Chapter 49: To Be Taken Out and Shot for Five Minutes
"In conclusion, the shuriken launcher research is postponed."
In Vegeta's cell—correction, in the Kazekage's Office on the fifth underground level—Hiiro Rinko reported his mission, his words muffled as he chewed on a date.
He was becoming more and more fond of this food. High in sugar, easy to absorb, and not too cloying. Best of all, they could be grown in Sunagakure. A first-rate product.
"Since it's a matter concerning the Jinchūriki, it naturally takes higher priority."
The Third Kazekage, his fingers steepled in front of his nose in a profound-looking pose, made a low humming sound. In reality, he was just hiding the fact that he was also stuffing his face.
This time, he didn't mention the Chūnin Exams. After all, Rinko's strength was obvious to all. He'd only brought it up before as idle chatter.
"Oh, right, one more thing. Shouldn't the prison guards be replaced?"
Rinko tightened the scroll on his wrist that served as a bracer, took out a pen and paper, and casually tossed another bag of dates to the Third Kazekage.
'Vegeta' might be "imprisoned" here, but Rinko loved this office. It was quiet, uncluttered, and perfect for drawing blueprints.
"Oh? What did those guys do to offend you now?"
The man, who had lost all 'Kage' dignity in front of Rinko and was now eating like a hamster, asked with great interest.
He couldn't help it; the brat was bribing him. This kid was always pulling out some delicious snack. He was already in 'jail,' couldn't he at least have a bite?
"What do you mean, 'offend me'? Am I really that petty of a child?"
"? Are you not? That Rasa kid just 'failed to save you' one time when you were swarmed by girls, and now every time you 'spar,' you pretend it's a real fight and beat him half to death, don't you?"
In terms of talent, Rinko was clearly superior to Rasa. Logically, if the Kazekage were to take a disciple, it should have been Rinko.
But Rinko didn't have Lightning-nature Chakra. The Third's main goal was to pass on his Magnet Release. Besides, other than the basics, he had nothing to teach Rinko.
Taijutsu? He barely used it himself. Ninjutsu? He was probably inferior to Matasaburō in Wind Release. As for Sealing Jutsu and Barrier Jutsu… if he knew those, would he have needed to find an Uzumaki?
Sometimes, the brat would even propose constructive ideas that gave him inspiration. And Rasa, the disciple he did choose, just got spun like a top by Rinko in every spar.
Thinking about it, it made him, the Kazekage, seem pretty useless. What a mess.
Ah, how depressing. I'd better eat more sweets.
"Slander! That's slander! I'm writing you up in my burn book! And give me back those dates, you're cut off!"
Despite his shouts, Rinko didn't actually try to grab the dates. Instead, he looked at the Third Kazekage with a serious expression. "Honestly, I don't care about those small-timers. But aren't they getting a little too full of themselves?"
"I'm listening."
"For ordinary civilians to equate the Jinchūriki with the Tailed Beast and ostracize them... fine, we can call it ignorance. But the prison guards are shinobi, aren't they?"
Rinko didn't even look up, continuing to sketch the roadmap for his sealing formula. His tone was one of genuine disbelief. "They know the village's sealing skills are terrible. They know the Jinchūriki is, in theory, easy to lose control of and that's why he's locked up. And they still dare to yell at Master Bunpuku?"
"Are those idiots spies from another village? Or do they just act all high and mighty because they know Master Bunpuku won't stoop to their level?"
When he was talking with Bunpuku earlier, he had put up a soundproof barrier. But as the caster, it would be ridiculous if he couldn't choose to hear through it.
Rinko had heard every single word those lax, sloppy guards were muttering.
They conflated the Jinchūriki with the Tailed Beast, spewed their malice, and even insulted him, the visitor. It was hard to understand where all their hate came from.
Did a Tailed Beast kill their families? If so, weren't they afraid of it rampaging again and killing their new families?
They were derelict in their duty as guards and, as shinobi, had no respect for that level of power. A waste of Sunagakure's rice.
"Hmm..."
Logically, the Third Kazekage felt Rinko was right. Emotionally, he could... barely... understand the guards' behavior... No, what was there to understand?
"Just charge them with dereliction of duty."
Vegeta's expression became stone-cold.
Because Bunpuku had been stable for decades, the Third had gradually paid less attention to that prison. As Kage, he had too much else to deal with. He had to consider the village's development strategy and economic situation, all while trying to maintain his own skills.
Now he finds out the guards have become this lax?
Rinko had said Bunpuku was, in theory, the most stable Jinchūriki. He hadn't really believed it at first, knowing Suna's "humorous" sealing ability. But looking at it now, it made sense.
No one would use a lie that could be disproven with a single visit as a pretext, right?
"You're the boss. Your call."
Rinko, who didn't really care and was just annoyed on the high monk's behalf, had no other objections. Compared to the guards' punishment, he was more concerned with something else.
"So, what about what we discussed? If the sealing jutsu is effective, will you let Master Bunpuku out of prison?"
"If it really works, I see no problem. Besides, there's almost no one left in the village who even remembers Bunpuku."
A Jinchūriki is, in the end, a village asset. While Bunpuku himself wasn't a fighter and was getting old, he still possessed the power of Shukaku.
Even if it was just to let him out to help train the next Jinchūriki, it was better than keeping him locked in that cell.