Let's rewind just a bit.
Kazekage Building, fifth basement level—the Third Kazekage's office.
"You're saying that on his very first attempt at chakra refinement, he noticed those detail issues?"
Having listened to Chiyo's report, the Third Kazekage—mid-approval of documents—lit up. He tossed aside the file, propped his chin on one hand, and repeated with interest.
"That's correct. You're young, your ears work fine. So don't use clumsy to escape work tactics."
The next second, chakra threads flung the discarded file back before him.
As contemporaries, Chiyo knew the Third Kazekage's personality and abilities inside out. She saw right through his escape work ploy.
"Ah... I'm just no good at it. Can't help it."
Thus scolded by a subordinate, the supreme leader of Sunagakure didn't angry. Just pulled a face like he'd eaten a pickled plum and miserably resumed approving documents.
"Don't say such willful things. Everyone's already handled what they can. These remain for your decision and final approval."
Snatching a random document, Chiyo pronounced this mercilessly.
The First Kazekage, Reto—a man who unified the warring factions through overwhelming force, establishing Sunagakure in the desert through sheer power. Simultaneously, he tirelessly negotiated with other villages to strengthen national power.
Even the fertile lands underpinning Sand's existence came from his efforts at the Five Kage Summit.
Reto's successor, Shamon, inherited and expanded his philosophy.
Sand Manipulation Techniques enabling one to fight many, magnified power on home turf. Puppet Techniques substituting for ninja in combat. Weaponization research on Shukaku...
These technologies emerged under Shamon, paired with military expansion—Sand's strength developed epochally.
After the First Shinobi World War ended, hidden injuries and accumulated illness forced Shamon into behind-the-scenes retirement.
Upholding the concept of military expansion, his successor—the Third Kazekage—became Sand's strongest. His unique Magnet Release kekkei genkai earned him reputation as the strongest Kazekage in history.
But governance? He had no talent.
Though Magnet Release required precision computing, and attaining Kazekage status demanded intelligence, years of training hadn't helped him master administrative work. Different specializations—just couldn't learn.
Combat ability? Overwhelmingly strong!
Paperwork? Absolutely useless!
Like a rabbit-head calculator—math filling every neural crevice, no space for anything else.
Even Shamon, who'd chosen him as successor, hadn't anticipated this. Hence Shamon had to assist the contemporary ninja spend years restructuring Sand's entire administration.
The Third Kazekage chose B5 for his office himself.
As Kage, his governance skills were pathetic. Working "prison time" alongside civilian staff, alleviating psychological pressure from this environment—that was his limit.
Oh, and serving as emotionless stamping machine.
"Hmm... for a beginner, that child's keenness is indeed exceptional."
Pages turned, stamps thudded. Resigned to fate, the Third Kazekage revised the document while steering conversation back to Chiyo's report.
"But aside from that, nothing else is unusual in your report, right? Perhaps this unusual sensitivity is precisely why Uzumaki sealing and barrier techniques are so powerful."
As a user of demanding techniques and calculation, the Third Kazekage himself was particularly sensitive to chakra flow. He didn't find this particularly suspicious.
What he regretted were the burned Uzumaki couple's bodies. But he agreed with Chiyo—not worth creating grudge with the living child over two corpses.
"Perhaps so."
Chiyo crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Various little inconsistencies, but thinking carefully, not incomprehensible. Probably what they call genius."
"So how does the Kazekage propose handling that kid?"
The shift in address signaled changed attitude. This concerned Sand's future development—even close friends must treat it more formally.
"Find a trustworthy family to adopt. Subtly influence him, make him truly part of Sand—that was the initial plan. But now seems unnecessary."
At this, the Third Kazekage stopped stamping. He steepled his fingers beneath his nose, gaze deep.
Seven or eight years since the First Shinobi World War ended, contradictions and frictions between nations gradually heating up. Under these circumstances, each country and village almost certainly harbored spies from others.
Hence Sand never planned loudly welcoming that Uzumaki family. Receiving Chiyo's report, they'd intended secretly raising Hii Kōri.
But clearly, Hii Kōri's talent and mind far exceeded expectations. Plans are for average kids were obsolete.
"That kid consciously improves his own value. So let's deal with him straightforwardly. Provide resources, help him get revenge, let him complete what his parents left unfinished. No other demands..."
"After all, we always expected nurturing him over a decade before seeing results. Nothing fundamentally changed—just removed deliberate guidance.
After living in his 'home' for over a decade, surely he'll develop some emotional attachment?"
"Then... let me adopt that kid."
"Because of his red hair?"
"Piss off. Don't act like I have some fetish for red h
air."
"But it's a plausible reason, isn't it? Encountering a talented orphan during mission return, moved by Sympathy because his hair matches your husband and son's—deciding to adopt him."
The Third Kazekage's gaze burned, as if seeing through Chiyo's thoughts.
He couldn't handle government affairs, but he could read old friends' minds.
"Shut up!"
The gray-haired kunoichi flushed crimson, snapped, turned, and stormed out.