Clank!
The shackles were unlocked and fell to the ground, but Sasori didn't notice. He was pondering something.
It wasn't about some future organization seeking him out or similar matters.
The future isn't entirely unpredictable. With sufficient information, one can deduce based on certain patterns.
With meticulous thought, one might even control the future's direction.
So, he wasn't concerned at all about the future Ryuji mentioned.
What concerned him was why this guy trusted him?
Based on their competitive relationship in the village that wasn't even close to friendship?
Or believing in his character?
Thinking of this, Sasori was amused.
He had just backstabbed his own Kage. Only a fool would believe in his character.
But if neither of these were the reason, then what was it?
Could it be that this guy did something to him?
He himself liked doing such things.
Sasori had developed a brainwashing technique, implanting small needle in people's brains to conceal the relationship between himself and the target.
Before he activated the technique, the target wouldn't know they were under his control, living a normal life.
But once he activated the technique, the target would remember everything.
Even if the target developed rebellious thoughts, he could control them like a puppet.
However, such a technique involving brain memory required the target to be unable to resist during implantation.
Sasori hadn't felt Ryuji doing anything to him at all.
If the other party's strength far surpassed his own, making him unaware, Sasori would laugh again.
As competitors, he understood Ryuji better than anyone.
Excluding those various puppets and equipment, Ryuji himself wasn't a qualified Jonin at all.
Whether Chakra, strength, speed, techniques... all were at the weaker level of Chunin, no different from the average background characters.
Although it's rude to call Chunin average background characters, when most people are like that, it's the truth.
They are the backdrop for geniuses to rise, the kind nobody notices.
Except for nerve reflexes and combat experience, Ryuji didn't meet any Jonin standards.
It's only because puppeteer strength heavily relies on puppets that he could become a Jonin with powerful puppets.
Otherwise, he had no outstanding qualities.
Actually, Ryuji also has strong combat awareness.
No matter the battle, he always observes the situation from a god's-eye perspective and makes reasonable judgments.
Sasori is not sure if it's truly good awareness or some auxiliary equipment helping observe the situation from a god's-eye view.
In short, this guy's strength level made it impossible for him to implant techniques like his brainwashing technique without Sasori noticing.
But if none of these situations applied, the question returned.
Why did this guy trust him so much?
Was it truly just believing in his character or their relationship?
If so, he'd make Ryuji taste pain.
After all, he's the one who caught him.
"Hey, what are you thinking?"
The voice startled Sasori. He looked up to see Ryuji waving the scroll containing the Third Kazekage human puppet in front of him.
"Nothing."
'Now wasn't the time to think about this.'
Sasori shook his head, took the scroll from the other's hand, and said, "So, if that organization doesn't come for me, then I have no further relation with you, right?"
"Correct."
"Heh, just don't regret it in the future."
After saying this, Sasori turned and left.
Ryuji watched Sasori leave, then saw him walk over ten meters before obediently running back.
"Bastard, what about supplies?"
Looking at Ryuji's barely suppressed smirk, Sasori felt blood rushing to his head, wanting to fight him on the spot.
But considering he only had the Third Kazekage human puppet returned by the other party, unsure if it had been tampered with, he suppressed the impulse.
"You escorted me deep into the desert without giving me water and food. Do you want me to die?"
"'Just don't regret it in the future'… someone said this, turned around coolly, and left. Now it's my fault?"
"You bastard, I really want to tear you apart and turn you into a human puppet."
"Sorry, I'm so weak. Even as a human puppet, I'd be trash, right?"
"You actually have the shamelessness to admit you're weak."
"It's called self-awareness. Only by correctly assessing one's own strength can one be victorious in every battle."
"Enough nonsense. Give me the supplies, then get lost."
"Just don't regret it in the future. Pfft… hahahaha..."
"I should just kill you after all."
"No, no, no, put away the puppet, it's deadly! Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!"
"Go die! Iron Sand World Method!"
…
A gentle breeze blew, carrying endless yellow sand.
The boundless desert shimmered with golden light under the sun. The air distorted like smoke due to the intense heat.
Suddenly, mechanical turning and engine roars came from the distance.
A tracked vehicle the size of a small house, mounted with kunai launchers, giant sickles, and giant crossbows, approached billowing steam.
It was Ryuji's tank puppet… the War Fortress or Iron Tyrant, both were its names.
Inside the tank.
In the lounge separated from various equipment, Ryuji lay on a reclined chair reading a book.
He was on the way to Roran.
The Mechanical City plan was formulated in yesterday's meeting.
Ryuji would create the Mechanical City's budget. Then Elder Chiyo, along with the Infinite Water Circulation System and financial staff dispatched by the Third Kazekage, would seek sponsorship from the Daimyo.
The budget issue would naturally be handled by Aka. Ryuji, after replenishing Chakra and dealing with Sasori, would go solve the energy problem.
Namely, the Dragon Vein.
Although using a mechanical bird would be faster, the weather was scorching, and Roran was located deeper in the desert, further inside the Land of Wind.
Even by mechanical bird, it would take most of the day. By the time he arrived, he'd probably be roasted by the burning sun.
So, he chose the slower but more comfortable and reliable War Fortress.
This lounge fully considered climate issues, with excellent ventilation and exhaust systems, plus a unique air conditioning unit.
'It's a pure bliss.'
Ryuji lay on the recliner, holding a book, but his mind was on the destination of this journey.
Roran, the Dragon Vein.
In the movie 'The Lost Tower', Naruto and others would come to the Roran's ruins while pursuing the Sunagakure's Missing-nin, Mukade. Then, due to the Dragon Vein and the Fourth Hokage's sealing technique, they'd travel through time to the Third Shinobi World War era.
This raised several questions.
First, did Naruto time-travel because the Dragon Vein inherently possessed time-travel ability, or because of the Fourth Hokage's seal? Or perhaps both factors interacting.
Second, would he encounter Naruto or the Fourth Hokage and others on this trip?
Naruto was Asura's reincarnation.
If he obtained his blood, nurtured the Uzumaki Clan's physique, or even discovered Asura's Chakra...
Then, if he also obtained Indra's Chakra, could he induce the Six Paths' power and obtain the Rinnegan?
No, setting aside Asura's reincarnation... the Nine-Tails, Wood Release... these were also unique materials.
Obtaining just one or two would be a huge gain.
Then a new question arose.
By targeting Naruto, the protagonist, would he become a major antagonist and be defeated?