"What did you just say? Hayashi defeated Aoki in only five minutes?"
In the Kazekage's office, Chiyo, seated beside the Kazekage, blinked in disbelief.She patted her ears, as if suspecting she had misheard.
"The Fourth Master truly did eliminate Jonin Aoki in under five minutes—and with ease."
"Not only that, the Fourth has now mastered the Third's Iron Sand technique… and even surpassed him."
From her place near the far wall, a plump woman wearing an eagle mask fought to keep her composure, though her tone remained steady.
A deep, unfamiliar middle-aged voice cut through the air.
"The Fourth Master? You're calling him that already?"
In the Kazekage's chair sat a man with striking blue hair and sharp yellow eyes. His white Kazekage robe hung over a fitted blue ninja uniform.
Lehman dipped her head slightly."Yes. Everyone who was present that day kneeled before Hayashi and acknowledged him as the Fourth Kazekage."
The man gave a small nod, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes."I see… A shame I couldn't witness it myself. From your description, I can tell the scene must have been extraordinary."
Chiyo adjusted her posture, making sure she wasn't imagining the exchange, then shot a sharp look at the man."Brother, stop talking and finish the paperwork piling up on your desk. Once you're done, you can head into the village this afternoon."
This man was none other than Ebizo, currently disguised as the Third Kazekage using a substitution technique.
Ebizo sighed inwardly. At his age, he should have been long retired, yet here he was—still bound to this role.
He was about to reply, but the warning in Chiyo's expression silenced him. With a resigned shrug, he lowered his head and began sorting the documents.
Once she saw Ebizo obediently working, Chiyo turned to Lehman."Tell Akira to inform all the shinobi who witnessed the duel to address Hayashi as they always have—no mention of the Fourth title."
"Right now, we still need the presence of the Third Kazekage to keep the village steady. In a few months, when the truth can't be hidden any longer, Hayashi will take the position officially."
"And send Hayashi to me."
Lehman gave a small bow of acknowledgment, relief softening her shoulders."Understood."
Ebizo, still scribbling, suddenly asked without looking up,"Sister, why do so many people suddenly know the Third is missing?"
Chiyo sipped from her teacup, her voice cooling."Hmph. That clever fool Aoki. He wanted more spectators for his fight with Hayashi, so he spread the news in secret."
"Fortunately, he wasn't completely brainless. He kept it limited to the jonin and senior chunin."
Ebizo paused mid-signature, then set that page aside and picked up another."That arrogant idiot… He can't see the bigger picture. What if one of those who knows is an embedded spy—or worse, bought by another village? Then what?"
Chiyo's gaze darkened."We'll wait until Hayashi arrives."
Ebizo grunted in agreement."Fair enough. That boy's opinion might be worth hearing."
Two days had passed since the Third Kazekage vanished. Both siblings had long abandoned hope that he was still alive.
Chiyo's thoughts drifted to her only grandchild—a prodigy puppeteer destined to surpass her. But somewhere along the way, the boy had rebelled.
He had always been a gentle, obedient child. Now…
In a deserted underground cavern deep within the Land of Wind, a figure stood draped in a black cloak, only a mane of vivid red hair visible beneath the hood. His stance was poised, refined—a clear product of strict, noble upbringing.
Before him, two human-like puppets unleashed a relentless storm of Wind and Fire Release techniques.
From a distance, they might pass for living shinobi. Up close, their grim reality was clear—they were made from human corpses.
"Ah… worthy indeed of being the Kazekage's personal guards. Human puppets of this quality could rank among the very best."
The red-haired figure's voice was androgynous, smooth, impossible to pin to either gender.
With a slight motion of his left index finger, the puppets descended to the stone floor.
His gaze shifted to the man lying on a slab of stone nearby. The man's eyes were open, staring blankly at the cavern ceiling. He blinked once every ten seconds, nothing more.
Clad in only thin underclothes, he was lean, muscular, in his early thirties.
But his mind was gone—his brain's nerve pathways severed. The body lived, but the soul was unreachable.
Still, the red-haired figure spoke softly to him."Do not worry, Third Kazekage. In just a few days, I will reunite you with your loyal guards."
"For someone of your caliber, I'll need the finest materials. Only the perfect puppet will honor your legacy."
From his robe, he withdrew two scrolls and flicked them toward the puppets' heads. The moment they made contact, the scrolls unfurled, and both puppets dissolved into smoke.
An unseen force pulled the scrolls neatly into his hand.
In delicate, elegant script, he marked them: 30 and 31.
Looking at the handwriting alone, one might assume the owner was refined, meticulous—perhaps even gentle.
The man's gaze drifted once more to the prone Kazekage."Rest assured, you will be my masterpiece—the strongest Kazekage, reborn as the most flawless puppet."
He clapped his hands once, took up a syringe filled with green liquid, and stepped to the slab."Ah, time for your daily nutrient dose. Your body must remain in prime condition until I gather everything I need."
"It's been two days since you vanished. Knowing Sunagakure, the place must be in chaos."
A low chuckle escaped him."Eleven years of uneasy peace… but now, the Third Great Ninja War looms. Before you can witness your village's misery, I'll preserve you forever."
"For a former subordinate, I'm not so cruel… am I?"
"This is great—Hayashi promised to have dinner with me today!"
The sharp, cold voice of a confident woman echoed down the corridor outside Sunagakure.
Yasha Ren gave Ye Cang a puzzled look."Then why not wait until evening? Hayashi's coming to our house this afternoon."
"No! He's coming to mine!"
With that, Ye Cang strode to Hayashi, linking her arm with his and pressing his hand into the soft curve of her chest.
Her fragrance wrapped around him. Hayashi gave a helpless smile but stayed silent. Better not to add fuel to whatever this was.
A "battlefield of romance"? He almost laughed. No—this was more like two friends fighting over a dinner promise.
Yasha Ren, bolstered by her sister's presence, wasn't about to back down."Why are you being so pushy?"
Ye Cang, equal parts aloof and fiery, shot back without hesitation:"So what if I am? I already made plans with him yesterday!"
Yasha Ren flushed with anger."You're being unreasonable!"
"Say what you want—it's settled. Hayashi's coming to my house this afternoon."
Yasha Ren pouted and glared, but Ye Cang tightened her grip, her curves enveloping Hayashi's hand completely.
"Sister, don't be upset."
Karura, who had been silently observing, finally spoke in a soothing tone.
Then her eyes moved to Ye Cang's firm hold on Hayashi. A faint lift of her brow… then surprise flashed across her features.
But her smile only grew warmer."Ye Cang… you're a year older than me, so I'll call you Sister Ye Cang. Is that alright?"
Ye Cang was taken aback by the courtesy but didn't see any harm in it. No point picking a fight with someone so polite—especially in front of Hayashi. She nodded cautiously."Fine."
Karura's smile deepened. After a pause, she clapped her hands lightly."Since you made the plans first, it's our fault. How about Hayashi visits us tomorrow instead?"
She turned her gaze to him. Hayashi met her eyes for a moment before looking away.
There was something in her stare—soft, enveloping, almost as if she wanted to wrap him in it entirely.
When had she stopped calling him "Lord Hayashi" and begun speaking to him so casually?
Still, he let it slide.
Suddenly, a woman in a yellow windbreaker and eagle mask appeared before him."Master Hayashi, Lady Chiyo requests your presence in the Kazekage's office."
She almost knelt, but caught herself, bowing instead.
"Thank you, Lehman."
Hayashi turned to Ye Cang."Go on home. I'll come by after I'm done."
She arched a brow."You even know where I live?"
"Third house in the first row on the east side of the village center."
Her lips curved into a delighted smile."Haha, how'd you figure that out? I thought you had no idea."
Hayashi gave a casual excuse, hiding the fact that Akira had told him earlier in secret.