Several months later.
At a train station outside Konoha Village in the Land of Fire.
Several figures stepped off the train.
"This thing really is convenient. If they start using it to transport armies worldwide, the whole world could be in danger..."
The petite old man with a big nose, Onoki, sighed deeply with evident concern.
As soon as he finished speaking, a large hand appeared above his head. Akatsuchi, his tall and muscular bodyguard, once again placed the Tsuchikage's hat back on his head and lifted him up.
Behind Onoki stood another guard—a middle-aged ninja—his son, Kitsuchi.
"Old man, I think you're just over-worrying," came a pleasant voice. Next to him, Terumi Mei adjusted her Mizukage hat slightly, wearing an indifferent expression.
Behind her were two guards as well, one of them being Ao, the sensor ninja with a Byakugan eye.
Onoki looked at her condescendingly. "You little girl, what do you understand..."
Mei disliked that dismissive tone and interrupted, "Besides, if this so-called train exists, don't you think we can build one too?"
"You little girl, still don't get it..." Onoki sighed again. "War has always been the name of the game in this world. I've lived long enough, from Hashirama Senju to Minato Namikaze—I've seen every rise and fall. No matter how brilliant someone might be, they can't change the course of history."
"The biggest problem with Hashirama Senju was that he died too early. If he were alive today, would there still be wars?" Mei said calmly.
Seeing her composed expression, Onoki grunted, "What? Do you actually think you could become someone like Hashirama Senju?"
Mei offered a faint smile and gave no reply.
While these two chatted casually, three others remained silent.
Rasa walked side by side with Mei and Onoki but hadn't spoken at all, accompanied also by two guards.
He had thoughts of his own, but since his village was currently in a weak position and dependent on their support, he had no intention of stirring up conflict.
At the entrance of Konoha Village,
Tsunade welcomed them with a group of ninja.
After a brief exchange of greetings among the Kages, Tsunade asked why only a few leaders had shown up, curious about where the others participating in the Chunin Exams were.
Onoki explained they came by train while the other teams traveled normally and would arrive later.
"Oh?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Since everyone left together, then when will the Raikage's team arrive?"
Onoki glanced at her with a subtle smirk.
"You, Fifth Hokage, should know the Raikage's schedule better than anyone."
Tsunade maintained a polite smile.
She clearly understood that the other ninja villages would definitely stir up trouble during this Chunin Exam.
Then, guided by Konoha ninja, the group began heading toward the inn.
A streak of red flashed before his eyes. Rasa hesitated for a moment, then stopped walking and turned toward that direction.
"Gaara?"
Hearing this voice—strange yet familiar—the gourd-carrying boy was slightly startled.
In the next second, Rasa had already appeared beside him through Body Replacement Technique, placing a hand on his shoulder and pulling him around.
"Gaara, it really is you?"
Gaara gave him a blank stare. "Let go."
A Hyuga ninja stepped forward. "Gaara? Kazekage-sama, are you sure this is the missing One-Tail Jinchuriki? Are you certain you haven't mistaken someone else for him?"
Rasa was truly speechless, especially wanting to get angry.
That giant gourd, the red hair, the kanji for 'Ai' on his forehead—even if he no longer had those dark circles, who else could he be but Gaara?
Konoha was just making stuff up right in front of us!
"Gaara is one of our Suna ninja. And now he's actually appearing here in Konoha. What more needs to be said about Konoha capturing a shinobi from Sunagakure?"
"Kazekage-sama, you're really mistaken. Just because you claim he's Gaara means he must be Gaara?" The Hyuga ninja calmly countered.
Gaara's face revealed a faint cold smile as he emotionlessly spoke, "Who are you? Get lost."
"You..." Rasa was on the verge of erupting.
Witnessing this scene, Onoki exchanged glances with Terumi Mei, both clearly puzzled.
Onoki quickly stepped forward, grabbed Rasa, gave his shoulder a firm pat, and shot him a meaningful glance.
Gaara shook his hand off indifferently and turned to leave.
Glancing at the calm Konoha ninjas around him, Rasa hesitated for a moment before following Onoki and others into the inn arranged by Konoha.
Only after the Konoha people had left did Rasa frown and question Onoki coldly, "Why did you stop me just now?"
"If I hadn't stopped you, what exactly would you have done? Start a fight with Konoha? Do you think you alone can handle an entire Hidden Leaf Village?" Onoki calmly countered.
"... ..." Rasa opened his mouth but couldn't find anything to say.
Whether or not he really is Gaara no longer matters. The fact that Konoha dares let him appear so openly shows they don't care if anyone recognizes him—they don't think anyone could pose a threat to them. Wait a little longer, until all our people arrive..."
Onoki's words temporarily calmed Rasa's anger.
In the Country of Rain.
Raindrops soaked the road, where small streams slowly flowed along the contours of the path.
Unnoticed within some bushes, the bodies of Konan and Nagato lay side by side.
Not far away, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path towered upward, blocking out much sunlight. Several figures stood upon its column-like structures.
With overwhelming power combined with intelligence provided by Zetsu, Madara Uchiha easily injured both Konan and Nagato. Zetsu then took control of Nagato's body and forcibly activated [Gedo: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu] to resurrect Madara Uchiha using Nagato's life force.
Witnessing Nagato's death, Madara understood that Konan wouldn't serve him willingly, so he decisively disposed of her life without hesitation.
As for the other Akatsuki members, since they hadn't shown strong resistance, they were now obeying Madara's orders, helping the Demonic Statue absorb Tailed Beast Chakra.
Meanwhile, while they were all occupied with their tasks, Sasuke found an opportunity to corner Zetsu, who had been wandering around.
"Sasuke, you're Kaguya's subordinate. What exactly are you trying to do?" Sasuke confronted him seriously, tightening his left fist.
These days, he had also shared some stories from his past with Madara Uchiha.
But whether it was because Madara was overly confident in his own strength or placed too much trust in Zetsu, it seemed Madara had completely disregarded everything Sasuke had told him.
Upon hearing this, Zetsu's face turned into a mask of unreadable emotion. His voice dropped low, as if answering Sasuke's question, yet also seeming like he was muttering to himself:
"That's right... I once thought the same way too..."
"But then again... Who is Kaguya? And who, really, is Kaguya?"
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