Chapter 137: The Sky Ninja and the Artisan Ninja

Land of Wind, Sunagakure.

After signing the summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave and becoming its inheritor, Rasa chose to temporarily return to Sunagakure.

He was just so damn busy!

Although Sēramu was now assisting him with some trivial matters and becoming more proficient, many major decisions in the village still required his final approval.

In addition, Karura's pregnancy made him feel the need to set aside some time for family life.

That night, Rasa returned to Sunagakure with Karura.

As for Chiyo and the others, they remained in the Dragon Oasis, researching Sage energy.

Rasa had not informed Chiyo and the others about Karura's pregnancy.

This wasn't Rasa's idea. In his view, since even Nono, a spy, knew about it, there was no need to hide it. Karura wasn't a jinchūriki like Kushina, but Karura had refused, saying that while Rasa was her husband, he didn't belong solely to her but to the entire village. Yet, as his wife, she wished for moments when Rasa belonged only to her.

To be honest, as a man, Rasa found it difficult to understand such subtle feminine thoughts, but he saw no reason to refuse.

Of course, Rasa hadn't truly hidden it from everyone. Besides Nono, Yashamaru, his brother-in-law, also knew about his sister's pregnancy. Thus, after spending half a day with his wife as an ordinary couple, Rasa had no choice but to return to his duties as Kazekage.

"Have Chiyo-sama and the others not returned yet?"

In the Kazekage's office, Rasa, dressed in casual home clothes, asked as he looked at the returned Baki.

"Hai! The two elders and Temari and Midori-sama are still there, training diligently."

Baki hesitated before adding,

"Reporting to the Kazekage-sama, Chiyo-sama mentioned that the conditions in the Dragon Oasis are much better than in the village. If the Kazekage-sama agrees, Chiyo-sama would like to move there permanently."

This was something Rasa hadn't expected. After some thought, he agreed.

"No problem. Inform Chiyo-sama and the others that they are free to live there, but they must not neglect their duties in the village."

After all, in Rasa's vision, Sunagakure would eventually relocate to the Dragon Oasis.

At that moment, Sēramu, dressed as a secretary, knocked and entered, respectfully saying,

"Kazekage-sama, they have arrived!"

"Good, let them in."

Shortly after, under Sēramu's guidance, six distinctive individuals entered.

Upon seeing Rasa seated on the high platform, the six immediately knelt and saluted.

"We pay our respects to the Kazekage-sama!"

"Hn."

Rasa nodded, allowing them to rise before saying,

"Introduce yourselves."

The elderly man with a kind demeanor and white hair exchanged a wary glance with a man in armor. Finally, the elderly man stepped forward and spoke first.

"Then, allow this old man to begin."

With that, he took a step forward and bowed slightly.

"I am Shinnō, from the Hidden Sky Village. After our village was destroyed by Konoha in the last Great Shinobi War, I have been wandering the shinobi world. Upon hearing of Sunagakure's great victory over Konoha, I came here and saw the announcement you posted in the village. I wish to join Sunagakure. My request is simple: if I can solve the problem you have proposed, I humbly ask that Sunagakure help us avenge the destruction of the Hidden Sky Village."

Rasa nodded. Although he vaguely remembered the plot and knew that Shinnō likely had ulterior motives for coming to Sunagakure, he had no intention of exposing him. He genuinely needed the Hidden Sky Village's technology to solve Sunagakure's transportation issues. Moreover, if he recalled correctly, the Hidden Sky Village had a tailed beast without a tail: the Zero-Tail.

"Rest assured, even without the Hidden Sky Village, our conflict with Konoha is a fight to the death. However, all conflicts and battles are based on the interests of Sunagakure."

Shinno smiked.

"Please rest easy, Kazekage-sama. I understand this principle and will not cause you any trouble."

"Hm."

Rasa then turned his attention to the other five individuals.

The man dressed in armor, resembling a samurai, immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"I am Hōki. The three behind me are my subordinates. We are from the Takumi Village (Village of Artisans) and specialize in crafting ninja tools. We have come here to seek Sunagakure's protection for our village, to avoid exploitation by the other great nations."

Compared to the Hidden Sky Village, Rasa had a deeper impression of the Takumi Village. On one hand, some of the ninja tools they created were considered the origin of scientific ninja tools, possessing various incredible abilities. On the other hand, the village's founder shared the same name as the legendary onmyōji: Seimei.

"Rest assured, as long as you can help Sunagakure solve our transportation issues, we will not treat you unfairly. However, I am curious—did you know each other before this?"

Shinnō answered.

"Yes, Hōki and I did not know each other before. We only met by chance on our way to Sunagakure."

Hōki also nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama. Although our Takumi Village has some expertise in crafting ninja tools, I am well aware that solving Sunagakure's transportation problem cannot be achieved with tools alone. I have heard of the Hidden Sky Village's past technology, which is why I invited Shinnō to collaborate."

"I see."

Hearing this, Rasa felt somewhat reassured.

"So, do you have any ideas now?"

Both nodded, and Hōki pulled out a scroll from his robe.

"Please allow me to present the design, Kazekage-sama!"

"Proceed."

Under Baki's watchful gaze, Hōki stepped forward and unrolled the scroll on Rasa's desk.

What appeared before everyone was a vehicle resembling a ship.

"What is this?"

"We call it the Desert Ship. It is a vessel that treats the desert as an ocean, using wind-based chakra as its power source."

Rasa was momentarily stunned, unable to process the idea.

"Treating the desert as an ocean and making a ship sail on sand... Is that possible?"

"Kazekage-sama, it is possible. We have carefully studied the deserts of the Land of Wind. The sand is very fine and smooth, creating minimal resistance for the ship. By harnessing wind-based chakra and the natural winds of the desert, the ship's sails can propel it across the sand..."

Although Hōki explained it convincingly, Rasa still had his doubts. In his mind, the solution to Sunagakure's transportation problem was something like a train or the "Lightning Rail" from Boruto, which used lightning-based chakra as its energy source.

However, since he wasn't a professional, he decided not to dismiss the idea outright.

"It's an interesting concept. You may proceed with building a prototype of the Desert Ship. Sunagakure will provide all the necessary funds. Once it's completed, we can evaluate its effectiveness. In addition, I would like you to research another mode of transportation that I have in mind."