The smoke of battle over East Sea Bay was gradually dispersed by the sea wind, but the turbulent emotions within the Hidden Sand Village did not immediately subside. Following the joy of victory came more practical considerations. Many radical Sunagakure Ninja wanted to pursue the enemy and expand their gains, but the high-ranking officials took a longer view.
Inside the Kazekage's office, the atmosphere was different from the pre-war tension, yet still serious.
"Although the Kirigakure fleet retreated, they did not suffer a devastating blow. Their strength at home remains intact," Ebizō analyzed calmly, stroking his beard. "A cross-sea expedition would be enormously costly and the risk is unpredictable for Sunagakure. The Village's current focus should be on consolidating the victory, recovering our vitality, and dealing with... the more pressing pressure of the indemnity payments."
The last few words were difficult for him to utter. The shadow of the defeat at Kikyō Mountain still hung around Sunagakure's neck like a heavy chain.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa stood by the window, looking down at the Village gradually returning to order, and said in a deep voice, "Elder Ebizō is absolutely right. Although the Kirigakure's sneak attack was repelled, their despicable actions must be condemned, and we must make them pay the price as much as possible."
He turned around, his gaze falling upon the steady Jonin Baki: "Baki, you will immediately act as Sunagakure's plenipotentiary representative, sail out to sea, find the Kirigakure fleet, and negotiate with them."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage!" Baki bowed and accepted the order.
"There are two main points for the negotiation." Rasa held up two fingers. "First, representing Sunagakure, strongly condemn the Kirigakure's despicable act of attacking without declaration and taking advantage of our weakness, demanding a formal response and apology. Second," he paused, lowering his voice slightly, "sound them out to see if we can... demand war reparations. Even a partial payment would greatly alleviate the Village's current financial pressure."
"I understand!" Baki nodded heavily, knowing the immense responsibility of this mission.
However, the negotiation process was far more difficult than anticipated.
On the vast ocean, two ships from opposing camps maintained a safe distance. Baki and the Kirigakure representative—a grim-faced middle-aged Kirigakure Jonin—shouted across the gap.
Baki righteously and sternly presented Sunagakure's condemnation and demands.
After listening, the Kirigakure Jonin across the way showed a cold, mocking smile: "Condemnation? Apology? Reparations? Have you people from Sunagakure not woken up from your beautiful dream of victory yet?"
His tone was arrogant, carrying a strong Land of Water accent: "That's right, we didn't gain an advantage this time, and even suffered a little loss. But so what? You Sunagakure just managed to win that battle on the coast by sheer luck! If you have the guts, sail your ships across this ocean and fight us in the Land of Water!"
He spread his arms, pointing to the endless sea behind him: "I'd like to see how you landlubbers break through our Kirigakure naval defenses and fight in the waters where we excel! You want reparations? What a joke! We haven't even pursued you for the crime of killing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—we're showing great mercy considering you were just crippled by Konoha!"
His words were harsh and malicious, starkly exposing Sunagakure's greatest weakness—the lack of deep-sea combat capability.
Baki's face turned ashen, his fists clenched, yet he couldn't refute it. Although the opponent was shameless, he was speaking the truth. Sunagakure truly lacked the ability to conduct a cross-sea expedition. The negotiations immediately fell into a deadlock; the Kirigakure side adamantly refused to admit fault, let alone pay reparations, maintaining an extremely tough stance.
When the news reached the Hidden Sand Village, the high-ranking officials were furious but also felt powerless. The gap in strength and geographical limitations could not be completely reversed by a single tactical victory.
While Baki was engaged in fruitless wrangling with the Kirigakure at sea, Sayo received a private summons from Elder Chiyo.
The location was not the Kazekage's office, but the study in Elder Chiyo's home, which was piled high with scrolls and puppet parts.
"Have a seat, Jonin Sayo." Elder Chiyo pointed to the seat across from her, a rare gentle smile on her face.
"Elder Chiyo." After Sayo respectfully bowed, he sat down. His posture was straight, and wearing the brand-new Jonin vest, he carried an air of composure.
Chiyo carefully observed him, her gaze holding admiration, satisfaction, and a trace of undetectable complexity. She first briefly inquired about Sayo's physical condition and post-war recovery, then the topic shifted to his job assignment.
"After deliberation by the Village, and in light of your exceptional talent in Puppet Technique and the great military achievements you made this time, we have decided to give you a new official appointment," Elder Chiyo said slowly. "You are appointed as the Deputy Head of the Hidden Sand Village's Puppet Research and Development Department. I will temporarily serve concurrently as the Head."
Deputy Head of the Puppet Research and Development Department! This was an extremely powerful and crucial position, meaning Sayo had officially entered the Village's core technical management, able to mobilize more resources and lead the future direction of puppet research and development.
"Thank you for the trust of the Village and the high-ranking officials, and thank you, Elder Chiyo, for your guidance!" Sayo responded solemnly. He knew this appointment must have been strongly recommended by Chiyo.
Looking at this excessively young Deputy Head before her, Elder Chiyo was filled with emotion. Another genius Puppeteer, Sasori, chose to abandon the Village, pursuing ultimate art and eternity, eventually falling into darkness; yet Sayo, time and again, used his Puppet Technique to protect the Village and continuously explored new possibilities.
Perhaps it was this sentiment that prompted her to ask one more question: "Sayo, now that you have this position and authority, what is the one thing you most want to do? Is it developing even stronger war puppets?"
Sayo fell silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. He looked up, his eyes clear and firm, and spoke a sentence that made Elder Chiyo slightly stunned.
"Elder Chiyo, what I most want to do might not be developing more powerful war puppets." His voice was steady but carried an undeniable force. "I hope to use the knowledge I've acquired—using Puppet Technique, Magnet Release, and even more—to try and change the barren land of the Land of Wind."
He clenched his fist slightly: "I have seen the poverty of the Villages on the desert's edge, and I have seen people struggling for a sip of water. One of the root causes of war is the scarcity of resources. If... if we can change the topography, divert water to control the sand, and create oases, making the Land of Wind no longer just endless yellow sand, wouldn't that reduce many conflicts? Wouldn't that allow the people in the Village to live better lives?"
He slowly revealed to Elder Chiyo the vision he had kept buried in his heart for years, combining his previous life's philosophy with the Ninjutsu knowledge of this life. This was not a sudden whim, but a deeply considered idea after witnessing too much suffering.
Elder Chiyo was completely stunned. She looked at Sayo's young yet incredibly serious face, listening to his plan, which was almost "fantastical" yet held a grand vision, and her aged heart experienced an unprecedented shock.
War puppets? Eternal art? Compared to the future this child wished to create, they both seemed somewhat... insignificant.
She remained silent for a long time; only the faint sound of wind and sand blowing outside the window remained in the study. After a long while, she slowly exhaled, her gaze becoming extremely complex, filled with inexpressible emotion.
"Changing the Land of Wind..." she murmured, her gaze seemingly piercing the walls, seeing the back of that red-haired young man who was equally brilliant but had walked a completely opposite path.
Finally, she looked back at Sayo, and her eyes held an unprecedented light of expectation: "A very good idea... Sayo. Let your work as Deputy Head begin here. If you need any support, come directly to me."
"Yes! Thank you, Elder Chiyo!" Sayo stood up and bowed deeply.
He knew that a brand new, more difficult yet ultimately greater path had just opened up before him.