The remaining journey passed without incident. Three days later, Chiyo and Hii Kōri arrived at Sunagakure as scheduled.
Unlike previous stops at other villages, Chiyo didn't take time to familiarize Hii Kōri with Wind Country's customs this time. After a brief registration at the village gate, they hurried straight to the Kazekage Building.
Chiyo had originally been passing by the smithy during a mission—encountering all this was pure accident. She'd already notified the village of her itinerary en route, so now she needed to report with her "mission achievements" promptly.
Hii Kōri had no objections. Settling in sooner rather than later suited him fine.
Truth be told, there wasn't much to see in Sunagakure anyway.
As mentioned, Sunagakure—indeed all of Wind Country—was simultaneously "rich and poor." Abundant resources they couldn't convert into usable wealth, plus harsh environmental conditions—you wouldn't find bustling prosperity here.
Even ninja clans lacked superior conditions. Their dwellings and facilities resembled those in other villages and towns—looking like adobe houses, merely larger.
Dome-shaped dwellings blended seamlessly with the desert, interconnected. Almost all social activities occurred indoors to shelter from the wind and sand. Streets served solely for material transport.
Or for urgent travel, like now.
Tucked under Chiyo's arm, Hii Kōri watched roadside scenery blur past, eyes clear.
Regarding physical enhancement, chakra—with physical energy as a primary component—far surpassed cursed energy. Without special techniques, cursed energy enhancement, only top jujutsu sorcerers could briefly maintain such speeds.
Different specializations, I suppose...
Thus musing, he began considering cursed energy's applications here.
He hadn't attempted refining cursed energy earlier—mainly because explaining to Chiyo how an Uzumaki specializing in Yang Release could produce energy is extremely inclined Yin Release would be inconvenient.
But once enrolled, he could look through materials and attempt openly.
Like seeking funding—you can't just pitch raw concepts. You need citations. Never mind whether your references relate to your proposal—as long as they impress.
Hii Kōri did this effortlessly. Research burned through money, after all.
Speaking of which, didn't I have several proposals pending?
Thinking of funding, he suddenly remembered leaving unfinished contracted work before dying. Probably blown sky-high with his workshops and labs by that bastard Gojō by now.
Ah, suffered that bastard's absolute lack of virtue this lifetime. Those investors—so pitiful.
Thus silently mourning, Hii Kōri conveniently ignored being the evil and crazy researcher whose dangerous experiments forced Gojō to clean up messes worldwide.
Just then, wind rushing past his ears ceased. Looking up, he saw Chiyo had brought him to their destination—the Kazekage Building.
"Building" was generous—this rounded structure barely taller than other Sand buildings. With economy heavily dependent on mining, Wind Country's underground construction technology was developed; naturally, Sand followed suit.
Complex underground networks served as natural barriers against invaders while allowing Wind Country's fragmented, cramped habitable zones to accommodate the Five Great Nations' largest population.
Brushing accumulated sand from his fluffy hair, Hii Kōri followed Chiyo down the descending staircase.
This spiral staircase wasn't narrow—several could walk abreast. Along the way, he noticed numerous ninja hurrying past, turning into lateral corridors at various levels.
Everyone is busy—acknowledging elite jōnin Chiyo with nods sufficed for social etiquette.
Hii Kōri, a child? Ignored.
If Chiyo brought him, she must have reasons.
This didn't indicate Sand ninja only swept the snow in front of the door—mainly, civilian staff working dungeon faced considerable pressure.
Above ground, in surface passages, everyone happily chatted.
Though ventilation systems were adequate, underground remained underground. The dull air couldn't compare outside. Lighting also fell short of normal buildings. No one wasted precious break down here.
Descending about five levels, Chiyo stopped before an office door.
"Kid, wait outside. Few minutes. If anyone asks questions, say you don't know—send them to me."
Before knocking, Chiyo crouched to whisper instructions. Seeing him nod, she knocked, expression solemn, and entered alone.
Hii Kōri had no complaints. Whether debriefing previous missions or discussing him, Chiyo couldn't bring him inside.
That advice carried undertones—unclear intentions given current circumstances.
Leaning against the wall, Hii Kōri tapped rhythmically, thinking.
Nearly ten minutes passed—no answers, but Chiyo emerged, equally solemn.
Meeting his questioning gaze, she crouched before him, hands on his shoulders, expression heavy.
"Hey... kid..."
"Wh... what?"
Seeing Chiyo like this, Hii Kōri felt uncertain.
What's this? Straight to dissection? Memory extraction? I don't recall such techniques existing...
Thoughts geysered from his mind, intensifying suffering with Chiyo's silence. His gaze began waving.
Finally, the atmosphere froze to breaking point—Chiyo suddenly flashed a triumphant g
rin.
"Come on. Call me 'Mom.'"
"...Huh?"
"What 'huh'? From today, you're my adopted son. Hard to understand?"
"—Ah. I get it. Have you finally lost it, old hag?"
"Damn brat! I'm thirty-five! Calling me 'old hag'?!"