The special ability displayed by Rasa left Chiyo and Ebizō utterly astonished.
As a puppeteer, Chiyo immediately stepped forward to inspect the puppets, her face filled with disbelief. She discovered that these puppets, originally pieced together from countless components, had now become a complete, unified entity under Rasa's power. Their exteriors exhibited biological traits, while inside their bodies, a special energy core resembling an insect had formed. This core extended countless thread-like vessels, connecting all the mechanisms within the puppets.
This instantly reminded Chiyo of the forbidden puppet art of Sunagakure: Human Puppets.
That technique involved using living human bodies to create puppets. Because as long as the person was alive, their chakra would not dissipate. By modifying a living body and transforming it into a puppet, the chakra within would remain intact.
Combined with the body's natural chakra circulatory system, such a human puppet could even wield the deceased's original ninjutsu, including Bloodline Limit.
However, modifying a living person's body was an undeniably cruel practice. Even a shinobi village like Sunagakure had classified such a bloody puppet technique as forbidden.
Yet now, Rasa, the Kazekage, had managed to transform ordinary puppets into human puppets.
This ability was nothing short of miraculous!
"How did you do this? Is this also a power of senjutsu chakra?"
Chiyo asked in shock.
Rasa initially wanted to deny it, after all, this was a power he had obtained through the "Karma" ability, derived from the Mōryō. But considering that Mōryō's chakra had now merged with senjutsu energy, he thought for a moment before replying.
"You could say so. However, compared to other senjutsu abilities, I can't guarantee that you'll be able to attain this power. It's like the difference between regular ninjutsu and Bloodline Limit in chakra. I call this ability: Senjutsu Boundary: Puppet Insects. Right now, you haven't even mastered basic senjutsu, so discussing a senjutsu boundary is out of the question."
Beside them, Ebizō nodded in agreement.
"He's right, sis. Don't rush things, focus on mastering senjutsu chakra first."
But Chiyo paid no attention. She pulled out a scroll from her pocket and immediately summoned her secret technique: Dance of the Sakura – Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu. Without hesitation, she addressed Rasa directly.
"Kazekage-sama, use this power on my Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu as well."
Rasa didn't refuse but instead warned,
"It's not difficult, but Chiyo-sama, I must make this clear, puppets controlled by my Senjutsu Boundary: Puppet Insects will fall under my command. Moreover, unless you master this ability yourself, you won't be able to replenish the senjutsu chakra within the puppet insects."
Chiyo waved off his concerns without a second thought.
"No problem! Compared to being controlled, this old woman is far more interested in the ability itself!"
Seeing her determination, Rasa proceeded to apply Senjutsu Boundary: Puppet Insects to the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.
Once the transformation was complete, Chiyo immediately dismissed her guests, fully immersing herself in studying the changes to her Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.
Watching this, Ebizō could only shake his head helplessly.
"Kazekage-sama, since my sister's matter has been settled, please follow me!"
"Hn."
---
After storing the nine tailed beast puppets within the room, Rasa followed Ebizō, Honoka, and Hana to the third floor. The area was divided in half, one side belonged to Ebizō, the other to Chiyo.
As soon as Rasa stepped into Ebizō's section, his eyes were met with countless sealing formula scrolls covering the walls and floor.
On Ebizō's desk, a palm-sized scroll stood upright.
Ebizō approached, picked it up, and presented it to Rasa with both hands.
"Kazekage-sama, this is the technique developed according to your request. I've named it: Gourd Seal!"
"...?"
The odd name left Rasa momentarily confused. He took the scroll, unrolled it, and immediately understood Ebizō's reasoning.
"Unfortunately, Kazekage-sama, your initial request, to directly seal a special space inside your body, was beyond my capabilities. However, Honoka here provided me with inspiration. If we couldn't seal the space into you directly, we had to compromise. Think of it like a gourd: we create an independent space as the 'upper half' (the secondary space) and seal it within you. Then, we treat the original special space as the 'lower half' (the primary space), using space-time ninjutsu to establish a bridge between the two. That is the principle of the Gourd Seal."
He then pointed at the young girl with red hair.
"The entire development process owes much to Honoka. Without her Uzumaki clan sealing techniques as reference, I would never have succeeded."
After briefly reviewing the Gourd Seal's design, Rasa nodded in approval.
"You've both worked hard."
"It was our duty. You've done so much for the village; this old man could only contribute this much."
Ebizō remained composed, but Honoka suddenly spoke up, her gaze fixed on Rasa.
"No need for thanks. Completing this technique was only possible because of the space-time formulas you provided. But if you truly want to show gratitude… there's something I'd like as a reward. Though you might hesitate to part with it."
Hana tugged at Honoka's sleeve nervously, worried for her sister who might anger the leader of the village.
Rasa, intrigued, asked,
"What is it?"
Honoka glanced at Hana, her eyes softening briefly, then replied:
"I'd prefer to discuss it with you alone."
Rasa raised an eyebrow but nodded, shifting the topic instead.
"Has the Gourd Seal been tested?"
Ebizō answered this time.
"Rest assured, Kazekage-sama. Human experimentation required preparation, but… those Iwa-nin practically delivered themselves to us."
"I see. Was it successful?"
"Indeed. Please follow me."
Under Ebizō's guidance, the group entered Chiyo's laboratory.
In one of the rooms, four unconscious Iwagakure shinobi lay strapped to examination tables, their eyes covered and their chests exposed, each bearing intricate sealing formulas.
"My sister sedated them. Kazekage-sama, you may inspect the seals yourself."
"Hmm."
Rasa approached, pressing his hand against one of the test subjects' chests.
As he channeled senjutsu chakra into the seal, his senses expanded into a vast, empty space, roughly the size of a football field. At its center lay an octagonal pattern. When infused with senjutsu chakra, the pattern would activate, allowing the energy from Dragon's Oasis to flood in.