The other end of the forest.
As the Kyōka Suigetsu at Aizen's waist was unsheathed, the four wandering ninjas who had been drawn in by the dragons had their throats cut in an instant.
Standing behind Aizen were Temari—whom he had rescued earlier—and the bloodied dragons who were gravely injured.
[Current template character: Aizen Sōsuke, unlock rate: 23.8%]
The rise in synchronization left Aizen momentarily speechless.
Orochimaru… he really doesn't hold back in staging these performances.
Still, at least nothing went wrong.
"Huff… sorry, Aizen-sama… cough!"
Baki tried to steady himself, but as soon as he raised his leg slightly, he staggered and fell, coughing blood.
"The one who should apologize is me, Baki. Thanks to you, I had the time to save Temari."
Aizen turned and knelt slightly, his tone filled with regret. "Unfortunately, if I'd come sooner, the other two children wouldn't have…"
Before he could finish, Temari hurriedly interrupted.
"No! Aizen-sama, you saved both me and Teacher Baki. We're already so grateful—please don't blame yourself!"
Aizen glanced at her from the side and said softly, "Thank you, Temari."
Temari's cheeks flushed faintly. Aizen then lifted the wounded onto his back.
"Alright. Let's return to the village."
…
About five minutes after the three had completely disappeared, two figures emerged from behind a large tree. Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto.
"This time we lost two Jōnin and seven Chūnin, Lord Orochimaru. For us, that's no small loss."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, watching the direction Aizen had gone. "But… why go through all this trouble just to stage a scene like that?"
"Heh… the weak aren't qualified to put pressure on the strong."
Orochimaru sneered.
In his mind, Temari being the daughter of the Fourth Kazekage meant Aizen's actions were surely meant to earn her goodwill. Not that Orochimaru thought Aizen had any feelings for the girl—but her identity mattered.
If one day the Fourth Kazekage were gone, who would succeed as the Fifth?
Aizen might seem the most likely candidate now, but the future is never certain.
Orochimaru speculated that Aizen's true goal was preparing his path to the Kazekage seat.
With the support of the Kazekage's own daughter, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
And perhaps Aizen wasn't willing to wait until Rasa stepped down… he might very well take action sooner.
Yet, while Orochimaru's reasoning seemed sound, the foundation was wrong.
Because this Aizen… was not truly "Aizen."
"Alright, Kabuto. You should make for Konoha. For our plan three years from now, you'll need to gather information there."
Orochimaru looked at his subordinate and smiled.
"Use the talents of the spy you're so proud of."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
…
A few days later.
Normally, Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara seldom gathered together.
Temari was already a Genin and spent most days on missions with her team.
Kankurō was still a student, though he often spent his free time with the Puppet Corps.
Gaara was also enrolled in the Academy, but had little contact with his siblings—or anyone at all.
But today, at Temari's request, the three siblings finally gathered.
The reason was that Kankurō had just graduated from the Academy and become a Genin.
Temari used the chance to bring them together.
In the stiff silence of the living room, Temari tried to ease the mood.
"Because of his injuries, Teacher Baki can't continue as our Jōnin instructor. Daimaru and Noda also… well, I might be placed into the regular forces, or maybe paired in a new team with Kankurō and other fresh Genin."
"Oh… I wonder if we'll really be in the same squad."
Kankurō, fiddling with his puppet Crow, replied absently.
Gaara sat in silence on the other side.
Temari scratched her cheek helplessly, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Gaara—I heard on your birthday last week, Master Aizen took you out for dinner. How was it? Isn't Master Aizen a good person?"
"What—dinner? With Gaara?!"
Kankurō's eyes went wide, panicked that Gaara might flare up at the mention. He quickly held his tongue, but the shock still lingered.
To think someone dared take Gaara out, to celebrate his birthday, no less. That person had to be a monster too…
"…It was fine."
After a long pause, Gaara gave a stiff reply. He wasn't good at handling topics about Aizen.
But Temari, in full [Hinamori Momo Mode], clasped her hands together with a hopeful expression.
"If I do form a new team… I really hope Aizen-sama could be my Jōnin instructor. Or at least let me work under him."