In the high-level meeting of the Hidden Sand, Chiyo's expression was somewhat grim. She looked around at the assembly, but no one spoke.
"You all... you aren't really believing the Konoha Ninja's instigations, are you? My grandson is only in his teens, how could he possibly kill the Third Generation Kazekage!"
The last sentence was almost shouted in anger, as Chiyo couldn't tolerate the mud being thrown on her only grandson.
"Moreover, Konoha is saying this for the sake of the Land of Rivers, we should target Konoha, not listen to their instigations....."
"Elder Chiyo!"
Suddenly, a high-level figure from the Hidden Sand spoke, interrupting Chiyo, and once the room quieted down, continued to ask: "Where is Sasori? Why did he suddenly leave the village?"
This question couldn't be avoided. Why leave the village for so long without reason? This was already considered defection!
Another high-level figure from the Hidden Sand also spoke: "Although Sasori is young, no one would dispute his strength as a Jonin, and it's said that no one in the village can break the poison he creates, not even you, Elder Chiyo. Is that true?"
Chiyo, with a grim face, said: "What are you bastards trying to say...."
"Alright, everyone, stop the internal disputes. Let's deal with the village matters first."
Rasa intervened to stop the argument, being the disciple of the Third Generation Kazekage, as well as the only ninja in the Hidden Sand who mastered the Magnet Release.
"Let's focus on official matters. I also do not believe the words of the Konoha Ninja. For now, continue searching for the Third Generation Kazekage, and send people to find Sasori. Before the return of the Third Lord, I believe we need to appoint someone to command the village...."
"Let it be you, Rasa."
Almost simultaneously as Rasa finished speaking, Ebizo said: "You were already the candidate for Kazekage. With the Third Lord absent, it's suitable for you to manage the village." No one from the high ranks of the Hidden Sand opposed, so Rasa, as the candidate for Kazekage, took a seat in the Kazekage office.
Rasa, in the Hidden Sand, did not lack competitors. The Hidden Sand hero, Pakura, indeed put a lot of pressure on Rasa.
If it wasn't for his Magnet Release, if it wasn't for being the disciple of the Third Generation Kazekage, Rasa would really lack confidence in competing with Pakura.
The Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist had long been enemies, but Pakura was always victorious in wars against the Hidden Mist, thus earning the title of the Hidden Sand hero through frequent victories.
Moreover, Pakura also possessed the Scorch Release Kekkeigenkai, giving her formidable strength.
However, fortunately, Rasa managed to sit in the position of Kazekage through the high-rank meetings in the Hidden Sand. While only a candidate, until the return of the Third Kazekage, he was effectively the Fourth Kazekage.
In terms of whether they could find the Third Kazekage, the high ranks of the Hidden Sand had already come to terms with the fact that the Third Kazekage might have met with misfortune.
If nothing happened, how could a Kage of a village be away for months without sending any message?
Rasa felt uncomfortable after taking the position of Kazekage, as the Hidden Sand Village left a mess for him.
The commissions from the Land of Rivers decreased, commissions from the Land of Wind decreased, outside profits dwindled, and the Hidden Mist constantly caused trouble. In short, if no changes were made, the Hidden Sand would decline in a few years.
After contemplating for a long time, Rasa convened another high-level meeting in the Hidden Sand Village within a short period of time and expressed his thoughts: "Prepare for war. We must win against Konoha to reclaim the lost interests!"
Few among the high ranks of the Hidden Sand disagreed. Given the current state of the village, only war could save it.
With commission decreases, the Kazekage missing, and unrest within the village, only a decisive victory could restore commissioning shares and boost village morale.
"Bunboku's state might not be good. If we are to start a war, we must prepare a replacement Jinchuriki."
The high-rank responsible for the Jinchuriki said: "After the war, Bunboku's life might reach its limit, and if a Jinchuriki is not prepared in advance, we will need to capture Shukaku anew in a few years."
"Is there a suitable candidate in the village?"
"The Third Lord mentioned it once but did not choose any candidates afterward...."
Rasa said: "Choose a suitable candidate as soon as possible, but Bunboku should hold on for a while longer. Furthermore, we will not deploy the Jinchuriki initially. In short, prepare for war as soon as possible."
"Understood."
After the order was given, the Hidden Sand Village began its movements, involving Chiyo as well.
Although deeply saddened by the affair of her grandson and worried it was indeed Sasori who killed the Third Kazekage, Chiyo focused her attention on village affairs as the Hidden Sand prepared for war mobilization.
Though Chiyo was a Puppet Master, she also possessed expertise in Medical Ninjutsu and Poison Making. In external warfare, she was responsible for medical needs and providing poison to the frontline.
The Hidden Sand Village was notorious as a poison-using ninja village. In the last Ninja World War, apart from Konoha's Tsunade, other villages had no answer to the Hidden Sand Village's poisons.
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[Divine Tongue]: Your tongue is endowed with divine power. Massaging an opponent with your tongue can make them feel as if they have entered a heavenly realm, causing them to reveal their innermost thoughts within three seconds.
"???"
Uchiha Yoichi, upon seeing this new ability, found his face almost filled with question marks.
At first sight of the ability's name, he thought it might be that Divine Tongue from an erotica spirit, but what on earth was a tongue massage?
Though a tongue massage made the other person speak the truth, what good would that do?
How many female ninjas would let him interrogate them this way?
"I do want to use it, but who could it be used on?"
Uchiha Yoichi shelved the thought of this ability. The abilities he gained over the past few times already profited him considerably, and he didn't expect his luck to hold indefinitely. He'd just wait a month and see if the ability refreshes.
Clang clang clang!
The sound of a chain shaking suddenly came from behind. Uchiha Yoichi instinctively tilted his head and then quickly grabbed the chain with a spark of lightning in his hand.
The chain shone with a golden light, and the lightning in Uchiha Yoichi's hand quickly vanished upon contact. His hand was tightly coiled by layers of the golden chain.
"Minami, you've awakened the Vajra Seal?"
Uchiha Yoichi looked at the chain wrapped around his hand in surprise and asked with some astonishment.
The bloodline seal of the Uzumaki Race was indeed impressive. He felt that the Chakra flow in his arms almost came to a standstill, becoming exceedingly difficult to control. Were the Vajra Seal to wrap around him once, Uchiha Yoichi would likely turn into an ordinary person.
"I just awakened it today, Lord Yoichi."
Uzumaki Minami joyfully bounced over and said, and then she released the Vajra Chain Lock on Uchiha Yoichi's hand.
"I consulted Kushina last time, and she taught me a few techniques. I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to awaken this ability...."
After speaking, Uzumaki Minami approached Uchiha Yoichi and bowed her head slightly.
It took Uchiha Yoichi nearly ten seconds to react before he patted Uzumaki Minami's red hair and praised: "Well done, Minami. Once you become proficient with this ability, no ordinary Jonin would be able to harm you."
The Vajra Seal also had the ability to form the Vajra Barrier. Even the weak Kushina's Vajra Barrier was troublesome for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Uzumaki Minami eagerly asked: "Lord Yoichi, can I join you on missions now?"
Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment. Recently, he had just prepared to take on more missions and make a name for himself in the Ninja World. Bringing Uzumaki Minami along seemed like a good choice.
Medical Ninjutsu, Perception Ninjutsu, Vajra Seal, and Summoning Gates, Uzumaki Minami now had solid self-defense abilities and could heal wounds, making her an excellent helper.
Uchiha Yoichi said: "Alright, tell Tsunade tomorrow, and we'll take a mission the day after."
Training in Forbidden Techniques outside the village wouldn't be as cautious as inside. For the foreseeable future, Uchiha Yoichi planned to rely on missions to establish a reputation in the Ninja World.
While it took four people to form a complete task team, Uchiha Yoichi could ask the Second Elder to enlist two clansmen nominally in the same team but not participating in the missions, leaving only him and Uzumaki Minami for task execution.
Uchiha Yoichi was already proficient in the perception step of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, and now he could sense Chakra.
For a Yin Release Ninja, training in such techniques was fairly easy, though he'd only just started. There was still a long way to go before being able to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu skillfully in battle.