"We were just about to go out for dinner," Sasori said, looking up at Chiyo.
Chiyo's heart stirred slightly.
Sasori's eyes seemed livelier than before.
"Haha, well, you two don't mind if I join you, do you? My treat."
"Sis, why not add me as well? It's not like you can't afford it," Ebizō said with a chuckle.
Ebizō had a high opinion of Hardy and was willing to mentor him.
He had exceptional talent in puppet techniques, was friends with his great-nephew Sasori, and was part of the Puppet Corps—in fact, that alone meant Hardy naturally belonged to Chiyo and Ebizō's faction.
The food at the best restaurant in Sunagakure was actually quite good.
Cactus and honey drinks, cakes made of grains and dates, stews of meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as barbecue.
There was even soup made with river fish and shrimp.
This was probably the most delicious food people living in the desert could enjoy.
"About that child—what's his background?" Chiyo asked Ebizō, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief after Hardy and Sasori left.
"Hardy and Sasori are on the same squad, as I arranged," Ebizō replied, leisurely pouring himself a cup of sake.
"That child's background is clean enough, and his talent for puppet techniques is excellent. While his control isn't top-tier, it's still decent. But his talent for puppet creation reminds me of Master Monzaemon."
Chiyo put away her handkerchief.
"Are you sure?"
Having been taught by Monzaemon alongside Ebizō in her youth, Chiyo knew better than anyone how gifted Monzaemon was in puppet techniques.
Puppet masters were a profession invented by the Second Kazekage, but it was Monzaemon who truly perfected the system and brought it to its pinnacle.
Even after so many years, no puppet master in Sunagakure had managed to create puppets surpassing the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets.
Those ten top-tier puppets, along with a legacy that could elevate puppet masters to Kage-level, were Monzaemon's most precious gifts to Sunagakure and the entire shinobi world.
All puppet masters who came after—including Chiyo herself—could only follow in Monzaemon's footsteps, becoming top-tier shinobi by following the path he left behind.
Even though puppet techniques had developed somewhat since Monzaemon's death, they still hadn't broken free from his system, nor had there been any major innovations.
This meant that later generations could only ever approach, but never reach or surpass, Monzaemon's heights.
And yet Ebizō was saying that a child only eleven or twelve years old had puppet talent on par with Monzaemon. It was like claiming an elementary school graduate's talent in physics could rival Newton or Einstein.
"Not just Hardy. Actually, I think Sasori might also become such a puppet master—provided they both receive enough training and don't die young."
Ebizō pulled a bundle of scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Chiyo.
"These contain all the information on Hardy from birth until now, as well as Sasori's performance since joining the Puppet Corps."
Chiyo took them and began to skim through.
"Graduated from the elite class at the ninja academy. Modified a training puppet into one with the combat power of a qualified genin. Repaired and created a puppet at chunin level, capable of covering the user for full-body protection. Developed an unknown puppet-based super-strength ninjutsu. As for Sasori, his performance is also impressive… Even completed an S-rank mission… Wait, White Fang? They encountered Konoha's White Fang?"
Chiyo grabbed Ebizō by the collar.
"How could you let Sasori run into that bastard White Fang?!"
"Sis, it was an accident. No one expected Sakumo Hatake to break through the border alone and appear in the Land of Wind. Besides, in the end, no one was hurt—Sakumo Hatake was even seriously injured by the Third Kazekage. Even Ishido, who was hurt the worst, will recover by next month. That's already the best outcome."
"This time, when the Puppet Corps goes to the Land of Rain, Sasori won't be going. From now on, all of Sasori's missions must be approved by me before they're assigned."
"I understand, Sis. In that case, since Ishido is still recovering and hasn't returned to the team, and since Kenba isn't yet qualified to serve as a jonin, and Hardy is a talent who needs special protection, if we're going to send new Puppet Corps members to the battlefield for experience, I suggest we temporarily reorganize the Sixth Division's third squad."
Ebizō gently removed Chiyo's hand and offered his suggestion.
"I'll personally assign Hardy to other teams for evaluation. If he's really as talented as you say, I'll do everything I can to train him as the next pillar of the Puppet Corps."
Ever since Sasori's parents were killed by Sakumo Hatake, Sunagakure's top-tier fighters had fallen into a generational gap. Aside from dealing with war and seizing resources…
Cultivating the next generation of promising powerhouses is the most important task for every high-ranking official in Sunagakure.
The Third Kazekage has already taken Rasa and Karura as disciples, passing on the secrets of Magnet Release. Chiyo and Ebizō are also determined to continue the legacy of Monzaemon's puppet techniques.
Currently, Hardy and Sasori are the best candidates for this inheritance.
...
...
"Starting today, the structure of Squad Three, Sixth Unit will be temporarily disbanded. Once Captain Ishido recovers and returns, it will be reorganized. I have been reassigned to the First Unit to assist in operations. Miyuki will be transferred to the newly established Medical Support Team under Elder Chiyo, and Sasori will remain in the Sixth Unit to maintain its basic functions while awaiting Captain Ishido's return."
At the Puppet Corps base, inside the Sixth Unit's quarters, Keno announced the newly issued orders from the higher-ups to the members of the Sixth Unit.
"As for Hardy, due to your past meritorious service and your overall combat ability being recognized by the village leadership, you are hereby promoted to Chūnin and transferred to the Elite Operations Team, Squad Nine. With this appointment letter, you may exchange it at the village's logistics warehouse for a standard-issue combat vest."
"All of you will retain your positions within the Puppet Corps."
Sasori stood off to the side, his expression calm but his eyes reflecting an inscrutable meaning.
Everyone else had been transferred away, leaving only him behind. From the looks of it, they intended to keep him confined within the village, preventing him from setting foot on dangerous battlefields.
Everyone knew who was behind this decision.
"Um... what exactly is the Medical Support Team?" Miyuki raised her hand to ask.
"It's said that on the Rain Country front, Konoha's Tsunade-hime has trained a group of highly skilled medical-nin, which has greatly changed the dynamics of the battlefield. Therefore, Elder Chiyo has decided to try emulating this by forming a medical team. Since you have a foundation in medical ninjutsu, Miyuki, you've been assigned to it," Keno explained.
Among those present, aside from Sasori, Miyuki's new assignment was clearly the safest.
"So, if I keep my position in the Puppet Corps, does that mean I get paid twice?" Hardy also raised his hand to ask.