"Lord Hokage, regarding the conditions you proposed earlier, we—"
Baki bowed deeply, just about to agree to Konoha's demand to detain Gaara, when the Third Hokage raised a hand to stop him.
Baki froze, confusion flashing across his face.
Don't tell me…
Hiruzen Sarutobi changed his mind again?
Sunagakure had already surrendered unconditionally. If Konoha kept probing and revising terms like this, it would be far beyond humiliation.
Yet tragically, Baki could only swallow his anger and bow even lower.
"Please instruct us."
"Konoha and Sunagakure may have had friction," the Third said calmly, "but we were once allies. After internal discussion, we feel that detaining your Jinchūriki would indeed be inappropriate."
"So, we are willing to release the Jinchūriki and allow him to return home."
"W-What?! Thank you! Truly, thank you for your magnanimity!"
Baki was overjoyed.
Konoha was actually willing to release Gaara?!
That was a One-Tail Jinchūriki!
Even though Gaara hadn't caused massive casualties this time, he was still a strategic deterrent.
Konoha… was being unbelievably generous.
For a moment, Baki even felt a trace of relief.
Thank goodness Danzō was dead—if that man were still alive, he would've ripped several bloody chunks out of Sunagakure without hesitation.
The Third Hokage smiled faintly.
"Konoha or Sunagakure—strength doesn't only come from defeating others. It can also come from strengthening oneself."
"Yes, absolutely! You are completely right."
Baki nodded fervently, admiration written all over his face.
Then the Third continued:
"Not only are we releasing the Jinchūriki, we'd also like to conduct a small ninjutsu exchange with Sunagakure. Would you be interested?"
"Ninjutsu… exchange?"
"Sitting down together, sharing techniques and insights. Each side takes what they need, allowing both villages to grow stronger," the Third said gently. "Compared to plunder, mutual progress is the true path."
"..."
Baki's mouth twitched.
He took the document—and shot to his feet.
Puppet Techniques.
Eye of Sand.
Binding Cloth Techniques.
Wind Release.
Damn it!
The old man's abacus beads had practically smacked him in the face.
So this was the trick—no hostage-taking, just straight-up technique plundering.
Gritting his teeth, Baki looked up.
"Lord Third, ninjutsu is the foundation and lifeblood of every village. This condition is unacceptable to Sunagakure."
"Didn't you surrender unconditionally?"
"Yes, but—"
"We have the strength to annihilate you," a voice cut in coolly, "but if Sunagakure falls, Konoha can't swallow the aftermath alone. In the end, it would only benefit others."
Souma stepped in from outside.
"So I suggest you negotiate with Konoha from a position of strength, not emotion."
"You—! Young man—"
Baki looked from the Third to the tall, handsome youth.
Then he remembered—
This was the one who had effortlessly dismantled Orochimaru's schemes.
The one who had flipped the entire battlefield with a single decisive move.
At last, Baki slammed his hand down and forced the anger back into his chest.
"Lord Third," he said hoarsely, "Sunagakure cannot trade away its ninjutsu."
"Hehe, I know you're angry," the Third replied calmly. "But don't interrupt just yet—hear us out."
"We called this an exchange, not confiscation. Naturally, it's mutually beneficial."
"If you sign a confidentiality agreement, we can first demonstrate the techniques involved."
"…And him?"
"This technique was created by Souma-kun. He'll be the one demonstrating."
"Fine!"
Baki agreed instantly.
At this point, Sunagakure had no choices left.
Their Jinchūriki was being held, their Kazekage was 'visiting' Konoha under supervision, and they couldn't even see him.
They were cornered.
But Baki had heard of Yagyū Souma—this young man's creative ability was well known.
If the technique's value truly matched the price…
Then trading wasn't impossible.
He took several deep breaths, carefully reviewed the confidentiality agreement, signed his name, and bowed slightly to Souma.
"Please enlighten me."
"Gladly. You move first."
Souma nodded, gesturing casually.
Baki shook his head.
"No. Only real combat shows a technique's true value."
"Alright. Then I'm coming."
"Do it."
The moment Baki spoke—
Souma vanished into a streak of afterimages.
Baki immediately used Body Flicker to retreat, rapidly molding chakra and launching a wind blade.
Whoosh!
The blade passed straight through Souma.
…An afterimage?!
"Don't move," Souma's voice sounded behind him, "or my tool will pierce straight through your body."
?!
Baki stiffened and slowly turned his head.
Eight spider-like legs loomed behind him, blade-tipped ends gleaming coldly.
No doubt about it—
One strike would kill him instantly.
But the terrifying part was—
When did he get that close?!
"I call it Puppet Taijutsu," Souma said calmly.
"By combining puppet tools with taijutsu, the result is far greater than one plus one."
He retracted the puppet limbs.
Once folded, they clung to his back like a specialized piece of armor—utterly inconspicuous.
"So?"
"…To be honest," Baki admitted with some embarrassment, "your personal strength is too overwhelming. I couldn't even see what happened, so it's hard to judge the technique's standalone value."
It took real courage for a jōnin to say this—especially to someone who looked barely thirteen or fourteen.
But it was the truth.
Without the puppet tool, Souma could've killed him with a single kunai.
"So that's how it is," Souma nodded. "Then let's fight using shadow clones."
Snap.
A shadow clone appeared.
This time, Souma deliberately suppressed his speed.
Now Baki could finally see clearly.
Souma's speed wasn't just his own—it was enhanced by the puppet limbs' propulsion. Like a leaping spider, every burst combined limb thrust and Body Flicker, covering absurd distances instantly.
The upper pair of limbs functioned like fangs—always poised for a fatal strike.
Once close, the true terror of Puppet Taijutsu emerged.
Eight external limbs allowed movements impossible for a normal body—dodging techniques, evading attacks, countering from bizarre angles.
Eight limbs could be legs, blades, shields—
If the user's taijutsu were strong enough…
Baki's breathing quickened.
This technique would be extremely valuable to Sunagakure.
They had to get it—no matter what.
For a fleeting moment, the thought of secretly memorizing and reverse-engineering it crossed his mind.
But it vanished just as quickly.
If Sunagakure were stronger than Konoha, they could treat contracts like toilet paper.
But Konoha dared present this openly because they were confident they could counter it.
There were likely hidden thresholds and pitfalls he couldn't see.
If Sunagakure took risks here and failed, the disaster would be far worse.
They couldn't afford that gamble.
Taking a deep breath, Baki said:
"Other than Wind Release, we're willing to exchange all listed techniques. We also hope Lord Souma will offer guidance in the future."
"As long as we're willing to sit down and talk, we're friends," Souma replied lightly.
"Everything can be discussed. I hope the Fourth Kazekage can also come out and preside—so our two villages can exchange properly."
The implication was clear.
Baki's face lit up. He glanced at the Third Hokage—who nodded gently.
Joy surged through him.
Once the exchange was agreed upon, Konoha truly added no further conditions.
Yes, losing ninjutsu knowledge was painful.
But gaining techniques like this, along with puppet tool manufacturing methods, was a massive boost for Sunagakure.
As for the risks?
Konoha already understood Sunagakure inside and out.
And frankly—
From the Second Great Ninja War to now, Sunagakure had never held the upper hand against Konoha.
If they couldn't beat Konoha, they could pivot—toward Iwagakure, or elsewhere.
Baki's thoughts rapidly opened up.
"Then we can confirm the first batch of exchanged techniques now?"
"Of course."
"So… how much of your strength did you use just now?"
"And can this tool be popularized within ANBU?"
"You're overestimating it," Souma replied. "A tool is just a tool. Its value depends entirely on the user."
"But it looked incredibly powerful!"
Uzuki Yūgao frowned in confusion.
Eight limbs providing offense, defense, and acceleration—working seamlessly with taijutsu and ninjutsu.
It looked absurdly versatile.
Why was Souma so dismissive?
Souma chuckled.
"That's because I was performing."
"…Because you're stronger than Baki, you made the tool look stronger than it really is?"
Yūgao began to understand.
Souma nodded.
"My comprehension is a bit higher than average. How many puppet users can simultaneously master taijutsu, swordplay, puppet control, and ninjutsu?"
"There might be some," Yūgao said slowly, "but none anywhere near your level."
And just like that—it clicked.
So that's it.
This wasn't fraud—
But it was a classic seller showcase.
The technique truly could reach that height—
just not in their hands.
And also—
Your 'slightly higher' comprehension is actually ridiculously higher.
Yūgao silently corrected him.
"That said," Souma continued, "if you're interested, go see Tenten later. She built the tool. As for the puppet taijutsu, I'll write a version for ANBU."
"Yes!"
Yūgao was thrilled.
Sure, they'd been dazzled by the showcase—but the practical value was absolutely real.
Lower difficulty than traditional puppet techniques, high battlefield utility.
If this wasn't good, what was?
As for Souma—
He was simply too abnormal.
So powerful that tools like this didn't enhance him—they restricted him.
The gap between people really was enormous.
Yūgao sighed inwardly.
"I hope the Third squeezes out more techniques," Souma muttered.
"Otherwise, all my hard work these past few days would be wasted. Oh, Yūgao-senpai—tell Hayate-senpai to come help with ANBU training later."
"…Why are you telling me?"
"You're standing right here. Saves me the trip. I'm busy—still need to visit the Inuzuka clan for something important…"
"Pfft!"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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