"I see, I understand."
Ending the call with Gin, Ryuji continued walking towards Sunagakure's prison.
Three days had passed since the Root's members assassination attempt. Ryuji had returned to Sunagakure.
News also came from Konoha.
They were willing to apologize for the incident and offer compensation.
Then Ryuji stopped paying attention.
What kind of compensation, how much… these were matters for the Third Kazekage to worry about.
After all, it was a matter without solid evidence; they couldn't make excessive demands. Getting some benefits was about it.
…
Arriving at the prison cell.
The withered monk still sat cross-legged, but his face was somewhat pale, looking much more haggard.
"Old monk, I've come to see you."
Ryuji casually walked up to Bunpuku and sat down cross-legged.
The old monk opened his eyes. Seeing Ryuji, he forced a faint smile, "You are thoughtful."
"Tch, thoughtful? He's just worried you'll die and there'll be no one to take your place." Shukaku's dissatisfied voice emerged from the old monk.
Neither paid much attention.
They both knew Shukaku was just venting at Ryuji for taking so long to visit.
Ryuji looked at the old monk and asked, "How is your illness?"
"Just a minor ailment."
No sooner had he spoken than Bunpuku covered his mouth, coughing.
Ryuji chuckled lightly, "Seems it's not so minor. If it were truly minor, they wouldn't have rushed me back so urgently."
"It really is just a minor ailment. But with age, even minor ailments become hard to bear."
"Is that so?"
Ryuji extended his right hand, half-believing, half-doubting.
Bunpuku cooperatively extended his right hand for pulse-taking.
Moments later.
Ryuji withdrew his hand, frowning deeply, "It is indeed just a chill, but your physical condition is too poor. Even your cells seem lifeless."
"Didn't I say? It's just a minor ailment."
Bunpuku withdrew his hand, smiling indifferently, "Everyone dies eventually. Although I've lived in this prison my whole life, being able to live carefree until my natural end is a blessing accumulated over lifetimes."
"Old monk, don't say such unlucky things!" Shukaku's voice rang out again.
But Bunpuku gently shook his head, "Death isn't something terrible, nor is it unlucky. It's just a path everyone must walk in life. Perhaps it's the end, or perhaps another beginning. Who knows?"
"Anyway, for me, death is no different from eating or sleeping… just another experience in life."
"Old monk..."
Shukaku fell silent.
The longer he spent with the old monk, the more he reminded him of the Sage of Six Paths.
If not for his weak strength and different appearance traits from what the Sage described, he'd almost think Bunpuku was the legendary Child of Prophecy.
Looking at the old monk who saw through life and death, Ryuji was silent for a moment before asking, "...Then do you want to die?"
"Whether I want to or not, what difference does it make?"
"If you don't want to die, I can let you continue living."
Hearing this, Bunpuku looked at Ryuji in surprise, as if seeing him for the first time.
Shukaku excitedly cried out, "Brat, I never thought you'd be somewhat useful. Giving you Chakra wasn't in vain after all."
Ryuji ignored him, staring directly at Bunpuku, "So, do you want to keep living?"
"Of course! What fool in this world would—"
"I do not wish to continue living."
Bunpuku interrupted Shukaku.
He took a deep breath, speaking frankly, "Although I voluntarily stay in this prison, it doesn't mean I like such a life. I've stayed here only because I don't want others to worry and fear because of me."
"Deep down, I've always yearned to go outside, to live freely like others, to live a life without anyone's wary or strange looks."
"Perhaps death is also good for me."
"...I see."
Ryuji let out a long breath, stood up, and looked deeply at him, saying, "Old monk, you are a good person, but also a fool and a coward."
Finished, he turned and left directly.
Since the old monk had made his own decision, he wouldn't force him.
Shukaku felt indignant, wanting to question, but saw the old monk smile contentedly.
"Yes, I am a fool, and also a coward."
"Wait, what's going on with you two?"
Shukaku was completely baffled.
The old monk smiled slightly, "Nothing. It's just that finally, someone understands me."
Pausing slightly, he continued earnestly, "Shukaku, having someone who understands you in life is the greatest happiness."
"Are you truly foolish? Locked up your whole life, and you call that happiness?"
"Perhaps."
Bunpuku understood what Ryuji meant.
He was indeed foolish to willingly be locked up here to prevent others from worrying.
But this foolishness didn't refer to his self-sacrificing altruism, but that he had better solutions yet didn't take them.
He could have walked out openly, interacted with more people, let them understand he meant no harm.
But he didn't.
Because people carry biases, leaning towards what they believe. Gaining villagers' trust would take a long time and might not even succeed.
Until then, villagers would live in constant fear of him.
Moreover, the biggest reason was fear.
He was afraid of failure, afraid he couldn't withstand everyone's prejudice and lose control.
He worried he might become what people feared.
So Ryuji called him foolish and cowardly.
But he didn't mind. This was the life he chose; he had no regrets.
...
"It's just a minor cold; no need to worry too much."
In the Kazekage's office, Ryuji told the Third Kazekage, "Prepare some medicine to drive away the chill and treat the cold. Pay more attention to the old monk's diet later, and he can live another five or six years without issue."
"Five or six more years..." The Third Kazekage pondered slightly, "I wonder if we can find a new Jinchuriki within five or six years."
"We'll deal with it then." Ryuji said casually.
Having read the script, he knew Gaara would appear later, so he wasn't worried at all.
The Third Kazekage opened his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.
He initially wanted to ask Ryuji if he could create a suitable Jinchuriki puppet.
But considering Bunpuku could last a few more years and Ryuji wasn't worried, he closed his mouth.
After thinking a bit, he changed his words, "On your way to Konoha, help Pakura out."
"What's wrong with Pakura?"
"Still those people from the Western Continent."
"Not resolved yet?"
"Those people have sensing and anti-sensing abilities. Pakura can't find them, constantly being led around."
At this point, the Third Kazekage also seemed to have a headache, "I've sent twenty squads to support her. Aka is also helping over there. But if we can't find them, it's meaningless."
"And they covet the Gelel Stone. Without resolving them, we can't search for that thing with peace of mind."
"No problem. I'll check when passing through the Land of Rivers." Ryuji agreed.
He was also interested in the anti-sensing ability those people possessed. He had researched this area of knowledge before but made no progress.
He wanted samples to study, but those with anti-sensing abilities were even rarer than Sensor-type Shinobi.
In hundreds of episodes of the original Naruto, only one person seemed to appear.
That was Ranmaru with his 'Red Eyes', which could create Chakra images to mislead Byakugan sensing… whether effective against spiritual sensing was questionable.
Thus, Ryuji's plans hadn't succeeded.
But if he could obtain the ability from these Western Continent enemies and replicate it through technology, they'd gain absolute intelligence advantage in future battles.
Moreover, even with the Dragon Vein, the Gelel Stone was still very important to him.
Aside from its suspected Yang Release and Senjutsu Chakra Nature properties, the ore itself contained massive Chakra Reserves, which would be very useful.
Obtaining it early could replace Chakra Storage Devices, enhancing puppet endurance.
"Regarding the Kagero Clan..."
Ryuji suddenly thought of this before leaving.
On the way back to Sunagakure, Kana proactively suggested letting Ryuji send people to the Kagero Clan's secluded homeland to inform them about joining Sunagakure.
Ryuji gladly accepted.
He had planned to do this but worried that proposing it himself might give Kana the wrong idea, so he let her return to notify them herself.
After all, stories like 'The Peach Blossom Spring' had similar versions in the Shinobi World.
"That's fine. Although the place is hard to find, with the map she provided, it shouldn't be too difficult."
"Remember to send women. Otherwise, if they get seduced and 'eaten' before explaining the purpose, the misunderstanding would be huge."
"How could I make such a stupid mistake?"
'Haven't you made plenty of stupid mistakes?'
Ryuji thought sarcastically to himself, but outwardly showed a reassured expression.
"Since that's the case, I'll take my leave."
...
After bidding farewell to the Third Kazekage, Ryuji continued his journey with Kana.
Along the way, he's also replenishing Chakra for the Scarab puppets.
He considered whether to specially create a puppet to replenish Chakra for the Scarabs.
Otherwise, it was too tiring.
A day and a half later.
Ryuji met Pakura at a canyon on the Land of Rivers border.
Her hair was somewhat messy, with dark circles under her eyes, looking utterly exhausted. Most others were similar.
Only Aka was an exception.
Wearing the Sunagakure's Shinobi flak jacket, she was as spirited and capable as ever.
"You're finally here!"
Having learned from Aka in advance that Ryuji was coming, Pakura had been eagerly awaiting.
Aside from missing the man she liked, the tricky nature of the current enemies also drove her crazy.
However,
When she saw Kana following behind Ryuji, wearing the Sunagakure's flak jacket and Sunagakure's forehead protector, her woman's intuition immediately sensed a threat.
Before Ryuji could respond, she immediately pressed on, "What's her situation?"
"Hawk Eyes research encountered some issues, so she's tagging along." Ryuji explained, "Don't ask about the Charm-Poison Body's danger either. I obtained her and the Kagero Clan's joining precisely by offering the solution."