Early the next morning.
Shishou woke from his sleep and, seeing Temari sleeping in his arms, he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
Then, he gently released her and got up to stretch his body.
He threw a few pieces of wood onto the smoldering campfire, rekindling it. Shishou sat down in front of the fire with the puppet of the Third Kazekage, studying it carefully.
Although he wasn't particularly interested in puppet techniques, he was very intrigued by Sasori's craftsmanship in making human puppets.
Being able to preserve a person's skills and abilities in a puppet was, in Shishou's opinion, not much different from the Edo Tensei technique.
However, Shishou didn't have much knowledge about puppet-making, so after a long time, he couldn't discern much.
Unable to figure it out, he shifted his focus to trying to control the Third Kazekage puppet.
Luckily, he had previously considered creating his own version of Pain's Six Paths, so he had some knowledge of puppet techniques.
After numerous attempts, Shishou finally managed to control the Third Kazekage puppet to perform simple movements.
After that, he set the puppet down and went to wash his face and brush his teeth.
It wasn't until late morning.
A groggy Temari, who hadn't slept well the previous night, finally woke up.
As soon as she woke, she smelled the aroma of food.
When she stood up, she saw that Shishou had already prepared a meal not far away.
Setting the last dish on a small earthen table, Shishou pointed to a small water basin nearby and smiled at Temari:
"Wash your face and brush your teeth, then come eat."
It was a washbasin he had made using Earth Release and Water Release techniques.
One had to admit, ninjutsu was really convenient at times.
"Okay," Temari responded, heading to the basin to freshen up.
After washing up, she obediently sat down at the table and ate with Shishou.
After breakfast, they tidied up the campsite.
Naturally, Shishou took Temari's hand, leading her to jump onto the spread iron sand wings of the Third Kazekage puppet, flying towards the Sand Village.
Seeing the Third Kazekage puppet underfoot, Temari wanted to say something several times but held back.
The Third Kazekage was a significant figure in the Sand Village, and having him used as a puppet was a disgrace to the village.
However, since Shishou had taken it from Sasori, she felt it wasn't her place to speak.
Seeing Temari's hesitation, Shishou smiled and said: "When we return to the Sand Village, I'll give this puppet to the village as part of the dowry when I marry you. What do you think?"
Originally, Shishou had planned to give the Third Kazekage puppet to Pakura as a gift to bolster her influence in the village. But giving it directly to her might reveal his true identity.
Hearing the word "dowry," Temari blushed and mumbled: "I never said I was going to marry you, you playboy."
Shishou shrugged, "Then I won't marry you."
"You..."
Temari glared at Shishou.
Shishou chuckled, cupping Temari's face and kissing her.
After a moment, he asked, "So, will you marry me or not?"
Temari blushed, lowering her head and whispering:
"Marry...you..."
With the iron wings of the Third Kazekage puppet, Shishou and Temari arrived at the Sand Village by dusk.
The village's atmosphere was tense due to Pakura's unexpected and forceful return.
The villagers were shocked and worried about Pakura's return and feared she might seek revenge, affecting them.
Meanwhile, those loyal to the late Fourth Kazekage Rasa were terrified, fearing a purge by Pakura once she became the Fifth Kazekage.
This situation had split the village into three factions regarding Pakura's return.
One group sympathized with her, supporting her bid for the Kazekage position, hoping her strength would lead the village out of its troubles.
This group comprised the majority of the village, including those who had witnessed her prowess in Konoha.
The second group consisted of Rasa's old allies, who opposed Pakura and aimed to nominate Gaara as the next Kazekage.
However, they quickly realized Gaara and Kankuro had already started calling Pakura "teacher," which filled them with despair and fear of her methods.
The last group remained neutral, observing the unfolding events, or were indifferent, like Elder Chiyo.
Temari's return gave some hope to Rasa's old allies, who sought to use her against Pakura.
As soon as Temari stepped into the village, she was respectfully greeted by these hopefuls.
Understanding their intentions, Temari's teacher, Baki, approached her and said:
"Temari, don't let them use you."
In Baki's view, Pakura's willingness to return and take over as the Fifth Kazekage was a great fortune for the village.
If Pakura refused, the Sand Village might soon be erased from the five great ninja villages.
He couldn't allow Temari to get involved.
"I understand, Sensei," Temari nodded.
Then she looked at Rasa's old allies and said:
"Let's go. I will give you an explanation."
Sighing, Temari led Shishou towards Pakura's residence.
These people were still her father's subordinates, and Temari didn't want to see them purged.
Baki and the old allies were surprised but quickly followed.
Inside Pakura's residence.
Pakura, having received the message, sat silently in the hall, watching Temari enter.
Gaara, Kankuro, and Juugo stood beside Pakura.
For Pakura, whether to kill Rasa's old allies was inconsequential; she just wanted to see what Temari, the former princess of the Sand Village, would do.
Temari took a scroll from Shishou, took a deep breath, and approached Pakura.
Then, kneeling on one knee, she respectfully presented the scroll and said:
"Lady Fifth Kazekage, I retrieved the Third Kazekage, who had been turned into a human puppet by Sasori of the Red Sand. Please take a look."
With that, Temari opened the scroll, revealing the Third Kazekage puppet and placing it at Pakura's feet.
Hearing Temari's words and understanding the hidden meanings, everyone present was shocked and stunned.
_____________________
POWER STONE!!!!
__________________
This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
_____________________
"The Third Kazekage..."
"It's really the Third Kazekage."
Seeing the Third Kazekage puppet that Temari had taken out, the Sand Village ninjas were all extremely shocked.
The Third Kazekage had disappeared more than ten years ago, indirectly causing the Third Shinobi World War. The Sand Village had been searching for his whereabouts all this time, but never expected that Temari would find him today.
Pakura looked at the Third Kazekage puppet at her feet and frowned.
Temari addressing her as the Fifth Kazekage was clear. It meant that Temari was representing Rasa's old faction, seeking to surrender and hoping Pakura would spare them. In return, she offered the puppet made from the Third Kazekage's body.
"Jun, go inform Lady Chiyo to come and properly take care of the Third Kazekage's remains," Pakura said, waving her hand.
To be honest, ever since Pakura's Scorch Release had greatly increased in power, Magnet Release no longer posed a threat to her.
Whether it was Iron Sand, Gold Dust, or regular sand, all would melt in the face of her Scorch Release's high temperatures.
So, she didn't care for the Third Kazekage puppet. Handing it over to Lady Chiyo was the best course of action.
"Yes, teacher," Jun replied, disappearing with a Body Flicker Technique.
Once Jun left, Pakura glanced at Rasa's old faction and said, "What's done is done. Just do your jobs properly from now on."
Pakura's words were clear: she would spare them, but if they caused any more trouble, she wouldn't be so lenient.
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama!" Temari quickly expressed her gratitude.
Given Pakura's experiences, her willingness to forgive was something Temari was very grateful for.
Rasa's old faction, hearing Pakura's promise, also breathed a sigh of relief. They all swore allegiance to her and bowed to thank Temari.
As long as they wouldn't be purged, they wouldn't dare entertain any more rebellious thoughts.
Then, Pakura dismissed the Sand Village ninjas, leaving only Baki, Gaara, and the others. She began to inquire about Temari's encounter with Sasori in detail.
Temari glanced at Shishou, seeking his input.
Shishou stepped forward and said, "I'll explain..."
Shishou recounted their encounter with Sasori, embellishing some details. He deliberately omitted the existence of the black armored centipede, focusing instead on how he used parasitic bugs and insect swarms to ambush Sasori.
Hearing Shishou's account, Pakura gave him a suspicious look.
But since Shishou wore a mask, she couldn't recognize him as her man.
Then, she instructed Temari to take Shishou to rest, as she needed to wait for Lady Chiyo to handle the Third Kazekage puppet.
As they left Pakura's courtyard, Temari let out a deep sigh of relief.
Achieving a peaceful transfer of power in the Sand Village and saving her father's old faction was a huge relief for Temari.
And it was all thanks to Shishou.
Thinking of this, Temari turned to Shishou and sincerely said, "Thank you, Shishou."
Shishou took Temari's hand and smiled, "Remember, I've given the betrothal gift, so you're my fiancée now."
Temari lightly slapped Shishou, annoyed, "I'm not going anywhere. Why do you keep emphasizing that? What if someone hears?"
"Ahem."
Suddenly, a loud cough came from behind them.
Gaara and Kankuro stood there, pretending to look around innocently.
Seeing her two brothers, Temari's face instantly turned red.
Kankuro said, "We didn't mean to eavesdrop. Do you believe us?"
Gaara added, "Yeah, it was unintentional."
Temari, embarrassed and angry, shouted, "Get out of here!"
Seeing their sister's anger, Gaara and Kankuro quickly ran off.
"Let's go," Shishou laughed, taking Temari's hand and running towards her residence.
Upon arriving at her courtyard, Temari suddenly remembered something and asked, "How did you know where I live?"
Shishou was momentarily startled.
He almost revealed that he had been there before.
Thinking quickly, Shishou said, "There's a type of bug called a micro-scent bug that can track people by very faint smells. So, I just asked the bugs where you lived."
"Micro-scent bug?" Temari asked, puzzled.
Shishou controlled a phosphorescent bug to mimic the appearance of a micro-scent bug, showing it to Temari. "Here it is."
"Ugly," Temari commented.
Shishou retracted the bug, saying, "Bugs are bugs. Looks don't matter as long as they're useful."
Opening the courtyard gate, Temari pulled Shishou inside and said, "Let's put our things down first. Then I'll take you on a tour of the Sand Village."
After setting their things down, Temari and Shishou went out and spent the day exploring the Sand Village.
They returned to their respective rooms to rest only at night.
Late at night.
With the help of his informant in the Sand Village, Sasori managed to evade the village's guards and sneak inside.
"The Third Kazekage puppet was taken by Granny Chiyo..."
Upon learning what had happened that day from his informant, Sasori sighed.
He knew that with Granny Chiyo in possession of the Third Kazekage puppet, it could be put to significant use.
However, for Sasori, who had been helping Nagato study Hashirama cells and improve Asura Path techniques over the past few years, the puppet was now more of a trophy than a practical tool.
Even in Granny Chiyo's hands, it couldn't stop him from what he planned next.
Sasori's return to the village served two purposes: capturing a few of the Sand Village's bloodline limit ninjas to take back and make into human puppets and killing Granny Chiyo to prove his puppet skills and sever his ties with the Sand Village.
"Pakura of the Scorch Release, since you're back, I'll take you too."
"Combining your Scorch Release with Hashirama cells should make for an impressive human puppet."
"That way, my bloodline puppet collection will have another valuable addition."
Muttering to himself, Sasori walked towards Pakura's residence in the Sand Village.
_____________________
POWER STONE!!!!
__________________
This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
_____________________
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