Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

He had truly decided to return to Kirigakure with this elder from the Land of Wind.

The moment they set foot on the Land of Water—on their own safe territory—Zabuza couldn't hold back anymore.

"Yagura. Want me to head back and give Sasori a heads-up?"

Should they give Sasori time to prepare?

Yagura cast Zabuza a sideways glance, amused, then turned to Chiyo and asked what she thought.

"No need, no need~" Chiyo waved her hand with a smile. "Don't be fooled by this old body. That whole 'surprise visit' thing you young folks like—I happen to be quite fond of it myself, hehe."

Yagura shrugged at Zabuza.

Well, that plan was a bust—Yagura intended to surprise Sasori too.

And without an official reason, Zabuza wasn't allowed to leave his post.

...

Once they entered the Land of Water's borders, the difference was noticeable.

Unlike Konan from Amegakure, Chiyo's sources of information weren't so tightly sealed.

Over the past few years, as Kirigakure began lifting its isolationist policies, information about the village and the Land of Water started flowing steadily into other nations.

Especially around the New Year, while other countries were still engulfed in war, this one stayed aloof—its nights glowing with lanterns and laughter.

But war had already begun. Arrows fired couldn't be taken back.

As they traveled, Chiyo watched how the Land of Water was gradually thriving, approaching the prosperity of the Land of Fire. It irritated her that Kirigakure was enjoying opportunities Sunagakure never had… but there was nothing she could do about it.

"This little boat's way too slow. I could walk faster than this."

"Mizukage, this step's too high. An old woman like me gets vertigo!"

"Ugh—this so-called candied fruit is far too sticky for my teeth!"

...

Chiyo's relentless barbs and complaints felt like an infinite supply of verbal kunai, making both Zabuza and Kisame want to draw their swords.

...

After disembarking—

When some of the local children in the Land of Water saw Yagura, they immediately rushed over—only to be frightened back by Chiyo, clinging tightly to him.

"Mizukage-sama..."

"There, there. Don't be scared. Grandma just looks scary."

Calm and unbothered, Yagura comforted the children while patiently listening to Chiyo's "suggestions" with a polite smile. "Chiyo-senpai, shall we pick up the pace?"

He'd had no choice but to switch to "senpai."

Chiyo wasn't here for sightseeing. Yagura had only planned for a short escort—after that, they'd continue on foot.

"Ohohoho, perfect."

That suited Chiyo just fine. She had only one purpose in coming to Kirigakure.

As the crowd gathering around them grew larger, Yagura gently ruffled a few kids' hair.

"I'm taking our guest from abroad back to the village. Sorry, I can't stay to play."

The children let out a long, disappointed "Awwww..."

Soon, their parents emerged from the crowd to collect them.

As they said goodbye, Yagura received a small parting gift from the kids.

Chiyo, who had earlier scared them away, now stepped up to inspect the red, cone-shaped object in Yagura's hand.

"What's this? A toy? You like this sort of thing? Well, I guess you are still a youngster, so it makes sense."

"It's a firework," Yagura replied.

This year's New Year theme.

He tucked the firework cone into his ninja tool pouch with a soft smile.

"I actually like it quite a bit."

This boy reminded her of a little bug.

Chiyo gave up her pointless teasing and sighed.

"Let's go."

...

They returned to Kirigakure.

Zabuza and Kisame finally escaped the wrath of the sharp-tongued old woman. Even though she'd quieted down in the second half of the trip, the damage was done.

Chiyo refused a break.

So Yagura led her straight to the building where Sasori lived.

"This is it. Want to ring the doorbell?"

The entire building served as Sasori's home and workshop.

In fact, he barely left the premises—only going out to restock supplies once a week. Enough to last, so he wouldn't have to leave again until the next trip.

Chiyo didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and pressed the doorbell.

Ding dong...

Sasori wasn't the type to keep people waiting.

Yet after the chime echoed, it took thirteen whole seconds before the door finally opened.

A red-haired youth appeared, his eyes full of cold resentment as he stared daggers at Yagura, making the Mizukage break out in a cold sweat.

He was mad.

And not in that haughty "tch" kind of way—this was the real deal.

Yagura forced a smile. "Yo~ The long-awaited star finally makes his appearance—like a beauty behind a curtain."

Some idiotic friend thought a surprise visit would be fun. Sasori would settle accounts with him tonight.

Chiyo lowered her eyes. "Leaving your guest to stand outside. I don't recall ever teaching you that, Sasori."

Sasori had indeed made them wait too long.

"Come in, old hag."

Good—he hadn't addressed her.

Yagura took the cue and made a quiet exit. His look told Chiyo: "The rest is up to you. Use the chance."

That overly casual glance annoyed Chiyo to no end. Mizukage... does he really think she came just to visit her grandson?

...

Sasori's place was simple, yet not shabby. Just like his old room back in Sunagakure.

Sparse and quiet.

Aside from the basic furniture, the only other items in the room were several cabinets not typically found in a civilian's home—each filled with various puppets and mechanical contraptions.

Chiyo and her grandson stood about three meters apart, silently walking to the center of the living room.

She rubbed her nose, noting the heavy scent in the air—a mix of incense and wood shavings.

Her eyes quickly landed on a coffee cup on the table, next to a machine and some raw materials beneath.

"Coffee. Not good to drink too much of it."

Sasori spoke flatly. "Why are you here, old hag?"

"A grandmother coming to visit the grandson she hasn't seen in ages—is that such a strange concept?"

At last, Chiyo's pent-up anger found its outlet.

She marched over to Sasori's workbench.

"Gunpowder? Fireworks? Since when did you start making such fleeting things?"

"Commissioned by someone," Sasori replied coolly. "That time of year again—when people enjoy tossing trash into the sky."

So you're making them for Kirigakure's holiday?

He really saw himself as a part of this village now?

"Wonderful."

Chiyo sat down and glared. "Because of your betrayal, do you know how much Kirigakure profited at Sunagakure's expense?!"

Sasori didn't hear a word after that.

Sunagakure again.

His hand clenched inside his sleeve, and a glint of ice flashed in his eyes.

"If all you came to say is that—then go. I haven't been a Sunagakure ninja for a long time. What happens there has nothing to do with me."

Anger stirred, Sasori sneered. "In fact, watching that village suffer... makes me feel even better."

Their first reunion ended in disaster.

Chiyo stormed out in a rage.

...

Yagura showed up right after to apologize.

Judging from what he'd seen of Chiyo during the trip, he'd already sensed things wouldn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped.

Peeking nervously from behind the door, he asked, "So, so, so sorry~"

"Come in."

Sasori gave him a sidelong glance, then went back to examining a delicate part through a monocle.

"It's fine. I'm not mad at you."

Compared to Chiyo, Yagura's "surprise" was nothing.

Relieved, Yagura slipped inside.

He placed a meal on Sasori's table.

"My parents made it—potato stew. Don't just live off cup ramen and coffee, or my mom'll come check on you herself."

"...Thanks."

Sasori cleared away the clutter on the table and removed his monocle.

Though he had scolded Sasori's diet, Yagura himself had picked up a bottle of soda—something rarely allowed at home.

Pshhh—he cracked open the can.

Tipping his head back, he took a long gulp.

"I let her come because I wanted her to see her grandson. Has she always been like that?"

Sasori chewed thoughtfully on a steaming potato chunk. "I know... yeah."

Decades as a Sunagakure elder—Chiyo always put the village's interests first.

That's why Sasori didn't want reconciliation.

Still, he had agreed to this meeting.

Even though he hadn't expected much, seeing that Chiyo hadn't changed at all... it still disappointed him.

Yagura's gaze drifted to the workbench. Amid all the puppet parts, something else caught his eye.

"Whoa, fireworks? These for the festival?"

"Tested one in the courtyard a few days ago," Sasori said. "Some kids in the neighborhood saw it. Their parents asked for some. Hard to say no."

Said so casually.

But really—if Sasori wanted to refuse, who in their right mind could make him do anything?

Yagura raised his hand like a kid. "I want one too!"

"No," Sasori replied flatly.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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