"Then it's settled."
After finalizing the bet with Shukaku, Ryuji left with fully charged Chakra Storage Devices and scrolls.
He arrived at the prison, outside Sasori's cell.
Sasori leaned against the wall, left hand resting on his bent left knee, coldly watching the newcomer. "Done?"
"Yes, done."
Ryuji nodded, took out a scroll, and turned to the guard nearby. "This is the expulsion order approved by the Third Kazekage. Sasori of the Red Sand is expelled from Sunagakure. Release him."
The guard took the scroll, suspicion on his face as he carefully examined it. After confirming the expulsion order was genuine, he opened the cell door.
"Come out."
Sasori snorted coldly, stood up, and walked over, placing his hands before the guard, gesturing for him to remove the shackles.
"Give me the key. I'll release him later."
"Then it's up to you."
Taking the key from the guard, Ryuji pulled on Sasori's shackles and walked out.
It was early morning, the sun just risen. Only a few pedestrians could be seen on the streets.
However, without exception, everyone who saw Sasori showed undisguised disgust.
Some children even threw stones and such at him.
This war was entirely caused by Sasori. If he hadn't assassinated the Third Kazekage, the current situation wouldn't have occurred.
Although they achieved a great victory in this battle, nearly a thousand people died… both Shinobi and civilians.
And property damage... the collapsed buildings on the streets haven't been cleared yet!
Sasori ignored the surrounding curses and malicious words, coldly following Ryuji toward the village gate.
Soon, the two arrived at the gate.
After showing his pass, Ryuji took Sasori out of Sunagakure without any issues.
Outside in the desert, two people had been waiting for some time.
Chiyo and Ebizo.
Ryuji stopped and said to Sasori beside him, "Go bid them farewell. After this separation, you don't know if you'll meet again."
"Everything that needed to be said was said in the prison. Nothing more to say."
Sasori remained where he was, but Chiyo and Ebizo actively walked over.
They looked at this rebellious youth with heartache, tears uncontrollably gathering at the corners of their eyes.
"Sasori, Ryuji saved your life this time. Don't make further mistakes in the future. Grandma can tolerate you doing bad things, but you shouldn't have betrayed the village."
"Save?" Sasori snorted disdainfully. "If not for him, how would I be like this?"
"He was fulfilling..."
"Enough! If you're here to lecture, then leave quickly!"
Looking at Sasori, who had turned his back and refused to look at them, Chiyo's aged body trembled slightly, as if she had grown even older.
Ryuji glanced back and forth between the two sides, sighing deeply. "I'll take Sasori out of the Land of Wind first. The Puppeteer Corps is entrusted to you, Elder Chiyo."
"Alright, alright. I'll handle all matters of the Puppeteer Corps properly. Please take care of Sasori on the road too."
"I will. No matter what, we are still friends."
"Then I entrust him to you."
…
After bidding farewell to Chiyo and Ebizo, Ryuji continued leading Sasori on the journey.
On the way, Ryuji asked, "I remember you were very close to Elder Chiyo when you were young. Why did you become cold after growing up? Rebellious phase?"
Sasori didn't reply, walking silently ahead.
"Hey, I'm asking you!"
"Are you a gossip?"
Whether Ryuji hit a sore spot or due to Sasori's impatient nature, when Ryuji pressed further, Sasori turned around and glared at him angrily.
Ryuji shrugged and didn't pursue the question further.
Sasori also turned back, walking silently.
However, after only a few steps, he spoke up. "Perhaps I was just being childish."
"Huh?"
Ryuji blinked, quickly catching up to ask, "What did you mean by that just now?"
Sasori glanced at him, took a deep breath, and said, "My parents died in war when I was little. Seeing other children with their parents while I had none made me feel lonely and desolate."
"Only when with the old woman could that feeling be slightly alleviated."
Then, Sasori changed the subject and asked, "Your parents also died in that war, like mine. Don't you have these feelings?"
"...Perhaps I did." Ryuji thought for a moment. "But I've always focused my energy on studying. Every day, I either read books, tinkered with puppet parts, refined Chakra, or trained my body. I simply had no time to experience these feelings."
"Hah, heartless guy."
"Speaking of heartless, it's nothing compared to you, actually assassinating your own Kage."
"He deserved it!" Sasori said angrily. "He's just like the old woman. I considered her my closest person, yet she kept lying to me."
"She was worried you were too young, your mind..."
"That's just an excuse for distrust."
Looking at the furious youth, Ryuji fell silent.
Although this was just one person's view, it wasn't wrong.
Parental love doesn't always mean it's good; sometimes it can hurt the child.
To properly educate the next generation, one must always pay attention to their child's growth and understand their inner world.
Clearly, Chiyo didn't know what Sasori was thinking inside at that time.
Of course, Chiyo wasn't wrong; she just couldn't do her best.
So, Sasori was angry but wouldn't blame her.
After a moment of silence, Ryuji continued the conversation. "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 great war."
'Is it this clichéd hatred?'
Ryuji sighed inwardly, feeling helpless. "But the current Sunagakure is no match for Konoha, right? Did you want him to lead everyone to their deaths?"
"Of course I didn't think that way. But if he can't fulfill his past vow, he should obediently pay the price."
At this point, Sasori looked at Ryuji with a mocking gaze. "The current Third Kazekage is your puppet, right? Just like that 'Gin'."
"He's completely different from Gin, but yes, he is my puppet."
"Tch, never thought the village would fall into your hands."
"What? Not convinced?"
"No. If you had taken over the village earlier, I wouldn't have done this."
"You mean you're willing to work for me?"
"Working for anyone is the same. I just hate that guy boasting when he became Kazekage, yet failing to deliver."
"Is that so?"
Ryuji stopped walking.
Sasori also stopped, looking puzzled.
"I don't care whether what you say is true or false, but you should clearly remember the deal I made with you before, right?"
"You save me, I do one thing for you."
The night he was captured, Chiyo told Sasori in the dungeon.
They could spare his life, but he must be exiled.
He had guessed then that Ryuji wanted him to do something.
"In the future, an organization called 'Akatsuki' will come to recruit you. I need you to be my spy." As Ryuji spoke, he unlocked Sasori's shackles and simultaneously took out the scroll containing the Third Kazekage human puppet. "Don't wonder how I know about future events. Don't actively seek them out. If they don't come for you, just treat this as if it never happened."