99. Best Dumplings Ever?

Shiroken stopped in his tracks, "Is this confirmed information?"

"Yes, absolutely true. It was to be expected of them anyway. You are a being who can take over three shinobi villages and two countries. Your existence screams danger." Jiraiya said.

Shiroken sighed, "Well, I am only dangerous to those who refuse to change their barbarian ways. All I want is freedom for my family and a peaceful world. I try to not shed blood as much as possible. If they want to shed blood, that's their problem."

Jiraiya nodded and replied, "I hate what you did to Konoha. I also hate what happened to you. There is too much to hate in this world, lord Dama. What really matters is how far are you ready to go for the things you love. I just hope... your path does not lead to more hate. See you later."

Leaving Shiroken in a storm of thoughts, Jiraiya headed to his current mission.

...

Sasuke had made up his mind. The only person who could teach him the ways of an Uchiha was Monari. She was able to activate the Mangekyo, there was bound to be some talent in her.

So he decided to fulfil all her requirements for a disciple. He was supposed to be friendly and approachable from what he understood. His pride stopped him from being like this but he forced himself.

His first target was Naruto, the person he hated the most. He hoped that if he made friends with Naruto then everything else will be much easier.

"Sasuke? Let's go and eat Ichiraku Ramen." Naruto chirped as soon as he saw him.

Firm willed, Sasuke followed him and took a bowl of ramen. Eating it, he heard what Naruto babbled.

"Hehe, try this, Sasuke. You will like this toping more. Ah, where is Sakura-chan? I was going to treat today." Naruto wondered.

"Why? Why this treat?" Sasuke inquired.

"OH! Nothing much, I just found someone I had lost once. It was nice meeting him again. Eat all you want, Sasuke. I heard the dumplings here are also good. Lord Dama himself likes it, and Lady Monari was the one who suggested old Teuchi to make them." Naruto told him his history.

As if struck by thunder, Sasuke jolted up, "I NEED 10 PLATES OF DUMPLINGS PACKED!"

...

"MONARI!" Shiroken arrived back at the house.

"What happened? Why are you shouting?" Monari came running from the kitchen.

"I'm going to see the Daimyo. You stay here, I will return in a day, then we will return to Sunagakure. I'm leaving a clone behind, secretly hidden here. It will make sure nobody tries anything funny." He decided.

"Why this sudden change of plans?" She inquired.

"Nothing, I just felt I should take over the Fire Country fast. Don't want Kumo and Iwa to use the Fire Country's Daimyo as a meat shield. Countless normal people will die if this happens." He explained.

"Fine, but at least change your clothes. You look like a storybook's fairy in this. Wear something normal." Monari advised him.

"What's wrong with this? This is a traditional dress of mine as the lord of Nidama clan." He confusedly asked.

"You look like an outdated old man in them. Wear something modern." She nagged him.

Finally, giving in, he changed and soon after he just packed his bag and left. He didn't take anyone with him this time, as Shisui was supposed to protect Monari or give her a hand if any problem arose.

With that, he quickly left to complete his mission, the reason for coming to the Fire Country.

But just after he left, in a room, Gaara woke up after a long 20-hour nap. When he opened his eyes and looked around, first he saw everything was unknown to him. He was about to get anxious when he heard the voice of his brother and sister bickering. Sensing he was not in a hostile place, he relaxed.

This was when he noticed the changes in himself. He felt refreshed like never before in his entire life. His eyes didn't feel sore anymore either and his head wasn't hurting like hell.

"W-What happened?" He asked.

"Oh, you were rampaging outside the village. Lord Dama stopped the tailed beast and helped you get to sleep. You really slept like a log. It's been 20 hours." Temari told him.

"I-I... slept?" This was a foreign thought to him. He suffered from chronic insomnia due to the fear of Shukaku taking over his body, so his anger and frustration were intensified many times due to the lack of sleep.

But now he was calm. He loved this feeling honestly. "Who is Lord Dama?"

"He's awesome... and rich. He's the current ruler of Sunagakure." Kankuro said excitedly. Shiroken had surely put a deep impression on their young minds.

Though Gaara was new to it, as he didn't even remember seeing Shiroken. "Where is he?"

"I don't know. He should be back soon. He said he's going to take out the tailed beast from you soon. It's going to be a harmless procedure. Trust me, he knows about the beasts." Temari gave him the good news.

If Gaara could, he would have long ago gotten rid of Shukaku, but knowing it would kill him, he refused to quit. And so, he lived only for himself.

"By the way, did you know, your tailed beast's name is Shukaku," Kankuro revealed.

Gaara was taken aback but this knowledge, "Really? This is... the first time I'm hearing... I think I will sleep more."

He sent his siblings away and closed his eyes. In reality, he wanted to try if he could talk to the beast inside him.

"Shukaku… is that your name?..."

...

A good distance away from Konoha,

Shiroken ran like a ninja instead of flying. He wanted people to see him as one of them right now, not some kind of a god. Because religion creates cults, and he needed anything but a cult right now.

"Hmm, the path to the Daimyo's castle seems to go through many large towns. No wonder the Daimyo is rich, he has made himself the economic centre of the country. And his geographical location boons him." Shiroken read the map.

He was in one such town on the road. One of at least 12 large towns. In all the towns that he passed by, he saw large bustling crowds. There were all kinds of shops around there, from food to adult business.

He liked the geographical location of each town. All of them were built in such a way that it helped many villages nearby. These villages would sell their produce in the towns.

"WORLD'S BEST DUMPLING!"

All of a sudden Shiroken's eyes fell on this signboard. He felt offended, "This is... blasphemy. Nobody but aunt Fumiko makes the best dumplings. How dare they put that hoarding on."

Offended, he entered and quickly ordered, "Bring me every flavour of dumpling you have,"

At that moment. He started looking around. It seemed the shop was not simple. There were many tables where people were playing cards or poker while eating. ~Hmm... good way to run a restaurant. Make sure they lose while winning small, and take that small from them with enticing food.~

It was jam-packed. Only Shiroken sat alone at the table. Soon, the first plate arrived. *NOM*

He quickly took the first bite. It was a chicken dumpling, and he was highly disappointed. The texture was wrong, instead of its outer layer being soft, it was hard. As if it was reheated. Then there was the filling, the chicken was too chewy and flavourless. He felt like eating wet flour.

"You damn donkies. This is garbage." He felt like vomiting these less than satisfactory dumplings. The waiter seemed offended and ran to the kitchen to tell the boss.

"HUH!" Shiroken was dissatisfied. "Best Dumplings my ancient ass."

"AAAARGH! *BAM*"

All of a sudden Shiroken's attention diverted towards where the sound was coming from. It was a loud feminine voice. He looked at the adjacent table to his left where all the action was going on.

"DAMN IT! WHAT A WIMP... PASSING OUT SO SOON! Is there no real man who can outlast me? HEY YOU! What do you say? Want to test who can drink more? The loser pays."

"M-ME?" Shiroken was taken aback. In his entire life, no woman except his family and friends had approached him like that, so brashly. Even the girls who like him and had a crush on him seem to be scared away just by his status or charm.

Here this woman was, challenging him to a game of drinking, something she would lose for sure. Shiroken looked at her first, as she also narrowed her eyes, her cheeks reddened from all the booze she drank. Quite seductive to be honest.

One thing he had to agree, ~She is... pretty~

The woman in question was fair-skinned with brown eyes and had straight blonde hair that parted above her forehead. Her face seemed gentle and kind, but the catchy part was the violet diamond-shaped mark on her forehead. She also had lipstick on, which was smeared at the moment.

Other than that, when Shiroken's gaze looked down towards what she was wearing, he couldn't help but notice the huge organs. And the first thing that came into his mind was ~Doesn't her back hurt?~

"OYE! YOU HEAR ME?! ARE YOU GONNA WUSS OUT? TSK... SCAREDY CAT." She was getting agitated and looked straight into his eyes. She had her green haori on the side, while showing the kimono-style blouse with no sleeves, held closed by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matched her pants. She was certainly a very open and frank woman.

How could Shiroken say no, he had never backed down from a challenge. It was his honour on the line. He was also an advocate of gender equality. There was no shame in beating a woman in her own game. "HAHA... fine, but don't regret it when you lose."

The woman cheered and slapped the table brashly, "Hah, we'll see. WAITER! BRING MORE BOOZE! AH! SHIZUNE, DON'T WORRY."

But Shizune worried because Shiroken had white hair. This was a red flag in her mind, as no person who has white hair can be someone ordinary. This was her own experience.

[A/N: Here you go, the moment you had been waiting for. A meeting that's going to change so many things in the lives of these two characters.]

[A/N: Hmm, just looked at her wiki. Damn, she is in fact widely regarded as the most beautiful kunoichi in the world.]

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