Several days later, in the high council chamber of Konohagakure.
"What?"
"No way!"
"We cannot allow the Uchiha clan to participate in our village's key political decisions!"
"I firmly reject the order to make Uchiha Fugaku an elder!"
"And appointing the young Uchiha Shisui directly as the captain of the ANBU?!"
"How can this command respect from anyone?!"
"Fourth Hokage... your decisions are truly... lacking in consideration!"
Danzo, his face partially wrapped in bandages and his right hand hidden within his sleeve, loudly rebuked.
Clearly, from his tone and attitude, he held little respect for Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage.
"Danzo..."
"You've gone too far..."
"Minato is the Hokage!"
"You're just an elder! Your role is advisory only!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, the ember glowing brightly within it, before exhaling a large cloud of smoke. Through the haze, his sharp gaze bore down on Danzo.
"Fourth Hokage..."
"This matter of adding a new elder seat should not be taken lightly. Shouldn't we report it to the Daimyō's office and seek their opinion first?"
"As for directly appointing Uchiha Shisui as the captain of the ANBU, I also think it's a bit premature. It would be more appropriate to have him join as a regular ANBU member first. If he truly proves himself, then we can promote him later."
Koharu Utatane spoke after carefully choosing her words. However, her tone and implications clearly leaned toward supporting Danzo's stance.
Minato's face turned serious as he looked toward Homura Mitokado.
Homura, wearing glasses and sporting a thick beard, hesitated for a moment. When his peripheral vision caught Koharu sitting beside him, it seemed as though he received some unspoken signal.
"The two elders have a point. After all, the elder seats have always been limited to three since ancient times. Suddenly adding another seat..."
"Moreover, Uchiha Fugaku hasn't made any particularly outstanding contributions during the war. It might be difficult for everyone to accept this decision."
Sigh...
A shadow of gloom crossed Minato's otherwise sunny and handsome face as he sighed inwardly.
Implementing reforms really wasn't an easy task...
At that moment, he suddenly found himself understanding the approaches of Sunagakure and Kumogakure.
He even felt a bit envious—how much smoother decision-making would be without the Daimyō's interference...
With the Daimyō in the picture, any slightly significant matter would see these three elders using the Daimyō as a shield. Back and forth, they would muddle the situation until it became a mess.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind, on a familiar barren desert wasteland.
Unknowingly, if one looked eastward from this wasteland outside Sunagakure, the once monotonous yellow landscape now featured patches of grayish-brown rock and soil.
If one stared long enough, they might even spot hints of green, symbolizing life.
This transformation was, of course, the tireless work of the "Desert Dung Beetle," "Guardian Deity," and "Lord Sōmi," who worked day and night.
For the villagers of Sunagakure who knew the truth, Sōmi's status had risen dramatically. After all, transforming the desert environment was a monumental endeavor that would benefit future generations.
Especially since Sōmi's progress was visible to the naked eye.
Shukaku, for its part, thoroughly enjoyed the nightly freedom of using Shadow Clones to manifest its true form and frolic in the desert.
It had always loved bathing in the winds and sands. Pushing around sandballs several dozen meters high was, for it, a form of entertainment.
After all, it couldn't even remember the last time it had experienced such unrestrained freedom!
Of course, all of this was possible only because Sōmi had mastered the Shadow Clone Technique.
Only Shadow Clones could replicate the exact emotional experiences of the original body. When the clones were dispelled, the original body would feel as though it had personally lived through those moments.
Using other types of clone techniques wouldn't bring Shukaku the same joy and excitement.
Sōmi continued to train diligently in the shadows, with the Starfall Rod firmly pressing against his back.
"Hah!"
"Huff..."
"Hah!"
Under the weight of the Starfall Rod, Sōmi's trembling arms repeatedly pushed his heavy body upward, only to lower himself back down again.
Thud!
This time, Sōmi failed. His body collapsed onto the soft sand.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Struggling, Sōmi twisted his body and flipped himself over, lying flat on the sand in a spread-eagle position.
From within the cave wall, where he was tinkering with some metal components, Sasori glanced over and remarked in a detached tone, "Why do you push yourself so hard with all this physical training?"
"Do you think you can make your muscles harder than tempered steel?"
"Heh..."
"It's a habit!"
"Every time I push myself to the brink of exhaustion, it feels like I've cleansed my body anew, squeezing energy out from the depths of my cells. My mind becomes extraordinarily clear, and I feel a profound sense of control over my body..."
Sōmi gazed at the blue sky, where white clouds drifted lazily. The frustration that had weighed on his heart earlier had long since dissipated.
"Covered in sweat and looking so disheveled—there's not an ounce of artistry in you!"
Sasori's light, mocking voice came from within the cave wall once more.
Sōmi merely smiled faintly in response. After all, for someone like Sasori, who pursued the ideal of "flesh is weak, machinery ascends," physical training was an utterly pointless endeavor.
After a while, Sōmi's strength had mostly recovered after eating and resting.
He walked to an open area and immediately performed a summoning technique.
Poof!
A golden, radiant giant snake appeared before Sōmi amidst a cloud of smoke.
"Oh! Sōmi!"
"Are we dealing with an enemy this time?"
"Hmm? No?"
"Then did you summon me because you've prepared something delicious for me?"
At this point, Shinga no longer displayed the "arrogant and rebellious" demeanor it had when they first met.
This change was, of course, thanks to the tangible rewards Sōmi had provided. His occasional barbecued treats had completely won over Shinga, making it fall in love with human culinary techniques.
The raw and cold food around Ryūchi Cave now felt utterly unappetizing to Shinga, who had lost all interest in it.
What Shinga cherished most, though, was the "Mighty Armor" it now wore.
Shinga had already been a dominant force in Ryūchi Cave, second only to the White Snake Sage and the three elders. Few could stand against it.
But with the addition of this "Mighty Armor," Shinga had become the undisputed tyrant of Ryūchi Cave, swaggering around and bullying the weak wherever it went.
As for Manda, who had always been at odds with Shinga, it now found itself frequently on the receiving end of Shinga's wrath, enduring one beating after another.
Fortunately, as a summoning beast, Manda's regenerative abilities were exceptionally strong. Otherwise, Orochimaru's prized Manda might have died without him even realizing it.
"This time, I have a task for you!"
"Go back and bring that Manda fellow here to see me."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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