After the people of Rōran left, Shinju walked up onto the sealing platform and sealed all the Dragon Vein chakra into his own body.
On the ruins, Naruto stood beside Yamato and Sai, his head full of question marks.
"Why does Shinju know the Queen of Rōran?"
Sai shook his head. "How would I know something like that? ┐(´-｀)┌"
Yamato said, "Shinju has traveled all across the Shinobi World. It's not strange for him to know a few people."
Naruto continued, "But that girl just said Shinju seems to have known that queen for a long time..."
Yamato replied, "Don't overthink it. If Shinju doesn't want to tell us, he must have his reasons."
After a short while, Shinju appeared again, looking at them.
"Let's go. We'll head to Sunagakure first—I need to inform Gaara about what happened."
...
Meanwhile, outside Konohagakure.
A dark-skinned young man with white hair, Omoi, urged the red-haired Karui behind him.
"Hurry up! We've got to deliver this letter to Konoha as soon as possible!"
"Killer B-sama has been captured—aren't you worried at all?! Ծ‸ Ծ"
Karui panted heavily, her chest rising and falling.
"We've been running nonstop since last night... We've got to rest a little... (｡í _ ì｡)"
Omoi frowned. "You can rest—but what about our sensei?"
"It's already been a day and a half since he disappeared. If he's been captured by Akatsuki, he might already be in serious danger..."
Karui clenched her fists. "Fine, fine! I get it, let's keep moving!"
"I just don't get what's wrong with that Sasuke guy! How could he attack Killer B-sama!ヽ('⌒´メ)ノ"
Omoi said, "We can't jump to conclusions yet. Even though witnesses saw someone in Akatsuki's black cloak with red clouds at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, that doesn't necessarily mean it was Sasuke..." --003d_--003d
Karui snapped, "Oh, come on! He's wearing the Akatsuki cloak! You really think he's out there doing something good for the world? (ꐦ ಠ 皿 ಠ)"
Omoi didn't argue back. He simply pointed forward.
"There's Konoha's gate ahead! Speed up!"
...
Elsewhere.
Shinju's group had arrived at Sunagakure to inform Gaara that Mukade was dead. Shinju also handed over the core of Sasori of the Red Sand, which he'd been keeping in a medical container.
Even Gaara, who was usually calm, couldn't sit still. He stood up, intending to bow to Shinju, but Shinju waved him off.
"What's that for? No need to act so formal! (๑╹ヮ╹๑)ﾉ"
Gaara replied earnestly, "Do you want gold or gems? I'll have them delivered to you shortly. Please, you must accept—otherwise Sunagakure will owe you a huge debt."
Shinju quickly waved his hands.
"Hey, hey! Why are you being so polite? I'll take gold, though. （--0027▿--0027）"
Gaara smiled faintly. "All right. Wait here a while—I'll have someone bring it over. ʘᴗʘ"
After Gaara left, Naruto muttered, "It's just a core... why's Gaara so excited about it?"
Yamato explained, "Sasori of the Red Sand was a genius in puppet techniques. With his core, Sunagakure's puppet corps might grow even stronger."
Naruto frowned. "But how are they supposed to use that tiny thing?"
Yamato shrugged. "That's not something we need to worry about. ┐(´-｀)┌"
After receiving the gold from Gaara, Shinju sealed it all into a scroll in one go. Having real gold and silver in your hands always feels reassuring!
Then, the group headed back to Konoha.
...
Inside the Hokage's office.
Karui and Omoi were passionately accusing Sasuke of his crimes.
When they finished, they said,
"This is a grave matter. Many shinobi villages have been attacked by Akatsuki recently. Because of this, Raikage-sama has decided to summon the other village leaders to hold a Five Kage Summit and discuss strategies against Akatsuki."
"How could Sasuke do something like that?"
Tsunade frowned, finding it hard to believe.
Sasuke wasn't like Shinju—he didn't have the kind of power to capture a veteran jinchūriki alive.
"There were traces of black flames left by Amaterasu at the scene," Karui said angrily.
Tsunade nodded slightly. Although she still had doubts, Kumogakure had sent emissaries themselves—it seemed she'd have to confirm the details directly when she went there.
"Understood. I'll attend the Five Kage Summit," Tsunade said.
"Shizune, arrange accommodations for our guests from Kumogakure."
Shizune nodded and was about to escort Darui and Omoi out when—
Shinju entered with Yamato and the others.
Omoi nearly drew his sword. "Who goes there?!"
When he saw who it was, he quickly sheathed it.
"Ah, Shinju-san! It's been a while."
"Long time no see. Huh? You two look kinda familiar..." Shinju tilted his head, then snapped his fingers.
"I remember now! You're the ones I dragged back to Konoha with Killer B last time! (´∇ﾉ｀*)ノ"
Karui and Omoi: (||๐_๐)
"That was ages ago! Anyway, Konoha and Kumogakure are allies now," Omoi said with a polite smile.
Karui, with her fiery temper, crossed her arms and glared.
"Yeah, but if Konoha doesn't handle this rogue Sasuke properly, that alliance won't last long! (▼ヘ▼#)"
Shinju frowned in confusion. "Rogue Sasuke? What happened this time? (￢‸￢)?"
Omoi opened his mouth to explain, but Tsunade interrupted.
"Shizune, take our guests to their quarters. I'll explain things to Shinju myself."
After a while, Omoi and Karui left. Only Shinju's team remained in the office.
Tsunade faced them, her tone serious.
"According to the letter from Raikage-sama, Killer B disappeared under mysterious circumstances a few days ago. Witnesses spotted Sasuke's team in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, and Sasuke was reportedly wearing an Akatsuki cloak. Kumogakure suspects Sasuke was responsible for B's disappearance."
"Additionally, because Akatsuki has been increasingly active, Kumogakure is calling for a Five Kage Summit."
Naruto immediately reacted.
"Sasuke would never do something like that!"
Yamato frowned, analyzing.
"Besides, I don't think Sasuke has the ability to capture Killer B alive... →_→"
Shinju shook his head as well.
"Sasuke's already allied with me. I sent him to the Land of Lightning to protect the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails, not capture them!"
Tsunade sighed. "Whether we believe it or not isn't what matters. What matters is convincing Kumogakure that Sasuke wasn't the one behind this. (ー ー゛)"
Shinju stepped forward.
"I'll go look for Sasuke myself. After all, I'm the one who sent him to the Land of Lightning—this is my responsibility."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo