The Third Hokage stood quietly beside the window of his office, overlooking the village. Lost deep in silence, his figure seemed somewhat stooped, burdened by age and the weight of his thoughts. After a long, contemplative moment, as if finally surfacing from his reflections, he took a sharp drag from the pipe held firmly between his lips and finally spoke.
"What is the current situation in Sunagakure? Have there been any significant changes recently?"
Enemies were invariably troublesome, demanding constant vigilance. Yet, unreliable allies often proved even more vexing than outright adversaries. Consequently, the Hokage always paid exceedingly close attention to Suna's internal affairs and external posturing. From the pragmatic perspective of Konoha's best interests, he neither desired Suna to become overly unified and powerful, nor did he wish for it to collapse entirely into chaos… A half-dead ally, stable but not threatening, was the ideal sort of ally.
Standing respectfully behind the Third Hokage, Uzumaki Kushina responded almost without hesitation, her voice clear and concise. "I haven't observed any significant changes, Lord Third. Since the official conclusion of the Third Great Shinobi War, Sunagakure's intelligence channels have progressively tightened, especially concerning any information flow towards us here in Konoha."
Currently, Suna seemed intent on emulating Kirigakure's historical example—perhaps not enacting a full, stringent isolationist policy, but certainly implementing restrictive measures and limiting external contact. This cautious, low profile could easily be interpreted as a period of 'hiding one's capabilities and biding one's time,' allowing them to rebuild their strength after the devastating losses they suffered in the previous conflict. It was a stark contrast to their aggressive, almost reckless posturing during the Second War and the early stages of the Third. It couldn't really be helped; their military power had been significantly depleted.
As for why Suna would specifically restrict intelligence flow towards its supposed ally, Konoha? Firstly, standard operating procedure for any hidden village dictated restricting external intelligence gathering as a matter of basic political and strategic correctness. Secondly, perhaps Konoha should examine its own actions and consider why Suna might harbor residual wariness? For instance, Konoha might try offering Suna a satisfactory explanation regarding the matter of the Fourth Kazekage and his unique connection to 'gold dust' – a sensitive topic likely still causing friction.
That Suna was willing to temporarily set aside generations of bitter enmity to engage in even cautious, superficial diplomacy was already commendable, especially given Konoha's current overwhelming strength relative to theirs. If Suna suddenly started acting overly friendly and solicitous, Konoha would ironically have far more reason to suspect some new scheme or treacherous plot was afoot.
"And Sasori of the Red Sand, the one who defected from Suna?" the Third Hokage inquired further, shifting focus slightly. "Now that he has apparently returned to the village, is it possible he could become a genuine asset for Suna once more?"
"It's difficult to say with certainty, Lord Third," Kushina replied thoughtfully, choosing her words with care. "Based on our psychological profiles and understanding of Sasori's notoriously arrogant personality, having already abandoned the village once, it seems highly unlikely he would willingly embrace it again or offer his loyalty freely. However…" she paused, "I believe we should perhaps place more faith in Elder Chiyo's considerable wisdom… and her methods."
What truly constitutes 'giving one's last drop of blood and final ounce of strength for the good of the village'? Sasori's situation might very well become a textbook example. What? You suggest Sasori might be coerced or unwilling? Who could possibly prove such a thing? Officially, any contribution he made would undoubtedly be framed as a noble 'offering of love' and selfless sacrifice for his homeland.
Kushina subtly alluded to the range of tools likely at Chiyo's disposal. If logical reasoning failed to sway Sasori, there was negotiation and strategic bargaining. If negotiation proved fruitless, there was always coercion and leveraging potential weaknesses. If even direct threats failed, there remained the potent option of permanent, binding genjutsu. And if, by some miracle, even sophisticated mind-altering techniques proved ineffective against Sasori's will, he could, at the very least, serve Suna as an immensely powerful, emotionless puppet – whether he was technically alive or deceased at that point would hardly matter in the grand scheme of Suna's military readiness.
Suna's venerable Elder Chiyo… described kindly, she was 'old but fiercely resolute'; described less charitably, she rather fit the cynical old saying, 'an old person who doesn't die eventually becomes a troublesome thief' (or, in her case, a political nuisance of formidable influence). Sunagakure was, for all practical purposes, currently operating under her effective control.
Truthfully, the Third Hokage hoped Sasori could be successfully reintegrated into Suna's structure. He even entertained the notion that Sasori, with his undeniable power and infamy, might potentially become the next Kazekage. While Sasori's extreme arrogance likely meant he still viewed Suna itself as a burden he had wisely shed, and theoretically wouldn't choose to contribute his strength again, Kushina rightly suspected Chiyo possessed ways to… ensure his cooperation. Konoha wasn't the only hidden village skilled in the subtle arts of brainwashing and psychological manipulation; the other major villages were equally adept in that regard when necessity dictated.
Ultimately, a stable, moderately powerful Sunagakure benefited Konoha's strategic interests. One Sasori, however reluctantly brought back into the fold, could restore a crucial portion of Suna's depleted military strength. Yet, that restored portion, constrained by Suna's overall limitations and likely by the very means through which Sasori returned, posed no substantial new threat to Konoha's dominance. Hiruzen privately hoped Sasori's power, under Chiyo's guidance, would help stabilize Suna quickly… assuming, of course, they possessed the requisite political acumen to resolve Suna's deep-seated internal conflicts.
"Chiyo…" Hiruzen murmured the name, a complex mix of respect and wariness in his tone, before letting the thought trail off.
"By the way," he asked, shifting topics again, "is there any recent intelligence on… them?"
Kushina, currently tasked by the Hokage with the comprehensive processing and analysis of various incoming intelligence reports—specifically, information originating outside Konoha, as internal village matters were still primarily handled by the ANBU—immediately understood whom the Hokage meant by the deliberately vague pronoun 'them.'
"Them" referred collectively to the three remaining students of his who had strayed from the village path in one way or another: Orochimaru, the dangerous missing-nin who had irrevocably defected from Konoha; Jiraiya, his loyal former teammate, who was currently dedicating his time and resources to tracking the elusive Orochimaru across the continent; and Tsunade, the legendary medical ninja, who was aimlessly wandering the world, mostly indulging her vices of gambling and drinking while perpetually dodging creditors.
"We haven't received any reliable information concerning any of them recently, Lord Third," Kushina reported factually. Locating any of the three Sannin was inherently difficult: one was actively hunted by multiple nations, one was traveling erratically while gathering 'research material' for his novels, and the third was deliberately keeping a low profile to avoid paying her massive debts.
Hiruzen felt a familiar pang of disappointment, mixed with concern. Kushina, perhaps sensing his mood, didn't seem particularly worried about Tsunade or Jiraiya; young people were often restless, and their wandering wasn't necessarily a major issue in itself.
However, the thought of the brilliant but tragically misguided Orochimaru inevitably led the Hokage's thoughts rapidly back in another, related direction.
"Ah, regarding that new technique Habara developed," Hiruzen said abruptly, his tone becoming serious and firm. "Its usage must be temporarily restricted. Effective immediately. Until its absolute long-term safety and stability can be unequivocally confirmed through rigorous observation, it must not be allowed to proliferate on any significant scale within the village."
This firm stance wasn't born from mere adherence to old ways or a Luddite resistance to change. As Hokage, Hiruzen bore the ultimate responsibility for the overall safety, stability, and ideological integrity of Konoha as a whole. Habara's new 'Curse Mark' technique, while innovative, was fundamentally derived from Orochimaru's dangerous and ethically compromised research—a lineage that severely undermined the Hokage's trust in its fundamental nature, regardless of Habara's intentions.
Until it underwent prolonged, meticulous testing and observation across various individuals and scenarios, who could truly know if the so-called "Curse Mark of Man" was a beneficial miracle cure—'Miracle Gro' for ninja potential—or a deadly, insidious poison like 'Paraquat'? Or, perhaps even more dangerously, was it Paraquat cleverly disguised as Miracle Gro, promising enhancement while secretly sowing corruption?
"I understand your concerns, Lord Third," Kushina interjected gently, offering a mild but necessary defense of Habara based on her own observations. "But Habara consistently adheres to a strict scientific principle: bold hypotheses followed always by cautious, meticulous verification. He is not reckless."
Her reassurance, however, didn't fully assuage the Third Hokage's deep-seated concerns. He had heard whispers, rumors circulating among some of the Jōnin involved or aware of the project, that certain individuals were jokingly referring to the effects produced by the "Curse Mark of Man" as the "Revival of the Senju." Although likely intended merely as a colourful, perhaps slightly awed, jest, Hiruzen didn't find it amusing in the slightest.
The Senju's revival? Was that truly something to be celebrated? Perhaps for some nostalgic individuals, yes. But one must always consider the perspective, the feelings, and the political realities of those currently holding the reins of power. Konoha's current controller was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, head of the Sarutobi clan's sphere of influence. To Hiruzen, the Senju era, however glorious, was necessarily and firmly part of Konoha's past. Should the esteemed First Hokage himself miraculously return from the grave, his status would simply be that of an 'Emeritus Hokage'—a revered historical figure, perhaps, but no longer possessing direct authority within the current established system. (This pragmatic, slightly ruthless political thought, Hiruzen would never voice aloud.)
Thinking about Konoha's present state, despite its challenges, a faint trace of weary contentment even touched the Third Hokage's aged face. Although Konoha certainly wrestled with its own significant internal problems—the Uchiha situation being paramount among them—if one were to objectively, almost mechanically, calculate the village's current comprehensive military strength, it remained overwhelmingly formidable on the world stage.
"And Habara himself?" Hiruzen asked, his thoughts returning to the immediate potential variable, a familiar thread of anxiety weaving into his voice. At that particular moment, he found himself somewhat dreading hearing news along the lines of, "Oh, Habara went over to the Ninja Academy this morning and is currently busy giving experimental vaccinations to the genin students one by one."
Kushina quickly consulted her mental notes regarding the movements of key personnel. "Habara? He departed for the Hyuga clan's ancestral compound earlier this morning, Lord Third. He mentioned he was going with the intention of observing whether his only disciple's combat abilities had shown any notable improvement recently."
The Third Hokage registered this information, his expression unreadable. He responded only with profound silence:
"......"
Whatever his thoughts on Habara deciding to personally oversee Neji Hyuga's training, he kept them behind a carefully maintained wall of official silence.
Meanwhile, as Kushina had accurately reported, Habara was indeed present within the imposing walls of the Hyuga clan compound at that very moment. Whatever his specific, undeclared purpose for visiting might be—beyond the stated reason of checking on Neji—his arrival was, as always, met with a veritable sea of judgmental white eyes.
It couldn't really be helped.
That was simply the Hyuga clan's unique, traditional way of welcoming guests.
After all, they only possessed white eyes; it was biologically difficult for them to offer any other kind of noteworthy glance.