Chapter 404: That Scene of Vibrant Life and Myriad Things Competing for Growth is Still Before My Eyes
Compiling a history book is no simple task.
In a Ninja World plagued by constant chaos and strife, where nations act independently, compiling an objective, fair, and widely recognized general history is no less difficult than a common Kage-level powerhouse unifying the entire Ninja World.
First, it requires a massive amount of manpower and material resources to collect, organize, and verify historical documents and records scattered across various regions, families, and ninja villages.
This involves countless conflicts of interest, historical grudges, and political stances; achieving objectivity and fairness is almost impossible.
Secondly, compiling history itself is a project that consumes an enormous amount of time and energy. Without a strong national power and a stable environment as support, it simply cannot be completed.
Among the nations of the Ninja World, those who can afford to compile a decent history book are indeed few.
Moreover, most of those so-called history books are either Family histories passed down through generations or "glorious histories" compiled by certain ninja villages to promote themselves. They are highly subjective and one-sided, with no sense of fairness at all.
If one were to compile a true history book for this chaotic, war-torn world...
"That would be a very laborious task."
Sasori said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"And it might not necessarily be successful."
He was testing—testing Naruto's determination and ability, and also questioning the feasibility of this proposal.
If Naruto was just speaking casually, or if it was just a pie in the sky painted to recruit him...
Then he, Sasori of the Red Sand, would rather choose death or be sealed than become a tool in someone else's hands.
Sasori of the Red Sand did not feel that having his name left in a history book truly aligned with his pursuit of "eternity."
The eternity he pursued was the eternity of individual existence, the immortality of freezing life and beauty in a physical form.
Being recorded in books and praised by future generations... that was more of a spiritual or conceptual preservation, which did not completely match his original philosophy.
But Sasori knew very well that he didn't have much room for choice at the moment.
Because he truly felt it.
He felt it from all around the room, from the shadows outside the window, even from the cracks in the floorboards beneath his feet...
That faint, almost imperceptible trace of killing intent.
It wasn't an illusion!
Someone was definitely watching him nearby, and more than one!
They were hidden extremely well, possibly even using some special barrier or secret technique to shield their Chakra fluctuations.
But as a top-tier Puppet master, Sasori's perception of the environment and energy was equally keen.
He could feel those gazes, locking onto his crude Puppet bird body like sniper scopes.
The moment he said the word "no"...
Or showed any intention of refusal or resistance...
That killing intent hidden in the dark would explode in an instant!
They would pounce like hungry wolves, using the most efficient and lethal methods to completely destroy this fragile Puppet bird body, along with the "regeneration core" inside, into fragments.
There would be no chance of survival!
This was reality.
In the face of absolute power and control, he, the Sasori of the Red Sand who once made the Ninja World tremble with fear, was now just a lamb to be slaughtered.
Either submit or die.
There was no third way.
For Sasori, who pursued "eternity," death was the most unacceptable outcome.
Because death meant the end of everything, meaning his art and his existence would all turn into nothingness.
So, right now, his best option was indeed to work under Uzumaki Naruto.
At least, as long as he was alive, there was still a chance.
There was still the possibility of continuing to pursue his art, and even verifying the possibility of that other kind of "eternity" Naruto spoke of.
After quickly weighing the pros and cons in his heart, Sasori had made his decision.
However, he would not immediately appear submissive.
He needed to test a bit more and also try to negotiate some terms for himself, or rather, preserve a sliver of dignity.
At this time, hearing Sasori's skeptical words, Naruto just waved his hand casually, with an expression on his face that said "that's no big deal."
"Things are done by people!"
"As long as you want to do it, there's always a way."
His tone was full of confidence, as if things like unifying the Ninja World and compiling history books—which seemed as difficult as reaching the heavens to ordinary people—were just a matter of time in his eyes.
This almost arrogant confidence instead caused Sasori's heart to stir slightly.
Maybe... this guy really can do it?
But Sasori still wanted to test him, so he brought up an unsolved mystery of the Ninja World.
"By the way, I killed the Third Kazekage."
The Third Kazekage, the strongest Kazekage in the history of Sunagakure, and also the leader of Sasori's hometown, Sunagakure.
He was the key figure who served as the fuse for the Third Shinobi World War. It was because Sasori killed the Third Kazekage, causing internal turmoil in Sunagakure, that Sasori's grandmother Chiyo declared war on Hidden Leaf Village, starting the Third Shinobi World War.
Thinking back to those years, talents emerged in every village.
Whether it was the yellow flash of Hidden Leaf Village, Shisui of the Body Flicker, the A-B Brothers of Kumogakure, Pakura of the Scorch Style from Sunagakure, Rasa the Shadow of Gold Dust, Akatsuchi and Kitsuchi of Hidden Stone Village, or the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist appearing for the first time from the Hidden Mist.
That scene of vibrant life and myriad things competing for growth is still before my eyes!
"What does you killing the Third Kazekage have to do with me?"
Naruto looked indifferent.
Sasori was slightly shocked by Naruto's attitude.
About ten seconds passed.
The Puppet bird spoke again, this time its voice was more direct and concise:
"What do you want me to do?"
It was settled.
The corners of Naruto's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.
"It's simple."
Naruto stood up, walked to the table, and picked up the Puppet bird. "First, I'll put you back into your body."
"In your current state, even speaking is a struggle."
As he spoke, he walked toward a corner of the room where Sasori's Puppet body—repaired but missing its core and some limbs—was placed.
He placed the Puppet bird in front of that body's chest, then skillfully opened the chest panel, revealing the empty core slot inside where the "regeneration core" was originally placed.
Next, he carefully disassembled the Puppet bird, taking out the regeneration core inside, as well as the right hand that had been temporarily installed on the bird.
"After that..." Naruto placed the "regeneration core" back into the core slot of Sasori's body and reattached the right hand. While closing the chest panel, he said:
"I'll just ask you to research some infrastructure devices and machinery that benefit people."
"For example, large Puppet machinery that can quickly dig tunnels and lay tracks."
"Or engineering Puppet arrays that can automatically build houses and bridges. Or perhaps special-function Puppets used for medical treatment and rescue."
"In short, apply your superb Puppet techniques to peaceful construction and livelihood development. For you, who pursues 'eternity,' this should also be a decent challenge, right?"
"Use your art to create 'works' that can benefit countless people and leave a deep mark on history."
"Isn't this more meaningful and closer to the 'eternity' you pursue than making people into Puppets for a collection?"
Following Naruto's words, the eyes of Sasori's Puppet body slowly opened.
Those eyes, which were once hollow and lifeless, now regained a sharp and profound light.
He moved the right hand he had just reattached and felt the repaired body.
Although it was still somewhat uncoordinated, it was much stronger than that crude Puppet bird just now.
He raised his head and met Naruto's gaze with those cold eyes.
"I have never learned how to manufacture such trivial gadgets."
Throughout his life and after death, his research into Puppet techniques had always aimed for the ultimate killing skills and eternal art forms.
His tone carried an unmasked disdain.
Naruto, however, laughed heartily, completely unbothered by his attitude.
"Don't think like that, Sasori. Think about it: the reason your Puppets are powerful is because of their precision, flexibility, and ingenuity."
"What if that 'ingenuity' were applied to infrastructure?"
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