"We're just about to go out to eat," Sasori said, raising his eyes to look at Chiyo.
Chiyo's heart stirred. Sasori's gaze seemed to hold more life than before.
"Haha, good, then you won't mind if an old woman joins you, will you? It's my treat."
"Sister, why don't you add me too? It's not like you're short on money anyway." Ebizo chuckled.
Ebizo thought highly of Qingshui and was willing to mentor him. Qingshui had an exceptionally high talent for Puppetry, was friends with his grandnephew Sasori, and was part of the Puppet Force—that last point inherently placed Qingshui firmly in Chiyo and Ebizo's faction.
The food at Sand Village's best restaurant was actually quite good. There were drinks made from cactus and honey, pastries from grains and dates, stews with meat, vegetables, and spices, and grilled dishes. There was even soup made from river fish and shrimp. This was probably the most delicious food people living in the desert could enjoy.
"That child, what's his background?" After Qingshui and Sasori left, Chiyo wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked Ebizo.
"Qingshui and Sasori are in the same squad; I arranged it," Ebizo said, slowly pouring himself a cup of sake.
"That child's background is clean enough, and his Puppetry talent is excellent. While his control isn't top-tier, it's still acceptable, but his talent in Puppet manufacturing reminds me of Teacher Monzaemon."
Chiyo put away her handkerchief. "Are you sure?"
Chiyo, who had received guidance from Monzaemon alongside Ebizo in her youth, understood perfectly how talented Monzaemon was at Puppetry. Puppet Master was a ninja profession invented by the Second Kazekage, but Monzaemon was the one who truly perfected this system and pushed it to its limits. Even after many years, no Puppet Master in Sand Village had been able to create Puppets superior to the Chikamatsu Collection. These ten ultimate Puppets, along with a legacy that could allow a Puppet Master to become a Kage-level powerhouse, were Monzaemon's most precious gifts to Sand Village and the entire Ninja World. Later Puppet Masters, including Chiyo, followed Monzaemon's path to become top-tier powerhouses in the Ninja World. Even though Puppetry had developed in the years since Monzaemon's death, it had not deviated from his system and had not seen major innovations. This meant that future generations could only ever approach, but never reach or surpass, Monzaemon's level.
Yet, Ebizo was saying that a child no older than eleven or twelve had the same high Puppetry talent as Monzaemon. It was like saying a student who had just graduated from elementary school had a talent for physics comparable to Newton or Einstein.
"It's not just Qingshui; I actually think Sasori might also become that kind of Puppet Master, provided they receive sufficient training and don't die young." Ebizo pulled a bundle of scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Chiyo. "These contain all of Qingshui's information from birth to now, and Sasori's performance since joining the Puppet Force."
Chiyo took them and began to preview them. "Graduated from the elite class of the ninja academy, modified a training Puppet into one with Genin-level combat strength, repaired and manufactured Chunin-level Puppets that can protect the entire body of the Puppet Master, developed an unknown Puppet brute strength Ninjutsu, and Sasori also performed well… and an S-rank mission… Wait? White Fang? They encountered Konoha's White Fang?"
Chiyo grabbed Ebizo by the collar. "How could you let Sasori encounter that bastard White Fang!"
"Sister, it was an accident. No one expected Hatake Sakumo to break through the border alone and appear in the Land of Wind. And from the outcome, no one was seriously hurt. Hatake Sakumo was even heavily injured by the Third Kazekage. Even Ishido, who was the most injured, will fully recover next month. This is already the best possible outcome."
"This time, when the Puppet Force goes to the Land of Rain, Sasori won't be going. And from now on, all of Sasori's missions must be approved by me before they are issued."
"I understand, Sister. Since that's the case, Ishido is still recovering and hasn't returned to duty. Jianye isn't yet ready for a Jonin position, and Qingshui is a talent who needs key protection. If we're taking new recruits from the Puppet Force to the battlefield for experience, I suggest we temporarily disband the Sixth Division's Third Squad." Ebizo moved Chiyo's hand away and suggested.
"I will personally arrange for Qingshui to be observed in other squads. If he is indeed as you say, I will do my best to train him to be the next pillar of the Puppet Force."
Since Sasori's parents were killed by Hatake Sakumo, the Sand Village's top powerhouses were in a generational gap. Aside from dealing with war and plundering resources, cultivating the next generation of potential powerhouses was the most important task for all high-ranking officials in Sand Hidden. The Third Kazekage had already taken Rasa and Garura as disciples, teaching them Magnet Release. Chiyo and Ebizo also needed to pass on Monzaemon's Puppetry. Qingshui and Sasori were currently the best candidates.
…
…
"Starting today, the Sixth Division's Third Squad will be temporarily disbanded. It will be reorganized after Captain Ishido recovers and returns. I have been transferred to the First Division to assist in combat. Jianxue has been assigned to Elder Chiyo's newly formed Medical Support Squad. Sasori will remain in the Sixth Division to maintain its basic operations, awaiting Captain Ishido's return." At the Puppet Force base, in the Sixth Division's barracks, Jianye held the newly issued orders from high command and announced them to the members of the Sixth Division.
"As for Qingshui, given his past combat achievements and his overall combat ability recognized by the village's high command, he has been promoted to Chunin and transferred to the Ninth Squad of the elite combat forces. With this letter of appointment, he can exchange it at the village's logistics warehouse for a standard combat vest."
"All of the above individuals will retain their Puppet Force affiliation."
Sasori stood calmly to the side, his eyes holding an unreadable meaning.
Everyone else had been reassigned, leaving only him behind. From the looks of it, they wanted to keep him confined to the village, preventing him from going to dangerous battlefields.
Everyone knew who was behind this.
"Um… what's the deal with the Medical Support Squad?"
Jianxue raised her hand to ask.
"Apparently, on the Land of Rain battlefield, Konoha's Princess Tsunade trained a group of exceptional medical ninja, which greatly changed the tide of the war. So, Elder Chiyo decided to try and replicate that by forming a medical squad. Jianxue, you have a foundation in Medical Ninjutsu, so you've been assigned to it," Jianye explained.
Among those present, aside from Sasori, Jianxue's assignment was visibly the safest.
"So, does retaining the Puppet Force's structure mean I get two salaries?" Qingshui also raised his hand to ask.
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