Sakura gave Naruto a little shove and lowered her voice.
"Weren't you looking for info on Uchiha Obito?"
"Mokushu, do you have any intel on Sasuke or Obito?" Naruto snapped to attention and turned toward Hyuga Gakuya.
He'd been searching for both men—one to bring back, the other to kill.
"Sasuke, huh... sigh. I didn't expect his thirst for power to go this far." Hyuga Gakuya let out what sounded like a heartfelt lament for a friend.
But in truth, Gakuya was just sighing over how annoying it was to keep playing both roles every day.
Sasuke being seduced by Orochimaru? That had nothing to do with him, Chiba Mokushu.
Clenching his fists, Naruto declared loudly, "It doesn't matter. I'll bring him back no matter what!"
Gakuya smiled faintly. "If it's you, Naruto… maybe you really can."
He paused for a moment in thought, then continued,
"After you guys injured Obito, he vanished without a trace. No one knows where he's hiding now.
"Sasuke's probably tracking Akatsuki too. Uchiha Itachi's joined them, after all. If you follow their trail, you might find a lead."
"Thank you!" Naruto bowed deeply.
Meanwhile, Neji was watching Hyuga Gakuya with a strange expression. Of course, he knew that Chiba Mokushu was just one of his brother's many masks.
He also knew Sasuke had been taken by his brother—and that for years, his brother had been sparring and training under a false identity.
So this is what his brother's been doing all this time—pouring his heart and soul into the shinobi world while wearing two faces. And all Neji could do was watch, unable to help.
...
The battle for the Kazekage's seat had finally ended. Chiyo had sacrificed her life to bring Gaara back from the dead.
With their mission complete, the Konoha forces prepared to return home. Before departing, Hyuga Gakuya made sure to bid farewell to every Konoha shinobi.
He gave Neji a pat on the shoulder, a silent reminder to do a good job—and to "steal" his little sister-in-law, Tenten, while he was at it.
Neji rolled his eyes. Of course he understood what his brother meant. And when he glanced at Temari standing beside Gakuya, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Great. Another sister-in-law.
After seeing the Konoha shinobi off, Gakuya and the remaining group escorted Chiyo's body back to Sunagakure for burial.
Their return was met with a hero's welcome.
At this point, all of Sunagakure viewed Hyuga Gakuya as a noble savior. When the Federation was first founded, it was Sunagakure that had provoked war.
And yet, in Sunagakure's darkest hour, Gakuya had shown mercy. Rather than retaliate, he forgave them—and even sent his people to help retrieve their Fifth Kazekage.
Such selfless spirit! This was exactly the kind of ideal the Federation hoped to spread throughout the new shinobi world.
Of course, the reality was far less grand. Gakuya hadn't lifted a finger—he'd just sent some of his guards to stir the pot and lend a token hand. But thanks to his high status, the people still hailed him as the main force behind the operation.
One could only imagine the shock and horror on their faces if they ever discovered that Hyuga Gakuya was an accomplice to the very criminal they despised. Would they feel rage? Despair? It was a fascinating thought.
Later, Gakuya held several high-level talks with the Kazekage's inner circle. But at this point, "negotiation" was just a formality—both sides were going out of their way to give ground to the other.
With the talks wrapped up, the Federation envoy had no more reason to stay. It was time for Hyuga Gakuya to leave—there was still much to be done.
And when that moment came, only Temari showed up to see him off. None of Sunagakure's high-ranking officials appeared.
What is this, a political marriage? Gakuya thought as he walked through the sea of golden sand, Temari quietly trailing behind him, head bowed.
The rest of the delegation had already departed. Now it was just the two of them.
"Um... Mokushu-kun, I just wanted to thank you. Truly," Temari said softly.
"No need. I was only doing my part to keep the peace. If the Fifth Kazekage had died, the whole shinobi world might've gone up in flames again."
"You always think of the bigger picture... but no matter what, I'm still grateful. You probably don't think much of me, but... my feelings haven't changed."
Temari took a step forward, bold and sincere. Her words practically screamed,
You can do whatever you want with me.
Gakuya almost rolled his eyes.
He had way too many secrets to drag Temari into his life. Keeping her around would be far too risky.
"Well... I haven't made up my mind yet. So how about I collect a little interest for now?" he said, turning toward her.
Before Temari could react, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her—hard—on her soft, cherry-like lips.
Temari's mind went completely blank.
It was just a brief kiss. Gakuya pulled away almost as quickly as he'd moved in.
Seeing her stunned, blushing face, he smiled and said quietly, "That's the interest I wanted."
With a wave, he turned and walked away.
Temari stood there alone, fingers lightly touching her lips. Then, suddenly, she smiled.
So I am still attractive, after all.
Compared to Hyuga Gakuya, her looks had always felt insignificant. But in that moment, she found her confidence again.
She watched him disappear into the distance, her heart filled with warmth. Gently brushing her lips, she savored the fleeting sweetness of their kiss.
"I'll get stronger... and come find you again..." she whispered to herself.
Gakuya, meanwhile, left in high spirits. As expected, sampling a few wildflowers now and then had its own unique charm.
...
Land of Rain
"What a mess you are, Deidara," Gakuya muttered as he worked on the arm transplant.
Deidara, even while lying on the operating table, couldn't resist talking back.
"That guy only got the better of me because he had home field advantage. If not, I'd have blown Sunagakure sky-high. I would've shown them real art."
Then he paused. "So... Sasori-senpai's dead?"
"Mm." Gakuya nodded, his face expressionless as he took out a ring and placed it on the side table. "He chose to give up his life. Otherwise, he wouldn't have died."
"Thought so. No way Sasori-senpai would go down that easy. His art wasn't as grand as mine, but he was strong."
Deidara picked up the ring with his one good hand, his tone surprisingly even. There was no trace of grief.
They were all outlaws, after all. Tomorrow, it could be his turn.
But when his time came, he'd make sure to go out with a bang—unlike Sasori, who died such an ordinary death.
Gakuya finished with a few more healing jutsu and wiped his hands.
"All done. Try it out."
Deidara flexed the new arm, clearly satisfied. "Not bad. You've got good hands, Gakuya."
Gakuya rinsed his hands and headed for the door.
"I'll leave the rest to you. When Pain arrives, give him the ring. The Five-Tails Jinchuriki has surfaced in the Land of Earth, and I'm off to catch myself a beast."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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