As they were about to arrive, Sasori, who hadn't said a word the whole trip, approached Anya and said, "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, I'll go ahead first. You can show them around."
Anya asked, confused, "What's wrong? Did something happen in the village?"
"No, not really," Sasori replied, offering a helpless smile. "My parents have already returned to the village with my puppet. Because it was a puppet, they saw right through it, thinking I abandoned my flesh body for the sake of puppetry art. No matter how much I explained, they outwardly seemed to believe me but secretly cried in private. Even Grandma Chiyo couldn't convince them otherwise. So I need to hurry back and prove what I've said is true."
Anya nodded empathetically. "You should go then. This time, it'll truly be a real family reunion."
Sasori sincerely said, "Thank you, Big Brother Kurotsuchi. Otherwise, I might have really given up this body back then."
Anya smiled warmly and replied, "Like I said before, there's no need for thanks between us."
After Sasori left, the airship slowly descended.
Onoki didn't have time to lecture Deidara. He stepped off the airship as quickly as possible. As soon as he reached the entrance of Sunagakure Village, he felt a refreshing chill that lifted his spirits.
"That can't be right!" Onoki exclaimed in surprise. "This is supposed to be a desert—shouldn't it be blazing hot here?"
Without waiting for the others, Onoki lifted himself into the air and flew straight into the gates of Sunagakure.
The sight of pure white buildings stunned him. The air smelled fresh and clean. Gone were the sandstorms that used to whip through the streets. Most astonishing were the villagers' expressions—they looked calm, relaxed, and cheerful, completely different from the people of Iwagakure.
Wide roads stretched across the village, lined with tall buildings on both sides. The marketplace bustled with goods and delicacies from distant villages. Four-wheeled vehicles zipped along the road at speeds far surpassing those of horse-drawn carriages. Onoki nearly got hit by one while lost in thought, forcing him to jump aside as the driver repeatedly honked in warning.
Watching this unfold, Anya suddenly realized something and muttered, "I knew I forgot something."
Right after he spoke, a crash echoed from nearby. Instinctively, they followed the sound and found two cars smashed together. Temari and Kankuro climbed out from each vehicle.
Kankuro glanced at his rear-ended car, frustration mixed with resignation as he said to Temari, "This is already your third accident this week. I told you—I know your driving skills are best suited for highway circuits, not city streets."
Temari pouted and said, "That's only because you're driving too slow."
Kankuro snapped, "This is a low-speed zone! The elders clearly instructed us not to exceed thirty kilometers per hour."
"They just don't get it," she countered. "Thirty's way too slow—it's even slower than walking!"
Seeing Kankuro about to argue again, Temari impatiently said, "Alright, alright. Just fix the car quickly."
"Ugh… I really don't know what to do with you."
Kankuro sighed and began repairing the vehicle on the street.
After this little incident, Onoki was drawn in by cheerful laughter and flew over curiously. It turned out to be a large enclosed area marked with a sign: "Fantasy Children's Paradise."
Inside, various children's amusement rides filled the air with joyful laughter.
Terumi Mei was just as curious as Onoki, gazing at everything around her like a wide-eyed child. The sight of the playground even made her heart skip a beat.
"These slides, trampolines, and even water surfing ramps—were they all Kazekage's idea? His childhood must have been really interesting."
Anya shook her head: "Actually, no—I was the one who suggested these things back then, but we couldn't afford to build them. Never thought they'd actually be completed in such a short time. I'm genuinely surprised."
"You? How did *you* come up with these ideas?" Terumi Mei's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Anya's gaze was full of stories: "Maybe because I didn't get to play much in my past life, so those memories stayed especially vivid."
Had she not suffered greatly since childhood, how could she have ended up becoming a notorious thief? As a kid, she used to envy other children her age playing in amusement parks while she could only stand outside listening, dreaming about how fun it must've been inside.
By the time she finally had enough money to support herself, she had already lost that childish interest. Watching from afar felt more comfortable now, which is why she remembered all these amusement facilities clearly.
Anya spoke enthusiastically: "This playground's still pretty small. Just wait till we build an even bigger one—one big enough for adults too!"
Terumi Mei said eagerly: "Great idea! We'll definitely come together then."
Since seeing the playground, Onoki had fallen into deep thought, staying silent for a long time. At this moment, he felt a deep sense of sorrow welling up inside him—he realized what Sasori had previously said was correct.
Compared to this place, Iwagakure really was no different from where primitive people lived.
Who would've imagined that among the Five Great Countries, Sunagakure—which had always been the poorest with the worst geographical location—could turn around and become this prosperous?
The shock this place brought to Onoki created a deep sense of crisis. If the other four countries really united to develop together, in a few years, Iwagakure would surely exist in name only.
Sunagakure and Iwagakure seemed to belong to completely different eras. He had spent so many years stuck in old ways, immersed in his own world, clearly out of touch with the times for a long time now. Perhaps it was time to make way for the younger generation.
In that instant, Onoki seemed to age many years—his body even swayed slightly.
Clay hurried over to support him immediately: "Hey, old man, are you alright?"
Onoki waved his hand: "I'm fine. I've just never truly felt old before today."
Steadying himself again, Onoki walked heavily toward Anya and said: "Regarding your proposal for uniting the ninja villages, on behalf of Iwagakure, I agree."
Almost everyone present exhaled in relief at once, except Anya, who felt a tinge of regret—if Onoki had refused, she would have certainly gone for the kill.
Onoki, the long-serving Tsuchikage, was no ordinary man. Cunning and calculating, with an iron will, he would never agree without conditions—possibly even betrayal down the line. He was not the kind of ally Anya would ever want.
Sure enough, Onoki continued, "However, I need to see your sincerity."
Anya shot back warily, "Sincerity? Why don't you start by telling me what you want?"
Onoki didn't hesitate one bit. "I want the architectural blueprints of Sunagakure Village, all those vehicles on the street—I'll take a hundred, easy enough. Oh, and Sunagakure's coffers must be pretty full by now, so lend me a few billion more. Also…"
Anya cut him off—"Say one more word, and I'm killing you."
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