazekage.
And now… this.
Ebizo sealed the puppet back and tossed the scroll onto the desk, then looked at his sister.
"He really went that far…?"
Chiyo muttered quietly, her voice heavy with emotion.
She had known that Sasori had joined Akatsuki and was still active in the world.
[Even in the manga, she knew that Sasori's subordinates had manipulated Orochimaru into assassinating the Fourth Kazekage.]
Chiyo always knew more than she let on.
She just never shared her knowledge with her own village.
In her heart, her grandson was more important.
It was only after Sasori attempted to assassinate multiple Kazekage that she decided to stop him.
"What will it take for Konoha to hand over this puppet?"
Chiyo lifted her head, making a direct request.
Ebizo sighed, already expecting a difficult negotiation.
[Just saying that outright… they're definitely going to demand a high price.]
But in the end, there wasn't much else Sunagakure could offer Konoha aside from some secret techniques.
Before Koharu could speak, the Third Hokage cut in:
"Since it belongs to Link as a battle trophy, how you negotiate is up to him."
Chiyo turned her gaze toward Link.
"Alright, brat. What do you want in exchange?"
She didn't mention the Third Kazekage's puppet.
Even though it was valuable to the village,
To an old woman who had lost nearly everything,
It didn't matter anymore.
"Money or jutsu works for me."
Link replied, glancing at the Third Hokage before continuing:
"You're a puppet master. You should understand its worth."
Chiyo nodded.
She sealed the Sasori puppet back into its scroll and tossed it back to him.
"As long as you're satisfied with the payment, it's a deal."
Without any hesitation, she turned around and left the office.
Koharu looked pissed.
Not only because she disliked Chiyo, but also because Hiruzen just let a Special Jonin handle this negotiation alone.
As Chiyo walked away, Koharu's expression darkened with visible frustration.
"Regarding Akatsuki…"
Ebizo spoke up immediately.
"Sunagakure is willing to join Konoha in declaring them an international criminal organization."
He swiftly transitioned into serious discussions with the Hokage.
"Sasori, as a known Akatsuki member…"
Ebizo got straight to business, formally initiating an alliance discussion with Konoha.
Meanwhile, Link exchanged glances with Suna's Jonin, Yura, who was standing behind Ebizo.
[Wasn't this guy mind-controlled by Sasori?]
[So we're discussing the bounty on Sasori… in front of his brainwashed subordinate?]
Kind of awkward.
Link wasn't asked to leave, so he remained silent, listening to the entire confidential meeting.
Aside from the bounty on Akatsuki and Sasori,
Another key issue was the Land of Rivers.
The region had fallen into complete chaos.
At first, the civil war had generated a lot of missions for nearby villages.
But now, since there was no longer a clear ruling power,
The instability only worsened—
The country was no longer a war zone…
Because everywhere was a war zone.
Basic law and order had collapsed.
Even mission requests were decreasing, because nobody could afford them anymore.
Sunagakure's proposal was to help restore order in the Land of Rivers,
But that required Konoha's cooperation.
Eventually, it was decided that a diplomatic summit should be arranged—
Inviting representatives from Land of Wind, Land of Fire, and the Land of Rain.
Although Land of Rain was still a fractured war zone,
Its leader, Hanzo the Salamander, still had enough influence to make an impact.
So he would be invited as well.
…
The Next Day – Training Ground Seven
Gathering chakra, forming hand seals, releasing the technique—
"It worked."
Link watched as the ground transformed into a swamp.
But something felt off.
[The A-rank Earth Release Jutsu—Swamp of the Underworld—]
[It looks the same as the original version…]
The swamp looked identical,
But the name of the jutsu bothered him.
"Underworld"… Does that mean it's connected to the afterlife?
If it directly sent people to the Pure Land…
That'd be too insane.
To test it, he threw a kunai into the swamp.
It sank instantly.
Nothing happened.
Next, he picked up a small rabbit and tossed it in.
"Squeeeeeek!!"
The rabbit shrieked in terror,
Mud splashed everywhere, and its body began sinking slowly.
At this rate, it would take about a minute for it to completely submerge.
And then—
"Plop!"
The rabbit jumped out and shook off the mud.
Wait.
Even a normal rabbit could escape this swamp?
[That's worse than the original jutsu!]
Link frowned, deep in thought, before summoning Rashomon.
A familiar grumpy figure emerged.
"What now?"
Baki walked out with a deadpan expression.
He had become numb to being summoned randomly.
Being dragged back and forth between the afterlife and reality was exhausting.
Especially when Link kept bothering him in the Pure Land.
At first, it was just subtle persuasion…
Now, it was just nonsense.
If this kept escalating, it might become some next-level harassment.
[I should've never entered the Pure Land.]
"I need you to test a new jutsu for me."
Link pointed at the swamp.
[Since it's called "Swamp of the Underworld"…]
[A dead guy should be the perfect test subject.]
~~~
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