At this moment, Orochimaru made one final confirmation, "When the time is completely ripe, we will go all out to build momentum for you. After all, the position of Tsuchikage…"
He stopped abruptly at that point, but what he left unsaid was already clear enough.
Deidara, however, did not show any impatience.
"I'll think about that after I finish developing my new art. I'm still a bit short in strength. Hmm!"
Even though Deidara was full of confidence in himself, he knew very well that with his current ability, sitting firmly in the Tsuchikage seat would probably still be beyond him.
Besides, lately he had been following Sasori around on missions, and he had been having a great time.
Compared to chasing power and status, Deidara preferred studying artistic things.
As for the proposal Rengoku had made about holding a grand art festival, Deidara was full of longing.
When it came to the idea of hosting a large scale art exhibition that Rengoku suggested, Deidara truly looked forward to it.
After all, it would allow people across the entire ninja world to personally experience the unique charm of his art.
"In that case, focus on finishing your agreement with Rengoku first. As for what comes after, we'll inform you when Rengoku returns."
Orochimaru was quite busy. After completely figuring out Rengoku's specific arrangements for Deidara, he prepared to leave.
Deep down, Orochimaru believed that Rengoku's plan this time had a high chance of success. After all, that old fellow Onoki probably did not have many years left to live.
(Orochimaru also did not expect that Onoki would turn out to be someone with an extremely long lifespan, living past ninety. Without a rebellion, he might even have made it to one hundred.)
"Why did you ask Brother Sasori to come here? I need to go find him."
Orochimaru did know the answer to that. After all, many of his mechanical modeling matters still needed to be handled by Sasori.
Naturally, he was not worried about whether Sasori would agree to stay. Sasori's life story was no secret.
"He is an exceptionally talented puppet modeler. We have some things we need his help with."
Orochimaru had never shown courtesy to mediocrity, but if the other party was a genius in a certain field, he would still regard them a little more highly.
Deidara might be young, but he mastered Dust Release, a Bloodline Selection, before the age of fifteen.
His personality might be jumpy, but just tell me, isn't that genius or what?
Sasori was even more so. At an even younger age than Deidara, he had taken out the Third Kazekage, directly triggering a ninja world war.
And he was the strongest puppet modeler in the ninja world, without question. Also a genius.
"I'll take you to him."
Orochimaru happened to want to see Sasori as well, so he brought Deidara along.
———
[Uchiha Meeting Room]
After reaching an agreement, Chiyo and Sasori were still unfamiliar with the way around, so they had someone from the Uchiha clan notify Tsunade and the others.
However, by coincidence, Tsunade was busy with an emergency surgery at the moment and could not come away.
In the end, the one who appeared before them was the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
When he learned that Chiyo and Sasori had agreed to accept Konoha's recruitment, a look of joy appeared on Minato's face.
"There's no need for you two to rush back to Sunagakure. The post war conference will begin the day after tomorrow. When the others from Sunagakure arrive, you can return together," Minato said with a smile.
Then he paused slightly and continued.
"In the meantime, we might as well discuss some other related matters in depth."
Hearing this, Chiyo keenly sensed that there was something more behind Minato's words.
A trace of curiosity appeared in her eyes, and she asked, "May I ask what exactly the Hokage means by 'other matters'?"
Although Rengoku had not mentioned it before she left, judging by his usual style of always striving for perfection, facing Chiyo's question, Minato spoke directly, "Elder Chiyo, as far as I know, you have a younger brother who serves as an elder in Sunagakure. Would you be willing to bring him to Konoha as well?"
"Hmm…", Chiyo thought for a moment before saying, "I can only persuade Ebizo alone."
Although Ebizo controlled a large number of intelligence personnel, every one of them was deeply loyal to Sunagakure. It would likely be difficult to make them follow Ebizo away.
Minato showed a gentle smile and said slowly, "He alone is enough. After all, sooner or later there will be a battle between us and Sunagakure. If the time comes and you are forced to kill each other, that would be far too inappropriate."
Hearing this, Chiyo could not help but reveal a look of shock.
At first, she had assumed that Konoha valued Ebizo so highly simply because they coveted the vast intelligence network he controlled.
She had never expected that this was the reason instead.
"Then this old woman offers her thanks in advance."
Chiyo felt deeply moved. The only family she had left now were Sasori and Ebizo.
And Konoha was willing to generously accept the few remaining members of her family. No matter how one looked at it, that was an incredibly good thing.
"Elder Chiyo, there's no need to be so formal. We'll be working together for a long time to come."
Minato had always been humble and polite. Even as Hokage, he never put on airs.
"When the time comes, would Elder Chiyo be able to find Gaara's mother's remains and bring them back?"
Minato suddenly changed the topic and made this request.
Chiyo was somewhat surprised, but she did indeed know.
"That's no problem. I know where Gaara's mother, Karura, is buried."
Karura had possessed the ability to control sand since birth, which led everyone at the time to believe she was the perfect candidate to become the Jinchuriki of Shukaku.
However, despite such powerful talent, Karura's personality was surprisingly gentle and kind.
Deep down, she was filled with resistance toward becoming a Jinchuriki. Because of that, Shukaku was temporarily sealed inside Bunpuku.
Later, after the Land of Whirlpool was destroyed, the sealing techniques of various nations and villages advanced greatly, and each began building their own Jinchuriki power systems.
Under such circumstances, how could Sunagakure be willing to fall behind?
Thus began a selection plan for Shukaku's Jinchuriki, personally handled by Chiyo and fully supported by Rasa.
In order to obtain a descendant with sand controlling ability, they even resorted to artificial intervention, hoping Karura's offspring would inherit her power.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Karura gave birth first to her eldest daughter Temari and then to her second son Kankuro. Neither inherited her ability to control sand.
Just when everyone felt disappointed, Karura finally gave birth to her youngest son, Gaara.
Perhaps due to difficult labor, the newborn Gaara was extremely frail, looking much smaller than a normal infant.
Holding this child who was born premature and underdeveloped, Karura worried before her death that Gaara would not be able to grow up safely.
Carrying that deep worry and boundless motherly love, even after her death, Karura continued to protect the son she cherished.
From that moment on, Gaara gained the protection of sand. The power within Gaara came from Karura's love for him.
If there was truly someone in this world who loved Gaara, it was only his mother, Karura.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.