"From another world?"
"Coming from 20 years ago, completely different from the past?"
Both Chiyo and Ebizo were stunned, disbelief written across their faces.
Gaara looked at Zenkichi solemnly and asked, "You said Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizo were killed by you 20 years ago. Is that true?"
"If this is all true, your relationship with Sunagakure Village must be very hostile. Then why did you help me earlier?"
Zenkichi replied calmly, "I am helping you because you are still useful. I need you as a step to reach Sunagakure Village."
"To be honest, I bear no grudge against Sunagakure Village. I do not want you to be killed by me like in my world."
Chiyo snorted and punched Zenkichi unceremoniously. "Arrogant brat, let me teach you a lesson!"
Zenkichi stretched out his palms expressionless, releasing a powerful haki force that sent Chiyo flying before she even made contact.
"What?"
Chiyo's face turned to horror as she realized she was blown away by an invisible force.
Though a skilled puppet master, her physical abilities remained impressive.
Even in her old age, she had once subdued Uzumaki Naruto.
But now, facing Zenkichi, she was easily overpowered.
"So, you still want to stop me?"
"In that case, I have no choice but to ask you to die."
"What I intend to do cannot be stopped by you."
Zenkichi said coldly, summoning the Mirror Flower, Water Moon in his hand.
"Wait!"
Gaara shouted, glaring at Zenkichi.
"How can you call this annexation? Everything is for peace in the ninja world."
"After Sunagakure Village became the official ninja force of the Land of Wind, didn't it also absorb many ninja clans?"
"Those unwilling to join were either eliminated, expelled, or killed."
"I am doing to you what you once did to others."
"What slogan did you use then? That the existence of those clans hindered peace."
"You said top ninja clans plunged the world into war for their own gain. Isn't that what you are doing now?"
"The first generation Kage created the village for peace; later generations protected it for power."
"When the dragon is slain, its scales grow on the warriors who killed it."
"Today's Ninja Village leaders differ little from the old clan leaders. You are all destined for elimination."
"In that world, you fought me for power and were ultimately killed by me."
"Are you truly willing to repeat the same mistakes here?"
Zenkichi's expression softened. He pointed his Kyouka Suigetsu sword downward and called out, "Kyouka Suigetsu!"
The blade flashed blue, completing the hypnosis instantly.
Chiyo fell silent for a moment, then asked, "I have a question. Why was Sasori involved in that world? Is it because you killed me?"
"He defected and is no longer a ninja of Sunagakure. He should not fight you for his own rights, right?"
Zenkichi said calmly, "Sasoriof that world did defect. The reason he fought me... must be because of you."
Chiyo sighed, "That is a relief to hear."
"But even if you bring me such news, I will not give up Sunagakure."
"Sunagakure Village is the brainchild of generations of Kazekages, and it is our mission to protect it to the death."
Zenkichi said disdainfully, "Really? What a noble reason. Too bad the ninja clans wiped out by Sunagakure had even stronger beliefs."
"Sunagakure has only existed for a few decades, but the clans you destroyed may have existed for hundreds or thousands of years."
"They were the legacy of thousands, steeped in the blood and beliefs of their ancestors."
"You, Sunagakure, showed no mercy to those ninjas. Don't be naive enough to think I will show mercy to you."
Gaara's expression hardened, yellow sand swirling from the gourd behind him.
"Your idea is wrong. Unifying the ninja world through force is extreme. We will stop you."
Zenkichi responded calmly, "Is that so? That's fine. Whether the dust before me is one or two, I cannot tell, much less care."
"There are stumbling blocks in this world, but no stumbling dust. Still, I advise you not to insist too much, or you will truly die."
"Stepping over ants without killing them is a difficult skill to master. But the ants I stepped over before are now all dead. Want to take that chance?"
Zenkichi spoke quietly, as if discussing something trivial.
Ebizo could no longer tolerate it. He took out a scroll and quickly unfurled it.
A python-shaped puppet appeared before him.
"Boy!"
Ebizo roared, preparing to teach Zenkichi a lesson with his puppet technique. The python rushed toward Zenkichi.
Zenkichi moved fluidly, evading the python's attack.
He appeared beside Gaara and launched an assault.
Gaara reacted quickly, urging sand to shield him, but Ebizo's puppet suddenly lunged at Gaara.
"Elder Ebizo, what are you doing?" Gaara shouted furiously.
"Arrogant brat, die!" Ebizo growled, controlling the puppet to attack Gaara.
Gaara formed an absolute defense with sand and fixed his gaze on Zenkichi.
Seeing Zenkichi's indifferent expression, he realized Ebizo had been tricked.
"Damn it! When did you put Ebizo under genjutsu?" Gaara yelled angrily.
"This isn't an illusion!"
"This is a powerful force beyond chakra, an ability you cannot resist."
"You companions must have never fought seriously before, right? No matter, I will erase your regrets now."
"Under the control of Kyouka Suigetsu, let's have a good fight!"
Zenkichi smiled. The ability to manipulate the five senses with Kyouka Suigetsu was terrifying.
---
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