On a hill not far from Sunagakure.
The passage in the middle led deep into the underground.
Rasa wore a sand - proof mask. His eyes were dull, and his hands instinctively formed seals as he refined Gold Dust from the large pit in front of him.
Guided by his Chakra, the Gold Dust flew behind him.
Immediately, a Ninja caught it and poured it into a large vat - like container.
After an hour, the container could hold no more. Two Ninjas carried it and placed it on a train.
They only waited for the train to be fully loaded before heading to Sunagakure.
Just then, an Anbu Ninja appeared in front of Rasa.
"Lord Rasa."
"What's the matter?"
Some light returned to Rasa's eyes as, according to his usual work schedule, he hadn't reached his off - work time yet.
"Lord Kazekage wants you to go to the Kazekage Building."
"Oh?"
Rasa perked up. It seemed his work could end early today.
"Specifically?"
He stopped his Chakra flow, then patted the dust off his body, getting ready to see The Third Kazekage.
"Lord Haruki is here today."
"..."
Rasa froze.
"Who did you say?"
He simply couldn't believe it and, with a tiny hope that he had misheard, asked again for confirmation.
"Lord Haruki from Konoha."
"No! I won't see him! Tell the Kazekage that I still have work to do and my duties aren't finished."
Rasa waved his hands in panic.
I love my work, and my work loves me. No one can come between us!
The Anbu Ninja was taken aback and a bit confused.
Was Lord Haruki really that scary?
But in his view, it was Haruki who had brought them hope.
"Then I'll go back and report to Lord Kazekage?"
He hesitated and glanced at Rasa.
"Wait."
Rasa sighed, as if going to his own execution, and said, "I'll go!"
With that in mind, he left the mine.
The yellow sand was blown up by the wind.
His mood was just like the yellow sand, drifting and forlorn.
Back at the Kazekage Building, he knocked on the door and saw Haruki chatting with The Third Kazekage.
As for Kakuzu and Tsunade, he naturally ignored them.
Rasa hesitated for a second and greeted Haruki as calmly as he could: "Lord Haruki."
"So it's Rasa."
A smile appeared on Haruki's lips.
He could tell that Rasa was reluctant.
But there was nothing he could do.
Rasa nodded silently and then consciously stood behind The Third Kazekage, content to be a mere ornament.
At the same time, he kept thinking, Don't see me, don't see me.
"Haruki, do you really think this grape wine can be popular among the nobles?"
The Third Kazekage glanced at him, said nothing more, and then continued the conversation with Haruki.
Grape wine.
Haruki smiled and said, "Of course it can."
Although he couldn't get used to grape wine in his previous life, yet it had indeed been extremely popular throughout history and across different cultures.
With a little effort, making money would be a breeze.
"In that case, I'll send someone to study it."
Seeing that Haruki was so certain, The Third Kazekage quickly nodded and said.
Facts had long proven that Haruki's words were not baseless.
Hearing this, Rasa's heart skipped a beat, but then he thought that this matter (brewing wine was mentioned earlier contextually) wouldn't involve him anyway.
"What else needs to be improved?"
The Third Kazekage continued to ask.
It was rare for Haruki to come, so he naturally wanted to ask clearly.
Although he was confident that he had done a good job, he was still very humble in front of Haruki.
Haruki thought for a moment, shook his head slightly, and said, "There's nothing to improve."
The Third Kazekage let out a sigh of relief.
He was a bit afraid that Haruki would point out the loopholes in his work.
The two chatted for a few more words.
Then the Third Kazekage ordered Rasa to take Haruki and his group to rest and at the same time prepare the most sumptuous dinner to entertain them.
After arriving at the guest room, Haruki called out to Rasa.
"Lord Haruki, what's the matter?"
Rasa's alarm bells went off in his mind. He looked at Haruki nervously.
"Nothing. I want to meet Sasori."
Haruki noticed his expression and couldn't help laughing.
Isn't it just asking you to go mining? Do you have to be on guard against me as if I were a thief?
" Oh. Follow me."
Seeing that it had nothing to do with him, Rasa immediately regained his calmness.
He led Haruki to Chiyo's house.
"Lord Rasa."
The maid in charge of taking care of Sasori opened the door and quickly bowed.
After Rasa explained his purpose, the maid immediately pointed to the second floor.
"Young Master Sasori is making puppets in the puppet room on the second floor. He specifically instructed not to be disturbed."
"It doesn't matter. We'll just go there."
Rasa understood the maid.
Since Sasori's parents died, he had become rather gloomy, so she was a bit afraid.
Especially when disturbing him while he was indulged in making puppets.
Rasa went upstairs.
He knocked on the door and said, "Sasori, Lord Haruki has come specially to see you."
The door was instantly opened, revealing Sasori's head.
There was a rare smile on his usually gloomy face.
"Lord Haruki, please come in."
Sasori stepped aside.
After Haruki entered the room, he looked around the puppet room.
All kinds of parts and tools reminded people of a workshop.
Rasa didn't come in. He left after saying a word.
Haruki didn't care.
He asked, "Last time when we handed over the gold dust, Rasa said that you had new ideas about puppets. I wonder if there's any progress now?"
"Yes!"
When Sasori talked about this, he showed a great sense of confidence, as if he had come to life.
After his parents died, all his thoughts and concentration were focused on puppets.
And Haruki could be regarded as his only confidant at present.
Although Chiyo far surpassed Haruki in terms of puppets, she didn't quite understand her grandson.
"Lord Haruki, wait a moment."
Sasori immediately fetched the ladder in the corner. After looking at the ceiling slightly, he opened a compartment at a specific position.
Haruki was a bit surprised.
He didn't expect Sasori to be so mysterious.
A few seconds after Sasori entered the compartment, a voice came out.
It was childish and had a certain sense of pause, not as smooth as a normal person speaking.
"Puppet No. 001 is activated. Please input instructions."
"The instructions are correct."
Sasori jumped down again.
After that, a thin body appeared at the door of the compartment.
Similar to Sasori, judging from her face, she looked only five or six years old.
She was wearing a bright red Gothic dress. Her small face was smooth and fair, with an unusual air about it.
She had long golden hair, deep blue eyes, and white knee - high socks.
Haruki was a bit dazed.
This was different from the puppet he had imagined!
"Number 001, come down and meet Lord Haruki."
There was a faint swirl in the girl's eyes made of gemstones.
Hearing Sasori's words, her expression seemed to come to life.
She landed gracefully.
Facing Haruki, she held the hem of her skirt with both hands and curtsied.
Haruki came to his senses. At that moment, he felt that the girl looked a bit familiar.
Rose Maidens.
They were the dolls he had mentioned when chatting with Sasori.
Something's wrong with you!
I mainly talked about Gundams and future robots. Why did you choose the Rose Maidens in particular?
Haruki subconsciously looked at Sasori.
Noticing the smile on his face.
Suddenly, he had an epiphany.
Perhaps it was just because the Rose Maidens looked exactly like humans and could ease his loneliness.