"Fly."
Shimizu Uchiha released the white pigeon, letting it flutter up to the rooftop.
The pigeon bobbed its head, flapping its little wings until it reached the roof. It had barely begun enjoying the warm sunlight when its owner suddenly appeared right in front of it.
"Coocoo?"
The scene exceeded the limits of its tiny, not-very-bright brain.
"Chakra consumption really is a bit high," Shimizu muttered.
He could clearly feel that if he tried to teleport while carrying anything right now, the chakra drain would be terrifying.
No wonder even the Edo Tensei Minato, during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, became utterly spent after using Flying Thunder God just a few times while carrying the entire Allied Shinobi Forces and the Tailed Beast Kings.
"Still… this works better for my next moves."
"You have mail."
An Uchiha clansman poked an envelope through the doorframe from outside.
Communication in this world was still fairly primitive. Aside from a few special secret techniques used for long-distance contact, most people relied on "postal ninja" to deliver messages over great distances.
They differed from ordinary couriers by the numbered code on their hats (used to identify one another) and the binoculars strapped over both eyes. Their job was to transport mail between countries and hidden villages across vast distances, using smoke signals to communicate with fellow postal ninja far away.
Even the Uchiha district had a few less-talented shinobi doing this special line of work. For example, Uchiha Heguri who guarded the storehouse gate.
"The sender is… the orphanage."
Seeing the return address, Shimizu already knew what it was about.
Sure enough: greetings from Nonō Yakushi, followed by a tactful mention that the orphanage had been caught in shinobi fighting, several rooms had collapsed, and the children had nowhere to stay.
"Danzo still hasn't given up, huh."
Shimizu folded the letter away, found an envelope of his own, slipped some money inside, and had it mailed to the orphanage.
Last time he had sent Nonō 50,000 ryō. This time he sent only 40,000.
For Nonō Yakushi to swallow her pride and ask him for money meant the situation was far worse than "a few rooms" suggested.
By choosing to write to him, she had already subconsciously begun relying on him, believing he could fix things.
"When it comes down to it, Nonō Yakushi will probably come to Konoha herself," Shimizu thought, anticipation flashing in his eyes.
How far would the saintly teacher go for her former student's money?
Human weakness lies deep in everyone's heart; even a saint like Nonō cannot escape it.
When continuous financial aid suddenly decreases, the first reaction is rarely gratitude; it's resentment toward the person who stopped helping.
There were too many examples of that.
Under confusion and pressure, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance Nonō would come to Konoha herself; whether to see him, find work, or both. The prosperous Hidden Leaf had far more jobs and higher pay than those poor backwater villages.
Once she arrived, he would make his move and present a few small conditions.
Then he would increase the money again.
Only by making her feel the value of money would the debt of gratitude in her heart keep growing.
Compound-interest favors could never be fully repaid.
A few days later.
Looking down from the sky, Shimizu finally spotted the shape of a village beyond the endless dunes and swirling yellow sand.
He descended, dispersing the chakra of his crystal wings.
"The Country of Wind… no wonder they've never produced any real top-tier fighters," Shimizu shook his head.
They even tried to drive their one genius, Yashamaru, to death.
After that, Shimizu walked the rest of the way to Sunagakure's entrance.
The blazing sun hung high, roasting the earth until it was almost unbearable.
Along the road he hadn't seen a single soul.
"You're the one sent from Konoha, right?"
A woman who looked remarkably like Nohara Rin approached him.
She had purple markings on her face.
"I'm Maki. Follow me."
Maki led Shimizu into Sunagakure.
The streets were nearly deserted; the few villagers wore light clothing to withstand the desert heat.
"Hn. So you actually came."
A woman in a sleeveless, back-exposing shinobi outfit strode over.
Left hand on her hip, her refined and beautiful face untouched by even a speck of sand. The tight combat outfit perfectly outlined the graceful curves of her arms and thighs.
She stared at Shimizu with burning intensity.
Her reputation as a hero had spread wider and wider inside Sunagakure lately.
Her desire to defeat Shimizu had only grown stronger; to wash away the shame of her previous loss.
"Yashamaru… long time no see."
Shimizu nodded.
This time, he had come specifically for her.
According to the simulator's projected future, Yashamaru would soon be dispatched to a certain location inside the Country of Wind.
Apparently because Kirigakure had shown willingness to sign a ceasefire with Konoha, they had proactively sent people to the Country of Wind as well.
If Suna offended them now, there was no guarantee Konoha wouldn't change its mind and join forces with Kiri to attack the Land of Water.
The newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had decided that peace and recovery were the wiser path.
But their condition was that Sunagakure had to make a gesture first.
The hatred between Kiri and Suna ran far deeper than between Kiri and Konoha.
"Let's go."
"Wait a moment."
Shimizu extended his right hand.
Yashamaru looked at him in confusion, unsure what he wanted.
"A handshake."
"..."
In the end, Yashamaru indulged him. During this sensitive period, a handshake could be considered a symbol of friendship.
She then led him toward the Kazekage building.
Feeling the freshly carved Flying Thunder God seal, Shimizu gave a small inward nod.
Now he could find Yashamaru whenever he wanted.
Kazekage Building.
Rasa stood and had someone pour Shimizu a cup of hot tea.
"This is a specialty of the Land of Wind. Please, try it, Shimizu Uchiha."
Rasa greeted him with a smile.
It was currently the honeymoon period between Suna and Konoha; relations had to be maintained well.
Shimizu took a sip and exchanged the usual pleasantries.
"I've long heard the name 'Shunshin no Shimizu.' Seeing you today, you truly live up to being a genius of the Uchiha clan."
Rasa praised.
Possessing Magnet Release, he could sense magnetic fields to a certain degree.
The moment this Uchiha boy arrived, the magnetic field in the area had become slightly chaotic.
The chakra fluctuations were strong enough to disturb magnetism.
From this alone, it was clear the boy before him possessed a monstrous amount of chakra.
"You flatter me, Lord Kazekage."
Shimizu produced the sealing scroll he had brought from Konoha, packed full of supplies.
Rasa accepted it and sent someone to inventory the contents.
He had already been informed before Shimizu's arrival that Konoha would only trade supplies.
He then invited Shimizu to sit and began discussing matters of the war.
Rasa wanted to learn the current situation in Konoha from Shimizu's mouth.
Since the war began, aside from the Wind Country delegation, no one had visited Konoha.
Shimizu picked harmless topics to discuss with Rasa.
While doing so, he observed the Fourth Kazekage before him.
The Book of Formation described Rasa as: "He himself became the wind that stirred the settled sand."
There was indeed something of that flavor about him.
The only "Kage" who died at Orochimaru's hands.
No dramatic fight; just assassinated outright.
Truly pathetic.
Yet this same Rasa had repeatedly defeated and sealed the One-Tail Shukaku inside a black teakettle.
Another reminder that in the Naruto world, one careless moment and anyone could flip the table.
"Rasa."
Just as their conversation was winding down, a woman walked in.
Karura wore a pale yellow scarf; her brownish-blonde short hair fell smoothly over her shoulders.
Her facial features were sharp and elegant, her figure full yet balanced, every movement radiating calm composure.
"Karura, why are you here?"
Rasa frowned slightly.
"Isn't it lunchtime?"
Karura lifted a bento box and waved a small fist.
"Lord Kazekage, this must be your wife. You are a fortunate man to have such a thoughtful spouse."
Shimizu smiled faintly.
Karura; mother of Gaara.
Temari and Kankuro had already been born several years ago.
Her figure still hadn't lost its shape; truly impressive body management.
She still looked as beautiful as ever.
"Shimizu-kun, why don't you stay and try some of the Land of Wind's cuisine as well?"
Rasa summoned Yashamaru and had her take care of it.
He then waved everyone else out, leaving only Karura behind.
Shimizu simply followed Yashamaru outside without protest.
One could say Rasa deeply loved Karura.
In the original story, the reason he despised Gaara so much and treated him so coldly; perhaps part of it was misplaced resentment because Karura had died giving birth to Gaara.
On the street.
Yashamaru walked with arms folded and a cold expression, showing Shimizu around.
Shimizu took a couple of casual bites, then used the excuse that his mission was complete and he needed to return to the village, leaving Sunagakure.
Before departing, he planted a Flying Thunder God seal inside one of Sunagakure's toilets.
He already knew the exact date of Yashamaru's death from the simulator.
When the time came, he could simply teleport straight there.
There was no further reason to linger in Sunagakure.
Half an hour later.
Rasa and a group of Suna high-ranking shinobi entered the Kazekage building for a meeting.
"Regarding the ceasefire negotiations with Kirigakure from now on…"
"It seems their resentment toward our village remains deep. Not only do they keep making unreasonable demands, they're also stubbornly refusing any compromise."
"Yet right now we are at a critical juncture in the decisive battle with Iwagakure; we must eliminate all potential threats from the rear."
Rasa listened to the high-ranking officials' discussion.
After a long pause he said, "Konoha has already dispatched the 'Twin Flashes of Konoha' to negotiate a ceasefire with Kiri. If they succeed, it will be a massive blow to us."
Konoha plus Kirigakure would mean three hidden villages at peace with Konoha.
The Land of Wind and the Land of Fire were very close.
If Konoha took the opportunity to attack, the Land of Wind would face enormous pressure.
"We're at a crucial moment with Iwa, and Konoha refuses to send troops; only trading supplies. For the sake of the village, we have no choice but to sacrifice Yashamaru."
Rasa did feel a bit of regret about Yashamaru.
But she was someone he himself had raised up.
In terms of talent, she was perhaps inferior to the Uchiha Shimizu who had once defeated him.
If Yashamaru possessed even half of Uchiha Shimizu's talent, he would never have suggested sacrificing her.
None of the Suna higher-ups objected; they did not find the reasoning inappropriate.
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