"Chiyo-sama, what brings you here?"
Kankuro froze in surprise.
That's right, the figure who had appeared was none other than Chiyo, the esteemed advisor of Sunagakure.
Known for her unparalleled puppet master skills, capable of controlling puppets with just one finger, Chiyo was a legendary Kunoichi proficient in Taijutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, and Sealing Techniques.
Her strength was immeasurable, and she was famously one of Hanzo the Salamander's rivals.
For someone of Chiyo's caliber to drop a plate seemed unthinkable, an impossible sight.
Before Kankuro could process the situation, he noticed Temari standing behind Chiyo. Quickly, he pieced things together, 'It must have been Temari who had summoned Chiyo-sama.'
Rather than feeling irritated, Kankuro silently praised Temari's decision.
After all, considering the formidable individuals Gaara had brought back, if they had malicious intent or posed a threat to Gaara, the consequences would be unimaginable.
On the other hand, if they truly meant no harm, it wouldn't hurt to have Chiyo present as a mediator and diplomat. Chiyo's strength and experience made her the perfect candidate to handle such a situation.
However, Chiyo's current behavior was clearly beyond anyone's expectations.
Ignoring Kankuro's question, Chiyo gently pushed him aside and took quick strides toward Sasori, whose head was half-destroyed. Reaching out with trembling hands, she caressed Sasori's damaged head, "Is it really you… Sasori?"
Thud!
Sasori suddenly dropped to his knees and said in a deep voice, "It's me, grandma!"
However, Sasori's action only caused Chiyo to burst into tears, her emotions spilling over.
Naruto was not surprised by this.
If this had been the Sasori from the original timeline, not even death would have made him kneel, let alone this immediate and heartfelt gesture upon reuniting with his grandmother.
The reason for this change was simple: Sasori had visited the Soul Society, reunited with his parents, and resolved the emotional scars from his past.
Freed from his inner turmoil, Sasori now saw things in a new light. His guilt toward his grandmother, Chiyo, which had been suppressed for so long, now surfaced all at once.
Naruto speculated that during Sasori's time in the Soul Society, his parents might have even asked him to take care of Chiyo, which could explain his current behavior.
Of course, if you think about it in the worst possible way, there is actually another inference.
Of course, there was another, more cynical explanation, which is Sasori's awareness of the Soul Society's existence. Knowing that all but the most evil souls would eventually gather there, Sasori might have realized that even if they had a falling out now, they would inevitably meet again in the afterlife. In the Soul Society, where souls were eternal, holding grudges would be pointless.
Still, Naruto leaned toward the first explanation: Sasori's genuine remorse and reconciliation.
After all, Sasori wasn't inherently evil, and his twisted personality was a result of the trauma he endured during his childhood in the war.
With Naruto's guidance helping him back onto the right path, it made sense that Sasori would express regret like any other normal person.
"Thank goodness… thank goodness you're alive." Chiyo wept uncontrollably as she looked at Sasori.
Despite her fame as Sunagakure's advisor and a formidable Shinobi, Chiyo had always carried a deep regret in her heart… her perceived failure as a grandmother.
She understood that if it weren't for the war and her lack of attention and care, Sasori would never have taken such an extreme path.
Now, seeing Sasori return to his senses and reconcile with her felt like her greatest regret had been lifted.
Growl!
At that moment, Naruto's stomach growled loudly, breaking the solemn atmosphere.
"Grandma, let's step aside. We shouldn't keep Naruto-kun from eating."
Sasori said, gently pulling Chiyo away.
While Naruto and the others enjoyed their meal, Sasori and Chiyo continued their conversation in private.
Through his Observation Haki, Naruto could sense Sasori's fluctuating emotions. Patting his stomach contentedly, Naruto asked, "What's on your mind? Don't hold it in. Just say it."
Sasori hesitated but eventually spoke up. "I want… I want to stay here with my grandmother."
Sasori's voice trembled slightly, but his gaze was firm.
Naruto waved his hand and said, "I thought it was something serious. I was already planning for you and Deidara to stay."
"Me too? Why?" Deidara asked, very confused.
He couldn't imagine that Sasori's affairs would involve him.
Naruto smiled and explained, "Sunagakure is going through a turbulent time. Because of his past deeds, even if Gaara changes for the better, many people are still afraid of him from the bottom of their hearts, and they don't want to hand over the village to him."
"So, I originally planned to leave a duo to assist Gaara until he can completely consolidate his position. And you have accepted the mission to capture Gaara from Pain, so it's best to give this job to you. In this case, you have an excuse for not finishing the mission. You can just say that you couldn't find an opportunity to take action, so you are lurking in Sunagakure."
"That's fine, but it will be exposed sooner or later!"
Deidara frowned as he voiced his concern.
Naruto waved his hand and said, "What's there to fear about being exposed? I'm still here. Just give it two more months. By then, it'll be clear who's really in charge of the organization!"
In just two months, Naruto's Observation Haki will reach the complete form as predicted by the system. At that time, even without any special changes, just by relying on the Observation Haki that has expanded to a distance of ten thousand meters, he can locate Nagato's true body with ease.
Nagato was nothing more than a frail figure in his actual form, someone Naruto could overpower effortlessly.
Seeing Naruto's confidence, Deidara chose not to argue further.
Kankuro, however, furrowed his brow and asked, "Naruto-kun, what did you mean earlier about capturing Gaara?"
"It's fine. I know what he means. There's no need to question it further." Gaara waved his hand.
"But…"
Kankuro tried to press the issue, but Chiyo interrupted him, "Sasori has already explained it to me. There's no need to worry."
Chiyo's trust in Sasori was one thing, but her confidence stemmed more from her understanding of the individuals present.
As a long-time Shinobi and advisor to Sunagakure, Chiyo had a vast intelligence network.
She knew that, including Sasori, each of these people was formidable in their own right.
To put it bluntly, even if the three of them weren't physically present, they could annihilate Sunagakure simply by ambushing or secretly planting explosive clay. And now that they were here, there was no one in the village who could stop them.
Most importantly, these three, plus Sasori, were all subordinates of Naruto, this young boy standing before her.
Chiyo was astounded.
When Gaara had once praised Naruto's strength, Chiyo had dismissed it as youthful exaggeration. But now, she realized she had been gravely mistaken.
One person's admiration might be exaggerated, but the collective loyalty of so many powerful individuals was undeniable proof of Naruto's capabilities.
Moreover, based on the intelligence she got, Naruto had been 'captured' by Itachi. Yet judging by the current situation, it was clear Naruto was deceiving Konoha. That level of manipulation was terrifying.
Regardless of his methods, one thing was certain for Chiyo, that Naruto genuinely cared for Gaara.
To Chiyo, this was enough. Naruto's power was already sufficient to destroy both Gaara and Sunagakure, yet he hadn't done so. This was proof that his intentions toward Gaara were sincere.
In the face of absolute power, why bother with deception?
"As expected of Sunagakure's advisor, you are indeed sharp, but it seems your brother isn't quite as clever."
Naruto said with an amused smile.
"What about my brother? What's he done?"
Chiyo frowned slightly.
"My eyes can see the future, and they can change it. Here's a piece of advice: if Ebizo doesn't stop his actions, the 79 Shinobi he's gathering will all perish in exactly 3 minutes and 57 seconds!"
Naruto said. His tone was calm and friendly, yet the words were chilling.
Of course, Naruto wasn't actually predicting the future, as he was relying on his Observation Haki just now.
Through his Observation Haki, Naruto could clearly sense Chiyo's brother, Ebizo, gathering Shinobi to surround the Kazekage's Office.
Of course, if Ebizo insisted on going through with his plan, Naruto's words would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.