Kankuro could distinguish between a corpse and a living person.
Even without Gaara's faint breathing, the fading of corpse spots and the return of color to his skin—from pale to rosy—was enough for him to tell.
Temari, incredulous, asked, "Elder Chiyo, what… what did you do?"
Chiyo replied calmly, "Just a forbidden jutsu that trades one life for another."
"Trade one life for another!?" After a pause, Temari's expression grew complex. "You mean you used your own life to bring back Gaara's?"
Chiyo waved her hand dismissively. "This old woman doesn't have much time left. Call Yura and Maki in—I have things to entrust to them!"
"Yes!"
Temari and Kankuro bowed and obeyed.
Soon after, Yura and Maki hurried into Chiyo's room. Seeing Gaara breathing again, both were stunned.
Upon learning that Chiyo had used One's Own Life Reincarnation to save Gaara, Yura frowned. "Elder, why choose this moment?"
Maki echoed, "With the Fourth just fallen, the village needs you to lead. How could you sacrifice yourself now?"
Chiyo shook her head. "Hidden Sand doesn't need an old hag like me. It needs a future like Gaara!"
With the deed done, Yura and Maki could only sigh helplessly.
Chiyo continued, "Before I die, as an elder, I propose Yura as the Fifth Kazekage! And I nominate Maki to take my place as an elder!"
Yura was shocked. "What!?"
Chiyo's tone left no room for argument. "Don't think this is some cushy job. The next battle may well be the final one. Whether the Five Great Shinobi Villages survive will depend on you!"
"I understand!"
Yura nodded.
…
Hidden Leaf Hospital.
When Hidden Sand delivered Gaara to Hidden Leaf Hospital, news of his resurrection spread quickly, even startling Tsunade, who personally went to check on him.
After examining Gaara's vital signs, Tsunade nodded. "His vitals are stable. He's truly alive again!"
Shizune, baffled, said, "How is this possible? I personally checked his body before—his vital signs were gone!"
Yakumo added, "Yes, I was there too. After the One-Tail was extracted by Hiruko, Gaara stopped breathing. We all confirmed it!"
Tsunade shook her head. "Your checks weren't wrong. Gaara was indeed dead then. Once a Tailed Beast is extracted from a Jinchuriki, their life ends—that's an iron rule. So, if I'm not mistaken, Hidden Sand must have done something to bring him back."
When mentioning 'resurrection,' Tsunade hesitated.
She, too, had people she longed to bring back, so she knew better than anyone how difficult it was to truly revive the dead.
Even with the evidence before her, she still couldn't fully believe it.
As Tsunade left Gaara's room, Temari and Kankuro stopped her at the door.
Temari said, "Elder Chiyo said Gaara must be treated by you personally. She said this is a debt Hidden Leaf owes Hidden Sand."
Tsunade sighed helplessly. "Tell her to rest assured. I'll take good care of Gaara."
In truth, Gaara's death and the loss of the One-Tail were Hidden Leaf's failures. As the host village, Hidden Leaf was responsible for protecting Gaara, Fū, and Naruto—the three underage Jinchuriki.
Yet, of the three, only Hidden Leaf's own Jinchuriki was safe. Hidden Sand's Gaara was killed, and Hidden Waterfall's Fū went missing, putting Hidden Leaf in an awkward position.
As Temari and Kankuro prepared to leave, Tsunade quickly signaled Shizune with a glance.
Shizune understood and signaled Yakumo.
Yakumo called out to Temari and Kankuro. "How exactly did you save Gaara? I was there—he was clearly…"
Temari knew there was no hiding it now, so she explained how Chiyo used a forbidden jutsu to trade her life for Gaara's.
After Temari and Kankuro left, Tsunade sighed softly. "I never imagined she'd develop such a jutsu. I'm no match for her!"
Just then, a medical ninja rushed to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, the Mizukage just woke up and left the hospital with his subordinates."
"What!?"
Tsunade's face darkened.
Though Amaterasu was mocked as the 'kindly flame' and ineffective in high-level battles, in reality, against those unfamiliar with it and unable to counter ninjutsu, being hit by Amaterasu was an unsolvable death sentence.
As a Jinchuriki, the Fourth Mizukage was exceptionally resilient. For an ordinary person, Amaterasu would have burned them to death before help could arrive.
Even so, his injuries exceeded Tsunade's expectations.
Not only was he covered in burns, but multiple meridians and tendons had suffered irreversible damage. Even Tsunade wasn't sure where to begin treatment.
With such injuries, she couldn't fathom why the Mizukage wouldn't stay in the hospital and was running around instead!
…
Hidden Mist Temporary Encampment.
Suigetsu, having picked up some rumors, asked Chojuro, "Heard the news? Hidden Sand's Fourth Kazekage died in battle!"
Chojuro was shocked. "How's that possible?"
"What's impossible about it?" Suigetsu paused, then continued, "It's Akatsuki we're talking about! I also heard Hidden Leaf's Hokage lost an arm and can no longer use ninjutsu!"
Chojuro grew worried. "I wonder how Mizukage-sama is doing?"
Suigetsu shook his head. "Haven't heard anything about Mizukage-sama. He's probably fine, right?"
At that moment, Fuguki Suikazan entered the courtyard, his face grim.
Chojuro hurried to meet him. "Sir, any news about Mizukage-sama?"
Fuguki replied, "Mizukage-sama has returned to Hidden Leaf and is currently recovering in the hospital. No need to worry too much!"
Without waiting for more questions, he entered his room.
Inside, Fuguki could no longer contain himself, growling under his breath, "Useless, all of them useless!"
To him, the worst outcome was the Fourth Mizukage returning alive, and he couldn't help but curse Akatsuki's incompetence.
Knock knock knock.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
Irritated, Fuguki opened it to find Chojuro standing outside. Impatiently, he asked, "What now?"
Swish.
But instead of Chojuro's voice, a long blade shot out from under his armpit, striking at Fuguki.