"Such sinful things shouldn't exist in this world." Temari took a deep breath.
With an expressionless face, she tore all the "Sandstorm of Forbidden Love" manuscript papers in her hands to shreds.
Makoto didn't mind.
Although he could use his abilities to repair them, he decided against it.
'Hmm... I'll just publish a new story next time. Maybe about a father who tries to kill his son, and the son crushes his dad with sand.'
'A heartwarming family drama!'
"Is this the terrible personality of the Sunagakure princess?" Makoto teased. "Have you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten what?"
Temari followed where Makoto was pointing.
The sounds of battle in the center of Konoha were dying down.
What did this mean? The battle was ending.
And it definitely wasn't ending with a Sand victory.
Temari realized—that blond bomber on the giant bird had been sent by Makoto to support Konoha.
And Makoto mentioned alliances with the Kiri and Iwa.
The Suna ninja were now facing a coalition.
There was no possibility of winning this.
Temari's face turned pale.
'We're going to lose. We're going to become prisoners of war.'
'And this was a war we started...'
'Gaara...'
Temari instinctively looked at Gaara on the ground.
She saw Naruto—who had recovered some strength—trying to stand up.
But from her angle, it just looked like Naruto was squirming on top of her unconscious brother.
"GAARA!!! NO! LET GO OF HIM!"
Kankuro, arriving late from the bushes, let out a grief-stricken cry when he saw this scene.
He rushed forward, pushed Naruto away, and hugged Gaara protectively.
"You should understand," Makoto said calmly, "that the people of Konoha value resources the most. They often make sure to finish every last grain of rice in their bowls..."
Makoto said this without any particular expression.
In theory, it was a comment on Konoha's efficiency.
But Temari happened to be someone with a very... active imagination.
Hearing Makoto's words, her body stiffened.
'Finish every last grain...?'
"N-no," she stammered. "It couldn't be that bad, right?"
"Yeah, yeah! Believe it!" Naruto shouted, rubbing his head. "I lick every last drop of soup from my ramen bowls! Nothing goes to waste!"
'Ramen my ass!' Temari thought.
'They're going to eat us alive!'
She had no mood to deal with Naruto as her mind raced.
'Got it!'
A sudden realization struck Temari.
'Why did Makoto help Konoha? Why is he here talking to us? Perhaps... this is his goal?'
Temari made a decision.
She pulled out a roll of bandages from her ninja pouch. She wrapped it around her mouth once as a gag.
Then, she leaned against a tree and twisted her body, skillfully binding her own hands to her torso with the bandages.
"What?" Kankuro looked up from hugging Gaara. "What are you doing, Temari?"
He took two shocked steps back.
"Is... is this the legendary bondage technique?!"
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Temari wanted to explain her brilliant strategy, but then realized she had gagged herself first.
'Damn it! I was too nervous! I focused on the action and forgot the explanation!'
Now even Kankuro wouldn't understand, let alone Makoto.
"This foolish beauty wants to say," Makoto chuckled lightly, "that she'll become prisoners of Amegakure to avoid Konoha's grasp. She's surrendering to me."
"Mmm hmm hmm!" Temari nodded vigorously.
"So that's it!" Kankuro realized. "I understand now!"
To protect Gaara's "virginity" and their own lives, they absolutely couldn't fall into the hands of the perverted Konoha ninja (who used ass-poking jutsus).
Being a prisoner of Amegakure was the safer option!
Kankuro took out his own bandages. He symbolically bound the unconscious Gaara, then tied himself up.
...
After completing all this, Makoto walked in front while Temari and Kankuro, with their hands bound and mouths blocked, followed behind.
Gaara was dragged along on Kankuro's puppet.
Temari felt confused and anxious.
What would become of the Sand Village?
They attacked because of poverty.
Now they had lost.
With reparations to pay and the Daimyo cutting funding... how could they survive?
"Oh right," Makoto stopped walking. "I forgot to tell you—your father is dead."
"Mmm." Temari showed no emotional reaction.
She just lowered her gaze.
Kankuro didn't react either. Even the unconscious Gaara probably would have shrugged.
As Makoto said, Rasa was a failure as a father and a leader. His betrayal of Pakura was bad, but his treatment of his kids was unforgivable.
"I'm not saying he died in battle," Makoto clarified. "Orochimaru killed him weeks ago. He's been impersonating him."
"So," Makoto turned to face them. "When Konoha demands reparations, you can firmly insist that you were victims too. Claim that Orochimaru deceived you all. Say you had no idea."
"You can even turn it around," Makoto smiled slyly. "Suspect that Orochimaru's defection from Konoha was just a facade. Claim that Konoha set a trap to lure Suna into a war to bankrupt you."
"Of course, the real purpose isn't to demand money from the Leaf, but to complicate the situation so you can avoid total ruin."
"As for Orochimaru," Makoto added casually, "he's about to become a member of my organization once again."
"When the time comes, as prisoners, you just need to offer some token compensation to Amegakure, and we can release you back to Suna to take over."
Makoto spoke slowly.
He knew the Sand siblings wouldn't mourn Rasa.
In the original story, they never even tried to avenge him. If Gaara knew Rasa was dead, he'd probably throw a party.
"Hmm?" Temari looked at Makoto in confusion.
"You want to ask why I'm helping you?"
"It's simple. With Rasa dead, the next Kazekage will be one of you. If you want to properly develop Sunagakure in the future... come find us. Only then will we become true allies."
"Mmph! Mmph?" Temari mumbled aggressively through her gag.
"...Stop mumbling," Makoto sighed. "Do you really think I can read minds?"
He tore the bandage off Temari's mouth.
"Ouch!" Temari gasped. "I wanted to ask—when you said we should 'give something as a token' for our release... what exactly do you want?"
Temari looked seriously into Makoto's eyes.
She braced herself.
Money? Territory? Or... me?
"...Granny Chiyo's swimsuit photo," Makoto said with a straight face.
"Oh."
"..."
"WHAT?!" Temari's eyes widened in horror. "Whose swimsuit you say?!"
"Don't misunderstand," Makoto waved his hand calmly. "I'm getting it for a friend in our organization."
To prevent Sasori from abandoning all emotions in his Human Puppet state, he needed something to stimulate him.
A shock therapy will do just fine.
"...Is this 'friend' actually you?" Temari narrowed her eyes, judging him hard.
"...You're crazy," Makoto deadpanned. "Fine... add one of yours too then. Just so Chiyo doesn't feel lonely."
"Excuse me?!"