In the high tower of Sunagakure, Bunpuku sat in the center of the main hall as always, with nothing but a meditation cushion. On normal days, he would quietly cultivate here, primarily focusing on his mental state. This was an excellent method to combat the erosion of negative emotions from the Tailed Beast.
However, only someone like Bunpuku, who had grown up in a temple, could use this method. Others might not possess his pure and ascetic state of mind. While ninjas undergo rigorous training, it mainly focuses on suppressing emotions, which is different from his Ninshu cultivation.
Bunpuku spent most of his time in meditation. When he was hungry, he would go to the side hall for a meal; when thirsty, he would drink some water, and then return to the main hall, alone. Although he had no one to talk to, Bunpuku rarely felt lonely.
It was Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast within Bunpuku, who couldn't stay still. In the past, it was fine when they couldn't communicate telepathically, but after Bunpuku was able to meet Shukaku in his mental world, Shukaku initially maintained its aloofness as a powerful creature. However, it gradually couldn't keep up the facade, especially when it realized that Bunpuku wasn't such a bad person.
Slowly, Bunpuku and Shukaku began to converse, eventually developing a relationship akin to friendship. Although Shukaku still maintained an outwardly cold demeanor, it genuinely considered Bunpuku a friend and felt sympathy for him, often urging him to go out and teach the people of Sunagakure a lesson.
But Bunpuku would only say, "I cannot let you harm innocent people," and consistently refused to use Shukaku's power.
Shukaku felt that Bunpuku was truly stubborn, refusing to cooperate. However, what truly made Shukaku trust Bunpuku might have been this very obstinacy. So, even though Shukaku claimed it would no longer bother with Bunpuku, it slowly began to help Bunpuku with its chakra.
The One-Tailed Shukaku possessed the ability to control sand and wind, almost instinctively. It could grant its jinchuriki the power to control sand. The Second Kazekage, Shamon, created Sunagakure's unique Sand Secret Arts based on this very fact. Under Shukaku's influence, and without any other instruction, Bunpuku achieved rapid progress in Wind Release by simply deciphering scrolls on his own. While this was certainly due to Bunpuku's exceptional talent, Shukaku's subtle assistance also played a role.
"Hey, Bunpuku, maybe those scoundrels from Sunagakure will come calling for you soon," Shukaku said casually, looking at Bunpuku, who was quietly meditating in the mental world.
"Perhaps," Bunpuku slowly opened his eyes and replied. He occasionally received news from the village, and although it wasn't the latest, he knew the village's situation was dire.
"How about it? When they let you out, that'll be the perfect time to get revenge on them. I can lend you my power," Shukaku said again. Even though it considered Bunpuku its friend, it never gave up its attempts at manipulation.
And just as Shukaku expected, Bunpuku remained completely unmoved. He could only quietly say, "If the country and village face danger, I will step forward to protect them. That is my bottom line. Beyond that, I seek nothing."
"Hmph!" Shukaku already knew that the other party would answer this way. Although it sometimes hoped Bunpuku would give a different answer, that might not be Bunpuku anymore, and it might lose interest in him.
Just then, Bunpuku suddenly heard footsteps. In the quiet main hall, his hearing had become so acute that he could almost hear a needle drop. The approaching person was still far away, but Bunpuku had already caught their footsteps.
"Someone's coming," Bunpuku said.
"Heh, I bet they're coming to ask for your help. This time, they might really need you to step forward," Shukaku chuckled, "Tsk, humans are truly shameless. They ignore you on normal days, but when they need something, they come looking for you."
"Shukaku, humans are not that simple," Bunpuku said quietly, then his consciousness returned to his real body. He opened his eyes and waited patiently.
A moment later,
Six Sunagakure ANBU members appeared before Bunpuku. The leader, with a cold expression, said, "Shukaku, the Kazekage-sama wants to see you."
Bunpuku had been here for so long that few people still knew his name, referring to him only as "Shukaku." They didn't know this was Shukaku's true name, but rather a rumor from the sealing artifact used to seal Shukaku long ago, leading people to call the One-Tail Shukaku. They had unknowingly spoken the truth.
Bunpuku had asked about this once, and Shukaku said that someone who knew its name had passed it down, and that person had also passed down the sealing artifact. However, with the passage of time, everyone who knew about it had died, and the matter became a legend, but its name remained.
"How is the situation?" Bunpuku had no complaints about the ANBU's tone; he was accustomed to them speaking this way. He simply asked.
"The front-line battle was a crushing defeat. Konohagakure is about to approach the village. The Kazekage-sama urgently needs your strength." Even the cold ANBU's voice became somewhat sorrowful at this moment.
"Is that so? I indeed have no choice but to step forward. Take me there," Bunpuku said, rising from his meditation cushion and slowly walking to the center of the ANBU.
The ANBU closely followed Bunpuku, watching his every move. If he made any sudden movements, they would immediately intervene to suppress the revival of the One-Tail. Of course, given Bunpuku's control over the Tailed Beast, such a situation was naturally impossible.
Because Bunpuku was not fully integrated with Shukaku, he wasn't considered a perfect jinchuriki. However, he could use Shukaku's power, and to some extent, among ordinary ninjas, he could still be called a monster.
Bunpuku said nothing and simply followed the ANBU towards the front lines. He was already quite old, but besides cultivating his mental state, he had not neglected his physical training. Even trained ninjas could keep up with him, and the ANBU, out of the need for surveillance and protection, did not run too fast.
Soon after, Bunpuku and the ANBU arrived at Sunagakure's camp. They entered without fanfare, instead being secretly led to the room where Ebizō and Chiyo were.
Chiyo stepped out and glanced at Bunpuku, her eyes calm with a hint of coldness. She then told the ANBU, "You may withdraw."
The ANBU nodded and disappeared from their side, concealing themselves nearby.
"Come in," Chiyo said, leading Bunpuku into the room. Bunpuku immediately noticed Ebizō leaning against the edge of the bed and showed a hint of surprise.
"Kazekage-sama, you are..." Bunpuku could tell that Ebizō's injury was not simple, as Ebizō's movements on one side of his body were clearly uncoordinated.
"The Konoha ninja did it," Ebizō smiled faintly, but his lips trembled slightly as he spoke. "There's no need to elaborate on that, Bunpuku. I... I have something to ask of you." It seemed to take a great deal of effort for him to say this sentence.