The country of Rōran is, theoretically speaking, located within the boundless Great Sand Sea of the Country of Wind, making it a country within a country.
Yes, theoretically.
Because even though many travelers have sworn adamantly that they have seen the towering and unique architectural silhouette of Rōran within the Great Sand Sea, in reality, no one has ever been able to confirm Rōran's specific location, let alone establish stable contact with it.
If it were only this, Rōran might merely be a delusion conjured from some mirage, an increasingly absurd hearsay passed down through word of mouth.
However, both the records of Sunagakure and the widely circulated rumors within the Country of Wind describe Rōran with great solemnity—or rather, describe a certain power Rōran possesses called the "Dragon Pulse"—an unimaginably immense force.
Moreover, judging by the age of these records, Rōran's existence seems even more ancient than the current Five Great Nations, as if the Country of Wind were the newcomers instead.
Based on Hii Kōri's experience, in this bizarre and grotesque ninja world, any rumor could be false—except, perhaps, for these legends about a certain kind of power. Those, more often than not, turn out to be true.
Who knows if that isn't just another Ōtsutsuki's filial son preparing some nifty little tool for his mother.
During his lifetime, the Sage of Six Paths had to join forces with his brother to seal away their mother. Yet by the manga's final chapter, the Sage—already in soul form—could split his Yin-Yang power and use it to seal Ōtsuki Kaguya once more.
Even accounting for the Sage of Six Paths' growth and any potential losses Kaguya might have suffered after breaking free from her seal, such an outcome is still excessively exaggerated.
Hii Kōri has reason to suspect that the Sage of Six Paths, after death, simply squatted in the Pure Land charging batteries, preparing to unleash a massive attack on his mother should she ever break free in some unknown future.
In any case, considering Hii Kōri's memories of the original manga, combined with how long the Rōran rumors have circulated and the high degree of detail, this "Dragon Pulse" is most likely a concept that appeared in some movie or TV original filler arc.
Bringing this back down to reality: if Rōran, as a country within a country, truly possessed energy as immense as the recorded Dragon Pulse, its fate would probably have only two possibilities.
Either it would be exploited by ambitious people and expand rapidly, or it would be coveted by the outside world and trampled upon.
Judging by the current situation, perhaps they only possess the ability to manipulate and utilize the Dragon Pulse to a certain extent, relying on that power to conceal their existence within the Great Sand Sea, like a mirage.
Besides, whether Rōran actually exists or whether he can eventually find it doesn't prevent Hii Kōri from setting the Great Sand Sea as his first destination after leaving the Country of Rain.
Although he has already broadly planned a series of journeys to various countries—exploring new technologies and "treasures" that deviate from his memories—and the village no longer restricts his outbound movements, such matters still require strategy. He must proceed step by step.
If Hii Kōri went straight to the Third Kazekage and said he wanted to go on a long-term field mission like his foster father, then Vegeta definitely wouldn't agree easily.
Although his Chamber of Commerce has Ahaha-kun handling things, the underground production lines have long been on track, the Barrier Team and Sealing Team have been educated quite properly, and the states of Shukaku and Bunpuku are quite sound, one thing is another—long-term field missions involve too many complications. Getting approval would be troublesome regardless.
Moreover, accustomed to Hii Kōri's brain, pushed by inertia, Vegeta absolutely wouldn't be willing to let him go.
But if Hii Kōri changed his approach—starting by merely claiming he'd heard of Rōran's existence and intending to take his disciples to the Great Sand Sea for a short trip combining training and investigation—then Vegeta would most likely not refuse. He might even approve some travel funds under the pretext of "cultivating the next generation" and "historical research."
When it comes to opening his wallet for Hii Kōri, the Third Kazekage—or indeed all of Sunagakure—is rarely stingy.
Tolerance is something that must be gradually increased.
That's how inertia works.
Similarly, for Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato—who grew up in the Country of Rain and adapted to its humid, muggy climate—and for Sasori, who's about to begin systematic puppet technique training and needs ample practice space, just being able to use the Great harsh Sand Sea as a training ground—experiencing Extreme day and night temperature differences, sandstorm environments, and survival pressure from resource scarcity—would already be worth the trip.
As someone accustomed to multi-threaded processing—a veritable "ruthless AI"—he naturally couldn't pass up such an excellent training opportunity.
Furthermore, in the desolate environment of the Great Sand Sea, it would be more convenient to lure Black Zetsu out.
Even though he hasn't sensed Black Zetsu's rather distinctive chakra or spiritual fluctuation recently, if anyone believes that Ōtsutsuki "Chenxiang" would just leave Nagato alone after being completely fooled, they'd be mistaken—of course, Nagato isn't important, and the Rinnegan doesn't actually matter much to Black Zetsu either, but the one he completely fooled—Madara Uchiha—is very important.
And through Madara Uchiha's hands, liberating his mother from the moon's seal is even more important. For Black Zetsu—a Yin-Yang Release creation, lacking power due to his inability to cultivate on his own—this is the closest he's come to fulfilling his long-cherished wish in a thousand years.
Therefore, as Madara Uchiha's pawn in the plan, Nagato becomes important.
"Children, don't blame me for being mean. This is the cruel reality of the dark ninja world..."
Setting down the pen he'd been using to sketch on the mask, Hii Kōri—having sat through two rounds of lamp extinction—stretched lazily. Manipulating his Spirit Thread Nerves, he tidied the desktop, then patted the thick stack beside him—each book nearly two fingers thick, training plans with details to the point of being hair-raising—revealing a thoroughly sinister smile.
Training, exploration, scheming... three wishes granted at once. The upcoming journey to the Great Sand Sea would absolutely not be boring.
He could already clearly envision the four little turnips struggling bitterly in the sand sea, simultaneously forced to complete the hellish schedule he'd devised—their expressions a mix of grief and indignation, yet gritting their teeth and persevering nonetheless.
But what else could they do?
Hii Kōri considered himself similar to Matazaburō; he couldn't protect these children forever. So what he could do was, while they were still under his wing, help them grow as much as possible.
Thinking thus, Hii Kōri heard the notification sound from outside his door.
He responded casually, then straightened his clothes and pushed open the door.
Next, he would deliver the "cargo" that had delayed him in the Country of Rain for so many days—whiskers and tail intact, completely undamaged—back into Konoha's hands.
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