Unlike Sasori, who was fixated on a single idea, Genzo felt his blood run cold as he listened to Anya's words.
Though Genzo had long known his young master harbored grand ambitions, he hadn't expected them to be this grand—changing the entire structure of the ninja world. If the Five Great Nations took these words seriously rather than dismissing them as a joke, they would almost certainly face an onslaught from the entire ninja world. Who could possibly withstand that?
What could Genzo do now? He was already on this lost cause. Sighing, he said, "Young Master, I think the current balance in the ninja world is still fine. Peace has lasted since the end of the Second Battle. There's no need to provoke another war in the future."
Genzo perfectly understood that transforming a world dominated by ninjas without a major war was impossible. Still, he made one last attempt, hoping Anya might change his mind.
Anya understood Genzo's thoughts, though he couldn't help but feel disappointed. After all, Genzo had once been brave enough to infiltrate enemy headquarters alone for reconnaissance and sabotage missions—his courage had definitely been strong enough. But over time, comfort had changed him, eroding his fighting spirit.
Despite his disappointment, Anya showed no sign of it on the surface. Instead, he patiently explained, "Genzo, I understand your concerns. Don't worry—I won't recklessly provoke the Five Great Nations. The timing isn't right yet. As for the war you mentioned, I don't even need to start it myself. Peace won't last beyond a couple of years anyway. Believe me—the Third Great Ninja War is about to begin."
Genzo didn't understand why Anya was so certain about the coming war. However, he had noticed the impatient look in the red-haired boy's eyes beside him. Clearly, in Sasori's eyes, he—as a subordinate—was no longer up to standard. Therefore, Genzo quickly adjusted his mood and asked cooperatively, "Young Master, what should I do?"
"First, go to the Kinto Exchange and find a man named Kakuzu. Just say my name." Anya planned to settle the debt issue first. It had already been three years—Kakuzu couldn't possibly still be patient. He truly feared Kakuzu might rush straight to Konoha looking for him. Repaying the money itself wasn't an issue, but if the truth about the necklace got out, his good relationship with Tsunade would definitely shatter—perhaps even leading to her hunting him down. The consequences were too terrible to contemplate.
"Alright, I'll go immediately." Genzo said nothing more and left right away.
Once again, only two people remained in the room when Sasori spoke up, "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, your subordinate isn't cut out for this. He's too timid, always hesitating and overthinking. Once we go to war, he'll definitely be useless."
Anya smiled slightly. "Sasori, not everyone needs to prove their worth on the battlefield. Genzo's role doesn't lie in direct combat. Just like the Transformers I told you about—they have different units, each with unique roles, but all are equally important."
At this, Sasori immediately understood. "You're right. I was thinking too narrowly."
After that, a little embarrassed, Sasori continued, "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, could you give me the Kazekage's body?"
"The body?" If not for Sasori mentioning it, Anya had nearly forgotten—back then, to erase the battle traces, he had collected the Kazekage's corpse but never dealt with it afterward. Since Sasori needed it, Anya immediately retrieved it without hesitation from the Wooden Bull Puppet.
Seeing the corpse, Sasori examined it carefully before nodding approvingly. "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, your strike was truly precise. The body is so well-preserved that after I turn it into a puppet, at least sixty percent of its original strength will remain."
"Hmm? That impressive?" Anya showed surprise. The Third Kazekage was known as the strongest Kazekage in history, and his power was definitely formidable—his Magnet Release alone could counter many ninja. If Sasori could preserve this much of the original strength after turning him into a puppet, killing ordinary elite Jonin would be no problem at all. Even against weaker Kage-level opponents, victory would be possible when combining this puppet with some of Sasori's other puppets.
It appears my judgment was confirmed accurate after all, thought Anya. Sasori really is a genius. Right now, he certainly planned to return to Konoha, perhaps even staying there long-term. Having someone like Sasori on his side would make things significantly easier.
Sasori said confidently, "Once I remove all toxins from the corpse, it might even reach seventy percent of the Third Kazekage's original power. I've even decided on the puppet's codename. Hmm, since 'Optimus Prime' is too grand for one of the antagonists, how about just 'Ironhide' instead?"
"Ironhide?" Upon hearing the name, Anya's mouth twitched slightly. Something about the tone didn't seem quite right.
Highly excited, Sasori carried the Kazekage's corpse away to work on it. As for Anya, he started considering methods for recruiting members. At this early stage of establishing an organization, recruitment was undoubtedly difficult, especially when the group had yet to gain any reputation—but solutions still existed.
The Kinto Exchange would serve as an excellent starting point. Most people who took bounty missions there were dangerous outlaws. All Anya needed to do was orchestrate a fake mission to lure certain individuals in. Once they arrived, of course, life or death wouldn't be their choice anymore. After all, in his previous life, he'd seen how effective such tactics worked for villains in novels.
Over those three years, poison-making had preoccupied Anya's mind more than anything else. Thinking about it, he vanished instantly with a Shunshin technique—he had work to do.
After spending roughly ten days busily researching and experimenting within Takigakure, Anya finally succeeded in creating a satisfying poison. Its primary ingredient came from the red flower found by Sasori. Anyone infected by this toxin would need regular doses of the antidote; otherwise, unbearable pain would consume them, with the poison seeping deeply into their marrow, impossible to eliminate. He believed that only Tsunade could possibly cure this poison—but Tsunade wasn't the kind of person who would save just anyone.
*Knock knock...*
Someone tapped on the door. Genzo's voice came from outside: "Master Anya, the person you're looking for has arrived."
Before Anya inside the room could respond, the door was forcefully pushed open. There stood Kakuzu, clearly battle-worn and exhausted. His face mask was gone, clothes tattered, and faint wounds marked his skin—an obvious aftermath of fierce combat. Without even time to recover, he had come straight here.
As Genzo was about to scold Kakuzu for his rudeness, Anya gave a slight shake of his head. "You can go now," he said.
"Yes," Genzo replied cautiously. He cast one last careful glance at this ominous figure called Kakuzu before closing the door behind him.
"Hmph, kid, you finally made it out of Konoha," Kakuzu grumbled bitterly. Without another word, he pulled out a necklace and tossed it to Anya, then thrust his hand out impatiently, "Hand over the cash—six million, not one yen short."
Anya caught the necklace, examined it carefully, and let out a sigh once satisfied, "Uncle, do I look like the kind of person who'd skip out on a debt?"
Even as he spoke, she dragged out two large chests and placed them in front of Kakuzu, revealing the six million yen she had already prepared.
Without a second thought, Kakuzu flung open the chests and started counting the money on the spot.
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