Land of Wind.
The wind and sand outside The Hidden Sand Village are still intense.
Sasori of the Red Sand used Memory-Concealing Manipulative Sand to control Maki and Yura, two Jonin of The Hidden Sand Village, thereby making Sasori virtually well-informed about the village's information.
Moreover, using the influence of Maki and Yura, he suggested that after the Fourth Kazekage's death, due to a temporary lack of leadership in The Hidden Sand Village, they should abandon pursuing The Hidden Rain Village to avoid triggering a war.
The crucial point is that Sasori can also leverage Maki to control the information about Gaara.
When one day the Akatsuki organization has collected enough intelligence on the Tailed Beasts, Sasori can directly use Maki to capture the One-tailed Jinchuriki, Gaara.
"You should return now!"
Sasori of the Red Sand slightly moved his fingers, controlling Maki and Yura to return in the direction of The Hidden Sand Village, sealing away their memories.
"As expected of Master Sasori!"
Deidara praised Sasori of the Red Sand's technique: "Though not as brilliant as my explosive art, it has its merits."
"...If you can't speak properly, just shut up."
Sasori glared discontentedly at Deidara.
Having perfectly resolved the issue of the Fourth Kazekage's death in the Land of Rain, Sasori of the Red Sand and Deidara did not hesitate and planned to leave here to report back to Pain.
Incidentally, they would let Pain pass on the message to Uehara Naraku, advising that kid to return to the Land of Rain and not to come to The Hidden Sand Village to cause trouble.
"Alright, alright, I get it."
Deidara scratched the back of his head bashfully, winking at Sasori of the Red Sand: "I know how to respect the elderly and predecessors."
"..."
Sasori of the Red Sand swallowed his irritation.
Deidara, who seemed so carefree, shut Sasori up with one sentence and casually pulled out his white clay bird: "Master Sasori, let's go!"
"...Hmph!"
Sasori of the Red Sand snorted coldly, slowly climbed onto Deidara's white clay bird. The two sat on the white clay bird as it soared into the sky, gradually disappearing outside The Hidden Sand Village.
After they left.
A figure silently emerged from the ground.
Uehara Naraku watched as the white clay bird vanished and frowned: "Sasori didn't even go meet his grandmother?"
It was unexpected how competent Sasori of the Red Sand was.
While Uehara Naraku was dealing with Orochimaru, Sasori of the Red Sand had already resolved the issues in The Hidden Sand Village, which was somewhat inconvenient.
This directly disrupted Uehara's plans.
"Since that's the case, someone else will have to take the blame."
Uehara Naraku tapped his fingers on his arm, took one last look at The Hidden Sand Village, and his body sank back into the ground.
Late at night.
Uehara Naraku stealthily gathered information about The Hidden Sand Village.
With the death of the Fourth Kazekage, there was no ninja in The Hidden Sand Village able to take the lead. Adding to their heavy losses in the Land of Rain, the Sand Ninja had to ask Chiyo and Ebizo to come out of retirement.
Granny Chiyo still commanded respect and would temporarily oversee The Hidden Sand Village as an advisory elder until a Fifth Kazekage could be elected in the future.
Ebizo, who had previously assisted the Kazekage in overseeing the Hidden Sand Anbu, was reinstated to his original position and served again in the village's upper echelons.
The night grew deeper, and the moonlight became brighter.
Moonlight spilled into Ebizo's room, and a hand quietly emerged from the wall, leaving a note on his desk.
However, as the hand withdrew back into the wall, it accidentally dropped a pen, startling the slumbering old man.
Even though Ebizo was old, his senses were razor-sharp.
The next moment, the old man rolled out of bed, a kunai falling into his palm, and his often squinting eyes suddenly became alert and sharp.
"Who's there!"
After a moment, Ebizo cautiously scanned his room, his gaze landing on the note on his desk. His expression changed instantly.
Who could have infiltrated his room?
And without anyone noticing, they left a note on his desk. If it were a ninja from his village, there might be room for negotiation...
If it were an enemy, however...
That would be incredibly dangerous for The Hidden Sand's leadership!
Things did not go as one would wish.
As Ebizo opened the note, his expression turned grim, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead because the back of the note bore a simple spiral pattern.
It was the symbol of The Konoha Village.
After a moment of silence, Ebizo decided to follow the instructions on the note. He donned his clothes and resolved to head to the secret meeting location indicated there.
In the oasis outside The Hidden Sand Village.
This was originally the hidden retreat of Ebizo and Chiyo.
Now that they've returned to live in The Hidden Sand Village, this place might soon be sealed off until they retire again and return here for seclusion.
Today, the oasis welcomed an unexpected guest.
When Ebizo arrived from the village, he saw an old man wrapped in bandages sitting inside the room.
Shimura Danzo, Leader of the Root of Konoha.
Shimura Danzo was Ebizo's greatest enemy in the past and also the darkness that had repeatedly plunged The Hidden Sand Village into crisis in the Ninja World.
Ebizo slowly sat down at the table, his voice somber: "It's been a long time, Danzo. I didn't expect you to have the guts to secretly arrange a meeting with me."
"The Hidden Sand Village is very vulnerable."
Shimura Danzo leisurely poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Ebizo: "If the Fourth Kazekage wasn't dead, even if I could seamlessly deliver an invitation to your side, this place would likely be surrounded by the Anbu, wouldn't it?"
Ebizo glanced at the tea but did not take it.
Shimura Danzo seemed to understand his intent and chuckled: "No need for suspicion, this time I've come to seek cooperation... the young people in the Ninja World are too impulsive and always think cooperation harms their interests, but in reality, cooperation leads to mutual benefit."
"..."
Ebizo was silent for a moment before sighing: "Just say what you came to say. I'm too old to stay up late frequently."
"Very well."
After nodding, Shimura Danzo spoke solemnly: "I want a copy of the One's Own Life Reincarnation Jutsu that Chiyo researched."
"How did you know..."
"What's so impossible about that?"
Shimura Danzo looked up calmly at the surprised Ebizo and said leisurely: "Alright, I've confirmed the Fourth Kazekage perished in the Land of Rain. I'm well aware of the mission volume in The Hidden Sand Village. If you want to sustain The Hidden Sand, you'll need to rely on Konoha to assign the Land of Wind's missions back to you."
Ebizo shook his head, rejecting Shimura Danzo's proposal: "Do you really think you have such power? That old man Sarutobi Hiruzen is still around; Konoha isn't yours to command yet!"
"Once Sarutobi Hiruzen is dead, naturally I'll take charge of Konoha."
Shimura Danzo revealed a secretive smile, as if everything was under control: "Besides, since the Kazekage died in the Land of Rain, you're bound to antagonize the Land of Rain. Do you need me to negotiate for you? My relations with Hanzo of the Salamander are quite good."
"..."
Ebizo's fingers slowly tapped against the table leg.
Today The Hidden Sand Village just passed a resolution to negotiate with The Hidden Rain Village regarding the Fourth Kazekage's death in the Land of Rain, and perhaps threaten Hanzo a bit to gain some benefits.
As for war, that was not an option for The Hidden Sand Village.
However, this would depend on whether Hanzo of the Salamander agreed to their negotiation, and there was a possibility he might seize the opportunity to attack The Hidden Sand Village with the Kazekage's death.
After all, The Hidden Sand Village was currently weaker than ever before.
"If you want the One's Own Life Reincarnation Jutsu, I can give it to you."
Ebizo slowly raised his head to look at Shimura Danzo, speaking each word clearly: "Konoha must support us in our negotiations with the Land of Rain, return the mission commissions taken from the Land of Wind, and supply a certain amount of food to the Land of Wind..."