There could only be one reason for so many puppets helping a caravan scout the way: someone capable of controlling such specialized puppets was present in the caravan. This possibility was enough to draw the attention of the Third Kazekage, prompting him to set aside his work and rush to investigate.
As the figure in the sky approached, the caravan members grew visibly nervous and halted their progress. For merchants traveling the world, among the five great nations, only the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning were considered relatively safe and welcoming. These countries prioritized commerce, valued trade taxes, and treated merchants with respect.
In contrast, traveling through the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, or the Land of Water required a more cautious approach. Encounters with powerful individuals in these regions demanded utmost respect. When someone with the ability to fly appeared, their identity was often self-evident.
Understanding the implications, the caravan leader promptly ordered the caravan to stop moving forward.
Shinki, however, remained unbothered. Turning to Pakura, he instructed, "Tell the caravan to keep moving. There's no need to worry about danger. They just need to reach their destination safely and leave the rest to me."
Pakura nodded and glanced up at the descending figure of the Third Kazekage before heading off to relay Shinki's message. Upon receiving this reassurance, the caravan leader heaved a sigh of relief and ordered the caravan to continue its journey.
Pakura, however, hesitated. She debated whether to approach the Kazekage but ultimately decided against it. She was no longer part of the Sand Village.
Since becoming a member of Konoha, Pakura had found her life surprisingly satisfying—aside from dealing with Shinki's occasional antics. Stirring up old ties with her former village would only lead to unnecessary trouble. The people she once knew now belonged to a different world, one best left in her memories.
In the sky, the Third Kazekage had already locked onto Shinki's position. As he descended, he barely spared a glance at Pakura. She was no longer affiliated with the Sand Village. After the war, she had been officially relinquished during negotiations by Chiyo herself.
"I didn't expect to trouble you, Kazekage-sama," Shinki said as the Kazekage landed.
The Third Kazekage looked somewhat disheveled, likely from his work in the mines. Mining in the desert was grueling, but magnetic ninjutsu made it far more efficient—most ores, except rare types, couldn't escape detection or excavation.
Standing beside Shinki, the Kazekage noted with mild surprise that the young shinobi was already half a head taller than him. He shook his head and said, "This is no trouble. I noticed specialized puppets scouting the desert, and I came to investigate. I didn't expect it to be you. Is this caravan particularly important?"
The Kazekage was puzzled. Why would someone of Shinki's caliber personally escort a caravan? Few caravans warranted such protection, given his strength and reputation.
Shinki followed the caravan with his gaze, smiling faintly. "The caravan itself isn't important, but the commission they offered is unusually high. Lady Tsunade specifically assigned me to this task. Their demands for absolute safety are just as high."
The Kazekage raised an eyebrow. How high could the commission be to warrant Shinki's involvement? Guaranteeing a caravan's absolute safety was a lofty demand—one that only someone like Shinki could reasonably fulfill.
For a moment, the Kazekage reflected. He could ensure a caravan's safety within the borders of the Land of Wind, but beyond that—entering the Land of Water, Land of Earth, or Land of Lightning—such a guarantee was impossible.
Shinki sighed. "Since the war broke out, small caravan traders have been pushed to the brink. Their only option is to unite, compress their profits, and offer high commissions to secure their survival."
The Third Kazekage nodded after a moment of silence. "High commissions mean low profits, but low profits are better than no income at all."
Understanding the caravan's plight, the Kazekage empathized with their decision. By uniting and minimizing individual interests, they could scrape by in a challenging market—an approach impractical for larger caravans.
"Will the caravan pass through the Sand Village? Perhaps you could stay there for a few days," the Kazekage suggested.
Despite the history of conflict, he saw no reason to cling to past grievances. If anything, building goodwill with Shinki could prove beneficial.
Shinki considered the offer and replied, "The caravan doesn't have plans to visit the Sand Village, but if you're inviting me, I can discuss it with their leader."
"I'll be waiting in the Sand Village," the Kazekage said. "To support this caravan, I'll reduce their entry tax by three points."
The offer effectively sealed the deal. Reducing the tax was a gesture of goodwill toward the caravan and Shinki alike.
"Then I'll thank you on their behalf," Shinki replied with a polite bow.
With the matter settled, the Kazekage ascended into the sky on his iron sand, heading directly to the Sand Village. Mining operations would temporarily fall to Rasa, who remained unaware that his teacher had left him behind to entertain Shinki.
After the Kazekage departed, Shinki informed the caravan leader about the decision to visit the Sand Village.
The leader hesitated initially—visiting the Sand Village was not part of their route, and Shinki leaving them unguarded posed a potential risk. However, upon hearing about the three-point tax reduction, his attitude shifted dramatically.
"Absolutely, let's go!" the leader exclaimed. The reduced tax meant increased profits—an opportunity too good to pass up.
With the new plan in place, the caravan adjusted its route toward the Sand Village, where new opportunities awaited.