Chapter 116: Confirming the Identity
When Hiruzen Sarutobi finally agreed to reduce the reparations, the three representatives of Sunagakure exchanged satisfied smiles.
This outcome was hardly unexpected. Even before the war's final clash, they had already anticipated such a result.
Konoha could not hope to stand alone against the other four great nations. Thus, no matter the price, it was inevitable that they would seek an ally.
And the very first nation with whom they ended hostilities would, by default, become that ally. This was precisely why Sunagakure had rushed to force a decisive battle with Konoha.
Win or lose, the two villages were destined to sign an alliance treaty. The only difference was which side would have to pay the price of defeat.
For Sunagakure, that price was modest—well within what they could endure.
With token reparations promised, the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement. From that moment, the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind was officially over.
Next came the alliance treaty—an even simpler matter. Both villages would continue their own wars but pledged not to attack each other again, and to offer assistance within reason if needed.
Such agreements had been signed countless times throughout shinobi history. Everyone in the room knew the truth: the pact's binding force was minimal.
If circumstances shifted, either side might tear up the treaty and stab their ally in the back without hesitation.
So although the document was signed in a harmonious atmosphere, neither party placed much faith in it. Should danger truly arise, Konoha and Sunagakure would likely look for excuses—or even strike while the other was weak.
With negotiations concluded, the Sand delegation prepared to take their leave, smiles still on their faces.
But Hiruzen raised a hand, stopping them.
"Advisors Chiyo and Ebizō, if you would remain a moment longer."
The three Suna shinobi paused, glancing back at him.
"Is there some other matter, Hokage-sama?" Ebizō asked.
"There is," Hiruzen replied gravely. "I have questions that only the two of you may be able to answer."
Ebizō turned to the younger diplomat. "Kikimura, you should return and make preparations. We will follow after speaking with the Hokage."
"Yes, Ebizō-sama." The man bowed and left the chamber.
Once he was gone, Chiyo and Ebizō faced Hiruzen.
"If it is within our knowledge," Chiyo said politely, "we will answer honestly, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded. "You have no doubt heard of a shinobi named Uchiha Han?"
"Of course," Ebizō replied. "Was he not the one who appeared suddenly and defeated Shukaku?"
"That is correct," said Hiruzen, his tone heavy. "What you may not know is that Uchiha Han betrayed Konoha. He defected, and though we have hunted for him ever since, we have found nothing."
He paused, then leaned forward.
"But only recently, Han was sighted near Konoha, engaged in battle with an unknown shinobi. No one saw the fight itself, but the traces left behind tell us the opponent was a puppeteer."
At those words, both Chiyo and Ebizō stiffened.
"As you well know," Hiruzen continued, "puppeteers are Sunagakure's unique specialty. And so, I must ask—do either of you recognize the identity of this puppeteer?"
The siblings exchanged a glance, surprise flickering in their eyes.
A shinobi strong enough to fight Uchiha Han—someone who had stood toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast—could only be of kage-level strength. Outside of Sunagakure, such puppeteers were virtually unheard of.
And within Suna itself… only a very few could possibly fit that description.
Ebizō's eyes grew troubled, and Chiyo's expression darkened, her gaze drifting with a trace of nostalgia.
Watching closely, Hiruzen and Danzō noted every change in their demeanor. The Hokage remained silent, patient, but Danzō could not restrain himself.
"You do know something!" he snapped, his one visible eye narrowing. "Why was a Suna puppeteer lurking outside Konoha? Is this some Sunagakure plot? Speak the truth—your silence endangers this alliance."
Hiruzen did not intervene, tacitly allowing the pressure.
For the first time, Ebizō said nothing, turning instead toward his sister.
Chiyo's face shifted with complex emotion. She sighed deeply, as though a heavy weight pressed on her chest.
"Hokage-sama," she said at last, her voice weary, "if you are certain a puppeteer was involved, then he must have left behind fragments—some sign of his craft. May I see what was found?"
Hiruzen nodded. "Of course."
He ordered the ANBU to bring forth the broken remnants collected at the site—shattered puppet parts and the spilled iron sand Uchiha Han had not retrieved.
Chiyo's eyes lingered on the fragments. The mechanisms, the joinery—she knew them all too well. A pang of recognition struck her heart.
Then she saw the iron sand and froze, her face paling. A chilling suspicion bloomed within her.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "It seems, Advisor Chiyo, you recognize him. This matter concerns a traitor to Konoha. I ask you plainly: whose identity have we uncovered?"
Chiyo turned slowly to her brother. In Ebizō's eyes, she saw the same realization, the same conflict.
Both knew exactly who that puppeteer was.
Ebizō quickly masked the flicker of recognition in his eyes, afraid Konoha might catch the slip. He and Chiyo had already pieced together the truth from the presence of both the puppet fragments and the iron sand, but it was a matter of Sunagakure's own shame—something they could not reveal lightly to outsiders.
Chiyo likewise smoothed her expression, hiding the trace of turmoil. She inclined her head politely before answering Hiruzen's question:
"This puppet's construction… if I'm not mistaken, it could only have been crafted by my grandson—Sasori."
Sasori of the Red Sand!
At once, realization dawned on Hiruzen and Danzō. If it was truly him, then yes—someone of his reputation and genius might indeed have been able to exchange blows with Uchiha Han, wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Both had heard the name before: Akasuna no Sasori, hailed as Sunagakure's greatest puppet maker, a prodigy whose skill was whispered across the shinobi world.
But he had been absent for so long, vanished from sight for years, that neither had thought of him until now.
Danzō leaned forward sharply, his voice pressing.
"Then where is this Sasori now? Is he still alive? I demand to know how he learned of Uchiha Han's movements."
Chiyo's face fell with genuine sorrow.
"I cannot say. Sasori disappeared even before this war began. It has been five, perhaps six years since I last heard any word of him. Whether he is dead or alive, I do not know. Hokage-sama—today is the first time I've heard any news of him at all."
Her voice carried no hint of falsehood, and indeed, Sasori's disappearance had been well-known—even Sunagakure itself had not seen him for years, not even during the Third Shinobi War.
Hiruzen and Danzō exchanged a glance, accepting her words.
Disappointingly, there would be no answers here. To seek out Sasori amid the chaos of the world would be no easier than chasing the shadow of Uchiha Han himself.
For now, the trail ended in silence.