Matsuri? Isn't she Gaara's student?
Wait! I think she's the same age as Gaara...
Shishou watched Gaara and Kankuro leave, pondering in his mind.
Before long, a young girl and an older girl entered Temari's room.
Seeing the two in front of her, Temari instructed them:
"Matsuri, Maki, keep an eye on him. If he tries anything funny, catch him immediately."
With that, she gave Shishou a fierce glare, as if warning him that he'd be in serious trouble if he misbehaved.
Shishou shrugged and suggested, "Should I blindfold myself?"
If he couldn't see anything, then he couldn't be blamed for whatever he might accidentally touch.
Temari felt a sudden urge to agree to his proposal.
But seeing how straightforward he was being, she didn't want to appear timid.
So, she waved her hand decisively, "No need."
Then, she glared at Shishou again and said, "Turn around."
Shishou rolled his eyes and lay down on the tatami mat, facing away from Temari and the others.
Temari loosened her kimono, her face turning red as she revealed the swollen, red areas on her back.
Shishou, still turned away, reached back and accurately touched the inflamed spots on her back with his right hand.
Feeling the cool touch of Shishou's fingers on her back, Temari shivered involuntarily, her face growing even redder.
As Shishou's fingers moved, Temari's body tensed up instantly.
Noticing her reaction, Shishou couldn't help but smile.
After about half an hour, Shishou finished treating Temari.
"Th-thank you," Temari said softly, her face flushed as she pulled her clothes back on.
"No need to thank me."
Shishou waved it off, standing up to leave.
Temari saw this and said, "Maki, escort him out."
Shishou glanced at the girl named Maki and waved his hand, "No need."
With that, he walked straight out of the room and left the inn.
...
Dusk.
The border of the Land of Wind.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, arrived at the designated meeting spot and turned to look at a distant sand dune.
On the dune, a figure was slowly approaching and soon stood a short distance in front of him.
Looking at the figure before him, Rasa spoke:
"Orochimaru, the cooperation plan is canceled. Why have you come to find me?"
Originally, Rasa had been persuaded by Orochimaru a few years ago to join a plan to destroy Konoha, with the intention of seizing the fertile lands of the Land of Fire to provide a better living environment and resources for the impoverished Sunagakure.
However, after learning that Tsunade had returned to Konoha and successfully mastered Sage Mode, Rasa abandoned this idea.
He might have had a chance with the elderly Third Hokage, but with a Sage Mode master like Tsunade in the picture, it was a different story.
"Hehehe, Lord Fourth Kazekage, are you sure you won't reconsider?" Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled.
If Sunagakure withdrew from the plan, Orochimaru would be in a difficult position. His forces in the Land of Rivers alone were not enough to challenge Konoha.
Rasa glanced at Orochimaru and said flatly:
"My decision is final."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, flashing with danger.
"In that case, don't blame me."
With that, Orochimaru turned and called out:
"Raiko, if you would."
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, several giant sand serpents appeared around Rasa and his two companions, trapping them.
On one of the sand serpents sat a woman named Raiko, lounging casually, as if Rasa and his companions were mere trifles.
"Hmph!"
Rasa snorted angrily, "Do you know who I am? I am the Fourth Kazekage!"
He pressed his hand to the ground, and countless golden sands erupted, surging towards the sand serpents.
Raiko formed a hand sign.
Inorganic Reincarnation: Soul Seize!
As Raiko's jutsu took effect, the golden sands controlled by Rasa transformed into golden snakes, turning to face Rasa.
For magnetic release techniques that rely on external objects, Raiko's Inorganic Reincarnation was a natural counter.
"This..."
Rasa, seeing his sands out of control, was furious and asked through gritted teeth:
"Who are you?"
Raiko glanced at Rasa and snapped her fingers.
Snap!
The golden snakes lunged at Rasa and his companions.
A few minutes later.
Raiko looked at the dead Rasa and quickly formed hand seals.
Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation: Sage Snake Reincarnation!
Three white snakes emerged from Raiko, slithering into the mouths of the dead Rasa and his companions.
In the next moment.
Rasa's eyes opened, and he stood up, followed by his two subordinates.
Raiko glanced at the "revived" Rasa and said to Orochimaru:
"This will last for only ten days. Make the most of it."
Raiko's Sage Snake Reincarnation technique allowed her to control the corpses of the dead through her sage snakes, making them appear alive, but they could only use Raiko's techniques, not those they had known in life.
With that, Raiko disappeared from the sand serpent.
As she left, the sand serpents and golden snakes crumbled back into ordinary sand and gold.
"Understood, Raiko."
Although Raiko had already left, Orochimaru respectfully acknowledged her.
Then, he looked at the "Rasa" trio and led them away.
It was time to initiate the Konoha Destruction Plan.
...
Night.
At the Fire Source Castle residence.
Shishou appeared silently in Pakura's courtyard.
Glancing at Pakura's dark room, he turned towards the training room.
Seeing Pakura training diligently, Shishou sat quietly in a corner, watching her practice.
Pakura was the most dedicated to her training among those around him, and Shishou didn't want to interrupt her.
Noticing Shishou, Pakura spared him a glance but continued her training.
After a while, Pakura finished her practice and sat beside Shishou, smiling:
"It's rare for you to visit me so late."
Shishou looked at Pakura's pretty face, squeezed her small hand, and said:
"I saw your student in Konoha today. I think her name is Maki."
"So, I came to tell you."
Hearing this, Pakura paused and sighed softly, not sure what to say.
She was no longer part of Sunagakure.
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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