Inside Sunagakure's dical room.
"How is he?"
"Vital signs are all normal."
"All normal… then why can't he wake up?"
"That, we're not sure about either."
After a brief exchange, the dic shook his head and left.
The room was left with only Maki, Juan, and Reki, lying motionless on the hospital bed.
For so unknown reason, ever since bringing Reki back to the village, he had remained unconscious.
Juan was worried but could do nothing to help.
"Don't be too pessimistic. The fact that you made it back alive is already no small feat."
Maki offered a dry, straightforward reassurance.
Juan wasn't sure if he heard it properly, but he nodded in response anyway.
"By the way, it seems the Kazekage has acquired so very important intel. Maybe next ti, we'll be able to successfully capture the 'Sand Spirit' Saibote, and then we might finally find out what he did to Reki."
So things couldn't be casually revealed, but even a vague ntion like this could help Juan regain confidence.
After all, the Sealing Squad had suffered significant losses recently.
Reki had been unconscious for so long, and if Juan gave in to despair, it would make matters worse.
Upon hearing this, Juan's gaze hardened.
If Reki couldn't wake up, the problem must lie with the "Sand Spirit" Saibote. Finding him and subduing him was the only solution!
Seeing this, Maki felt considerably relieved.
Moreover, due to this series of unexpected incidents—and with Reki still unconscious—the matter of Reki sending soone to monitor the two wandering ninjas, which had yielded no news, was temporarily forgotten.
This also ant that the anticipated bounty had yet to appear.
…
"Why the hell did we have to co to a place like this to do this kind of thing? I hate this feeling."
Under the bright sunlight, willow trees cast their shade.
In several pre-dug sand pits lay a number of travelers—among them, Shinji and a grumbling Hidan.
This was a tourist project devised by the Land of Wind to generate inco, gloriously nad: Sand Bath!
Shinji had always assud a sand bath ant on a beach, or maybe the indoor kind.
But in reality, natural sand baths originated in remote deserts. The sun heats the sand over ti, and one buries their half or entire body in the sand to experience the bath.
Of course, the timing had to be precise—too long and the experience would end… permanently.
This setup was quite thoughtful. The pits were placed at the edge of an oasis, not far from a row of trees whose dense leaves shielded so of the harsh sunlight.
This allowed the remaining sunlight absorbed by the sand to maintain a comfortable temperature.
The warm, fine sand pressing against the body was incredibly soothing.
Honestly, Shinji was enjoying it.
Especially after intense battles, relaxing in a place like this felt… downright nice!
But Hidan's experience was terrible.
Having almost been swallowed by quicksand twice before, he felt extrely uneasy and insecure.
Only his head poked out, and wearing sunglasses, Shinji whispered, "Relax. Don't forget, we just took out those small tails sent by Sunagakure and cost them a fortune. We're probably wanted by now."
"What does being wanted have to do with lying here in the sand? Shouldn't we be running?"
Hidan suddenly shot up, exposing his toned abs. A few nearby won shrieked repeatedly.
Shinji first thought, Won these days really have no taste… so lowbrow.
Then he explained, "Even your brain can figure it out—do you think the people in Sunagakure wouldn't?"
"So they'd definitely dispatch soone to closely monitor the exit routes. Going out now would be walking right into a trap."
"Forcing your way through is an option, but if there's another choice, why fight the Sunagakure people to the death?"
"They'd never expect us to do the opposite—co this deep, boldly lying here in the sun."
Hidan considered this. Aside from feeling insulted again, it seed Shinji was right.
The more dangerous the place, the safer it was.
"Tch, pointless. I don't want to spend another day in this sand-filled country."
With that, Hidan buried himself back into the sand pit.
Shinji twitched at the corner of his mouth. If you hate it so much, then leave!
After finishing the sand bath and shooing away a group of fangirling won, Shinji and Hidan each returned to their rooms to rest.
Lying on the bed, Shinji took out the snake sword again, examining it carefully in his hands.
[Golden Snake Sword] (Sealed State)
Description: Partially ford from the power of the desert cursed spirit Saibote.
Effect 1: Not displayed
Effect 2: Not displayed
PS: Do you even know what "exclusive" ans?
This was at least the nth ti over the past few days he had taken it out to inspect, and every ti the description was the sa.
Clearly, this sword was very special—a portion of Saibote's power.
Until Saibote was defeated, the sword's true power wouldn't manifest, and no one but Saibote could wield it.
Much like the cursed item Greedy Eyeball Shinji had obtained long ago. If he removed the eyeball without killing the special-grade cursed spirit, it would behave just like this.
It had potential power, but couldn't be used.
Awkward, to say the least.
After much thought, Shinji took out the Cursed Tool Conversion Card and aid it at the snake sword.
[Conversion of this item may result in unknown changes, even failure or destruction. Consu 10,000 Cursed Soul Points for forced conversion?]
Seeing the prompt, Shinji, who had hesitated for two days, finally clenched his teeth and confird.
Better to risk it than let it sit useless in his hands!
Success or failure, the sword wouldn't remain in its original state—and he wouldn't have to worry about that guy coveting it anymore.
A selfishly destructive choice, yet undeniably effective.
As he made the choice, far across the desert, Saibote suddenly sensed a change. Sothing seed to shatter, completely severing his connection.
"Impossible?!"
"Naruto, Sasuke… Konoha! I'll make you pay!"
It's rage seems to make the entire desert trembled.
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100 Power Stones= 1 additional chapters.
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