Moreover, Tachi was clearly the type who leaned toward taijutsu, while Sasori excelled at using poison. Dealing with a taijutsu specialist whose overall strength was inferior to his own was practically a guaranteed hit for Sasori.
Even so, Furina had no intention of getting involved. She had already glanced at the approximate location of the recent explosions mostly areas around the outskirts of the city, without any direct hits inside the city itself.
Plus, Sasori was clearly targeting the daimyo this time. From the looks of it, Sasori and Deidara didn't plan to completely destroy the place. So why would she get involved?
After all, at the end of the day, this was just a matter between the daimyo and the "art squad" that had accepted the mission. They were all powerful figures in their own different ways. Let the strong handle their own affairs.
"What should we do?"
"Do? Obviously, we run. What does the daimyo's fate have to do with us?"
Hearing Furina's reply, a trace of confusion appeared on Uchiha Hikari's face. In her impression, Furina didn't seem like the type to just stand by and watch. Why this time...
Seeing the little question mark practically floating above Uchiha Hikari's head, Furina knew the other had misunderstood something. She quickly continued to explain.
"If they were attacking the residents here everyone in this place I definitely wouldn't stand by and do nothing. My heart couldn't bear it.
But the daimyo... honestly, I don't have any good feelings toward him. Whether the attackers or the daimyo win or lose in their confrontation doesn't matter to me at all. And right now, my identity is just that of an ordinary person. They don't need my concern. I just need to take care of myself and you."
"Mm~"
Hearing this, Uchiha Hikari lowered her head somewhat sheepishly. Here she had been wondering every day why the other made such choices, but it turned out it was all to look after her...
It was hard to say whether she had really taken in Furina's long explanation earlier, but that last sentence she had heard it crystal clear.
"Take care of myself and her." "Take care of myself and her."
...
"Alright, let's get going. Looks like there's nothing more to see here."
After watching a bit longer and seeing that Deidara was still just hovering in the sky without any intention of attacking the city, Furina called out to Uchiha Hikari who was still standing there with her head down, lost in thought and prepared to leave.
"Please wait a moment!"
"See, I knew we should have left earlier."
Hearing the somewhat familiar voice from behind, Furina couldn't help but sigh. She turned around sure enough, it was Tachi, who had gone to support the daimyo's mansion earlier.
And not just him: each of his hands was carrying an unconscious child one boy and one girl. Their bearing seemed quite refined; they clearly weren't ordinary people.
"These two are the princess of the Land of This and the young lord of the Land of That. I hope you can help take them to the Land of That. I beg you."
"Why should I help you? Your strength isn't weak either. Can't you just take them there yourself? Why ask me to do it?"
Hearing the request, Furina's tone turned somewhat low. Damn it, did he really think she was some kind of easy mark? Did she look that stupid? Who gave him the confidence to think she would agree?
"The daimyo has already fallen to the villains' hands. I must slay them to avenge my lord. But I can't be certain I can defeat them, so I hoped you could first take these two away."
Uncertain if he can defeat them? I think you'd have trouble beating even one of them.
Though his spirit of avenging his lord was admirable, Furina didn't think this was a good choice at all. Putting aside the fact that handing these two over to her had a clear "diverting disaster eastward" vibe...
Even if she agreed what then? She takes them to the Land of That, and then? A happy reunion ending? As if.
You know full well the young lord of the Land of That has been under house arrest in the Land of This for so many years. The Land of That must be extremely dissatisfied. Now that the princess of the Land of This has fallen into their hands what do you think will happen? You could figure it out with your toes.
Going to seek revenge from Sasori and Deidara right now does count as loyalty, but it's mostly just blind, foolish loyalty.
If you truly cared about the daimyo who has already passed on to the yellow springs the best choice would be to go to the Land of That along with them, to keep the princess from being isolated and helpless.
You get to die gloriously now, die for your lord, earn a good reputation but what about the living? Have you thought about them?
"This... indeed, I considered it rather poorly."
After hearing Furina's sarcastic mockery, Tachi didn't get angry. Instead, he voluntarily lowered his head. These were points he had never thought about before.
Now, thinking it over seriously, he realized what she said was far more practical. His earlier idea... really was, just as she put it, a bit cowardly and a bit selfish.
"I've learned my lesson this time. I will take both young lords to the Land of That myself. Once the princess is settled there safely, I'll look for another chance to avenge my lord."
"Then that's your own business~"
Seeing that the other had given up on the idea of charging to his death, Furina couldn't be bothered to deal with him anymore. She turned to continue leaving. Whatever happened next had nothing to do with her.
"You folks, don't be in such a hurry to leave."
"See, this is what you're doing? Couldn't you all just come out together?"
Hearing the hoarse voice coming from behind, Furina could barely hold it together anymore. She looked back sure enough, it was you, Sasori. Why not just call Deidara over too while you're at it? Save us from this endless nesting doll situation.
"The genius puppet master of the former Sunagakure, Sasori of the Red Sand, huh? Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Sasori of the Red Sand that's him?"
Hearing the name Furina called out, Tachi gave Sasori another deep look and firmly etched the name into his memory. One day, he would seek revenge from him.
"I didn't expect to actually be recognized. That really makes me happy, Furina."
"Is it that strange to be recognized? You're pretty famous yourself, aren't you? Besides, don't you recognize me too?"
"True enough. I do know you. After all, who wouldn't know the disciple of the Fifth Hokage?"
Tachi: ?
Sasori naturally recognized Furina, though not exactly for the reason he stated being Tsunade's disciple. There were plenty of kage disciples across the major ninja villages; it wasn't worth specially remembering each one.
The real reason he remembered her was because of her battle with Orochimaru. That fight had been recorded in detail by the White Zetsu present at the scene.
As a former teammate, though Sasori didn't like Orochimaru, he still acknowledged the other's strength. Even with both hands crippled, Orochimaru was far from someone an ordinary person could handle.
Not to mention fighting Orochimaru and his summoned beast Manda at the same time that was even more difficult.