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Several days later, Neji teleported from Konoha to the D-Organization base in the Land of Waves and headed straight for Sasori's research lab.
"Ai-chan, let Sasori know it's time."
[Understood, Boss.]
Inside the lab, Sasori was installing the final component of his newest masterpiece when Ai-chan's voice came through.
[Sasori, the Boss is waiting for you.]
Sasori slowly raised his head. He'd been at the base for ten days now, and everything was finally in order including his newest Hiruko.
It looked much like the old model on the outside, but the inside was a different story. New materials, upgraded functions it was a complete evolution.
Channeling chakra into Hiruko's joints, Sasori felt the familiar, fluid response as the puppet moved under his control.
Stepping out of the lab, he found Neji already waiting.
"Boss, I'm ready."
Neji's eyes traced every inch of Hiruko's frame, reading its internal structure in a glance. A faint smile touched his lips. The design had improved, though the firepower was still lacking. With the right enhancements like sound shell tech, it could be on a whole new level.
"Not bad. Still, you need to broaden your horizons. Study the reference material later."
He turned away. "Come on. Tenchi Bridge, near the Hidden Grass it's your turn to move."
With a tap of his pendant, Neji transformed, placing a hand on Hiruko's cloaked shoulder. In an instant, both vanished.
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Tenchi Bridge
Hiruko's hunched form approached a lone figure on the bridge. The air was still save for the rustling wind.
Their cloaks shifted with the breeze as Sasori closed the distance.
"It's been a long time, Sasori-sama five years," the man said, his voice familiar.
From the treeline, Neji watched the meeting, his gaze also catching the pale, serpentine figure lurking not far away Orochimaru.
Inside Hiruko, Sasori's chuckle was low. If Neji hadn't told him beforehand, he might have been surprised this man had broken free of his control.
"Yes… long enough for you to slip my strings."
Kabuto smirked. "I told Orochimaru-sama this wouldn't be easy to hide from you. Seems I was right."
He spoke with no fear, as if chatting over tea. Sasori snorted and called out toward the trees.
"Orochimaru is planning to skulk there all day, or do I have to invite you?"
Hiruko's mouth opened, launching a slicing gust that sheared through a nearby tree. The trunk toppled with a crash.
Sasori nodded in approval. The weapon's wind-based cutting power rivaled a C-rank ninjutsu, and it could be fired at will.
A deep, mocking laugh came from the fallen tree's shadow. "Sasori… I thought you'd been killed."
Twin snake-like eyes peered from the gloom, narrowing as they studied Hiruko. Wind Release? Orochimaru hadn't known this puppet could do that.
"But since you weren't taken down… I'll just finish the job myself."
"Hmph. Arrogant as ever."
Back in Akatsuki, they had been partners but never allies. And after Orochimaru's defection, Sasori and Deidara hunted him, ending in a brutal clash that freed the Third Kazekage's corpse from Sasori's control.
Old grudges die hard. Sasori had placed Kabuto as a spy for a reason.
Now, those grudges ignited again.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
From Orochimaru's sleeves, a torrent of venomous snakes lunged at Hiruko.
Kabuto slipped aside, creating an opening, chakra scalpels forming in his hands.
Sasori's voice was dismissive as Hiruko's mechanisms shifted.
Impact Cannon!
A compressed shockwave burst forth, obliterating the serpents as it roared toward Orochimaru.
At that moment, a blur swept in. A streak of light arced past Kabuto, slicing through half of Hiruko's faceplate before vanishing upward.
Sasori's hiss was sharp. He hadn't expected Kabuto to have the nerve or the skill to scar his work.
"Quite the pet you've trained, Orochimaru."
"Thank you," Orochimaru replied smoothly.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses with his free hand, smiling coldly.
"And I should thank you," Orochimaru added, "for delivering him to me. He's been… invaluable. A new jutsu might require a hundred test subjects. But with his medical ninjutsu, I can reuse them again and again. Such resources are rare."
His satisfaction only deepened Sasori's irritation. Alone, Sasori might have been at a disadvantage here.
But he wasn't alone.
"You think you've got me cornered, Orochimaru?"
Hiruko's back split open, revealing a flexible tail and shifting weapon arms.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed with interest and malice. "We'll see."
"It's just a shame Kabuto didn't destroy that puppet of yours," he added with a faint smile.
"My apologies, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto said without a trace of remorse.
"No matter," Orochimaru replied. "It just means we'll need… other methods."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, deliberate applause cut through the tension.
Orochimaru's gaze flicked to Kabuto, who shook his head he hadn't expected this either.
"Long time no see, Orochimaru."
A figure emerged from the shadows of the forest black suit, tilted fedora, distinctive mask. The emblem at its temple: Chakra.
Orochimaru's pupils constricted. Old memories stirred he still had that lone, stolen eye from this man locked away in his base.
"D-Organization's… Chakra."
"What a rare guest," Orochimaru said, voice low.
His gaze shifted between Neji and Sasori, mind racing. By all accounts, D-Organization and Akatsuki were enemies. Yet here they stood, side by side.
Had Sasori defected? If so… things had just become far more complicated.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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