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For several days, Shin informed Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan about various hidden truths of the Shinobi world—particularly the tangled legacy of the Ōtsutsuki.
"So, according to what you've told us," Mikoto said, looking stunned, "All these major clans are basically descended from the Sage of Six Paths…?"
"And Madara Uchiha is just a pawn?" Tsunade added, her tone holding a trace of grim amusement.
Shin had explained the real Eye of the Moon Plan—that Black Zetsu was behind it all, aiming to resurrect Kaguya through Madara, who remained clueless about his role as a mere tool.
"I kind of pity him," Tsunade remarked. She wore a half-smile but clearly lacked genuine sympathy.
Kushina tugged at Shin's sleeve.
"Hey, Shin, how do you know so much about these secret details? You always seem to have inside info," she asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"That's my secret," Shin replied, shaking his head lightly, "I'm not ready to spill it yet."
"Ugh, fine," she muttered, knowing from experience that pushing him wouldn't help.
Mikoto studied Shin's expression.
"If you're aware of the truth behind the Eye of the Moon Plan," she said, "does that mean you intend to stop it?"
"Why bother?" Shin answered with a casual shrug. "It might be entertaining to let things play out. Even if Kaguya does get revived, I'm not about to lose. By then, I'll be powerful enough to crush her."
Kushina scrunched her nose.
"Wow, sealed by her own children... If it were me, I'd have smacked them senseless first."
A few days later, they finally entered the Land of Wind, securing a map to avoid wandering aimlessly.
Without guidance, one could easily get lost in the endless sand. Even with a map, it was no simple task.
At some point, Shin noticed they'd strayed off course. He double-checked the map.
"Kushina, I told you not to volunteer as our guide," he remarked in exasperation. "Looks like we're way off track."
"I couldn't possibly mess up!" she protested.
"Sure. Then you keep following this path, and the rest of us will turn around," Shin teased, taking Konan's hand as Tsunade and Mikoto went with him.
"Hey, don't leave me!" Kushina yelped, hurrying after them. "I really messed up, huh?"
"Yup," Shin said with a light sigh. "If we stuck to your route, we'd never reach Sunagakure. Let's keep going this way—I'll handle navigation."
Two days later, they arrived at Sunagakure, a village nestled around a small oasis in the middle of the desert.
"How do we get in?" Tsunade asked, eyeing the walls. "Sneak in at night?"
"Sneak?" Shin snorted. "We can just walk in. Who's going to stop us? Me, creeping around like a thief in the night? Please."
He had no interest in crawling through shadows. Confidently, they approached the gate—where two Suna Shinobi stood watch.
The moment the guards recognized Shin, they turned pale with fear, one of them collapsing onto his backside.
"It's…it's Uzumaki Shin—The Reaper of the Shinobi World"
Shin arched a brow at that title. He recalled how people in the Shinobi world had begun calling him that after the last war.
"They remember me even after three years?" He chuckled. "I'm flattered."
Seeing Tsunade, the guards grew more agitated.
"And that's…Tsunade of the Sannin!" one croaked, recognizing her too.
"I'm no Sannin," Tsunade said flatly.
She had no desire to claim any affiliation with Konohagakure these days. With her brother branded a missing-nin—Konoha felt alien to her.
"Let's go in," Shin said, sparing the terrified guards a glance before strolling past them. They were too petrified to even attempt interference.
Neither guard dared to lift a finger. Shin led his companions in, leaving the two behind—too terrified to intervene.
After a stunned moment, they scrambled upright and rushed off to inform the Third Kazekage.
Glancing around, Shin noticed the worn structures and modest attire of the locals.
"This place practically reeks of poverty," he mused. "Makes sense. After losing the war and having to buy back the One-Tail, they must be dead broke."
In the First Shinobi World War, Sunagakure had been on the losing side, forced to pay heavy reparations to Konoha.
Later, they'd spent a fortune reclaiming Shukaku from Hiruzen. Now the village was scraping by, living in borderline squalor.
"Aren't we here for the One-Tail?" Tsunade asked. "Why stroll around like tourists?"
"No rush," Shin said, grinning.
"We'll see the village first. Maybe Shukaku—or the Kazekage—will just show up. This is your first time here, right? Aren't you curious?"
Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan gazed at Sunagakure's unfamiliar streets. Tsunade was also seeing it for the first time.
"Do you really think the One-Tail will come out on its own?" Mikoto asked skeptically.
"Probably not," Shin chuckled. "But the Third Kazekage's bound to appear once he gets the news. Then I'll ask him to hand over Shukaku—one way or another."
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