Slug in the sand

Unfortunately, Takara could only stay talking and learning from Katsuyu for three days before having to return to avoid being labeled as dead and stripped of his identity as a ninja from Sunagakure.

While he had everything he needed covered even if he deserted, like a constant supply of wood and metal for his puppets and being able to design tools and weapons himself, such as storage scrolls or explosive tags, there are things you can only conveniently obtain with a legitimate ninja identity.

Like chakra ink, which was absurdly expensive (even more so on the black market for three times the price) and one of the main reasons for the scarcity of fuinjutsu masters.

Too bad there wasn't a Ink Release lineage that could kill and reanimate...

In fact, he wondered, could Gyuki supply that after his capture?

In any case, his next step was to clarify that he was still alive, present evidence of his attack, take the jonin test, take on a long-term mission, and proceed to the next biju capture or try to learn the basics of Katsuyu's senjutsu.

Frankly, he was more inclined to the senjutsu part, as it would add combat strength while also allowing him to snatch the Shukaku's rebirth egg that he had already located in the desert.

His return to Sunagakure was tense to say the least; as expected, the delegation had declared him dead on the same day he left, and if it hadn't been for bringing the corpses of Danzo's Root members with him, he doubted he would have avoided an intense interrogation.

Being asked to show his tongue to ensure he didn't have a seal on it was more of a standard protocol, though equally annoying.

"How did you manage to recover so quickly?" the elderly Chiyo had to bring out the key point and give me the opportunity to make my move.

"I got an summoning contract that helped me recover," Takara replied. "Also, I have some news that I think might brighten your day."

"Oh?" the old woman raised an eyebrow, not so subtly showing her intrigue.

Sunagakure had some summoning clans, but most of them were in the hands of ancient families or were not suitable outside the desert. And among the summoning clans, those that could help with recovery were very, very rare.

As for the news, he really didn't have much hope given the current precarious situation of the village. It would have to be something really shocking to change her emotional state.

Chiyo's office.

"Tsunade is dead?!" the old woman stared at Takara, stunned.

She felt like she had become senile and misheard things.

Setting aside her monstrous strength and character, Tsunade was one of the best in medical ninjutsu who would easily heal herself from practically any wound or poison.

Not to mention that Konoha would have made a scandal if they knew about the death of the last Senju.

Wait, it would actually make sense if they had hidden it with all their might...

"How did you get this information, and how reliable is it?"

"I told you I got a summoning contract, remember?"

Summoning contract, Tsunade, both common points could only be...

"You... managed to make a contract with the slug?"

Chiyo suddenly felt dizzy as she pieced together the puzzle in her mind and understood everything.

Takara was attacked in Konoha by Danzo's Root, managed to survive, and somehow found the Shikkotsu Forest during his escape. Once there, he learned of Tsunade's death from Katsuyu and convinced her to make him her new contractor.

Isn't this finding fortune in misfortune?

And what fortune he obtained!

It also explained how it was possible that Takara wasn't injured and with the bandages on his body red from blood; who didn't know about Katsuyu's ability to heal?

And if he was healed by the original Katsuyu...

"Show me."

Takara already expected the information to be hard to believe and also spoke beforehand with Katsuyu, wanting to know what her attitude was towards Chiyo and Sunagakure.

In some way that he still didn't understand, Katsuyu managed to shrug her non-existent shoulders while telling him that she didn't care about past grievances. Her contractor was now him, and she only hoped that he could help her find the truth about Tsunade and Shizune's deaths.

Takara almost felt guilty about that.

Almost.

"Summoning Technique!"

A small cloud of smoke dissipated, revealing one of Katsuyu's small clones on Takara's shoulder, looking around and confirming that there were no enemies before turning to her contractor.

"Takara-sama, what's going on?"

"Hello Katsuyu, the old lady Chiyo just wanted to confirm Tsunade's death. For example, how long ago did it happen approximately?"

Katsuyu began to count with her soft voice everything she barely knew, and Chiyo had to make a great, great effort not to start laughing euphorically in front of Katsuyu once she made sure that Tsunade's death was real.

She must have been crazy to send away the representative of one of the wise lands of her people!

Saying goodbye to Takara and thanking him for his actions, Katsuyu vanished in another small cloud of smoke, leaving only Chiyo and Takara in the office.

Chiyo could no longer contain herself and began to laugh to the point of falling off her chair and fracturing her hip, but even with the pain she felt, her laughter did not stop until long after.