Chapter 119: All Are Cunning Old Foxes

“The Emperor of Shurima is not dead; he has returned... and he is summoning his followers,” Shiraki lowered his voice.

“Is the Prophet telling me a bedtime story? Interesting, I could tell Temari and Kankuro, but it’s hardly appropriate here,” Rasa said skeptically.

“No, no, you misunderstand, Kazekage-sama. What I seek is the treasure of Shurima. Shurima’s wealth in its prime was beyond your imagination. Through my Prophet’s Eye, I have seen it: a sun disk of pure gold towering to the clouds, the entire palace filled with treasures from across the lands, floors paved with gold bricks, night pearls like stars, jade stones as moons...” Shiraki described with dramatic flourish.

Kakuzu’s tentacles began to dance at once.

“This guy... is he telling the truth or lying? So detailed it doesn’t sound fake. If it’s a lie, what is he really after?” Nonou was utterly confused.

“Treasure...?” Rasa blinked. He had heard tales of desert bandits burying treasure, dreaming as a child of finding it after retiring to the Land of Fire, but never once thought of an emperor’s hoard.

“Is this true...?” Granny Chiyo was skeptical as well.

“I swear by my god Cthulhu that every word I speak is the truth; otherwise, I will be stripped of all divine power,” Shiraki solemnly placed his hands on the sacred text and swore.

The three fell silent. For a cleric to swear by their deity was the strongest possible oath.

“If that’s so... why seek us out instead of digging it up yourself?” Ebizō’s soul inquired.

“The desert... Shurima is buried beneath billions of tons of sand. Excavating by hand would take centuries. To unearth the treasure quickly, only your One-Tail Jinchūriki has the strength,” Shiraki said seriously.

Indeed, there are no truly selfless people in this world; everyone is driven by gain. No matter how sincere the act appears, the fox’s tail will eventually show.

Yet, Shiraki’s openness about his purpose made the Sand Hidden’s leaders trust him more.

“Then, if the treasure is found, Prophet, how much will you share with us?” Rasa was already tempted. Why was the Sand Village so weak? Because it was poor!

How poor? When the First Hokage sold Tailed Beasts, the Land of Wind could not buy even a Two-Tails with the nation’s full effort—only a second-rate village, Takigakure, managed to purchase a Seven-Tails. That’s how poor they were.

If such treasure truly existed in the desert, as rich as Shiraki claimed, with floors paved in gold bricks, the entire Sand Village, even the Land of Wind, could rise from ruin.

More importantly... gold. Rasa’s Magnet Release manipulates gold sand—the more gold sand he has, the stronger his power. Right now, he was only on par with Orochimaru because much of the gold sand was sold to fund supplies and pay soldiers.

If vast quantities of gold were uncovered and refined into gold sand, his power would reach a whole new level.

“Fifty percent. Rest assured, even half of the Desert Emperor’s wealth would allow you to build a hundred more national treasuries to store the gold,” Shiraki smiled faintly.

Rasa nodded without protest. Fifty percent was acceptable.

Because he wanted it all!

“I told you already... Lord Fumbuku is old and unable to act,” Granny Chiyo hesitated. She wanted money too!

Medical ninjutsu, poisons, puppetry—all her research required vast funds, and more money was never enough.

“We’re just digging sand, not fighting. Surely the Jinchūriki has the stamina for that?” Shiraki said.

“Enough, Granny Chiyo. The Prophet is no outsider. Let me be frank: that old bald goat Fumbuku refuses to use the Tailed Beast’s power for the Sand Village. No matter how I try—kind words, hunger, punishment—he remains unmoved. Age is just an excuse; he’s not a taijutsu ninja. Magnet Release only grows stronger with age,” Rasa finally laid it bare, slamming the table.

Shiraki’s memory aligned. He recalled Fumbuku imprisoned in a temple, guarded by Sand ninja. How did that become Chiyo’s story of self-imprisonment in fear of harming others?

Indeed, every village’s Jinchūriki suffered. The Sand’s was worse—Gaara was almost crushed by his father’s love.

Chiyo and Ebizō awkwardly scratched their noses. Despite all attempts, Fumbuku held fast to his belief that invading the Land of Fire was wrong; he would never be a puppet for the Sand.

“Here’s a thought: we waged war to seize wealth and land. Now that there’s a safer treasure, let’s abandon the war and withdraw. Fumbuku won’t live much longer; we can wait for the next Jinchūriki to grow up...” Ebizō offered a plan.

“How many years must we wait?” Rasa shook his head.

Jinchūriki aren’t always infants, but because implanting Tailed Beasts carries high mortality, and early rampages harm loved ones and cause ostracism, adults rarely accept Tailed Beasts. So infants, ignorant of it all, are the choice.

Waiting for the infant to grow and master Magnet Release might take a decade or more. Rasa didn’t want to wait. Who knew if the Sand would be wiped out in those ten years?

“If you three trust me, maybe I can persuade Fumbuku,” Shiraki smiled.

“You...?” Rasa was stunned.

“I wish for a better way, but this may be the only option,” Shiraki’s smile revealed a demon’s greed.

His true goal was the One-Tail Shukaku.

Upon entering the desert, the first message flashed:

“Shurima, your Emperor has returned!”

Shiraki could think of nothing connected to sand soldiers and the One-Tail but Shukaku.

“Prophet, could you step outside? We need to discuss,” Rasa hesitated. The One-Tail Jinchūriki might be dispensable, but not without him. Fumbuku’s presence in the Wind Temple was heavily guarded; no ordinary person could approach.

“Very well,” Shiraki nodded, leading Kakuzu and Nonou out of the tent.

...

“Elders, what do you think?” Rasa asked gravely.

“If true... with this money, probably everyone in the Land of Wind could live well,” Ebizō sighed. He managed Sand Village’s finances and had turned gray from worry about money by fifty.

“I agree. With this, my puppet army could increase by tens of times. But I worry this man isn’t as simple as he seems. His aims might extend beyond the treasure,” Chiyo said cautiously.

“Indeed, we must assign someone to follow and monitor him closely,” Rasa nodded.

“We can suspend the war temporarily, but troops can’t withdraw. If the treasure side fails, we lose on both ends,” Chiyo still hoped the Cloud and Mist would drag Konoha down so the Sand could claim spoils. The Third Raikage’s reputation as the strongest shield was well known.

“I think Maki should go. He’s steady and loyal,” Ebizō suggested.

“Maki isn’t strong enough. Didn’t you see his water style? If he falls behind, a wind sword specialist like Shiraki would overpower him,” Chiyo shook her head.

“If water style is the issue... how about adding Yakura? Three years ago, when we clashed with the Mist, Yakura single-handedly wiped out a fifty-man Mist squad. Her Scorch Release counters Water Style well,” Rasa proposed.

“Yakura’s good. If she’s staying, it’s better. I have a feeling she’s flirting with that little Prophet brat,” Chiyo agreed.

“Then it’s settled. Yakura and Maki will accompany him.”

...