Chapter 22: Time Skip

"I can't believe I worked with him in researching puppet for decades. So this was the reason he quitted the project without explaining." - (Chiyo) said after reading the plan of the person she thought she knew.

What made her say that was the second proposal Hizuchi had planned.

…

According to the investigation and the testimonies from his assistants, after the failed project Hizuchi conducted with Chiyo, which was the research about transferring one's life force to a puppet, he quitted and conducted his own research. At that time, Chiyo succeeded on her own personal research which was the jutsu that allows her to transfer her own life force to the living or dead person.

Hizuchi also succeeded and came up with the same jutsu but slightly different. This jutsu allows the user to transfer a part of his/her life force instead of giving it all and die right away.

Unlike Chiyo who decided to not disclose this jutsu to the public and labeled it as a forbidden jutsu, Hizuchi came up with an idea that will benefit him. And that is by teaching this jutsu to the civilians who have little to no chakra and transfer their life force to cultivate the crops without the use of water, good soil and fertilizers.

He intends to borrow money from the daimyo as a form of investment and use it to give big loans to the people. These loans will be his trap to make the people and their family work for him their entire life without knowing that they are slowly dying by giving their life force to the endless supply of high quality crops.

This is without a doubt a very profitable but very unethical business that will slowly kill its workers.

After reading the whole content, Chiyo and Ebizo gave a heavy sigh.

"So what happened to the people interrogated?" - (Ebizo) asked Baki.

"Some of them weren't able to withstand the torture and died, while some who were slightly fortunate lost their mind and gone crazy. It seems like the high rankings are the only ones who knew the whole plan and the civilians had no idea they were just disposable pawns." - (Baki) replied.

"Thanks for your hard work. You're dismissed." - (Ebizo) said

Baki bowed and disappeared.

"Looks like everything you said is true." - (Chiyo)

Gaara propped his elbow to the table and interlocked his fingers.

"Back to what I'm saying. I want to dissolve the council but I will at least allow an advisor or two. After all, there are things that even I can't do alone. These people should be picked by me. But that's all they are, they will give me advice and suggestions, nothing else. The rest will be mine." - (Gaara) said.

"The daimyo already chose you as the next Kazekage so we have no choice but to agree to your condition. Since all the council members are dead anyway, it's not that hard to fulfill." - (Chiyo) said.

The three of them stood on their seats.

"I hope you lead our village to a better future and walk the right path, unlike your father." - (Ebizo) said and gave an elderly smile.

"If that's all, then I will take my leave." - (Gaara) said. He bowed and left the room.

//At the street//

'Looks like I will be the Kazekage earlier than the original. I expected as much.

I wonder what will happen to the timeline now. I'm sure it's already messed up from my father's death alone.' - (Gaara) thought to himself.

//A week later//

The daimyo's convoy arrived at Suna to pick up Gaara. After some formalities and saying goodbyes, Gaara left the village to study at the Royal palace as the daimyo promised.

Couple of hours later, they arrived at their destination.

Gaara observed the scenery.

'Nothing changed. A sensory barrier comparable to a shinobi village, elite guards from shinobi clan to samurai and huge mansions.' - (Gaara)

A shinobi walked to Gaara and brought him to his temporary house, which is a huge mansion. He will be living here for at least a year.

"Once you organize your things, please come to Daimyo-sama's palace. He will be waiting for you there." - (Shinobi)

"Got it. Thanks." - (Gaara) said and opened the door to his temporary home.

The shinobi bowed and took his leave.

//A year later//

At the center of a large clearing outside of a mansion, a figure was in a lotus position. He is topless, revealing a lean and muscular build of his. He wears red anbu pants and a pair of ninja sandals. At first glance, he looks to be 15-16 years old. But in reality, it's hard to believe that he's only 13 years old.

He finally opened his eyes after meditating for an hour. The moment his eyes opened, an invisible force gashed out in every direction, his body as the epicenter.

The greeny grass dances from the force, almost being plucked from their place.

"I finally mastered it." - The figure said to no one with his voice full of calmness.

'It's not that surprising. I'm the one who taught you the <<sage mode>> after all.' - A hoarse but squeaky voice said.

'Still, it took me almost a year to master it. I didn't think it would take that long if I trained in a place with low natural energy. Unlike Mount Myoboku or the Ryuchi Cave which is like a river of natural energy.' - The man said in his mind.

'Don't idolize those fakes who needed catalysts to speed up the process of mastering this simple technique. Unlike them, you mastered this technique using your own power alone. It's natural for you to take that much time since you can't even sense natural energy to begin with. Nevertheless, this technique of yours is much more powerful than theirs.' - The voice in the man's head said.

'You're right. I feel like I can overpower anyone on my path.' - The man said.

While he's conversing in his head, a man with long black hair, wearing black armor and a katana on his waist appeared out of nowhere.

"Gaara, it's time. Daimyo-sama is waiting on the carriage." - (Samurai) said and disappeared just like how he appeared.

"Time to go back to where it all began." - (Gaara) said with a smile on his face.

…