Chapter 89: From Puppeteer to Puppet (Request Subscription!!!)

Ma Ji shook his head directly and said firmly, “Impossible, this is definitely fake!”

This battle report was utterly absurd, completely beyond his understanding.

Yura looked at Ma Ji and said gravely, “Just now, our intelligence operatives also sent word.”

“The situation on the front lines is exactly as stated on this paper.”

“Before long, the entire ninja world will know of the Hidden Stone Village ’s humiliating defeat.”

Ma Ji fell silent, slowly walking to the window and gazing out at the swirling sandstorm.

He suddenly understood—this wasn’t sand from the Hidden Sand Village; it was the ashes of the Hidden Stone Village’s elders drifting in the wind.

The Hidden Stone Village’s crushing defeat showed Ma Ji the future of the Hidden Sand Village.

If they didn’t properly respond to Konoha’s demands, the Hidden Sand Village might face the same fate as the Hidden Stone Village.

It might even be far more humiliating than now.

They must plan ahead.

…

Inside the Hidden Sand Village, the largest house stood in this yellow world.

From afar, the building looked like an upside-down giant sandpot; up close, it was remarkably luxurious.

In a place as poor as the Hidden Sand Village, where even cacti had to split roots for water, it was like a palace for the elite.

Correct—it was the property left by the former Kazekage to his three children.

In this miserable village, the greatest benefit of being Kazekage might be the right to build the best house in the entire village.

Although their Kazekage father had passed away for some time, there was no sign yet of the bitter loneliness that usually follows a leader’s death.

Perhaps because their teacher, Ma Ji, now held the position of Kazekage’s aide.

This maintained, to some degree, their dignity.

Inside the house, Kankuro was lounging on the sofa assembling a puppet figurine.

At this moment, Gaara was not at home—he must have gone out to train again.

Since undergoing Luo Jie’s brutal therapy, this insomniac’s nervous exhaustion seemed to have been cured.

He no longer suddenly clutched his head and went mad as he once did; now he was far more composed.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps shattered the quiet inside.

Temari rushed in through the door, her expression urgent.

Her golden hair was tousled by the sandstorm, her eyes holding three parts anxiety and seven parts worry.

Kankuro instinctively looked up, his gaze landing on his sister.

What’s happened?

Did Gaara start having another episode?

Temari walked over to Kankuro, gently patted his shoulder, and took a deep breath.

“Kankuro, Itachi’re going to be the Fifth Kazekage!”

“What? Me as Kazekage?”

Kankuro’s pupils dilated in shock, the puppet head slipping from his hand to the floor.

He wanted to scream at his sister—had sand stuffed her brain?

Could a mere puppet hobbyist really become Kazekage?

After all, every past Kazekage either manipulated sand or magnetism—suddenly a puppet figurine enthusiast?

Had the Hidden Sand Village’s leadership collectively lost their minds?

Or had he stayed up too late last night and still hadn’t woken up?

Temari watched her brother’s bewildered expression and sighed helplessly, beginning to explain patiently:

“This has to do with Konoha.”

“Konoha just defeated the Hidden Stone Village and seized control of the Land of Earth.”

“Now, they’re demanding our village accept their terms.”

“Among the many conditions Konoha set, one was that Itachi become the Fifth Kazekage.”

“After consulting with Chiyo Granny, Master Ma Ji decided to accept Konoha’s demands.”

Upon hearing this, Kankuro suddenly understood—it was just making him a puppet.

Once he realized this, his brow furrowed tightly, his face filled with reluctance.

He was a master of puppetry—how could he become someone else’s puppet?

From manipulating puppets to becoming one himself.

It was a hellish joke.

Just as Kankuro was about to ask more questions,

he noticed Temari packing her belongings—clothes and daily items were being stuffed into bags.

His heart jolted, and he quickly asked:

“Sister, what are Itachi doing?”

Temari paused her actions, looked up at Kankuro, her eyes filled with reluctance:

“I’m leaving the village for a while.”

“Among those conditions, there was another: that Itachi and Gaara go to Konoha as hostages.”

Kankuro’s expression changed instantly, his face flushed with anger:

“This can’t be allowed!”

“I heard that Konoha’s little Hokage is a lustful wolf.”

“Once Itachi go there, Itachi’ll fall into his clutches.”

Temari delivered Kankuro a sharp knock on the head—the Hidden Sand Village’s ancestral “Delusion Correction Fist.”

“Kankuro, what the hell have Itachi been reading?”

“How could such a thing happen?!”

“I heard the Third Tsuchikage, his granddaughter, and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki all went to Konoha too.”

“Itachi and Gaara are just going as hostages—nothing will happen to Itachi.”

Kankuro’s eyes widened further, and he blurted out:

“What? That Luo Jie doesn’t even spare septuagenarians?!”

Thud!

Temari’s Correction Fist struck again, physically interrupting her brother’s delusions.

“Stop imagining nonsense.”

“Itachi and Gaara are leaving. From now on, Itachi must listen to Master Ma Ji and Chiyo Granny.”

“Even if Itachi’re just a puppet Kazekage, Itachi’re still the village’s leader—Itachi must shoulder your responsibility.”

Kankuro rubbed his head, watching his sister’s busy figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He really was going to become the weakest Kazekage in history.

But as a puppeteer, he had some experience in being a well-controlled puppet.

Kankuro picked up the puppet parts.

He suddenly thought being a puppet Kazekage wasn’t so bad.

At least he could use village funds to buy puppet parts.

…

In the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hokage’s office.

The Hidden Leaf’s top worker, Nara Shikamaru, stood respectfully before Luo Jie.

“Hokage-sama, the Hidden Sand Village has surrendered—they’ve accepted all conditions.”

Luo Jie, reclining behind his large desk, smiled faintly upon hearing this.

“Hmph, the Hidden Sand Village still has some self-awareness—they know resistance is futile against absolute power.”

If they’d chosen to fight back, he’d have had to transform into his dragon form and start dancing at the village gate.

Nara Shikamaru immediately switched into workplace sycophant mode, gushing:

“This is all thanks to Hokage-sama’s brilliant leadership. Under your strategic planning, the Hidden Sand Village has shown such wisdom.”

Luo Jie suddenly stood up and walked to the ninja world map hanging on the wall.

“Now that the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind have vanished, absorbed into the Land of Fire,”

“the small nations between them—Land of River, Land of Bird, Land of Grass—have lost all value.”

“Let them vanish too.”

Luo Jie’s tone was as casual as saying “throw out the trash.”

Nara Shikamaru’s heart tightened, sweat beading on his forehead—he immediately replied, “Hokage-sama’s insight is profound!”

“These small nations, wavering between great powers, were merely buffers. Incorporating them into the Land of Fire is a wise move for lasting peace in the ninja world.”

Luo Jie looked at Nara Shikamaru.

“Then this task is yours to arrange.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama!”

Nara Shikamaru straightened his posture and departed.

(End of Chapter)