This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 28 Scorpion and Spy

"Then it's settled."

Having fulfilled his promise to Shukaku, Ryuji left with the fully charged chakra storage device and the scroll.

He arrived at the prison, outside Scorpion's cell.

Scorpion leaned against the wall, his left hand resting on his bent left knee, coldly watching the newcomer. "All done?"

"Okay, all done."

Ryuji nodded, took out a scroll, and turned to the guard beside him, "This is the expulsion order approved by the Third Kazekage. Sasori of the Red Sand has been expelled from Sunagakure. Release him!"

The guard took the scroll, examined it carefully with a suspicious look, and after confirming that the expulsion order was genuine, opened the cell door.

"Come out!"

Scorpion snorted coldly, got up and walked over, placing his hands in front of the guard, indicating that he should remove the shackles.

"Give me the key, and I'll release you."

"Then it's up to you."

After taking the key from the guard, Ryuji pulled Sasori's shackles and walked out.

It was early morning, the sun had just risen, and only a few pedestrians could be seen on the street.

However, without exception, everyone who saw the scorpion showed no sign of disgust.

Some children even throw stones or other objects at the children.

This war was started entirely by Sasori. If he hadn't assassinated the Third Kazekage, the current situation wouldn't exist.

Although the battle was a great victory, nearly a thousand people died, including ninjas and civilians.

As for property damage... the rubble from the collapsed buildings on the street hasn't been cleared yet!

Ignoring the insults and vicious language around him, Scorpion coldly followed Long Er toward the village gate.

A short while later, the two arrived at the gate.

After Ryuji produced the pass, he left Sunagakure with Sasori without any surprises.

In the desert outside, two people had been waiting for a long time.

Chiyo, Ebizo.

Long Er stopped and said to Scorpion beside him, "Go say goodbye to them. You don't know if you'll ever see them again after this parting."

"I've said everything I needed to say in prison, there's nothing more to say."

Scorpion stood still, but Chiyo and Ebizo walked over on their own initiative.

They looked at the rebellious teenager with heartache, tears welling up in their eyes.

"Scorpion, Long Er saved your life this time. Don't make the same mistake again. Grandma can tolerate your evil deeds, but you shouldn't betray the village."

"Help?" Scorpion scoffed disdainfully. "If it weren't for him, why would I be in this situation?"

"He was fulfilling his duty..."

"Alright, if you're here to lecture me, then you'd better leave!"

Looking at Scorpion who turned away without even glancing at her, Chiyo's aged body trembled slightly, as if she had aged even more.

Ryuji glanced back and forth between the two sides, then sighed deeply. "I'll take Sasori away from the Land of Wind first. I'll leave the puppeteer force in Granny Chiyo's care."

"Okay, okay, I'll take care of all the issues with the puppeteer unit. Please take good care of Scorpion on the way."

"I will. No matter what, we're still friends."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

……

After bidding farewell to Chiyo and Ebizo, Ryuji continued leading Sasori on their journey.

On the way, Ryuji asked, "I remember you were quite close to Granny Chiyo when you were little, why did you become so distant as you grew up? Was it a rebellious phase?"

Scorpion didn't reply, and walked ahead silently.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

"Are you a gossip?"

Whether it was because he touched a nerve with Sasori, or because of his impatient nature, after Ryuji asked him further questions, Sasori turned around and glared at him angrily.

Long Er shrugged and didn't press the matter further.

Scorpion turned back and silently continued on his way.

However, after walking only a few steps, he said, "Perhaps I'm being too childish!"

"ha?"

Long Er blinked, then quickly ran ahead to ask, "What did you mean by that just now?"

Scorpion glanced at him and took a deep breath. "My parents died in the war when I was young. Seeing other children with their parents by their side, while I don't, makes me feel lonely."

Only when I'm with the old woman can I somewhat alleviate this feeling.

Then, Scorpion changed the subject and asked, "Your parents died in that war, just like mine. Don't you feel that way?"

"...Maybe!" Ryuji recalled for a moment and said, "However, I've always focused my energy on studying. Every day I'm either reading, fiddling with puppet parts, or refining chakra or training my body. I simply don't have time to experience these things."

"Tch, heartless bastard."

"Speaking of ruthlessness, you can't compare to me. You actually assassinated your own shadow."

"He deserves it!" Scorpion said angrily. "He's just like that old woman. I treated that old woman as my closest relative, but she kept lying to me."

"She's worried that you're still young and your mind..."

That's just an excuse for distrust.

Looking at the angry boy, Ryuji fell silent.

Although this is just my personal opinion, it's not wrong.

Parents' love is not always good; sometimes it can even harm children.

To educate the next generation well, you must always pay attention to your child's growth and understand their inner world.

Clearly, Chiyo had no idea what Sasori was thinking at the time.

Of course, Chiyo wasn't wrong either; she just didn't do her best.

Therefore, Scorpion was very angry, but he wouldn't blame her.

After a moment of silence, Ryuji continued, "So, what did the Third Kazekage lie to you about?"

"He said he would lead the village to defeat Konoha and avenge those who died in the last war."

Is it this kind of old-fashioned hatred?

Ryuji sighed inwardly, saying helplessly, "But Sunagakure is no match for Konoha right now, are you all going to send him and everyone to their deaths?"

"Of course I didn't think that way, but since he couldn't keep his promise, he has to pay the price."

At this point, Sasori looked him over with a mocking gaze, "The current Third Kazekage is a puppet you made, just like that Gin."

"Completely different from Yin, but it is indeed my puppet."

"Tsk, I never thought the village would fall into your hands."

"What's wrong? You're not convinced?"

"No, if you had taken the village sooner, I wouldn't have done this."

"You mean you're willing to work for me?"

"It doesn't matter who I work for, I just hate how that guy made all those promises when he became Kazekage, but then failed to deliver."

"I see!"

Long Er stopped in his tracks.

Scorpion also stopped, looking puzzled.

"I don't care whether what you're saying is true or false, you should be well aware of my previous deal with you!"

"If you save me, I'll do you a favor."

On the night she was captured, Chiyo spoke to Sasori in the dungeon.

His life could be saved, but he would have to be expelled.

He guessed right away that Ryuji wanted him to do something.

"An organization called 'Akatsuki' will come looking for you to join. I need you to be my spy." Ryuji said, unlocking Sasori's shackles and taking out the scroll of the Third Kazekage's puppet. "Don't wonder why I know about the future, and don't go looking for them. If they don't come looking for you, just pretend I'm not involved."

Thank you to Forget Who I Am, See Tears, and Heavenly Mourning Dream for your generous donations.

(End of this chapter)