Anya followed Sasori toward Sunagakure Village. After entering the familiar town, she couldn't help but try her luck at the tables—and walked away with a bit of extra cash.
Sasori raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's up? Are you really short on money, Kurotsuchi?"
Anya gave a bitter smile. "Short on money? I probably owe quite a bit already."
Three million gold pieces plus three years' worth of interest had piled up into a six-million debt owed to Kakuzu, and if it kept compounding, who knew how much more she'd owe.
Without hesitation, Sasori pulled out a thick stack of bills. "If you need money, just say so. I've got plenty. Once we get to Sunagakure Village, I'll give it all to you."
Money was practically worthless to Sasori—it might as well have been scrap paper. On top of inheriting his parents' fortune, he'd also been doted on by Grandma Chiyo—there was no doubt he was among the wealthiest in Sunagakure Village.
Seeing that Sasori really did have money, Anya didn't even blink before taking it. After leaving the town, they entered the territory of Sanshouo Hanzo's area. Suddenly, Anya recalled something—Jiraiya should've already finished training those two boys and left by now.
By the time they returned to the village, it would be time to call Konan over.
Anya and Sasori didn't stop moving and soon reached the borders of Sunagakure Village. On the way, Anya asked Sasori, "So, how exactly are you planning to poison the Kazekage?"
Sasori pulled out a bright red flower with an intense fragrance. "Kurotsuchi, look at this. I discovered it by chance—a poisonous flower. It smells great and is very pleasant to the nose, but once consumed, it poisons the person. Of course, the toxin itself is weak. However, when combined with another aromatic herb, it can become a completely new kind of poison."
Seeing Sasori's confident expression, Anya curiously asked, "What's this new poison like? Can it kill someone instantly?"
"No,"
Sasori shook his head. "The toxicity remains mild, but if ingested repeatedly over time, it causes dependency. I've tested it on people, and not a single one has managed to break free from its grip. Eventually, the toxin seeps deep into the marrow, becoming incurable."
Anya understood immediately—it sounded just like the drugs from her previous life. She never expected Sasori to develop something like this. No wonder he was called a genius. Clearly, his plan to kill the Kazekage wasn't impulsive—it was detailed and carefully laid out. Judging from his approach, as long as there was enough patience, success was extremely likely.
In that case, all she needed to do was help shorten the timeline.
"Did you bring some of this new poison? Give me a bit."
Sasori melted the red flower in his hand, then mixed it with another fragrant herb, resulting in a light reddish liquid, which he handed directly to Anya.
Anya took it, drank a small amount, and after swallowing, said with a lingering aftertaste in her tone, "Tastes good—leaves a sweet aroma on the lips and teeth, even gives you a high. No wonder people can't kick the habit."
Seeing the expression on Anya's face, Sasori couldn't help but warn her, "Don't eat too much, Kurotsuchi."
"Don't worry," Anya smiled. "When it comes to poison, even that demigod wouldn't dare claim superiority. I now understand the properties of this toxin. The only thing left is to make it harder to detect and deadlier. By the time someone realizes what's happening, death will already be near."
"Sasori, you're saying this toxin can still be improved?" Sasori asked in surprise.
"Of course," Anya replied with confidence. With his deep knowledge of poisons, several strategies flashed through his mind instantly. "Once we get to Sunagakure, I'll need to borrow Grandma Chiyo's secret lab for a while."
"No problem," Sasori responded enthusiastically.
As they neared Sunagure Village, Anya hid inside one of Sasori's puppets. After all, he was considered dead by the village, and appearing suddenly might bring trouble not only to himself but also potentially endanger Sasori.
The return journey into the village went smoothly and without incident. Upon hearing of Sasori's return, Grandma Chiyo rushed over immediately to visit her beloved grandson, fussing and fretting over him until he finally began to look impatient, at which point she wisely took her leave.
When nobody else was around, Sasori sneaked quietly into the laboratory and released Anya from hiding.
Anya examined the lab environment—it hadn't changed much since last time, though many of the poisons were now missing, making the place look kind of abandoned now.
"What happened here? Has Grandma Chiyo lost interest in poisons?"
Sasori nodded. "Yes. Ever since the end of the Second Battle, she's abandoned her research on toxins after being defeated by Tsunade, one of the Konoha Sannin. She hardly ever comes here anymore."
"Which works out well for us," Anya remarked casually while listing out several types of toxins for Sasori.
Once the required ingredients were ready, Anya began the process of creating the new poison. Sasori watched closely beside him, his expression gradually shifting from focused attention to deep admiration. He clearly understood that Kurotsuchi's skill in toxin crafting was far beyond his own capabilities.
After several failed attempts, the two plant compounds finally fused perfectly with the other toxin. The triple-combination toxin had reached an entirely new level—more hidden and undetectable, yet even more intense once activated.
"It's done."
Looking at the completely new kind of poison, both of them felt excited.
After handing over the completed poison to Sasori, Anya explained, "For regular people, just two consecutive doses will definitely result in death. However, the Kazekage is different—he is a Kage. Still, I'm certain he won't survive past a week."
Sasori wholeheartedly agreed. He had tested it using his chakra earlier; although its toxicity seemed mild initially, it could slowly penetrate directly through the chakra itself—an extremely deadly threat to any ninja.
Sasori stated solemnly, "Kurotsuchi, thank you."
"No need to thank me. We're beyond that."
"It's not only about the poison. It's about your quiet support behind the scenes. It really makes me feel like I'm not alone anymore." Sasori truly appreciated having met someone like Anya, someone who deeply understood and shared his interests.
Anya smiled slightly as he sighed, "I feel the same way. Go on. I believe you can do it."
Leaving the laboratory, As Grandma Chiyo's grandson, Sasori could practically do as he pleased in Sunagakure. Nobody dared question him, allowing him to easily mix the poison into the Kazekage's food. He personally delivered the meal directly into the Kazekage's office, needing to witness with his own eyes the moment the Kazekage consumed the toxin.
Busy with work, the Third Kazekage looked up in mild surprise upon seeing Sasori carrying the food, smiling as he asked, "If it isn't the village's young genius puppet master! What brings you here acting as a messenger?"
His eyes, cast downward, flickered with a cold light before he quickly raised his head and smiled. "Kazekage-sama, I recently discovered a most fragrant flower. When added to food, it enhances the flavor remarkably — so I've brought some for you to taste."
"Oh? Really?" Kazekage curiously accepted the dish from him and took a bite right there in front of Sasori.
After tasting it, his entire body stiffened. His eyes shot wide open as he fixed Sasori with a piercing stare.
That look sent a chill down Sasori's spine. His right hand, hidden inside his sleeve, tightly gripped a scroll. The tension was about to break wide open.
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