"We were just planning to go out for dinner," Scorpion said, looking at Elder Chiyo.
Elder Chiyo couldn't help but be moved by Scorpion's gaze, which seemed to have more life and spirit than before.
"Haha, alright then. You wouldn't mind having an old lady join you, would you? It's my treat," Elder Chiyo said.
"Sister, why not add me too, you're not short of money anyway," said Elder Chiyo with a smile.
Elder Chiyo had high hopes for Walter and was willing to mentor him. Walter's exceptional talent in puppetry, his friendship with Scorpion, and his affiliation with Elder Chiyo and the Puppet Brigade already placed him within their faction.
The food at the best restaurant in Sunagakure was quite good. They enjoyed beverages made from cactus and honey, pastries made from grains and dates, stews made with meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as grilled dishes. There was even a soup made from river fish and shrimp, considered one of the most delicious foods one could enjoy living in the desert.
After Walter and Scorpion left, Elder Chiyo wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked Elder Chiyo, "How is that child?"
"Walter and Scorpion are in the same team, as per my arrangement," Elder Chiyo poured a cup of sake and said to Elder Chiyo.
"That child has a clean foundation, and his talent in puppetry is excellent. Although he may not be top-notch in manipulation, he is still decent. His talent in puppet-making reminds me of Sensei Saemon," Elder Chiyo continued.
"Are you sure?" Elder Chiyo, who had received guidance from Sensei Saemon when she was young, understood well how exceptional his puppetry talent was.
Puppetry was a ninja profession invented by the Second Kazekage, but it was Sensei Saemon who truly perfected the system and took it to its peak. Even after many years, no puppeteer in Sunagakure had been able to create puppets surpassing the Ten Puppet Brigade created by Sensei Saemon.
The legacy of these ten top-tier puppets and the path to becoming a top-tier ninja in the ninja world were what Sensei Saemon left for Sunagakure, the most precious wealth of all.
Despite some developments in puppetry since Sensei Saemon's passing, it remained within his system and lacked significant innovation. This meant that future generations could only approach but never surpass Sensei Saemon's heights.
However, Elder Chiyo claimed that a child as young as eleven or twelve had talent in puppetry comparable to Sensei Saemon's, akin to saying a primary school graduate's talent in physics could be compared to that of Newton or Einstein.
"Not only Walter, but I believe Scorpion could also become a puppeteer of that caliber, provided they receive sufficient nurturing and do not meet an untimely end," Elder Chiyo said, taking out a scroll from his sleeve and handing it to Elder Chiyo.
"This scroll contains all the information on Walter from birth to the present, as well as Scorpion's performance since joining the Puppet Brigade," Elder Chiyo said.
Elder Chiyo quickly previewed the contents of the scroll. "Graduated from the elite class of the Ninja Academy, capable of transforming a teaching puppet into a qualified Genin combat puppet, able to repair and create Chunin-level puppets, developed a puppet jutsu that can cover the entire body of a puppeteer for protection, created an unknown puppet jutsu, and Scorpion's performance is also good... and an experience on an S-rank mission... wait, Byakugan? They encountered Konoha's Byakugan?"
Elder Chiyo grabbed Elder Chiyo's collar. "How could you let Scorpion encounter that bastard Byakugan!"
"Sister, it was an accident. No one could have predicted that Hagoromo would directly breach the border alone and appear within Wind Country's territory. And from the results, no one was harmed. Hagoromo was even severely injured by the Third Hokage. Even Iwao, who was most severely injured, will recover next month. This is the best outcome," Elder Chiyo explained.
"This time, when the Puppet Brigade goes to the Land of Rain, Scorpion won't be accompanying them. From now on, all of Scorpion's missions must be reviewed by me before being assigned," Elder Chiyo said.
"I understand, sister. Since Iwao is still recovering from his injuries and isn't able to return to duty, and Ye is not yet ready to take on the role of a Jonin, Walter is also a talented individual who needs special protection. If we want to send new members of the Puppet Brigade to gain battlefield experience, I suggest temporarily reorganizing the Sixth Division's Third Squad," Elder Chiyo suggested.
Elder Chiyo removed Elder Chiyo's hand and continued, "I will personally arrange for Walter to be assessed in other teams. If he truly meets your expectations, I will do my best to nurture him into the future pillar of the Puppet Brigade."
Since Scorpion's parents were killed by Hagoromo, the top-tier fighters of Sunagakure had fallen into a generational gap, except for dealing with wars and resource plundering.
Cultivating the next generation of strong individuals with potential is the most important task for the high-level officials of the Hidden Sand Village.
The Third Kazekage has already taken on apprentices, including Gaara and Kankuro, to pass on the Magnet Release technique. Chiyo and Ebizo are also planning to pass down the Puppet Jutsu of the Monzaemon clan.
Hardy and Sasori are currently the best candidates.
...
...
"Starting today, the formation of the Third Team of the Sixth Division will be temporarily disrupted. It will be reorganized once Captain Ishihuto recovers from his injury. I have been reassigned to the First Division to assist in combat. Yukimura has been assigned to the newly formed medical support team led by Elder Chiyo. Sasori will stay in the Sixth Division to maintain its basic operations until Captain Ishihuto returns."
In the Puppet Brigade base, in the residence of the Sixth Division, Jianye held the newly issued orders from the high-level officials and announced to the members of the Sixth Division.
"As for Hardy, due to her past military accomplishments and overall combat capabilities recognized by the village's high-level officials, she has been promoted to Chunin and reassigned to the elite combat unit, the Ninth Team. You can exchange this appointment letter at the village's logistics warehouse for the standard combat vest."
"All of you will retain your positions in the Puppet Brigade."
Sasori stood calmly on the side, his expression carrying an unclear meaning.
Everyone else was reassigned, except for him. From the looks of it, they intended to keep him bound to the village and away from dangerous battlefields.
Everyone understood who was behind this decision.
"Um... What about the medical support team? What's the situation?" Yukimura raised her hand and asked.
"It is said that in the Rain Country battlefield, Konoha's Tsunade trained a group of outstanding medical ninjas, greatly changing the battlefield situation. Therefore, Elder Chiyo decided to try to imitate this and form a medical team. Yukimura, you have a foundation in medical ninjutsu, so you were included," Jianye explained.
Among those present, except for Sasori, Yukimura's destination seemed the safest on the surface.
"Um, does retaining the Puppet Brigade position mean I can receive two salaries?" Hardy also raised her hand and asked.