Outside the Kazekage's Office, Tenten impatiently glared at the two Suna ninja blocking her path. "Move," she demanded. "I need to go in."
One of the Sand ninjas gave an awkward smile and said, "We're sorry, Lady Tenten, but the Kazekage specifically ordered that no one is allowed to enter—not even you."
Upon hearing this, Tenten immediately flared up and shouted, "Then I *have* to go in! Even if he wants to break up with me, he should at least give me a reason!"
The two Suna ninjas only shook their heads helplessly, wearing apologetic expressions but their eyes showed firm determination—as if they were saying, You'll have to walk over our corpses to get in.
Tenten stood there frozen, unsure what to do next.
"You two step aside—don't block Tenten," a hoarse voice suddenly commanded.
Seeing who had arrived, both Sand ninjas quickly saluted respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Chiyo."
Seeing Chiyo, Tenten's face lit up. She hurried over, took Chiyo's hand, and started complaining. "Granny, these guys are being ridiculous! I used to come and go here as I pleased!"
Chiyo shot Tenten a reassuring glance before slowly walking up to the two guards, her expression turning cold. "So? Has it really been so long since I last appeared that my words carry no weight anymore? Let me say it again: let Tenten through. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility and explain it to the Kazekage."
"We would never dare!" The two Sand ninjas exhaled in relief upon hearing Chiyo's words and stepped aside.
Tenten pushed open the door and walked in. The room was completely empty—Sasori wasn't there—but beside the desk sat a puppet that immediately caught her attention. She approached and examined it closely, feeling strangely familiar with its appearance.
Suddenly, realization hit her and she stammered, "Th-this isn't...could it be...me?"
Chiyo entered behind her and also saw the puppet. Sighing deeply, she said, "That boy only ever made two human puppets without any function at all—and you're looking at the third one. It seems you've reached the same level in his heart as those two people."
Curious, Tenten asked, "Those two people...who were they?"
"They were his parents. They died when he was very young. After learning the truth, he made those two puppets to accompany him exactly as they were when they were still alive—they became his constant company." Chiyo looked meaningfully at Tenten. "The fact that he made your puppet means he truly misses you. He probably keeps it close like a part of you is right there beside him."
Tenten was speechless at Chiyo's words. Shaking her head, she replied, "That still doesn't make sense. I was right there in person, and he didn't even look at me once."
"You poor thing," Chiyo sighed again, shaking her head. "I think he must've realized his feelings toward you. However, after losing his parents, he shut himself away emotionally. That's why he doesn't know how to handle his emotions toward you anymore—and fears hurting you. So he simply decided to avoid you altogether."
Of course, Chiyo knew her grandson inside out.
"What kind of logic is that?" Tenten couldn't accept it and puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "I'm going to find him myself and settle this face-to-face."
Meanwhile, Sasori and Anya were standing at the main gates of Sunagakure village when Yamato, clearly exhausted, returned covered in travel dust.
Anya couldn't help but laugh. "What a coincidence. I was just thinking of looking for you, and here you are."
Yamato first noticed Sasori wearing his mask and looked alarmed. When he heard Anya's voice, tears slightly welled up in the corners of his eyes. Hurrying forward, he said, "Chief, I want to return to Konoha. Please let me go back. I can't stand being this Peace Envoy for even one more day."
Anya watched Sasori with amusement and asked, "Did you mistreat him or something?"
Sasori immediately pulled out a scroll and unfurled it in front of them both. "Yamato, as a Konoha envoy, every contribution you've made has been recorded by Sunagakure Village. Since you're not a Ninja from our own village, I have converted all these contributions into monetary compensation for you. You can review the final sum yourself. If you believe it's insufficient, I am willing to add more."
Stunned by Sasori's gesture, Yamato thought getting paid actually sounded pretty good.
But as his gaze fell on the scroll, his whole body jolted. No—he couldn't accept this money. Taking it would be like selling himself to Sunagakure.
Regaining his senses quickly, Yamato grabbed onto Anya's sleeve desperately. "Chief, I don't want this money. I only wish to return to Konoha."
Anya sighed. "It's fine. This is what you earned through hard work—take it without worries. As for returning to Konoha, the timing isn't right yet. Be honest with me, are you facing any problems?"
Opening his mouth slightly, Yamato stole a glance at Sasori and muttered quietly, "I'm just... exhausted."
Anya gave Yamato's back a reassuring pat. "I get it. The Oasis Plan was just too overwhelming a task for one man alone. Alright then, starting today, the project will temporarily halt."
Eyes sparkling with hope, Yamato asked, "Really?"
Standing beside him, Sasori confirmed, "Yes indeed. Since he said so, you no longer have to continue executing this plan."
Yamato nearly collapsed in relief.
Yet before he could catch his breath, Anya continued, "There's another assignment prepared for you."
Yamato widened his eyes, feeling close to tears. Something doesn't feel right—is Captain here to save me?
"Don't worry," Anya reassured him. "I understand your concerns. Come with me."
Skeptically following the two, Yamato hadn't gone far when they heard a young woman's voice descending from midair: "Halt."
Looking upward, Anya instinctively glanced at Sasori and said, "Since she found us, you should talk to her properly."
Sasori hesitated slightly. "But there's that lab..."
"Don't worry. Bringing you along was just precautionary. I can handle things alone." Anya persuaded him. "Sasori, some things are best not regretted after they're gone."
With those words, Anya departed, taking the bewildered Yamato along.
They arrived at Chiyo's former chamber, now redesigned and significantly expanded. Filled with various laboratory instruments, though not quite as impressive as the Serpent Master's place, it was still considered quite exceptional.
The moment Yamato stepped inside, an uneasy sensation washed over him—one that strangely felt familiar.
Anya walked up to a containment device filled with green liquid and came to a stop, pointing at it as she spoke, "Don't be confused. These devices are exact replicas of those used during the Wood Release experiments once conducted in Konoha, so they look familiar to you."
Yamato instinctively took a couple of steps back. A wave of childhood trauma rose in his chest, making him shudder involuntarily.
"As for the Wood Release Experiment," Anya continued emotionlessly, "I was also a participant—and it was successful. I brought you here this time to enhance your strength. What's inside these containers should be very familiar to you. That's right—it's Hashirama's Essence."
Yamato stared at Anya in disbelief. "You...you were also a participant? But why restart this experiment, and in Sunagakure Village? What relationship do you have with them?"
"I'll tell you after the experiment ends." Anya casually opened the container's hatch while gesturing toward it politely. "Step inside—now."
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