The battle didn't last long. Sasori, who hadn't yet evolved into a full-fledged "Grinder," was no match for Rasa, the true "Gacha Master."
It was just that Magnet Release: Gold Dust against Magnet Release: Iron Sand made things a bit more troublesome. On top of that, the Third Kazekage, now turned into a Human Puppet, not only retained his original jutsu, but had also been fitted with a bunch of strange contraptions Sasori had deliberately installed. And to top it off… it was still a two-versus-one.
It was truly quite troublesome!
In the end, it took quite a bit of effort to pin Sasori down and give him a proper beating. Kabuto then administered a chakra-suppressing drug, knocking him unconscious.
After all, that sly little bastard was way too dangerous—he was a poison master himself. What if he neutralized the drug and slipped away?
So, once they arrived at Amegakure, Rasa had Kana seal the unconscious Sasori. Then Konan wrapped his entire body in a layer of paper. After that… Kana applied another sealing jutsu on top of the paper.
To be safe, Sasori's puppets, scrolls, poisons, and all his ninja tools were completely stripped away. Rasa even instructed the others that if Sasori woke up, they weren't to say a word—just shove the medicine straight down his throat.
With this many layers of "insurance," even if Sasori wanted to escape, there'd be no chance.
As for Kabuto...
After returning with Rasa, he obediently followed behind, playing the part of the well-behaved child with his head bowed low. On the way back, he even gave himself a quick treatment.
It was obvious... even if he was going to get scolded, he didn't want Kana to worry too much. He'd done his best to make his injuries look less severe than they really were.
What a considerate kid~ Too bad~ The scolding was still inevitable.
In the end, an angry Kana grabbed him by the ear and dragged him off for a full check-up.
As for how bad the punishment would be, Rasa wasn't entirely sure.
After all, when Kana found out that Kabuto had taken an adult to that kind of establishment, she'd been so furious her eyes narrowed and her hair practically floated up from her chakra. She shouted about dragging Kabuto back for some proper discipline.
So yeah... the kid seriously needed a good education!
Taking someone to that kind of place—had he forgotten the Fourth Kazekage's many heartfelt life lessons?
Learning the bad, ignoring the good! Absolutely unacceptable!
As for Nagato Uzumaki, after Kana examined him, she discovered significant muscle atrophy in his legs, along with sensory impairment in the lower limbs and various other complications that left Rasa—who only knew how to pan for gold and burn money—completely at a loss.
In short: it was bad.
According to Kana, given the Uzumaki clan's regenerative capabilities, if chakra reserves had been maintained and vitality replenished in time, it wouldn't have gotten this severe.
Unfortunately… he'd let hatred cloud his judgment. Summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had drained his body dry. Combined with the constant chaos in the Land of Rain, the endless battles, and the frequent use of large-scale jutsu, Rasa honestly doubted whether Nagato could ever fully recover.
Still, Kana said that while full recovery might be unrealistic, with proper rest and nutritional supplements, the Uzumaki physique should allow Nagato to stand again someday.
When Yahiko learned that Nagato's condition was caused by him pushing Nagato to intimidate everyone and burn through chakra nonstop, he immediately burst into tears and hugged Nagato, overwhelmed with guilt.
He even swore on the spot that from now on, he'd sleep with Nagato, eat with Nagato, and even go to the bathroom with Nagato—he'd watch over him 24/7 to make sure he never overused his chakra again.
This intense brotherhood...
Moved to tears, Nagato's withered face even seemed to flush a little greener.
After giving Kana a few bottles of red medicine, Rasa quietly followed the guilt-ridden Yahiko out of the room.
The reconstruction of the Land of Rain was progressing smoothly.
As they walked, Rasa took in the orderly state of Amegakure, and once again received Yahiko's heartfelt gratitude.
However… there were too many people, and not enough jobs!!!
Yahiko explained the current problems plaguing the Land of Rain, but for now, Rasa didn't have a solution either.
Though Sunagakure lacked manpower, the sheer number of foreign refugees flooding in was already becoming a problem. Even aside from everything else, the issue of water scarcity alone was enough to give Rasa migraines.
After inspecting the mines and reconstruction plans in the Land of Rain, Rasa hesitated… then finally decided to fast-track a long-planned major infrastructure project:
The North-to-South Water Diversion Project!
He was confident this would ease the pressure on the Land of Rain significantly.
And if he wanted all the people of the Land of Rain to come "work" for Sunagakure, then now was the most critical window. Otherwise, once the Land of Rain became fully self-sufficient but hadn't integrated with Sunagakure, there would be problems sooner or later~
So once again, he accepted Yahiko's deep gratitude.
It even made him sigh inwardly, Man, I really am a good person~
Afterward, Yahiko pulled him outside and had him stand atop Amegakure's main tower. Facing the assembled villagers and shinobi below, Rasa raised his voice and declared:
"Sunagakure and the Land of Rain… will always be good friends!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter, showcasing the deep friendship between the two nations.
...
Night.
Sunagakure.
"..."
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sat silently, watching a little girl furiously scratching her head over her homework.
With Kana absent, she had no idea what to do. So she simply stayed near the "Ōtsutsuki Kaguya Summoner," glancing from one thing to another.
Little Temari pouted and bit her left thumb, clearly displeased, muttering, "Aunt Kana and Dad went out to have fun and didn't take me. So annoying."
She remembered her teacher recently telling her that she was super talented, and that she had to double her efforts so as not to waste it.
Of course, as the Kazekage's daughter, she had to have top-tier ninja talent~!
But the homework. The training. It was way too much!
Worse, neither Mom nor Dad helped her. They just smiled warmly and said, "Do your best!"
Especially Dad… that smug smile of his was burned into her memory.
Temari wrinkled her nose, let out another pout, and tossed her homework aside.
She turned to the secret scroll in her hand — How to Become a Puppeteer, a gift from Chiyo-obasan.
"Hmph! Everyone says Temari has no talent for puppets. Well! I'm going to learn it anyway!"
Then… she could have puppets do her homework, and she'd finally be free to play all day.
"Hehe~"
Beside her, bored and with no one to play with, Kaguya eventually grew curious. She turned her head, glanced at the book in Temari's hands, and with a spark of interest in her otherwise blank face, asked:
"What are you reading?"
"How to become a puppeteer~" Temari pinched her nose and replied cutely, "Chiyo-obasan gave it to me. She said once I finish it, I'll know how to be a puppeteer! Hmph hmph! I'll definitely become one!"
"Puppeteer?"
Kaguya tilted her head in confusion, brows furrowing as she pondered for a moment.
"Can I see it?"
"Mm~ You can, you know~"
Ever generous, Temari cheerfully handed over the precious scroll without hesitation.