A flicker of emotion passed through Honoka's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold indifference.
"I think I'm fine on my own. The only reason you're inviting me is because you want the power of the Uzumaki clan, right? What, isn't Hana enough for you?"
Rasa could tell that, unlike the shy and reserved Hana, this girl named Honoka was strong-willed and independent.
Growing impatient, he didn't try to hide his intentions.
"You're right. I do need the power of the Uzumaki clan. But I'm also genuinely inviting you to join Sunagakure. Hana isn't skilled in sealing techniques, which is why she chose to study medical ninjutsu instead."
Honoka finally looked at Rasa with a serious expression.
"It seems Hana really is in Sunagakure."
Noticing Rasa's confusion, Honoka explained,
"Among the Uzumaki clan, ninjas are divided based on their talents. Some become sealing specialists, while others become medical ninja. Hana had exceptional talent in medical ninjutsu, so the clan leader didn't have her learn sealing techniques."
"Semi-Sage Body, I see. But why are you alone on this island?"
Honoka's expression darkened.
"Five years ago, Uzushiogakure was attacked by Kirigakure. To preserve the Uzumaki bloodline, the clan leader secretly sent away some of the most talented members. The ship I was on encountered a storm at sea. When I woke up, I was on this island."
Rasa offered his condolences.
"I'm sorry for your loss. But things will get better in the future."
Hearing such gentle words, Honoka gave Rasa a surprised look. Then, remembering something important, she asked,
"What were you doing earlier? I could sense the natural energy of this island changing. If I'm not mistaken, you were absorbing it…"
This surprised Rasa. Yeah, this girl might just have that skill.
"You can sense natural energy too? Or is this something all Uzumaki can do?"
Perhaps Rasa's earlier kindness had softened her guard. Honoka explained,
"Sensing natural energy is a prerequisite for learning sealing techniques in the Uzumaki clan. Our sealing techniques are different from others—they don't rely solely on chakra but also incorporate natural energy."
This piqued Rasa's curiosity. He decided to probe further.
"Can you sense the natural energy within me?"
Honoka shook her head, looking puzzled. She seemed to stare at him for a couple of seconds before raising a brow.
"I thought you were using a sealing technique to block my sensing abilities."
Rasa chuckled and shook his head.
"No… I'm not using any technique. But Hana was able to sense the natural energy within me."
Honoka was even more surprised. Now, it was her time to be surprised by Rasa's ability.
"That's impossible… unless Hana has awakened the Mind's Eye of the Kagura!"
"Mind's Eye of the Kagura?"
Rasa looked surprised but of course, he wasn't gonna blurt out the effects of this ability. He wanted Honoka to explain it. Also, he wasn't that familiar with that power since he had forgotten some of the details from the anime.
"Yes, it's the highest sensory ability of the Uzumaki clan. It allows the user to sense not only chakra and natural energy but also the emotions of others."
"Emotions?"
Rasa raised a brow to which Honoka nodded, willing to elaborate.
"Yes, emotions are a form of energy too. Hatred, kindness, affection, killing intent—people can hide their appearances and suppress their chakra, but their emotions cannot be concealed. Wait, no…!"
At this point, Honoka realized she had said too much.
"You still haven't told me what you were doing earlier. Why did you come to this island?"
"As you saw, I was indeed absorbing the natural energy of this island. I was curious about why this place has so many giant creatures suitable for becoming summoning beasts and what makes the natural energy here so unique. I came here for these creatures. Sunagakure needs summoning beasts."
This didn't surprise Honoka. She simply snorted coldly.
"But do you know that without this natural energy, the island will lose its protection? These giant creatures will be exposed to the entire shinobi world. Do you understand the consequences of that?!"
At this moment, Honoka scolded Rasa as if he weren't one of the most powerful shinobi in the world, but just an ordinary man. Given Rasa's temperament, he didn't take offense at a young girl's words. Instead, he responded kindly,
"Now that you've told me, I know."
"I a…"
Honoka was momentarily speechless. Rasa, however, turned the question back to her.
"Do you love this island?"
Honoka's expression softened.
"The giant creatures on this island may look terrifying, but they're gentle at heart. If it weren't for their care over the past five years, I might have died here."
"I see. It seems these creatures are indeed very intelligent."
Rasa then looked at Honoka with a serious expression.
"Unfortunately, because Sunagakure truly needs summoning beasts, I can't give up on this island or its creatures. However, I can promise you, as the Kazekage, that Sunagakure shinobi will not force these creatures to become summoning beasts unless they gain their consent. If you're willing, I can grant you the authority to oversee this."
Honoka's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Rasa. Of course, it was better than forcing her or killing her right now. Slowly, she said,
"You're very different from the Kazekage I imagined."
"Oh? What did you imagine I'd be like?"
"Hmph, like most men—overbearing, rude, and self-centered...!"
"..."
Rasa was speechless this time, but he couldn't bring himself to argue with a young girl. However, since he couldn't take the island's natural energy with him like the Dragon Vein Chakra, he had to consider other options.
After thinking for a moment, Rasa raised a question.
"Was it you who made those giant creatures attack me?"
Honoka stiffened, but sensing that Rasa wasn't angry, she explained,
"I-I just wanted you to leave the island…."
"I see. So, is it also you who made people who leave the island lose their memories?"
"Yes, I can use sealing techniques to erase their memories of this island."
At this moment, Rasa chuckled.
"That means your sealing techniques are truly impressive."
"What are you trying to say?"
Honoka seemed impatient so Rasa didn't waste any time.
"I'm not skilled in sealing techniques or summoning techniques, so this is just an idea. Whether it's feasible depends on you. Do you know about the Reverse Summoning Technique? I was thinking, could we mark this island and Sunagakure as two points and have you create a spatial channel using summoning techniques? That way, by using summoning and reverse summoning, we could travel between the two locations, effectively linking them together."