"The front-line patrol was breached. Amegakure intends to destroy the personnel our village has deployed along the border with the Land of Rain."
After exchanging a few words with Yubi, Sasori finally spoke about the real situation.
Clearly, Sasori had already encountered other Rain ninja who infiltrated the canyon and learned the truth.
"The conflict between Amegakure and Konoha has basically ended with the previous battle… Hanzo knows this war will ultimately end in Konoha's victory. After reducing friction with the Land of Fire, he's turning his attention toward us?"
Yubi pondered aloud.
He was referring to the battle between Hanzo and the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, which earned them their title.
"Konoha will win?"
"Amegakure pulling back doesn't mean our village is ready to make peace."
Sasori's tone suddenly turned cold.
Yubi immediately understood.
He had spoken his analysis without thinking, forgetting that Sasori's parents had been killed by the White Fang of Konoha.
Sasori's hatred toward Konoha was obvious.
But facts were facts. Judging from the current situation, Sunagakure, already severely weakened—could never stand against Konoha one-on-one.
Still, Yubi kept those thoughts to himself.
"Konoha's strength made Hanzo realize he couldn't gain anything from them. Since he still wants expansion, he's set his sights on the Land of Wind. Our territory is vast, but resources are scarce—most of it is desert and wasteland. And right now, our manpower is stretched thin. Sunagakure doesn't have top-tier battlefield forces like Konoha's Legendary Sannin. This war forced every village into multi-front combat. Even with tight border defenses, once trouble starts, mobilizing reinforcements becomes difficult."
"Besides Amegakure and Konoha, we still have to watch Kirigakure and Iwagakure… Hanzo's timing is ruthless."
Yubi silently analyzed the situation.
Amegakure's strike at the border likely came because they knew Sunagakure wouldn't reach a ceasefire with Konoha anytime soon.
Sunagakure might be one of the Five Great Villages—but right now, it was the softest target.
The war with Konoha alone had already drained their manpower.
The deaths within Lady Chiyo's family were proof enough.
No wonder she would later react so angrily when she met Kakashi—the hatred ran deep.
"Let's go."
Snapping back to reality, Yubi spoke.
The three of them carried the injured teammate to another hidden base. Along the way, Endo left to deliver intel to nearby squads, leaving Sasori and Yubi waiting behind.
"His condition is serious. He needs to be sent back to the village," Yubi said, looking at the unconscious genin.
Sasori glanced at the injured boy. "Even without medical training, I know how this ends. Even if he makes it back, with the hospital overwhelmed, someone like him won't be prioritized."
"You've worked in the hospital. You know this."
"He's just too weak."
Yubi fell silent.
He knew Sasori was telling the truth.
This was war.
"That's exactly why the village and its shinobi—must become stronger. So this stops happening."
Sasori glanced at him but said nothing.
"The Rain squad that infiltrated here probably isn't the only one. Hanzo likely intends to use these strike teams to scout our border deployment—our outposts, routes, and defensive strength before launching a larger offensive. A major battle could be coming soon."
Sasori looked surprised. He had known Yubi as a talented medical ninja—but hadn't expected such insight into battlefield strategy.
"I don't know," Sasori said, shaking his head. He had only captured a prisoner and forced out some secrets. At their age, few could think that far ahead.
Sasori only knew he had to kill enemies to protect the village.
But Yubi's perspective was clearly different.
The village's condition… and the will of its leadership…
Yubi frowned.
Eventually, Sunagakure would bow to Konoha. It was inevitable. If the war continued, Sunagakure would collapse first.
The Third Kazekage wasn't foolish—but when the village compromised, Sasori would never accept it.
His parents had died because of the village's decisions. Before he could avenge them, the village would "surrender."
That would push Sasori further into darkness.
Right now, Sasori was only withdrawn and cold after losing his parents—still within what could be called normal.
Later, when the White Fang died, even his target for revenge would disappear. Years of resentment and emptiness would inevitably explode.
And all of it would fall on the Third Kazekage.
Those events would sever Sasori's bond with Sunagakure completely.
He would be deeply disappointed.
Sunagakure's peace with Konoha would plant a ticking time bomb for the future.
Sasori likely didn't realize that before entering the Academy, he and Yubi had met many times.
Back then, Sasori still smiled—a shy, gentle boy who even blushed around adults.
But three years ago, after his parents' deaths, everything changed.
He rarely left the house anymore. Even in the village, he was seldom seen.
Though they attended the same Academy class, Sasori inherited most of his puppet mastery from Lady Chiyo and rarely appeared at school. Graduating as a genin was merely a formality.
So he barely knew anyone his age.
'The Second Shinobi World War drained Sunagakure so badly that even by the Third Shinobi World War, it still hadn't recovered. Resources stayed scarce. Rasa would later use his Magnet Release to control gold dust to secure funds. Even turning his own son into a jinchūriki was a desperate move.'
'Sasori still has expectations for the village… but some things…'
Yubi glanced at him again.
It wasn't just Sasori's parents. Later, the kunoichi Pakura would also be sacrificed by Sunagakure to make peace with Kirigakure.
This wasn't the first time the village had done such things.
Now that I'm part of Sunagakure, I have to change this… or things will only get worse.
Yubi's eyes hardened.
He had made this decision long ago.
At the root of it all… he simply wasn't strong enough yet.