Chapter 68 You are the challenger!
"In other words, you mean you want to find a place to fight me one-on-one?"
"That's right, if you refuse, these people will..."
As Sasori spoke, everyone who was being manipulated inserted their kunai slightly into their throats.
A small amount of blood seeped out.
Although they were all ninjas on the battlefield, including Ayame, none of them showed any ugly behavior such as shouting or yelling, but their faces were inevitably extremely ugly.
"No need for that, I didn't say I was refusing."
"Actually, even if you hadn't come, I would have come looking for you sooner or later, so this is just fine."
"Oh? You were looking for me..."
"Stop talking nonsense and let's go. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm very busy."
"..."
Hiruko fell silent, staring at Souji.
Mochizuki Souji's attitude feels quite different from what I expected.
"Souji!" Mitokado said in a deep voice.
"Don't worry, consultant, I'll be right back and resolve this as soon as possible."
"But..."
"We can't just abandon so many young and talented Konoha ninja, can we?"
The Souji smiled confidently:
"We will win."
"..."
Mitokado fell silent.
That's certainly true, especially since most of these people are outstanding young people from prestigious ninja clans.
Among them, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan has an older friend who is of the same generation as him and the Hokage.
Akimichi Torifu, who is now in charge of Konoha's defense forces, would not abandon them in front of everyone.
However, Mochizuki Souji is one of the most outstanding young people, with combat strength reaching Kage level and medical ninjutsu no less than Tsunade's.
Sending him on a risky mission would be a huge loss should something go wrong...
Souji didn't say anything more to Mitokado, but said to Hiruko:
"Alright, let's go."
"very good..."
Hiruko glanced at the powerful ninjas around her and slowly said:
"Just as Mochizuki Souji said, these people are all outstanding young ninjas of your Konoha.
I advise you not to act rashly. This is just my sand clone.
Even if you destroy it, it won't be a loss for me. But if I have even a moment to react, I can make these people commit suicide immediately.
Isn't that a bit too much to ask?"
"I'm only looking for Mochizuki Souji, it has nothing to do with anyone else.
I have no interest in you Konoha ninjas. Just stay put and wait for Mochizuki Souji and me to settle our score. Then I will release these people."
Having said that, the Hiruko walked ahead and left with Souji.
Everyone present looked at the Souji's retreating figure with admiration.
It's rare to see someone who can make such a decision without hesitation, prioritizing the protection of their Konoha comrades even at the risk of their own life!
Especially the mountain iris, whose eyes were almost brimming with tears as she looked at the souji.
After a long pause, Mitokado gave the order:
"Shikahiro and Fugaku stay behind. The rest of you, come back to the battlefield with me and continue fighting."
If there is an opportunity to save people, Fugaku, who has the Sharingan, and Shikahiro, who is highly intelligent and has the secret technique of shadow control, are the most likely to rescue them.
There is no point in keeping the others here, and they will only delay the situation on the battlefield.
Fugaku Uchiha watched Mitokado leave with a gloomy expression.
If everything goes smoothly with this arrangement, it would be best if everyone is safe and sound in the end.
But if something goes wrong, the blame might be placed on him... after all, he's a Uchiha!
...
Hiruko led Souji to a cave with a large interior space.
There was a real Hiruko puppet here, while the one that brought Souji swayed slightly, reverting to Sasori's original appearance, and then raised its hand to control Hiruko's movements with chakra threads.
This scene reminded Souji that the places where Chiyo and Sakura fought Sasori in the original work were all quite similar.
In that battle, both Sasori and Chiyo displayed the power of puppeteers to the fullest, making it truly spectacular.
Sasori, in particular, exuded an oppressive aura, much like a dungeon boss.
but...
I am not like that; I am neither the old Chiyo nor the immature Sakura.
It's not that Granny Chiyo wasn't strong, but she was indeed restrained in every way.
In fact, as long as Sasori hadn't been reckless, the Third Kazekage puppet alone could have easily killed the two of them.
However, iron sand does not affect itself.
"You're moving too slowly, Brother Sasori! I already told you I'm very busy!"
"..."
Sasori looked at Souji in silence.
"Now I'm the one pressuring you, aren't I? Are you out of your mind?"
"Or... are you underestimating me?"
The Sasori exudes a dangerous aura.
But the Souji didn't take it seriously.
"I didn't underestimate you, Brother Sasori. After all, you... killed the Third Kazekage, who was hailed as the strongest in history!"
"What!?" Sasori was shocked.
"You clearly said last time that you would show me your most precious collection, but now you've only brought out the Scarlet Luminous Amber.
You're actually underestimating me, aren't you?"
"..."
Sasori stared at Souji with an extremely gloomy expression for a long while before finally speaking slowly:
"I felt last time that you... were really abnormal!"
"Not only do they seem to know me very well, but also Hiruko and the Third Kazekage.
Everyone who has seen them is dead, so no one should know about the existence of these puppets."
"What's wrong with you?
Does Konoha have a secret technique that allows you to read minds?"
Sasori looked extremely wary.
The Souji smiled slightly.
"Don't overthink it, Brother Sasori. I'm just a Konoha ninja who knows you quite well."
"It's good that you came to find me yourself.
Even if you hadn't come, I would have come to find you sooner or later. I... really want you, Sasori of the Red Sand."
"..."
Sasori's face was grim, and he did not reply.
What is this guy saying?
"If you want to settle things with me, how about we make a bet?
If I win, you'll become my subordinate."
"What? Subordinates?" Sasori frowned and asked.
"Let me tell you, I'm planning to become Hokage."
"..."
"Therefore, I need some capable subordinates to help me.
Brother Sasori, you are one of my top choices."
"Are you out of your mind?
Would someone who wants to become Hokage normally think of finding a rogue ninja as a subordinate?"
"I'm a pragmatist; as long as I'm strong enough, that's enough."
The Souji laughed:
"Ah, of course, then you can't be a human puppet anymore, after all, that doesn't fit the image of the noble and righteous Hokage!"
"How about we make a bet?"
"..."
Sasori stared at Souji expressionlessly for a moment before finally letting out a slight, cold laugh:
"Hmph! Boring! We'll talk about that after you win!"
With a wave of his hands, Sasori caused Hiruko to make a rattling sound and begin to move.
"Today I'm going to show you what utter defeat really means!"
The Souji smiled and picked up the kunai.
"A complete defeat? What exactly does that mean?"
"Brother Sasori, you are the real challenger!"
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End of this chapter...