"Is this information accurate? And what's the source?"
If Jiraiya had brought such news to Haseo, its accuracy was probably not much of an issue. However, since this was a matter of great importance, Haseo confirmed it again.
"It should be completely reliable. I think if Sunagakure chose to inform their ally about this matter, there would be no need for them to include any lies... This kind of intelligence simply cannot afford any confusion or manipulation," Jiraiya explained.
According to this explanation, the reliability of the report seemed confirmed. However, how Konoha obtained this intelligence puzzled Haseo once more.
"An official notification—from Sunagakure?"
Come on, could the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure have really become that deep? Enough to trust each other on matters like this?" Haseo couldn't help but express his doubts.
Had a new diplomat recently emerged in either Konoha or Sunagakure? Why else would Sunagakure take the initiative to inform Konoha about the death of the Kazekage? Previously, something like this just didn't seem possible at all.
"Actually, under normal circumstances, this wouldn't happen... Before informing Konoha, Sunagakure must have conducted considerable internal deliberation.
According to their account, the Fourth Kazekage died a week ago, yet they only passed the intelligence on to us now.
This action alone shows that, at least in this case, Sunagakure trusts Konoha."
"A week ago... That's still pretty timely for the news. Sunagakure's decision probably ties into Konoha's recent drop in power. The Kazekage's death was certainly a heavy blow to Sunagakure, and at this point, they need Konoha's cooperation—for example, using Konoha's pressure to stabilize their internal affairs.
And maybe it's because Konoha just went through its own internal mess—they're sharing intel like this with us now... When both sides are weak, misery loves company—and that makes the alliance feel more reliable.
That's exactly what mutual support looks like."
The Fourth Kazekage died outside Sunagakure, in the desert. Naturally, Sunagakure would learn about this event quickly. However, for Konoha... If Sunagakure had chosen to keep it secret, who knows when they might have discovered even the faintest clue about this matter.
Dead in some remote corner of the Land of Wind, the Kazekage might as well have died on Mars—completely out of reach for Konoha.
"Haseo, do you always overthink things like this? Applying conspiracy theories onto others?"
"No, come on! You've lived so long, can't you see right through all this backstabbing and scheming, Jiraiya?"
"I definitely understand the principle, however... At the very least, I still need time to process it."
The issue wasn't that everyone understood Sunagakure's motives; rather, it was Haseo's immediate comprehension. The moment he heard the report, his mind dove straight into the implications. Most people would take time to even begin to understand why Sunagakure did what it did.
After living so long and seeing so much, Haseo was truly an old hand at conspiracies.
"The root lies in the fact that Konoha's current policies don't fundamentally conflict with those of Sunagakure. Aren't you two holding the joint exams? That kind of interaction—both competitive and cooperative—is a reflection of things... Different ninja villages are naturally oppositional at their core, but their external attitudes vary across different periods."
"Ah, right, there's actually another reason why Sunagakure trusts Konoha... It's said that before rescuing his daughter, the Fourth Kazekage specifically left behind coded writing.
That should be considered his final message."
"Coded writing?"
"It's just a rumor, mind you... But it's said that the Fourth Kazekage explicitly stated that the loss of the One-Tail had nothing to do with Konoha's Fourth Hokage."
"..."
Haseo was completely speechless. What did this mean? Was every damn accusation related to Tailed Beasts going to get thrown at him?
Being made the scapegoat for Black Zetsu? That seems unfair.
Objectively speaking, whether he's guilty or not aside, in a way, this could be considered self-inflicted. A person so despised by both humans and ghosts probably deserves some self-reflection.
"Do I look like someone who would kidnap little girls?"
"Now that you mention it, you're not that kind of person."
Haseo sat down on the rooftop. After a moment's thought, he mused, "Still, would Sasori of the Red Sand really do something like that? In recent years, it seems to have become a trend for the descendants of Kage to become jinchuriki. Just because the Fourth Kazekure chose to sacrifice himself to save his daughter... To me, that feels somewhat beyond comprehension.
Choosing to give up one's life is an extremely difficult decision. The closer one gets to that final moment, the harder it becomes to suppress the fear of death... Everyone fears death, even those capable of facing it head-on.
Voluntarily giving up one's own life..."
"If it's for one's children, such an action isn't hard to understand... Though life has limits, a form of immortality lies within this continuation."
Haseo cast a glance at Jiraiya, whose expression looked particularly profound... The logic made sense, but coming from a confirmed bachelor, it lacked a bit of persuasiveness.
"You never know what you've got 'til it's gone, but when a person gains something they were originally destined never to obtain, wouldn't that naturally bring comfort?
When Sasori of the Red Sand died, perhaps he felt both regret and deep satisfaction."
"..."
Jiraiya didn't quite get what Haseo meant.
"Alright, I understand now."
After a while, Haseo stood up again, preparing to return to his room... It looked like he wouldn't be able to go through with his plan to leave Konoha just yet.
Because the "Mommy Resurrection Plan" had already started first.
Haseo didn't know much about this version of Sasori of the Red Sand, but there was one thing he was absolutely certain of—every father's feelings were the same. They all had someone or something they held dear to protect.
"I'm not done talking yet. One thing is the joint search for the One-Tail Shukaku. Additionally, if someone tries to seize the One-Tail, wouldn't the Nine-Tails also become a target... So there's also the issue of protection concerning the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Jiraiya tried to call out to Haseo, who was already walking away.
"One-Tail is definitely gone. As for the Nine-Tails… Didn't Orochimaru already leave Konoha?"
Haseo casually waved his hand and made his way down to the front of his house.
"Lord Haseo, could it be that you…" Jiraiya's words suddenly stopped.
The more he thought about it, the creepier it got.
...
Since Haseo showed no intention of continuing the conversation, Jiraiya naturally left.
However, after staying at home briefly, Haseo left again in the afternoon.
Passing through layers of obstacles and traversing the deep underground passage, Haseo arrived at the Kagenami Base.
"Lord Haseo..."
Soon, Ka-jin stepped forward to greet him.
During the entire time he had returned to Konoha, Haseo rarely came to the Kagenami. Including this time, he had only come here twice.
"There isn't anything particularly important. I just want to go visit an old friend."
"An old friend?"
"Do I need to spell it out? The Nine-Tails, of course.
Got a few things I want to talk about. Been a while since we last saw each other. This reunion's gonna be a tear-jerker, no doubt."
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