The Peace That Was Given

Daimaru's calm reaction took Otofū by surprise.

"Can you tell me, Captain, what you see in me?"

"Your former team leader, the esteemed Sand Iron, is not a stranger to me."

In the small world of Sunagakure, where Jounin are few, relationships naturally form.

"Ever since I heard you were assigned under my command, Sand Iron said I had struck gold!"

"Is that so! I am flattered by the high regard of Sand Iron Jounin!"

Although Daimaru had a decent relationship with his former Jounin leader and had received some favor, he was surprised to learn that the bald leader held him in such high esteem.

"I'm actually curious, what qualities did Sand Iron see in you that he praised so highly..."

"And have you found them now, Captain?"

Captain Otofū nodded and then shook his head.

"You do have some qualities that are quite impressive, but I'm not sure if what I value in you is the same as what Sand Iron saw."

"Well, it seems I am quite excellent. I might get a little proud, Captain!"

"Proud? You won't."

Otofū stated unequivocally,

"Your behavior is erratic, making it hard to gauge your true nature. But you're not deliberately hiding anything; you just haven't found a person or cause worth dedicating yourself to.

Your strength is far greater than you show. I wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for Sand Iron's reminder."

At this, Daimaru involuntarily furrowed his brow.

"Why would you say that?"

"I've reviewed your mission records thoroughly. The inexplicable dangers you've faced don't interest me as much as your astonishing ability to escape death.

Especially that incident over three months ago that got you kicked out of Sand Iron's team. How did you survive in that thick sea of quicksand for half a month and then get dug out?"

"Luck, I suppose!"

"Luck? Let's leave it at that. You don't have to be overly cautious. Which ninja doesn't have secrets? Some unknown tricks up your sleeve aren't a bad thing!"

"Is that the reason you want to promote me?"

Just guessing, to place such importance on a Genin he had only known for less than a month?

Seemed rather childish!

Facing Daimaru's puzzled gaze, Otofū smiled faintly:

"You don't think I'm as naive as those two girls, do you? Even though they are just useless, inferior sand puppets, the quantity is too much. A regular puppeteer can't control that many combat puppets at once...

I'm not a puppeteer, so I can't say how hard it is, but I'm sure it's not something the average person can do!"

"You overestimate me. It's just multitasking, and I don't have any notable combat puppets, either."

"That's exactly why I'm certain you're stronger than you let on!"

Otofū was confident in his judgment,

"Your puppetry skills are already decent, but the fact that you don't have any significant combat puppets says what?"

Daimaru remained silent.

"You don't plan on pursuing the path of a puppeteer too far, do you? You have something else you value more, a direction where you feel stronger, more talented, and with a brighter future."

Daimaru sighed deeply and said leisurely,

"Captain Otofū, are you trying to strip me down to my core?"

"If you don't want to talk, that's fine. What I admire most about you is this: confidence, pride, even arrogance..."

"Isn't that a flaw? Being presumptuous?"

"How could it be? You know what you want and you're always working towards it! Honestly, I'm curious why you, a mere Genin, are so sure about your choices!"

Daimaru replied with natural arrogance:

"If I'm wrong, then so be it. Paths are made by walking. If others can do it, why can't I?"

"Then strive on, young man! But back to my offer, will you accept my help? At another time, in another place, I might change my mind..."

"No, Captain, things are fine as they are."

"Are you too attached to those two girls? They might not be able to help you much."

Daimaru grinned:

"Even if I got two stronger ones, wouldn't they still just be Genin? Yoru and Chien aren't worthless, and as for the future, who can say?"

Otofū paused at that, then burst into laughter:

"Well said, how much stronger can they get? It's great that you have this confidence. Take care of yourself..."

Saying so, Otofū patted Daimaru's shoulder and then turned to rest.

Aside from the monster Gaara and the clearly superior Temari and Kankuro, no other Genin from Sunagakure had passed the second test of the Chunin Exams in the Forest of Death.

Therefore, for Daimaru, who aimed directly for the Chunin Exams, choosing Yoru and Chien, ninjas with distinctive jutsu, was actually not a bad decision.

In the quiet cave, only the howling of the wind outside and the sound of a kunai carving something could be heard. A bone, perhaps from some animal carcass, was slowly taking shape in Daimaru's hands.

Two days later, Otofū's team, covered in dust, returned to Sunagakure. The Captain went to write the mission report.

Daimaru apologized again to Chien and Yoru for his rudeness, then left.

The two female ninjas, unsettled, headed home.

"Hey, Yoru, back there... you were awake, right?"

"Yeah, you too!"

"This time, we weren't abandoned."

"Yeah, I didn't expect Daimaru to become somewhat reliable."

"But..."

Chien clenched her fists, resisting the pain of her nails digging into her palms,

"We were pitied, given charity."

Yoru held back tears, but they wouldn't stop flowing.

"It's not that we're indispensable, but that anyone in our place wouldn't have made much difference. I don't want to face such humiliation again."

"It feels like we've been bullied into crying by Daimaru again!"

They could only blame their lack of strength, for not having the power to be recognized.

"We have to work hard! The Chunin Exam is a perfect opportunity for redemption!"

...

In the airtight Kazekage's office, Rasa knelt on the tatami, in front of him a secret letter from the Village Hidden by Sound.

Although both allies of Konoha, Sunagakure had little contact with the newly joined Sound Village until a few years ago.

The contents of the letter, however, gave Rasa, who had been looking for an opportunity to turn against Konoha, a glimmer of faint hope.

A secret pact, the Chunin Exams, and...

"Orochimaru, huh? It wouldn't hurt to make contact!"

The commander who led the Konoha ninja forces against the Sand ninja at Kikyo Castle, now a rogue ninja, was also beginning to grow restless.

"It's been over a decade, and your so-called peace has lasted long enough!"