Chapter 49: Chiyo's Gamble

Land of Wind, Medical Department.

Ebizo lay weakly on the hospital bed, enduring the pain, and instructed Chiyo:

"Konoha's foundation is far stronger than ours. Hatake Sakumo poses too great a threat to our puppet masters. We can't fight him head-on anymore. We need to preserve the legacy of the puppet lineage for the village."

Chiyo, with reddened eyes, tightly held his hand, silently watching her brother.

Ebizo sighed lightly, trying to comfort her:

"You must control your emotions. Sunagakure still needs your support. The Third Kazekage is not mature enough to lead the village in the right direction."

"My injury is not serious. Getting wounded on the battlefield is just a ninja's duty."

"Alright, get me a current battlefield map. We still need to guard against Konoha's counterattack."

Chiyo choked back tears and said, "Don't worry, I've already made the arrangements."

Ebizo looked at Chiyo firmly, indicating his intention to continue working.

Chiyo sighed, got up, and quickly walked out of the camp.

Watching his sister leave, a bitter smile appeared on Ebizo's face. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, barely managed to take a couple of puffs, but couldn't exhale any smoke.

Kato Dan's Spirit Transformation Technique had severely injured his soul, and he had been in a coma for two days now. His current wakefulness was just a fleeting moment before death.

Perhaps the Sage of the Six Paths was watching over him, giving him a chance to bid farewell to his family one last time.

Ebizo's mind grew increasingly clear, and fragments of his life flashed rapidly through his mind, pausing at the day he officially allied with Hanzo.

Back then, he was happily smoking a cigarette, naively imagining that after the war, Sunagakure would have blue skies and green fields.

Looking at the cigarette in his hand, feeling his life gradually slipping away, he murmured reluctantly, "I really want to finish this cigarette."

He pushed Chiyo away because he didn't want her to see him die. In his heart, a ninja's departure should be strong and unrestrained, not bringing more pain to their loved ones.

When Chiyo returned to the camp and saw that Ebizo had already closed his eyes, she was engulfed in immense grief.

Silently, she apologized to her brother in her heart. "Sorry, this is the only time I won't listen to you. Damn Konoha must pay the price."

Chiyo went to the Third Kazekage, offering to relinquish all her power and become merely an advisor. In return, she had one request: to deploy Sunagakure's tailed beast Shukaku to strike back at Konoha.

The Third Kazekage readily agreed. Why wouldn't he? Ever since the Second Kazekage began researching tailed beasts as weapons, no one had seen the practical results.

It was an opportunity to test the war value of the tailed beast and clear out the old obstructive elders from Sunagakure's leadership. For the Third Kazekage, there was no downside.

In fact, this was the first time during the Ninja World Wars that a tailed beast was to be deployed. Previous battles were fought solely by ninjas.

Sunagakure was about to become the first village to open Pandora's box.

Land of Wind, Temple of the Wind.

An old monk sat with his hands clasped, mumbling to himself, a young monk quietly listening beside him.

"One day, tailed beasts and humans will understand each other. If we sincerely accept each other, there is no difference between us."

"One day, someone will come to protect and save you, to guide you, Shukaku."

The young monk quietly scoffed because he didn't agree with the old monk's viewpoint. To him, tailed beasts were merely tools for gaining power.

This old monk was the Jinchuriki of Sunagakure's One-Tailed Beast, Bunpuku.

Hearing the old monk's words, a sharp voice echoed from within Bunpuku: "Bunpuku, did you see that? Did you see the look on your disciple's face? He doesn't believe a word you're saying!"

Bunpuku merely shook his head with a smile, looking serenely at Shukaku in the mental space.

Shukaku snorted heavily, mocking: "Old man, your village is at war, isn't it? Don't you have people wanting to use my power? They will beg you, force you. I'm waiting for you to beg me!"

No sooner had Shukaku spoken than Chiyo stormed into the temple and bowed deeply to Bunpuku.

In recent days, the news of Ebizo and Chiyo's son's deaths had spread throughout Sunagakure.

Bunpuku remained calm and said faintly, "I do not control Shukaku. If it doesn't want to help Sunagakure, I can't force it."

Chiyo continued to bow, silently pleading with Bunpuku. She understood that this old monk, known by few even in Sunagakure, possessed astonishing power.

She had witnessed firsthand how this wizened old man had easily controlled Shukaku with purple chains.

Sunagakure's senior members had probed him several times, trying to find out if he had fully mastered Shukaku's power. But Bunpuku, as a member of Sunagakure, had an idealistic belief he shouldn't have.

He held the power of the tailed beast and had exceptional skills, yet he wasn't willing to fight on the battlefield, preferring to remain in the temple guarding Shukaku.

Seeing Chiyo in such a humble state, Shukaku burst into mad laughter. "See? This is human nature! Tailed beasts and humans can't coexist peacefully. It's just a fantasy! Humans only see us as weapons!"

Sensing Shukaku's resistance, Bunpuku sighed, stood up, bowed slightly to Chiyo, and left silently.

Nearby, Monk Faji shook his head, inwardly commenting: "Master is good at everything, but he doesn't understand the rules of the ninja world. Once he's gone, I'll seize the power of these tailed beasts."

Watching Bunpuku turn down Chiyo, Shukaku remained silent for a moment before sneering. "Bunpuku, I'll lend you my power. Go fight, and you'll realize how fragile humanity's peace and love are."

Bunpuku smiled, feeling conflicted. He had always wanted to help Sunagakure, and an internal struggle had long been brewing within him.

He wanted to convince Shukaku that humans and tailed beasts could coexist peacefully, while also wanting to protect Sunagakure with its power.

Unlike other Jinchurikis, Bunpuku had a unique boundary; he didn't want to force Shukaku.

Now, although Shukaku didn't agree with his viewpoint, it agreed to lend its power. It was a good start.

Bunpuku returned and gently lifted the still bowing Chiyo, nodding softly.

Chiyo, delighted, had tears streaming down her face. She hadn't slept in a long time.

Her son's head had been severed by Hatake Sakumo, her brother had died with blackened blood on his deathbed, and her grandson constantly cried for his father. These memories continuously tormented her.

Now, Chiyo was a woman consumed by the flames of revenge.

The Sand Ninja forces assembled once more, and this time, Shukaku's power would accompany them to battle.