Naruto: Starting from the time when the Six Paths of Pain was Kira Yoshikage

Just as Kakuzu was completely annihilating the Mist Ninja, Sasori had already cured Pakura of the poison. Although Sasori was most skilled at making poison, it didn't mean he couldn't cure it. While his medical skills weren't as good as top-tier medical ninjas like Tsunade, they were still better than those of ordinary medical ninjas.

He not only cured Yekura of the poison, but also scoffed at the poison used by the Mist Ninja.

These are all tricks he'd already mastered when he was just a few years old.

"I..."

As the toxins were slowly eliminated from her body, Ye Cang gradually regained consciousness. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, like butterfly wings fluttering in the wind, and she finally slowly opened her eyes. Although her mind was still somewhat muddled, her survival instinct made her immediately turn her head, her gaze urgently sweeping over the figure standing by the bed.

"Did you save me?" Her voice was hoarse, trembling with the shock of surviving a disaster.

When her gaze met those familiar amber eyes, Ye Cang's pupils contracted sharply, as if struck by some invisible force. She sat up abruptly, then collapsed back onto the pillow due to exhaustion, still staring intently at the other person: "You are... Scorpion?!"

Her voice suddenly rose, filled with disbelief and a hint of joy that even she herself didn't realize: "Lord Sasori of the Red Sand, who suddenly disappeared a few years ago!"

Sasori's reputation in Sunagakure is no less than that of Pakura.

Pakura rose to fame during the Third Shinobi World War, while Sasori was already a renowned genius puppeteer and Jonin in Sunagakure before the war. Furthermore, Sasori's grandmother was Chiyo, and his maternal uncle was Ebizo, both elders and powerful figures in Sunagakure. It could be said that Sasori was born at the pinnacle of many ninjas.

Although Yekura is a hero of Sunagakure, her reputation is among the lower-level ninjas of Sunagakure. In essence, she is just an ordinary Jonin who has not entered the power center of Sunagakure. It is not strange that she calls Sasori "sir".

"Scorpion, an old acquaintance of yours?"

At this moment, Kakuzu had already sealed Hozuki Zangetsu's head into the scroll and looked at Sasori with a smile, his tone somewhat teasing.

Sasori didn't react at all; he simply couldn't be bothered to pay any attention to Kakuzu.

After the initial shock, Yekura had regained some strength. Looking at the village's former genius puppeteer, she unconsciously asked the question that had been on the minds of countless Sand Ninja: "Lord Sasori, there are rumors in the village... about you and... the Third Kazekage..."

He stammered for a long time, unsure how to begin.

"Indeed..." Sasori's voice was low and calm, and without the slightest hesitation, he answered directly, "I killed the Third Kazekage."

After Scorpion finished speaking, he looked at Yekura with unusual interest, wanting to know her next reaction.

Saving Yecang was just a sudden whim of his; he wanted to recruit her into Akatsuki. If she insisted on becoming his enemy, he wouldn't mind killing her as well.

The words "I killed the Third Kazekage" exploded in Yekura's ears like a thunderclap, leaving her mind blank.

She never expected that it was actually Sasori who killed the Third Kazekage, who was known as the strongest Kazekage in history.

If it were the old Pakura, she might have immediately entered battle mode, determined to avenge the Third Kazekage. However, she had just experienced the village's betrayal, and her loyalty to Sunagakure was at its lowest point in history.

Those comrades who once fought alongside her now regard her as a pawn, pushing her into the enemy's arms without hesitation... It was Scorpion who saved her life in a moment of crisis, and in his cold eyes, a complex emotion she had never seen before was revealed.

At this moment, she was filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, she felt deep disappointment and anger towards the village, and on the other hand, she felt gratitude and doubt towards Scorpion. These conflicting emotions left her feeling quite confused.

"Can you tell me why?" Ye Cang remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice trembling and hoarse.

Instead of answering Yekura, Scorpion asked, "What does that decaying village mean to you?"

The reason doesn't matter, Yekura doesn't really want to know, and Sasori certainly won't tell her.

Yekura fell silent. The decaying village... She recalled her unwavering loyalty, her willingness to give everything for the village, only to be sold off to the enemy like a commodity. This village had long lost the sacredness and sense of belonging she once felt. She began to doubt whether her unwavering commitment had truly been worthwhile.

Scorpion looked at her, a fleeting hint of pity and a touch of reminiscence in his eyes, as if he were remembering his past self: "Yakura, you and I are very similar..."

These words seemed to pierce the softest spot in Yekura's heart, and she subconsciously looked at Scorpion...

In Scorpion's amber eyes, she saw loneliness...

Just as Scorpion said, they are the same...

Sasori lost his parents in the war, and so did Yekura... Such situations are commonplace in the ninja world.

Even in Konoha, a place known for its peace, this is no exception. Here's a really dark joke: the future Konoha Team 7, with only three members, can't even have two sets of parents.

Due to his taciturn personality, Sasori had no friends in the Sand Village and was alone from a young age. Pakura, a hero of the Sand Village, was no different. She couldn't fit into the upper echelons of society, while the lower-ranking ninjas saw her as a hero, and heroes are often lonely.

"I recently joined a really fun organization, why don't you join us too?"

Sasori Yokura extended the invitation, though it was just a casual remark, her tone carried an unquestionable air.

Upon hearing this, Ye Cang answered without hesitation, "Yes, Lord Sasori."

Sometimes fate is so cruel, and sometimes fate is so strange. In any case, the moment Sasori and Kakuzu appeared and wiped out the group of Kirigakure ninja, the original trajectory of fate changed silently.

------

The temporary meeting place for the Akatsuki organization.

In the dim light, the atmosphere was heavy. Pain sat in the main seat, looking expressionlessly at the two who had arrived late, his tone revealing a hint of impatience: "You two are late."

Scorpion explained in the simplest terms: "I had to take care of something in the middle, which delayed me for a while."

Kakuzu, standing to the side, smirked and added, "He made some money along the way."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

I just casually strolled around and earned more than two thousand yuan. Isn't that like picking up money off the ground?

Xiao Nan looked at Ye Cang curiously and asked, "Who is she?"

Sasori, who was usually taciturn, spoke again, his voice low and firm: "Yakura, a former...hero of Sunagakure, I want her to join the organization as well."

Nagato, who was controlling Pain, was slightly taken aback. He did not expect that Sasori would take the initiative to recruit a member, especially Pakura, who had a good record in the Fourth Shinobi World War using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

No wonder the other person looked familiar.

In terms of strength, Yekura is qualified to join Akatsuki.

Pain nodded slightly, and was just about to choose a ring for Yekura when Sasori spoke again.

"Leader, I know this is my personal decision and does not comply with the organization's rules, so let her be a probationary member of Akatsuki for the time being."

"When will I gain the recognition of others, and then become a full member?"

Pain remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Pakura for a brief instant before he slowly nodded. Since Sasori had spoken, and Pakura herself seemed to have no objections, Pain naturally had no reason to object as well.

Anyway, it's a good thing that the Akatsuki organization is growing stronger.

Kakuzu's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, while Konan looked thoughtfully at Yekura, as if assessing the potential of this new member.

"Then let's settle on this."