One month later.
After finishing his lessons for the day, Sōmi was walking side by side with Sasori through the streets of Sunagakure.
Thanks to the Third Kazekage's vigorous promotion of commerce and industry, as well as his efforts to eliminate all sand bandits and raiders within the Land of Wind, newly built, solid, and level roads now radiated outward from Sunagakure, connecting the entire country.
A considerable number of people had also taken to venturing overseas for trade, earning substantial profits through maritime commerce.
To ensure safety during these hazardous sea voyages, merchants often hired Sunagakure's ninja as bodyguards.
Such commercial activities not only generated tax revenue but also boosted the village's "public service" sectors.
Unnoticed by many, Sunagakure's size had gradually expanded outward.
As the sun set, the scorching heat of the summer day had subsided, replaced by a cool breeze blowing in from the distance.
The streets of Sunagakure were bustling with people. Crowds jostled shoulder to shoulder as shoppers and street vendors filled the streets.
"Sasori!"
"How are your classes going?"
Sōmi and Sasori sat inside a cold drink shop, watching the bustling crowds outside.
"They're done for the morning..."
Sasori stirred his cup of sweet red bean soup with mochi using a straw, seemingly dissatisfied with the flavor.
"Huh?"
"Your puppet classes are that easy to finish?"
Sōmi looked puzzled.
"With their skill levels, it took them a whole month just to understand the modified Black Ant, Crow, and Salamander puppets."
"Let alone my newly developed Hiruko. It surpasses Salamander in defense and even has camouflage capabilities."
"So, in my spare time, I wrote a comprehensive guide on puppet crafting and maintenance. After handing it to them, I concluded the course."
Sasori spoke nonchalantly.
"..."
Sōmi shook his head. Sasori's clean and efficient approach was something he couldn't emulate.
After all, mastering advanced puppet-making techniques required talent, but the basic sealing techniques Sōmi was teaching only required time to memorize and practice. Almost anyone could learn them.
However, combining sealing formulas into actual sealing techniques required individual talent, and how students mastered sealing techniques was no longer Sōmi's concern.
"Hey! Have you heard the latest rumors?"
"They say there's a vengeful spirit wandering around the Land of Wind..."
At that moment, a group of civilians sitting not far from Sōmi started chatting mysteriously.
"Huh?!"
"You've heard about it too?"
A young man with a buzz cut, who appeared to be in his twenties, lowered his voice.
"Not just heard about it—my aunt's second uncle saw it with his own eyes!"
Another young man, his head wrapped in a white cloth, spoke with conviction.
"Really?! Tell us what happened!"
The others, their curiosity piqued, turned to the man in the white cloth and urged him to explain.
The man cleared his throat, glanced around cautiously, and, seeing nothing unusual, began recounting the story with a smug expression, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Recently, a creature resembling a tanuki has been wandering the desert. They say it's the result of the souls of travelers who died in the Demon Desert over many years, influenced by the demonic realm, transforming into a vengeful spirit."
"These accumulated vengeful spirits eventually coalesced into a single entity. Although it's a vengeful spirit, the creature is said to love playing games. Its favorite pastime is burying things it likes in sand and hiding them."
"Because of the curse of the Demon Desert, this creature can't leave the area and spends its days wandering within it..."
"Wow!"
"The demonic realm? What kind of place is that?"
"Amazing!"
"You're like a walking encyclopedia of Sunagakure!"
The exclamations and praises from his companions brought a smug grin to the young man's face. He looked utterly pleased with himself, basking in the admiration.
"That's not right!"
At that moment, another young man, who had a simple and honest demeanor, spoke up.
"What's not right?"
The man in the white cloth glared at him, clearly displeased with the challenge to his story.
"When I accompanied my father's caravan to Sunagakure, I saw this tanuki-like creature with my own eyes."
"It doesn't just wander in the Demon Desert—it appears in all deserts within the Land of Wind..."
"And its favorite activity isn't burying things in sand; it's piling up a massive sandball, rolling it into a sphere, and then pushing it around—just like... just like a desert dung beetle!"
"Pfft..."
Sōmi suddenly spat out a mouthful of his drink, drawing the attention of other customers in the shop.
Fortunately, Sasori was sitting next to Sōmi. Otherwise, Sasori's reflexive defensive chakra burst might have blown the table away.
"Sasori! Are you done? If not, don't bother finishing. Let's go..."
Amid the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Sōmi dragged Sasori out of the cold drink shop.
Kazekage's Office
The Third Kazekage had just finished reviewing the day's documents. Stretching his body, he let out a sigh as his joints creaked audibly.
As the village developed, the workload for the Kazekage only grew heavier...
Stacks upon stacks of documents from all over the Land of Wind were sent here, awaiting his approval.
"It seems I'll need to form a secretarial team. Otherwise, this is just too exhausting..."
The Kazekage twisted his waist and rotated his neck, gazing out the window at the brightly lit Sunagakure. The faint sounds of street vendors calling out their wares drifted in.
A smile unconsciously spread across his face.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Entering the room was Rasa.
"Oh? Rasa!"
"I heard you recently had another son? How old is he now?"
The Kazekage smiled warmly.
"Yes, three months old!"
"He's a big, healthy boy. He stayed in Karura's womb a month longer than Kankurō, and Karura went through quite an ordeal during childbirth..."
"But thankfully, both mother and child are safe..."
Rasa spoke with lingering fear, showing his deep affection for Karura.
"So, what brings you here this time?"
After some small talk, the Kazekage got to the point.
"It's nothing urgent. I just feel that the sweeping reforms we've implemented in such a short time—are they really the right path?"
Rasa voiced his concerns hesitantly.
The Kazekage's smile faded, and his tone grew serious. "Sōmi once said something: 'Do not fear change in the heavens, do not blindly follow the ancestors, and do not be swayed by public opinion.'"
"Look at the current Land of Wind compared to its past. Don't you already have the answer in your heart?"
Hearing the Kazekage mention Sōmi, the worry in Rasa's eyes deepened.
"Sōmi... that man, his ideas are far too advanced and complex, and his methods are extremely radical."
"I'm afraid he might drag our entire nation and village into the abyss..."
The Kazekage narrowed his eyes and directly questioned Rasa, "Are you afraid I'll pass the title of Kazekage to Sōmi in the future?"
"If Sōmi can't lead the Land of Wind to greatness, do you think you can?"
"Strength inherently comes at a cost and invites envy from others!"
"If you lack the courage and capability to bear this burden, how can you be fit to lead the village as its Kage?"
Rasa's face turned pale, then flushed with embarrassment. The atmosphere in the office grew tense and awkward.
[Author's Note]
Thank you, 02, for your generous reward!
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