"Hmph. It's all because of Aoki trying to be clever," Chiyo said with a cold snort. "He wanted a bigger audience for his match with Rasa, so he spread the word behind the scenes."
"Fortunately, he wasn't completely brain-dead. He kept it contained...only Jonin and veteran chunin were told."
Ebizo paused slightly, the document in his hand stopping for a moment before he continued reading.
"That idiot only knows how to play small games. Calling him short-sighted is being generous."
"What if even one of the people who heard about the Third Kazekage's disappearance is a sleeper agent...or someone bought off by another village? Then what?"
Chiyo fell silent for a moment, then said meaningfully,
"Let's wait until Rasa arrives."
Ebizo nodded.
"Yeah… hearing what that kid thinks might be worth it."
At this point, the Third Kazekage had been missing for two full days.
Neither Chiyo nor Ebizo still held any real hope that he was alive.
As that thought settled, Chiyo couldn't help but think of her only grandchild.
So talented. A puppeteer who might one day surpass even her.
And yet… he had defected.
The memory pulled her into a quiet, heavy mood.
He had been such a well-behaved child.
.
.
Somewhere in the Land of Wind, in an underground cave
Deep beneath the desert, in a hidden cavern, a figure in a black cloak stood in the shadows.
Only a hint of crimson hair was visible beneath the hood.
Their posture was elegant...refined, almost aristocratic. The kind of bearing that came from a strict upbringing and discipline.
Before them floated two figures.
At first glance, they looked human.
But a closer look revealed the truth...
They were human puppets.
And not ordinary ones.
These puppets were actively performing Wind and Fire Release techniques, as if they were still alive.
"My, my… as expected of the Kazekage's personal guards," the cloaked figure said softly, voice androgynous and impossible to place. "Turning them into puppets really paid off. Top-tier quality."
With a slight movement of their index finger, the two puppets descended gently to the ground.
The figure then turned its gaze toward a man lying on a stone slab nearby.
The man's eyes were open, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He blinked only once every several seconds...mechanically.
He wore only light clothing. His build was strong, his appearance that of a man in his thirties.
The cloaked figure knew full well...
He could hear nothing.
His brain had already been destroyed.
He was little more than a living shell.
Still, the figure spoke to him anyway.
"Don't worry, Third Kazekage. In a few days, you'll be reunited with your guards."
"You're far too valuable to rush. I'll gather only the finest materials before turning you into a puppet worthy of your reputation."
With that, the figure casually tossed two scrolls onto the heads of the puppets behind them.
The scrolls opened instantly.
The puppets dissolved into smoke and vanished.
Moments later, the scrolls flew back into the figure's hand as if pulled by invisible threads.
They neatly wrote the numbers "30" and "31" onto them.
The handwriting was clean and elegant...almost gentle.
The kind that would make people assume the writer was kind-hearted and meticulous.
When finished, the cloaked figure glanced once more at the man on the stone slab.
"Don't worry. I'll make you into my finest masterpiece."
They clapped lightly and picked up a syringe filled with a green solution, walking toward the Kazekage with measured grace.
"Time for your daily… nourishment."
"I have to keep you in perfect condition until everything is ready."
They paused, voice turning amused.
"By now, it's been two days since your disappearance. The Sunagakure must be in complete chaos."
A soft chuckle echoed in the cave.
"Years of peace… It's about time the shinobi world plunged back into war."
"So before you ever have to witness what becomes of your village… I'll finish you."
"Not bad of me, right? For a former subordinate."
.
.
Back in the Sunagakure
"Not bad at all? He promised to have lunch with me today!
A sharp, irritated voice echoed along the outer corridor of the village wall.
Yashalei blinked, confused, looking at Pakura.
"Can't you just have dinner instead? He's coming to our place this afternoon."
"No! He's coming to my place this afternoon!"
Pakura snapped, then marched over and grabbed Ethan's left arm...pulling it snugly against her chest.
Ethan felt the soft, unmistakable pressure and warmth as she held him close, her scent faint but constant.
He kept a helpless smile on his face...but wisely said nothing.
In a situation like this, speaking up was probably the worst move.
…Was this what people called a "battlefield of emotions"?
He reconsidered.
Not really.
Pakura didn't seem jealous...more like she was arguing over plans with a close friend.
Seeing that, Yashalei...this time with her sister backing her up...wasn't about to back down.
"You're being way too pushy," she shot back.
Pakura, never one to retreat, immediately fired back
"Yeah? So what if I am? We already agreed yesterday!"
Yashalei flushed, clearly not expecting such a blunt response.
"You… you're being unreasonable!"
"Say whatever you want. He's coming with me this afternoon. End of story."
Yashalei puffed her cheeks and glared.
Pakura didn't budge.
She tightened her hold on Ethan's arm, pressing it firmly against her chest.
"Alright, alright… calm down," Karura finally said gently, stepping in.
She first soothed her sister, then turned to Pakura.
Her eyes flicked briefly to where Pakura was holding Ethan...then to her expression.
Her brows lifted slightly.
Then her smile deepened.
"Pakura… you're a year older than me, right? I'll call you 'big sis,' if that's okay?"
Pakura hesitated.
Something about this felt… off.
But it was just a form of address.
And refusing would make her look petty in front of Ethan.
So she nodded cautiously.
"Fine."
Karura's smile grew brighter.
She clapped her hands lightly, as if arriving at a solution.
"You and Rasa had plans first...that's on us."
"So how about this?"
"Tomorrow, Rasa comes to our place instead."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted from Pakura… to Ethan.
Ethan smiled back.
But after a moment, he subtly looked away.
Her gaze was too gentle.
Too intense.
Almost like it wanted to wrap around him completely.
Also…
When did she stop calling him "Rasa sama" and just switch to his name?
Still, he didn't mind enough to object.
"Rasa sama, Lady Chiyo requests your presence in the Kazekage's office."
A woman in a yellow cloak and hawk mask appeared suddenly.
She almost dropped to one knee...then caught herself and bowed instead.
"Got it. Thanks, Tsuyu," Ethan said politely.
Then he turned to Pakura.
"Head back for now. I'll come by after I'm done."
Pakura raised an eyebrow.
"You know where I live?"
"Yeah. East side of the central district...first row, third house."
She blinked...then smiled.
"Well… I didn't expect you to know that."
Ethan just brushed it off with a casual excuse.
There was no way he was admitting, Masami told him.
.
.
.
After watching Pakura leave, Ethan turned back...only to find Karura still staring at him.
Her expression was soft. Warm. Almost glowing.
He immediately felt awkward.
"…Karura. Tomorrow afternoon is fine, right?"
She nodded.
Still smiling.
But instead of answering, she stepped closer.
Her hands moved gently, smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes.
Then she pulled out a clean handkerchief.
Even at 1.73 meters, she still had to rise slightly on her toes to reach him.
Carefully, she wiped the sweat from his face.
Ethan watched her.
The soft fabric.
Her closeness.
Her faint scent.
Something in his chest shifted.
He instinctively tried to pull back...
"Wait," she said softly. "Almost done."
When she finished, she folded the handkerchief neatly and tucked it away.
Then she placed her hands behind her back.
Her eyes...gentle, expressive...reflected only him.
Suddenly, she smiled.
Then lightly tapped his chin with her finger.
Tilting her head slightly, she said in a warm voice
"Your stubble's getting pretty noticeable. Aren't you going to shave?"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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