My Techniques are a bit off

"Thank you."

After leaving the registration office and hearing the explanation about the "Stone Temple," Gaara voiced his gratitude.

"You're being too polite," Main-World Sasuke said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "If you really do want to join some organization, just ask me. Be careful of the stuff on the notice boards, and try not to wander into the Third World alone. Don't believe any random group's slogans. Also, here's the new currency issued by the Allied Shinobi Forces—"

He rattled off a whole string of advice, then dug out some bills from his wallet and handed them to Gaara. "Anything else you want to see?"

"I'd like to walk around by myself. Is that okay?" Gaara asked.

"Sure. If you need me, contact me on Web Net or just come to my place—here's the address." Main-World Sasuke sent over the location of his "Friend's House" via Web Net, then vanished in a flicker.

He was mainly doing all this out of their old acquaintance—and because of Link. Otherwise, there weren't many people in the Allied Shinobi Forces for whom he'd personally go this far. After all, Sasuke was practically Six Paths–level now.

Gaara stood at the edge of the street, then began strolling along slowly, taking in the buildings and people while also surfing the Web Net on his handheld device.

He soon skimmed through the top posts in the Web Net forum, carefully noting all the info they contained.

The Allied Shinobi Forces base at Kannabi Bridge had expanded into the domain of Kusagakure. It wasn't that the Alliance was so domineering; rather, the "fence-sitting" Kusagakure offered the land willingly. If Tobirama hadn't refused, Kusagakure would have dissolved itself entirely and joined the Alliance by now.

They weren't the first village to want that. In fact, Konoha #2 was the first to propose a full merger, and then several other major ninja villages tried to fully integrate as well.

The problem was that the Alliance's management was highly decentralized, and there weren't many on the Executive Committee—most were people from Main-World Konoha. If any village fully merged with them, power would get fragmented, causing even more headaches down the line. So Tobirama would rather handle things slowly and keep the Alliance's position stable, rather than divvy up authority. Once everyone was in one big organization as "colleagues," they'd inevitably start competing for power, which would be a nightmare.

In the end, Kusagakure and Konoha ended up sharing some of their territory—particularly near the border—turning it into part of the Alliance's base. The land's value skyrocketed. With the scale of relief efforts in the Third World growing, the Alliance's base continued to expand. It had become the crossroads of four different worlds, a political and economic hub with boundless potential for growth.

Anyone with a bit of foresight had already started investing in the Alliance's base. Surrendering some land was no big deal at all.

Likewise, the development speed here was mind-boggling. Once the Final-Chapter World joined, they brought along tons of advanced tech, which got Final-Chapter Naruto and Sasuke seats on the Executive Committee. One day you'd see an empty lot; by the next day, you'd see the frame of a building. Two days after that, they'd start selling units, and then shops would pop up.

The changing face of the Alliance base truly illustrated the speed of "ninja development." Even chūnin-level shinobi were working construction like beasts of burden, making the building boom lightning-fast. In the past, wartime mobilized even genin as cannon fodder, severely limiting productivity. But now, with peace and the support of scientific ninja tools and biotech, the entire workforce was unleashed, leading to explosive development.

Gaara found it dizzying—the high-rise buildings springing up, the neatly planned roads, the large, organized districts. By comparison, Sunagakure seemed embarrassingly backward.

So this is what peace looks like…? He looked at the forum on Web Net, where so many ninja freely shared their thoughts, and at the city's overwhelming abundance on display. He couldn't help feeling shaken.

But despite the bounty of the Alliance, he still had his doubts: Where was it all headed next?

Being the Kazekage's son, Gaara had spent the past two years exposed to a fair amount of politics—especially given his ties to Link and Sasori. He was never absent from high-level meetings in Sunagakure. Link had changed Gaara's life, letting him experience a warmth he'd never known, and he wanted to spread that same "love." He aimed to become Kazekage and had been working toward that position.

He wasn't bad at the basics of governance and commerce, so he did some quick research. Everything about the Alliance looked rosy, but nobody had a clear idea where it would ultimately end up. It was as though everyone was focused on the Alliance's immediate contributions—yet what would they do after the Third World was saved?

He had no clue.

Gaara decided to see if the Alliance Executive Committee could give him answers.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Upon arriving at the main Alliance building, Gaara realized that right now he was just another newly registered member, not the son of the Kazekage. He couldn't simply meet with whomever he pleased.

So he turned to his network of contacts.

He sent a Web Net message to Main-World Sasuke without hesitation. A few minutes later, he got a reply. The true leader of the Alliance, Tobirama Senju, would be willing to meet him in his office in ten minutes—and Gaara would have exactly one minute of his time.

I owe you a huge debt of thanks.

Gaara meant it from the bottom of his heart. Without Sasuke, he'd have been totally stuck.

No problem. I've got something to ask you, too. –Main-World Sasuke

Gaara paused, then responded: Go ahead.

Sasuke described the strange situation with Link's body. Then he added: If the plan is to yank off his mask and robe, you're too weak to do it yourself. Link's power-control issues mean that if he resists, he could badly injure—or even kill—you.

You can refuse. I'm only helping you because of our past friendship, not to coerce you. Actually, you're not even our best option.

Originally, he and Bubble had both wanted to try, but they each had their own responsibilities. Getting someone else who was weak—yet friendly enough with Link—might be best. Nara Shio-mizu, Tobi-oi, and Kagerō were all prime candidates.

I'll help, Gaara replied immediately.

Thank you, Sasuke said. He didn't know if the plan would succeed, or if they'd even need it. But since it concerned Link, he was prepared to take risks. Even if it meant bending some moral lines to drag in outside help, he couldn't stand idly by while his friend's bodily transformations caused him to shut everyone out.

Link, the Alliance, the future…

Standing at the foot of the Alliance building, Gaara's once-stony expression showed his heavy heart. He worried about the future, about Link, about Sunagakure—and about his brother and sister.

It seemed as though every choice somehow fell into his hands now.

~~~

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