XX-level Hokage

Bai's hands were firmly pressed against the wall, her waist twisted into a beautiful arc, and sweat mixed with saliva spread continuously on her snow-white skin.

"Let's play together next door after Zabuza comes back." Mashiro released Haku's leg, walked up to Haku, and said.

Images flashed through Bai's mind... and for some reason, she felt a surge of excitement. She stuck out her tongue.

The following day, Mashiro brought Kimimaro to Konoha Hospital, where Tsunade had been waiting for a long time. This was something Mashiro had obtained through a shady deal.

After Tsunade skillfully finished diagnosing Kimimaro, she was speechless and said, "Where did you find all these strange illnesses? I just got rid of one soul deviation, and now another bloodline disease has appeared."

"Can it be cured?" Mashiro asked.

“It’s difficult. I need all the test results for his bloodline limit,” Tsunade said seriously. “I’ll send them to you tomorrow,” Mashiro said with a light laugh.

Tsunade leaned close to Mashiro's ear and whispered, "Next time, if there are any more strange patients, it won't be something that can be resolved in two tries." Mashiro sighed helplessly and nodded.

Then Tsunade gave Kimimaro some medicine to slow his condition and left. Immediately afterwards, Mashiro led Kimimaro towards the Ninja Academy.

"Those three are your next students." Mashiro said, pointing to the three students who were standing as punishment at the door.

"The girl on the left with glasses is called Hanzawa Akira, the girl in the middle with long bangs is called Tanaka Mizuki, and the girl on the right with pink hair is called Goto Yumeko."

All three of them were war orphans, but not from Konoha. They were adopted by some ninjas from other places. They were not good at studying and had very withdrawn personalities, making them a headache for their teachers.

"After graduation, those three will be your disciples, and you'll be their only support." Mashiro patted Kimimaro on the shoulder and turned to leave. "Support?"

Kimimaro stared blankly at the three somewhat withdrawn children.

Chapter 91: Loulan, Dragon Vein

The Land of Wind, Sand Village.

This was Mashiro's first time visiting this village. Several Sand Ninja were already waiting at the entrance of the Sand Village. Mashiro was there as an envoy of Konoha, representing Konoha to discuss future cooperation with the Sand Ninja.

Because Mashiro secretly supported Gaara's rise to power, the relationship between Sunagakure and Konoha was not greatly affected by the "Konoha Crush Plan." After Naruto and his friends rescued Gaara, their relationship became even closer.

"Welcome, Lord Mashiro. Lord Kazekage is already waiting in his office," a Sand Shinobi said respectfully, noticing the figure beside Mashiro and a slight change in his expression.

"You don't need to follow me, I'll go by myself. I want to check out the Sand Village first," Mashiro said, waving his hand. "Yes, sir," the Sand ninja who had come to greet him scattered.

Walking down the streets of Sand Village, looking at Tsurugi's somewhat somber yet joyful expression, Mashiro softly said, "Is that a good idea?"

“I grew up here. Although the Sand Village isn’t as prosperous as the Leaf Village, it has its own unique ruggedness,” Temari said, looking at everything around her that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

Mashiro also began to observe her surroundings. What came into view was a reddish-yellow landscape. The buildings in the Sand Village, whether residential houses or special facilities, were all constructed of rock and were very tall. Many houses were connected by hanging ladders. To her, it had a strong exotic feel and was very much in line with her imagination of the Sand Village.

"It's really hot." Looking at the huge sun in the sky, Zhenbai squinted and said.

"Heat, drought, and sandstorms are the main characteristics of Sunagakure. Not every ninja village has the unique conditions that Konoha has," Temari said.

However, she didn't seem to feel any sandstorm. "Mashiro suddenly said with a puzzled look.

"Just like Konoha has a barrier for monitoring, Sunagakure also has one, but Sunagakure's barrier is more geared towards blocking sandstorms," ​​Temari explained. "The environment there is indeed harsh, so the First Kazekage was truly a very determined person." Mashiro exclaimed in admiration.

“Perseverance? Perhaps, but it’s also a helpless situation. Sha Ren is employed by the Wind Shadow, and the environment in the entire Wind Kingdom is basically like this. Over time, one gets used to it,” said the hand.

Mashiro remained noncommittal.

"By the way, I've never asked before, how did you help Gaara become the Kazekage?" Tehan asked with some doubt.

"It's very simple. As you know, because the three of you were left in Konoha, there were two factions in Sunagakure vying for the position of Kazekage."

One faction was supported by Iwagakure, and the other was supported by Kumogakure, led by Kondo.

I first fabricated evidence that Kondo and Orochimaru conspired to murder the Fourth Kazekage, then had Dayu discover it, causing a conflict between the two forces. Then, I took drastic measures by producing documents showing that Dayu had received support and assistance from Iwagakure.

Having lost popular support and suffering mutual losses, Hiru and Kondo pose virtually no threat to Gaara.

"The Sand Village was already facing a talent shortage. Gaara and Kankuro were both talented Sand Village members, and both were sons of the Fourth Kazekage. With the Fourth Kazekage's connections, becoming Kazekage was a foregone conclusion," Mashiro explained.

Just like when the Hyuga clan seized power, Mashiro had some Shadow Legion members follow the shadow of the released Sand Ninja delegation in advance, creating a coordinate system within the Sand Ninja territory.

Then, the Shadow Legion placed fabricated evidence in Kondo's office to lure Daytime's people into discovering it. Even knowing it might be a conspiracy, Daytime had no choice; delay would only lead to complications, and the Iwa ninja were pressing him hard.

As for the documents regarding the collusion between Daytime and Iwa ninja, they weren't forged by Mashiro; he obtained them from Kurotsuchi.

And so, led by Temari, the two arrived at the Kazekage Building and entered the Kazekage's office. Gaara and Kankuro had been waiting there for quite some time.

Kankuro was very excited to see Temari. Gaara remained expressionless, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. This was the first time the three siblings had reunited since the incident in Konoha.

Seeing the three of them reunited, Mashiro tactfully walked to the side.

After their conversation, Temari and Kankuro both shed tears, and Gaara's expression softened. "Are you done talking?" Mashiro approached and asked softly.

“Ms. Mashiro, thank you so much for bringing her back to Sunagakure. I hope she can stay here forever,” Gaara said to Mashiro.

Mashiro smiled and said, "I don't have any objections, I just don't know what Shou herself thinks." "Sister"

Kankuro looked at Temari, and then at Hikaru, he looked on with hope.

Shouhan bit his lip, then smiled and said, "I'm doing quite well in Konoha now, following my master, Lord Mashiro. The Sand Village now has both of you."

I'm very relieved.

Although Shouhan did not say it explicitly, she had already made her attitude clear.

Gaara sighed. He wasn't surprised at all. From the change in Tehan's personality, he already understood that his older sister would not be coming back.

"Miss Mashiro, what brings you to the Sand Village?" Gaara began to get down to business. "It should also be within the Land of Wind. Have you heard of the Ruins of Loulan?" Mashiro asked softly.

Within the Land of Wind.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

The sky was covered by a thick layer of yellow sand, and the wind howled angrily within it, sounding like the wailing of a demon, a chilling noise. And just then...

Amidst the swirling, overwhelming yellow sand, a beautiful figure slowly emerged from the flying dust. After she appeared...

Suddenly, the howling sandstorms that had been raging between heaven and earth became docile, as if a ferocious beast had instantly turned into a domesticated pet, leaving people in awe.

Mara. Xiaola...

Her footsteps tread lightly on the soft sand, a faint smile playing on her lips, her pure white eyes gently sweeping across her surroundings.

Finally, her gaze settled on a cluster of towering buildings in the distance, and she murmured softly, "Is this the place? According to the records of the Sand Village, there is indeed a powerful energy fluctuation here."

As soon as she finished speaking, she took a few light steps and walked slowly in that direction. The wind and sand were howling, swirling everywhere, a desolate wasteland.

On this reddish-yellow land, countless enormous buildings stand tall, completely out of place with the desert landscape.

These buildings resemble weathered ancient ruins, yet they stand stubbornly, unyielding to the erosion of wind and sand. "La ma la"

Just then, a figure dressed in a black robe slowly appeared in front of the strange cluster of buildings, his long hair fluttering in the wind.

She gently raised her head, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful face.

Her pure white eyes seemed to always hold a composed expression as she gazed at the buildings, her clear voice murmuring to herself, "Is this... Loulan...?"

Her words had barely left her lips when they were scattered by the sandstorm.

At this moment, within these densely packed tall buildings, an incredibly joyous event was taking place.

Outside the buildings, a fierce sandstorm raged, but inside these towering structures, there was no feeling of being in the desert. People dressed in brightly colored clothes walked along the wide streets, their faces beaming with joy.

Looking up, towering buildings stretched into the clouds, adorned with countless vibrant colors, as if celebrating something.

People crowded the streets and walked happily toward an open square. Once they gathered there, they all looked up at the high place with happy smiles on their faces.

"It's about to appear. I really can't wait to see the Queen again."

Amid the dense crowd, cheering people occasionally whispered among themselves, but the topic always seemed to revolve around the Queen of Loulan.

Just then, a figure silently appeared outside the crowd, standing in the corner of a tall building, calmly watching everything.

The figure was none other than Zhenbai, who had come to search for the Loulan Dragon Vein.

Chapter 92: The Emperor of the Ancestral Kingdom (Bonus Chapter)

Mashiro watched quietly from the shadows until the joyous and grand ceremony ended, without making any move.

As time passed, it was already close to evening, and the crowd that had been gathered began to disperse, but a joyful atmosphere still lingered in the city.

Mashiro then disappeared into the crowd.

Night was falling, and they were in a palace.

Sarah, who had presided over the ceremony, was now sitting quietly in the main seat, listening attentively to her subordinates' reports.

"You may all leave," Sarah said to her subordinates, then went alone to a room deep within the palace and lay down heavily on a magnificent bed.

"It seems Her Majesty the Queen doesn't enjoy this lively atmosphere." A clear voice rang out. As the voice faded...

Inside the hall, Sarah's expression immediately changed. She turned around quickly, her gaze sharp as she looked at the newcomer, and asked in a deep voice, "Who is it?"

From the shadowy corner of the window, Mashiro chuckled softly as she slowly emerged, watching Pa-ra with a look of keen interest.

The two looked at each other, and an unusual silence fell over the hall. Mashiro nodded and chuckled softly.

"As expected of the Queen of Loulan, she is truly a wise woman, knowing that remaining silent is the best choice under these circumstances." Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Sara's pretty face turned cold, and she said in a chilling voice.

"No wonder I heard that someone is plotting to seize the power of the Loulan Dragon Vein. Could it be you?"

Seeing Sara's wary posture, Mashiro waved his hand gently, looking at her with a smile in his eyes, and said softly, "Although I am also very interested in the power of the dragon vein, the person who is plotting this should not be me. I just found this place today."

"In any case, the Dragon Vein belongs to the power of Loulan and has no effect on outsiders. You should not try to obtain its power," Sara said seriously. Hearing Sara's words, Zhenbai's face showed curiosity, and she asked, "Why do you say that?"

“Since ancient times, the power of the dragon vein has always been usable only by the bloodline of the Loulan royal family. You outsiders have no way to control the power of the dragon vein. Moreover, a long time ago, the dragon vein overflowed once, almost causing great chaos, so it was sealed away by the Fourth Hokage,” Sara said expressionlessly.

"In that case, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Your Majesty to accompany me. I wish to personally examine the Dragon Vein. Don't worry, I won't do anything to the seal. If you don't wish to, I think there should be others in Loulan who are willing," Mashiro said with a smile.

Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Sara's face immediately darkened.

However, she also knew that she had absolutely no power to resist this guy, so she had no choice but to obediently agree.

"Lead the way, Your Majesty," Mashiro said with a smile.

Sarah's expression turned slightly cold, but she didn't have any intention of resisting and obediently led the way.

After a very complicated and tedious journey, the two finally arrived at a dilapidated-looking ruin after descending a deep spiral staircase.

For some reason, the ancient ruins have remained in a dilapidated state, and it seems that no one has ever cleaned them.

Broken walls and rubble were scattered everywhere, with some huge, neatly arranged rocks lying haphazardly. In the very center of the dilapidated ruins, a seal that appeared to be closed sat peacefully, a little dust settled on it.

Mashiro calmly observed the dilapidated seal, glanced warily at the Loulan Queen, and said softly, "It really is a seal of the Uzumaki clan. It seems it was indeed made by the Fourth Hokage."

"You seem to have a peculiar attitude towards the dragon vein. Are you afraid of it?" Mashiro suddenly asked, looking at Sara's expression.

Sarah's pretty face seemed to be lost in some kind of memory, and she said softly, "Do you think the reason why the Loulan Kingdom was built on this desert is because this desert is the price for the abuse of the dragon vein. Originally, Loulan was a huge and rich country, but because of the dragon vein, it has become the desolate city it is today."