"Someone's chasing us. It should be the Fourth Kazekage, Sasori of the Red Sand."
"Well, you know, a jinchuriki went missing—and not just any ninja, either. The village must have reacted quickly, especially since this child is the Kazekage's own daughter… Actually, I think their pursuit was slower than it should've been. They should've acted faster. If they had, there might still have been a chance.
After all, we're still within the Land of Wind. To someone at the Kazekage's level, distance is hardly an issue."
"Are you feeling sympathy for our enemy? Or are you just playing the part?"
"It doesn't matter now whether it was early or late. In the end, we've already advanced the Plan."
Terumi Mei looked down at the two children lying on the ground.
"Hmm. Perhaps after 'the Plan' is complete, events like this won't be necessary anymore."
One of the children was just a bargaining chip, so she remained unconscious. As for the other—the jinchuriki from whom the tailed beast had been extracted—the result was obvious. Despite being only thirteen years old, she was still a ninja, so there was absolutely no guilt about what had happened to her.
There might have been pity, but such emotions had no place interfering with operations.
"They're here."
From the moment their presence was detected, Sasori of the Red Sand had already appeared before them. He immediately noticed a huge blue figure briefly flashing behind the two, then fixed his gaze on them again… His instincts as a ninja wouldn't let him ignore those details, but soon his eyes locked onto his own daughter.
"Who are you people?"
Undoubtedly, enemies.
"This is the Fourth Kazekage. He seems younger than I expected."
"Sasori of the Red Sand isn't some ordinary opponent. Don't be fooled by appearances. Be careful."
"There's definitely strong pressure. Still… combining your power with mine, even if he's powerful, the outcome is practically decided."
With Terumi Mei's dual Kekkei Genkai abilities—[Boil Release] and [Melting Release]—which possessed wide area-of-effect and strong corrosive properties, logically speaking, these techniques countered puppet techniques quite effectively.
Combine that with control over the Gold-Sand Technique, and even though Sasori of the Red Sand was arguably Sunagakure's most gifted ninja ever, facing two opponents at once made defeat practically certain.
Moreover, under current circumstances, the two of them didn't really need to fight against Sasori. Their best move was clearly a clean and quick withdrawal.
But just then, Rasa suddenly raised his hand to stop his companion. "Our objective has already been accomplished. Our mission ends here. So you can choose to withdraw now."
"On my own?"
"Yes. There's one small personal matter I need to handle here… Once I succeed, I'll catch up with you shortly."
As he spoke, Rasa removed both his hood and the face mask covering him, revealing his true appearance.
With this action, Sasori's eyes gradually widened.
"So it's you, Rasa."
"Scorpion, it's been a long time... I suppose we haven't met since you became Kazekage."
"You, who have already become a rogue ninja, why would you abduct my daughter? Even back then, you weren't exactly known for your lofty ambitions—but I still never imagined you'd sink this low."
Anyone willing to kidnap a child clearly has no noble character to speak of. Such reckless disregard for limits can only end in total moral decay.
"Just for an alternative ideal—one you've never truly understood..."
As he spoke, Rasa gestured to Terumi Mei, signaling she could leave now.
Terumi Mei glanced at Rasa again and said, "Although I won't take back what I previously said, human beings are indeed incredibly complicated creatures.
Since you've made this decision, I won't stand in your way either."
Clearly, Rasa intended to settle things with Sasori of the Red Sand right here.
Though he had lost the competition for becoming Fourth Kazekage, the main reason for his failure was the Third Kazekage's choice. Scorpion had not won through 'fair competition'—deep down, Rasa did not recognize his own 'loss.'
As both a ninja and a leader, Rasa considered himself Sasori's equal—if not his better. Therefore, this was a long-overdue match.
Either prove the Third Kazekage made a wrong decision, or demonstrate that Sasori surpasses him in ability. Rasa could accept either outcome.
This might be the only opportunity for a battle outside Sunagakure's protection where the Kage himself is involved.
The title of Kage doesn't carry much weight for many people—Haseo, for instance, or Jiraiya, Tsunade, even Kakashi. These are all pretty laid-back, unconventional types. As for Rasa, perhaps he shared some common ground with Danzo Shimura—an obsession, or ambition. In short, they both strongly cared about who held the title of Kage, representing the 'orthodox ninja' faction.
This was Rasa's fight, so Terumi Mei chose not to interfere. Yet, when she started leaving, naturally she encountered obstruction from Sasori of the Red Sand.
With a distinctive creaking sound, more than ten powerful puppets surrounded Terumi Mei from multiple directions.
But Terumi Mei didn't even glance at the attacks closing in behind her.
Like Rasa said, this wasn't her fight to finish.
Instantly, the arid desert transformed into a raging ocean, massive waves surging forward to swallow all the puppets.
Even the best swimmer turns into a drowning victim in the heart of the sea.
Sasori of the Red Sand finally understood clearly who his true enemy was.
"In that case, let me reveal one of the reasons why I could become the Fourth Kazekage...
You were also born from Sunagakure, so this battle will proceed in a manner that is quintessentially Sunagakure."
While speaking, Sasori shook off the strands of chakra threads connected to his fingertips, those used to control the puppets.
There were two fighters here, but only one of them was truly the desert's master.
Even though both used Magnet Release, "Iron Sand Body" and "Gold Dust" were ultimately different. In the eyes of the former "Strongest Wind Kage," only "Iron Sand Body" could become the next "Strongest Wind Kage."
Only those who inherited the legacy could be chosen.
Sasori of the Red Sand was, of course, skilled in more than just the Puppet Technique—especially considering this genius wasn't extreme in every moment.
And a prodigious ninja was more than just a ninja.
As Kazekage, he had no choice but to fight for Sunagakure; but as a father, there were certain things he had to do to truly be considered a real person.
Therefore, this battle was one he could not afford to lose—he would not allow himself to lose.
But all it would leave him with was living on in solitude.
[Shuketu Novel Site]
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