The different conditions set forth by the Four Tails and the Six Tails revealed the complicated and deeply rooted tensions between Jinchūriki and their tailed beasts.
Why had Rasa remarked that the Four Tails seemed to have a decent relationship with its Jinchūriki?
Beyond the fact that the Four Tails had achieved full tailed beast transformation, there was another reason. When it came to tailed beasts, as long as they were extracted before the host's death, the Jinchūriki's passing did not significantly endanger the beast's survival.
And yet, even so, the Four Tails had asked that Roshi's life be preserved as a condition.
The Six Tails, on the other hand, had made a much more straightforward demand.
Naturally, Rasa had no objections. To both him and Sunagakure, tailed beasts had become something of a burden. He never intended to claim the beasts for himself.
He had no desire to engage in conversations about understanding or trust with them. Choosing not to treat them purely as chakra weapons was already the furthest extent of his tolerance.
As Rasa absorbed chakra from both the Four Tails and the Six Tails, Sunagakure received two groups of guests.
---
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
In the wake of the chaos unleashed by the tailed beasts, Sunagakure had temporarily set aside foreign matters, focusing entirely on reconstruction. Chiyo, Ebizō, and the others had returned to help oversee the recovery process. Only Bunpuku had made his way back to Dragon Oasis.
Two more days passed.
At dawn, Pakura received a report from the ANBU and departed the village with several of her trusted guards.
Before long, they spotted five figures standing at the edge of the massive crater in the desert left behind by the tailed beast explosion. All five wore cloaks marked with red clouds against a black backdrop.
There was no mistaking it. These five were prominent members of the Akatsuki.
At the front stood Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. The other two were Kyūsuke and Daibutsu.
Even before the tailed beast rampage in Sunagakure, Yahiko had already intended to visit. But as the leader of Akatsuki, he could not make decisions unilaterally. Although the group had formed a cooperative relationship with Sunagakure and had helped resist some of the Iwagakure invasion, internal disputes had slowed Yahiko's plans.
The core of the conflict was clear. Many Akatsuki members from smaller nations were happy to benefit from the alliance with Sunagakure but were not ready to accept any kind of subordination. Yahiko's sudden change in tone had left many of them uncomfortable.
Then came the latest intel.
Now, as the five members of Akatsuki stood before the vast canyon carved into the earth, their pupils contracted and their faces darkened.
"You've got to be kidding… this is the power of a tailed beast? This kind of destruction…"
Kyūsuke's voice trembled as sweat beaded on his forehead.
Beside him, Daibutsu looked just as shaken.
"For the Kazekage to have defended Sunagakure against a creature like that… this goes far beyond what we understand. No wonder people are calling him a demigod now. No... I saw Hanzō-sama at the height of his strength, and even he didn't have power like this…"
Konan stood still, her face pale as she looked out at the canyon stretching endlessly across the desert.
She turned to glance at Yahiko and Nagato.
To her surprise, Yahiko met her gaze with a gentle, reassuring smile.
"Looks like we can completely let go of our worries. We really don't have to be afraid of the Kazekage making a move against us!"
Everyone paused in surprise, then let out a dry chuckle in spite of themselves.
It was true. If someone with that level of power truly intended to crush Akatsuki, there would have been no need for such complicated maneuvering.
At that moment, Nagato's gaze shifted toward the distance.
"Sunagakure's shinobi are approaching!"
The two groups met not long after.
When Pakura saw the three somewhat familiar faces from Akatsuki standing before her, her expression turned slightly complicated.
Yahiko stepped forward to speak.
"Apologies, Pakura-sama. We hope our visit during such a turbulent time doesn't inconvenience Sunagakure in any way."
Pakura, never one for politeness, responded with blunt honesty.
"It is an inconvenience. Of course it is."
Yahiko's smile stiffened a little.
"Normally, visitors wouldn't be welcomed during a sensitive time like this. But strangely enough, when the Kazekage received your request, he seemed quite pleased. He even assigned me personally to welcome you."
"Is that so? Then we're truly thankful."
This time, Yahiko's expression showed genuine relief, but the other four exchanged puzzled glances, each looking a bit unsure.
"There's no need to be that thankful. You're not the only guests today."
"Huh!?"
Yahiko blinked in confusion, and Konan was the one to ask, her curiosity piqued.
"Someone else is visiting Sunagakure today?"
"Yes. A shrine maiden from the Land of Demons. You arrived on the same day."
"I see."
The Akatsuki members immediately understood. The long-standing relationship between the Land of Demons and Sunagakure wasn't news to them.
"Alright then. Follow me."
---
Under Pakura's lead, the five Akatsuki members walked toward Sunagakure.
As they drew closer, they noticed something strange. The ground beneath their feet had turned pitch black.
Seeing their reaction, Pakura explained in a calm voice.
"This used to be golden desert sand. But after the tailed beast bomb hit, the sand was melted. When it cooled, it formed something like obsidian, similar to lava. That's why the land looks like this now."
Yahiko stared at the hardened surface and asked in surprise,
"So this is all stone now? Doesn't that mean nothing can grow here anymore?"
Pakura gave him a look that was half confusion and half mockery.
"Nothing grew in the desert to begin with."
It was Yahiko's first time visiting Sunagakure, and he was clearly caught off guard.
"The environment here is really this harsh?"
Pakura's tone relaxed just slightly.
"Well, it's not entirely a bad thing. Now that the sand's turned into solid ground, it helps block the wind and the sandstorms from the Demon Desert beyond. Also, we've got a massive supply of stone for building. And whoever said nothing can grow on stone?"
"???"
The Akatsuki members exchanged confused looks, but their confusion didn't last long.
As they moved forward, the outline of Sunagakure gradually emerged in the distance. Around them, flecks of green began to appear on the charred earth.
Looking closely, they saw tiny cracks in the stone from which small green sprouts had emerged, stretching eagerly toward the sky. The closer they got to the village, the more abundant and vibrant the greenery became.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Sunagakure, what lay before them resembled an oasis hidden in the desert.
A city wrapped in blooming flowers, lush grass, and rising trees. A paradise seemingly separated from the rest of the world.