In the Hokage's office at Konohagakure, the Third Hokage, now in his middle age, sat in his Hokage robe, puffing on his pipe. After listening to his subordinate's report, he exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"So, the reports of Sunagakure rapidly occupying the Land of Rivers and the Land of Birds are confirmed?"
"Yes! These pieces of intelligence have been verified by merchants who fled from the Land of Rivers."
"Originally, Sunagakure also intended to invade the Land of Stone, but it just so happened that Iwagakure's shinobi had fortified the border. The Third Kazekage and the Third Tsuchikage clashed in battle, which ultimately ended with Sunagakure retreating from the Land of Stone!"
An ANBU member, wearing an animal mask, knelt on one knee and responded respectfully.
"To think that Sunagakure actually has the audacity to pull this off! During the negotiations, I thought they were just bluffing..." the Third Hokage murmured thoughtfully.
The ANBU member remained silent, keeping his head lowered.
"Where's Danzō? Where has he run off to?" the Third Hokage asked, as if suddenly recalling something.
"Lord Danzō... he should be in the Land of Rain!" the ANBU answered hesitantly.
"The Land of Rain? What's he doing there?" the Third Hokage muttered to himself. His differences with his former comrade had grown increasingly pronounced, and he found Danzō's actions harder and harder to understand.
The political landscape of the shinobi world was as volatile as ever, and the Third Hokage furrowed his brow. Powerful enemies surrounded them on all sides—Iwagakure brazenly launched attacks, Kumogakure's AB Brothers carried out repeated raids, and Kirigakure engaged in constant covert maneuvers.
And now, Sunagakure, which he had thought could be kept in check, had taken advantage of the chaos, seizing the Land of Rivers and the Land of Birds. With the borders of both countries now directly connected, it was clear that Sunagakure's next target would inevitably be the Land of Fire!
Fortunately...
A radiant figure, as dazzling as sunlight, appeared in the Third Hokage's mind. His furrowed brow relaxed, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Minato, who had achieved remarkable feats in this war, undoubtedly possessed the strength needed to resolve Konohagakure's crisis.
In the Land of Wind, within Sunagakure's hospital, Sōmi lay idly on a white hospital bed.
"Scorpion, I didn't expect someone as busy as you to have time to visit me," Sōmi teased with a grin.
Since finding a new purpose in life, Sasori's gaze, though no longer lifeless like a stagnant pool, still carried a perpetual indifference.
"..." Sasori rolled his eyes but said nothing. He had been busy with missions lately, having recently developed a new technique called Subconscious Sand Manipulation.
This jutsu allowed him to control spies in an exceptionally discreet manner, providing Sunagakure with a continuous stream of intelligence.
"How's the investigation into that forbidden technique going? I've managed to control a few shinobi from Konohagakure, but their ranks are too low to access information about such high-level techniques," Sasori asked, diving straight into the topic he cared about most.
"Hey, Sasori... I just escaped from the Land of Rivers and ended up hospitalized at the border. How could I possibly have gotten any intel?" Sōmi retorted with a chuckle.
"Ah." Sasori turned to leave without another word.
"Wait!" Sōmi suddenly called out.
When Sasori turned back, Sōmi's expression had turned serious. Seeing this, Sasori felt a flicker of anticipation. Ever since meeting Sōmi, he had noticed that Sōmi seemed to have an uncanny knowledge of the shinobi world's secrets.
The more Sasori delved into these secrets, the more he realized how extraordinary Sōmi truly was—these were things that ordinary people had no means of knowing.
"There's one person in Konohagakure who could definitely access and master such a jutsu," Sōmi said solemnly.
"Who?" Sasori asked eagerly.
"Orochimaru!" Sōmi didn't keep him in suspense, revealing the answer directly.
"Orochimaru... so it's him..." Sasori's expression shifted slightly as he murmured in a low voice.
The name of the "Legendary Sannin of Konohagakure" was well-known throughout the shinobi world.
Such fame naturally implied formidable strength. Acquiring a forbidden technique from someone like Orochimaru would undoubtedly be an incredibly difficult task.
"How's your development of human puppets coming along?" Sōmi asked casually.
"Almost done. During my time in the Land of Stone, I collected the corpses of a few Iwagakure shinobi. Their strength is nearly identical to when they were alive," Sasori replied, his trust in Sōmi evident as he spoke without reservation.
"The main issue now is the lack of strong corpses..." Sasori added.
Sōmi, unbothered by the morality of using enemy corpses to create puppets, felt no qualms about the practice.
Having nearly become a puppeteer himself in the past, Sōmi had some knowledge of puppet techniques. In fact, he often provided Sasori with novel ideas during the puppet-making process.
"Strong corpses, huh?" Sōmi suddenly flashed a mysterious smile.
"Sasori, don't take on any more missions for now. Prepare plenty of poisons, and then come with me on a trip. Let's see if we can acquire a few..."
"Alright," Sasori nodded in agreement, evidently accustomed to Sōmi's unconventional methods.
"When will you be discharged?" Sasori asked after glancing at Sōmi.
"Right now! Go handle the discharge paperwork for me!" Sōmi replied without hesitation, shamelessly ordering Sasori around.
"..." Sasori said nothing, turning to leave the room.
By the time Sasori returned with the paperwork, Sōmi had already changed out of his hospital gown and into a sleek black-and-red outfit, exuding an air of confident vigor.
"Pakura?" Sōmi asked curiously, noticing another figure standing at the doorway.
"Yes! I've been tied up with missions, so I only just now found time to visit you. I'm sorry for the delay," Pakura replied apologetically.
Her attire was the same as during wartime, her fair back fully exposed. The bold design of her outfit, coupled with her ample figure, was undeniably eye-catching.
"It's nothing! We're all from the same village; there's no need to dwell on it!" Sōmi said with a cheeky grin.
"If it weren't for you, I might've died on the battlefield. I'll always remember this debt of gratitude! Thank you!" Pakura said earnestly, bowing deeply before quickly straightening up.
"The... the movement... is so... pronounced... Is she... not wearing anything...?" Sōmi's thoughts raced as his heartbeat quickened.
His eyes involuntarily drifted toward Pakura's ample assets.
Pakura, slightly lowering her head, had a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
Although Sōmi had spent most of his life immersed in training and had little experience with the opposite sex, his soul from another world had been well-versed in the lessons of "teachers."
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—ah, the vigor of youth...
After an awkward cough and a deliberate shift of his gaze, he feigned nonchalance and said, "It's nothing, really... We're comrades; helping each other is only natural. Next time, it might be you saving me!"
"Here... I brought you some fruit. Please take it!" Pakura said, pulling out a fruit basket tied with pink ribbons in the shape of a butterfly, its girlish charm unmistakable.