For Terumi Mei, this kind of matter did indeed hold great appeal.
After all, if it truly succeeded, it would benefit everyone, and for her personally, it would be an immense honor.
But since she was considerably older than both Deidara and Kitagawa Gen, she naturally weighed such things with greater care.
For instance—if they were to launch a surprise attack, how many soldier pills would they need? How many explosive tags and shinobi tools would be required to ensure a decent chance of success?
Which routes could they take to retreat safely? What about the environment of Kumogakure, the locations of its important targets, and so forth?
She even thought about how, after the attack, they could both inflict enough losses and yet still push Kumogakure toward surrender.
And later still, the distribution of benefits—such questions all required careful thought.
“Fortunately, there’s still time. I should figure all of this out first.”
Terumi Mei wasn’t in a rush. Kitagawa Gen wasn’t exactly impatient either. The only one eager to move was Deidara.
But once given a target, Deidara seemed completely revitalized, finally with something to do.
Of course, the majority of his thinking revolved around how to satisfy himself—he didn’t particularly care about anything else.
“At least he won’t be pestering me every day anymore.”
Gen’s mood improved at that thought. Deidara was actually a decent fellow, and amusing at times.
But when he got too talkative, it really gave Gen a headache. Besides, Gen also needed time to study the new abilities he had just obtained.
“For example, Storm Release.”
Hiruko had used Storm Release, but only once.
That guy had fallen to his knees far too quickly, leaving Gen little opportunity to carefully sense it.
So now, he needed to study it thoroughly on his own. Still, he felt a certain regret about one thing.
“Hiruko never managed to unleash his Chimera Technique…”
The Chimera Technique was unusual—an unexpected method that could even pave a path toward the Kekkei Mōra!
“Although… that jutsu had plenty of flaws.”
When Gen recalled seeing Hiruko, he had always felt something about the man was off.
Much like with Impure World Reincarnation, the degree of harmony between soul and body, along with the precision of chakra control, determined the summoned being’s strength.
Hiruko had devoured others, which left him glaringly unbalanced.
But there was no denying—his jutsu was fascinating!
“I’m close to gathering all the bloodlines I need. It’s about time I considered Kekkei Mōra. Hiruko’s technique was crude, but it still offers a reference point.”
If Gen had been just an ordinary person, then the Chimera Technique would surely have been his best choice.
Even with its flaws, he would have tried to gamble on it.
But as an Ōtsutsuki, at most he could treat it as reference material—taking what was valuable, discarding what was useless, and using it to spark new ideas.
He had no need to devour others. Many things, through his own “sweat and effort,” he could accomplish himself.
Day by day, time passed, and Kitagawa Gen continued studying diligently.
After all, there was plenty he needed to learn: Storm Release, Mount Myōboku’s Sage Arts, even Wood Release.
Beyond that, he sometimes joined Kakashi and the others for training, or freeloaded meals off Naruto and his hardy bunch. His days weren’t bad at all.
But before long, Kakashi came looking for him.
“Has Sunagakure already reached an agreement?”
Walking alongside Kakashi toward Konoha’s prison, Gen couldn’t help but ask curiously.
“So they released them that quickly?”
“Just shows you weren’t paying attention during the meeting.”
Kakashi, still glancing at the book in his hand, spoke offhandedly.
“Sunagakure has already sent a representative. They’ll be negotiating with Konoha and Iwagakure regarding the current situation, so we can’t keep holding their people in prison.”
“I see.”
Kitagawa Gen nodded, then asked curiously: “It wouldn’t happen to be Chiyo, would it?”
“That’s right. It really is her.”
“As expected… Sunagakure hardly has anyone left.”
At those words, Kakashi gave a small nod.
Sunagakure’s decline in talent was obvious to all. Otherwise, Gen wouldn’t have been able to make such an outrageous suggestion.
Of course, what was even more outrageous was that the Second Hokage—just after being resurrected—had practically voiced the same idea.
“You really do know how to make trouble for us, kid. Tobirama-sama actually approved of your proposal, and even the Third Hokage was influenced by it.”
Kakashi rubbed his shock of white hair, sounding half helpless.
“Now they’re seriously considering what kind of person should be chosen.”
“Huh? Seriously?”
Gen was momentarily stunned, while Kakashi just rolled his eyes.
“What else did you expect? And you need to have a clear sense of your own position here, Gen.”
“I’m your student, aren’t I, Kakashi-sensei?”
Gen blinked innocently, though of course he understood what Kakashi meant. He just knew how to play it off.
“You little brat.”
Kakashi chuckled, reaching out to pat Gen’s shoulder. After a moment’s thought, he asked: “Though I don’t personally like this kind of thing… if it really came to that, who do you think would be suitable?”
“I don’t know Sunagakure all that well. Asking me seems a little off, doesn’t it?”
Gen shrugged. In truth, the most suitable candidate in his mind had been Pakura.
That woman had been betrayed not only by Rasa but by the entirety of Sunagakure. If she were still alive, she would undoubtedly have been the best choice.
But unfortunately, she had already died at the hands of Kirigakure. Among the living—
“If I really had to say, there is one person.”
“Who?”
“Rasa’s son. Gaara.”
“That One-Tail jinchūriki?”
Kakashi gave Gen a strange look. Making a jinchūriki into a Kage—was that really appropriate?
“Still… maybe it isn’t impossible.”
“Exactly, Kakashi-sensei.”
Gen grinned, lowering his voice as they walked on.
“He may be the Kazekage’s son, but his relationship with the Kazekage was never good. And right now, he’s probably Sunagakure’s single most important combat asset. So…”
“You really do have a head full of schemes.”
Kakashi nodded, though soon after he shook his head.
“How come I never noticed before just how devious you are?”
“Devious? How am I devious, Kakashi-sensei? Don’t slander me.”
Gen rolled his eyes in protest, while Kakashi spread his hands.
“If you weren’t, who else would come up with so many messy ideas?”
“But isn’t Tobirama-sama the same?”
“…”
“So, you’re saying Tobirama-sama is devious too?”
“…”
“And by the way, Kakashi-sensei, you still haven’t made good on that hot spring trip you promised me.”
Kakashi could only give a wry smile—he had, without meaning to, ended up insulting the Second Hokage as well.
And now, of all things, Kitagawa Gen was still hung up on some hot spring. Could this be another “Gato” situation in the making?
The two of them chatted lightly as they walked, and before long they arrived at the prison.
Led by the ANBU, it didn’t take long before they were brought face-to-face with Gaara and the others who were being held inside.
“You…”
The moment Temari saw Kitagawa Gen, her expression changed drastically.
Not just her—Kankurō instantly stood up as well.
They had both been present during the chaotic battle.
They had seen with their own eyes Kitagawa Gen crush the One-Tail, and even kill their father as well as the Fourth Raikage.
Only Gaara lifted his head slightly for a glance before lowering it again, falling back into silence.
“Congratulations. You’re about to be free.”
Kakashi didn’t waste words. He spoke evenly: “Your delegation is nearly here. You’ll be released in time for the negotiations.”
“Free…”
Temari couldn’t believe it, but Kitagawa Gen simply nodded.
“You’re lucky. At least you didn’t die—you get to live long enough to wait for the talks.”
“What’s the point?”
To everyone’s surprise, it was Gaara who slowly spoke then.
“There’s no reason to keep living anyway. Everything is meaningless. I might as well be dead.”
“…Hm?”
Even Kakashi raised a brow at that, though he didn’t look particularly surprised.
In truth, Gaara was what one would call a true jinchūriki. Naruto—or even Killer B—were exceptions to the rule.
And with Rasa as his father, Gaara’s suffering had likely been all the worse.
It couldn’t be denied that Rasa had exhausted himself for Sunagakure, but his abilities had always been questionable.
“Kakashi-sensei, should I talk to him?”
Gen thought for a moment, then turned to Kakashi. The look on Kakashi’s face was a little odd.
“There’s no need to rush. Some things haven’t been decided yet.”
“Just a chat. He seems a lot like Naruto, after all.”
Gen shrugged with a smile. That made Kakashi rub his chin.
“It’s not exactly by the book… but I doubt the Hokage would object. Do as you see fit.”
He hadn’t specified which Hokage, but the matter likely wouldn’t cause any real trouble.
As for whether being alone with Gaara might be dangerous—frankly, with all the seals placed on him, and even without them, Kakashi figured the greater danger still lay with Gaara himself.
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I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> /TitoVillar
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