Shayan struck an incredibly handsome pose, his back to the three children, and spoke amidst their worshipful gazes.
"That's right, I am Shayan, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure, a man who combines beauty, wisdom, and strength."
The three children: "Wow~~~~"
Konoha Ninja: "..."
Heh, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure is truly unique.
Hatake Sakumo muttered silently in his heart, but he couldn't forget the important matter at hand.
"May I ask why the Kazekage is present here?"
"I don't believe I need to report my whereabouts to you."
Facing Hatake Sakumo's repeated inquiry, Shayan made it clear he didn't want to answer, releasing the oppressive aura of a Kage-level peak ninja, enveloping Sakumo and his companions.
What could he say? What *was* there to say!
Should he admit he came to the Land of Rain to steal children? If the news spread throughout the ninja world that the newly appointed Kazekage of the Land of Wind went alone to a small country to abduct people, wouldn't he be laughed to death?
There was no choice; he had to keep silent. As long as it wasn't Sarutobi Hiruzen—that monkey—who showed up today, no one could force him to explain himself.
Facing the oppressive aura emanating from Shayan, cold sweat was already streaming down the faces of Hatake Sakumo and his two subordinates.
Compared to Sakumo, the two accompanying background ninjas were already weak-kneed and dared not move an inch. The fact that they could still remain standing proved that their Jonin strength was legitimate.
As Shayan prolonged the release of his pressure, only Hatake Sakumo remained standing, still possessing the strength to grip the short blade in his hand.
But if the pressure continued, Sakumo didn't know how much longer he could last. Just as he prepared to strike first, he suddenly felt his body lighten, and the surrounding pressure abruptly vanished.
Hatake Sakumo let out a silent sigh of relief. It seemed the Kazekage before him had no intention of silencing them.
"Go back and tell your Hokage that Sunagakure has no intention of being enemies with Konoha. This encounter happened because I was preparing to return to my village, but you simply moved too fast."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage, I will certainly relay your message."
"Wait a moment."
Just as Hatake Sakumo was about to lead his team away, Shayan's voice stopped them—or rather, it only stopped Sakumo. As for the other two, they were clearly cannon fodder who never even appeared in the anime.
"Young man, I have high hopes for you!"
"Are you interested in learning about Sunagakure's Talent Acquisition Program? It includes housing, marriage arrangements, and a complimentary large gold bar."
Hatake Sakumo: "(´ﾟωﾟ)?"
"Heh, thank you for your high regard, Lord Kazekage, but I have lived in Konoha since childhood and will absolutely not leave."
Although Hatake Sakumo had already cursed Shayan dozens of times internally, he maintained a respectful tone. Seriously, why would he leave the beautiful, flourishing Konoha Village for Sunagakure, a place where not even birds dared to shit?
I, Hatake Sakumo, would rather die! Commit suicide! Than go to your Sunagakure!
"Alright, that's a pity, but Sunagakure's gates will always be open for you."
With that, he extended his right hand and used Magnet Release to condense a golden card in his palm.
The top of the front side read: Sunagakure Talent Acquisition Program.
The center featured the four characters: Special Talent.
The back was covered in tiny, dense script. A closer look revealed various benefits and entitlements, including housing, money, spouse, children, and medical care—everything imaginable.
Shayan had written down every conceivable benefit. As for whether they could be fulfilled, that didn't matter; the goal was to lure the person over first.
The golden card slowly floated into Hatake Sakumo's hand.
"Keep this safe. This is only for special talents. It's made of gold, very valuable."
To be honest, Hatake Sakumo really wanted to return it, but he felt that was impossible. Throw it away? But it was made of gold. Although ninjas earned a lot from missions, especially a ninja of Sakumo's caliber who could earn millions from a single S-rank mission, he wasn't luxurious enough to throw away gold.
Alas, he could only put it away for now.
---
The rest of the journey encountered no further obstacles.
After safely crossing the border out of the Land of Rain, Shayan rendezvoused with the Sunagakure ninjas.
Filled with anticipation... Momona and the three children embarked on the path to Sunagakure, where a new life was about to begin.
In fact, when Momona learned that Shayan was the Third Kazekage that night, her shock was far greater than that of the three children.
Unlike the innocence of children, as an adult, she understood the immense prestige and power held by the Kages of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
What also puzzled her was why Shayan, the Kage of a village, would remain alone in the Land of Rain and then take them away.
If he had only come for her and Nagato, she would have certainly suspected that their Uzumaki clan identity had been exposed, and Shayan was seeking them out for their bodies.
After all, the Uzumaki clan's constitution... was extremely valuable for research.
But Shayan had been accompanied by two other children before finding them.
Could the other two children also be members of a ninja clan left outside their village?
But she had never heard of a bloodline limit ninja with blue-purple hair.
Could it be... could it be... a mix?
Of course, it was also possible she was overthinking things.
Shayan might truly have just rescued the children casually and...
...was coveting her body!
---
"We've arrived."
As Shayan's voice rang out, the gates of Sunagakure appeared before them.
The fatigue on the faces of Momona and the four children finally began to ease after days of travel.
Unlike the steel jungle of the Land of Rain, and unlike the surrounding forests of Konoha.
Sunagakure was nestled among mountains, completely surrounded by them. This effectively blocked the invasion of sandstorms, leaving only one opening at the entrance.
It was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Of course, no one ever attacked it, save for the explosive brat decades later, so the inside of Sunagakure was very safe.
"Lord Kazekage." (x2)
The gate guards were visibly excited to see their Kazekage return; after all, their backbone was back.
Soon, the Anbu and the Elder Council, having received the news, also arrived.
"You all go home and wait for me; I'll be back shortly."
Shayan said this to Momona and the four children. Simultaneously, an Anbu ninja stepped forward and led the four away.
Sunagakure Meeting Room.
Shayan was sitting at the Kazekage's desk, reviewing the accumulated affairs of the past few days.
Three massive stacks of paperwork practically buried Shayan.
"Argh!!! Why am I being reported on things like a leaky roof at someone's house? Do they think I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Just then.
Chiyo and Ebizo walked in.
Their eyes met. It seemed they had arrived at an inconvenient time, but since they were already there...
"Ahem, Lord Kazekage."
Shayan, who had been buried in paperwork, looked up and saw Chiyo and Ebizo, especially Ebizo.
His previously dull eyes suddenly lit up.
He immediately put on a friendly, beaming smile and looked at the two elders.