Progress?

The Tanuki-shaped object in Kankuro's hands was no ordinary artifact—it was the disintegrated, or rather, reformed version of the puppet they had faced on their last mission. In fact, it was the remains of Shukaku's first host. This had not been a coincidence; after submitting their mission reports and findings, Kankuro had consulted Miss Chiyo about keeping the remains of the first jinchuriki's host. He believed the peculiar sand-shaped Tanuki would aid him in his puppeteering studies and experiments with poisons, particularly because the puppet had been adept at such techniques.

At first, Miss Chiyo had firmly refused. The object was not an artifact, she argued, but merely a strange, sand-shaped figure—nothing more. However, Kankuro insisted it was more than that, and no matter how it appeared, he saw it as a key piece to his research. Miss Chiyo, after some thought, relented, deciding that from the perspective of both herself and the Kazekage, this wasn't a pressing issue at the moment. She handed the sand Tanuki over to Kankuro without the usual formalities and assured him she would handle any necessary processes later.

And so, the Tanuki found its way into Kankuro's hands. Upon returning, Kankuro began obsessing over the possibilities it presented. If the first jinchuriki could use the sand to create a puppet, why couldn't he? He experimented with various methods: infusing his chakra into the object, trying to move it with chakra threads, but each attempt failed. Frustrated, he decided to take a break, and after a few hours of rest, he resolved to try again later, confident that he would figure it out with more time.

Meanwhile, Temari had sought solitude in the desert, far from any disturbances. She was determined to refine her chakra control, practicing the art of using her skills more effectively and with less chakra. But the task proved more challenging than she had anticipated. Each attempt seemed harder than the last, and it was beginning to take a toll on her physically and mentally. Unlike Gaara, who meditated and shadowboxed while still in contact with Shukaku, or Kankuro, who learned through trials and error, Temari focused her energy on refining her techniques, constantly pushing her limits.

Gaara, however, was becoming increasingly frustrated with his lack of progress. Despite his efforts, he felt as though he wasn't improving at the pace he had hoped. Shukaku, usually present to guide him and offer words of wisdom, had grown distant, leaving Gaara feeling somewhat isolated. He could still feel the presence of the tailed beast, but it was as if Shukaku was no longer as responsive or engaged with him as before. It was a source of deep frustration for Gaara, who wanted to prove himself and grow stronger.

As the week wore on, all three siblings were struggling in their own ways. Temari's competitive spirit grew stronger with each passing day, driven by the desire to outdo herself and prove her worth. However, Gaara and Kankuro were less concerned with competition and more focused on their individual growth. Kankuro, though making slow progress, wasn't worried about the pace at which things were moving. For him, the process was part of the journey, and he was determined to figure it out, even if it took time.

Finally, after a week of intensive training, Miss Chiyo called them together. There was a mission at hand. The news was a welcome distraction for Gaara, who had been feeling increasingly impatient with his own lack of advancement. He decided, this time, he would be the one to take the lead in battle, to prove himself. He needed to be in peak condition, both physically and mentally, for the upcoming mission.

Temari, who had made notable progress with her casting skills, was excited at the prospect of putting her hard-earned abilities to the test. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at her improvements, and her competitive spirit flared at the thought of outshining her brothers.

Kankuro, ever the steady one, was content with his own pace. He wasn't concerned about keeping up with Temari's competitive drive or Gaara's desire to prove himself. He knew his path was one of persistence, not speed.

That night, the siblings went to bed early, each determined to rest and recover for the upcoming mission. They slept soundly for a full ten hours, knowing that they needed to be in peak condition when the mission began. Gaara, for once, set aside his usual reliance on Shukaku and decided that this time, he would fight on his own terms. He wanted to prove himself as more than just a vessel for the tailed beast—he needed to be at his best, physically and mentally, for the battle ahead.

The next morning, as they prepared for the mission, all three siblings were ready. Temari with her new chakra control techniques, Kankuro with his determination to master the Tanuki puppet, and Gaara with his resolve to fight and prove his strength. The mission ahead would be a test of their growth, and they were ready to face it together.