After letting out a cold snort, the Third Kazekage strode away.
Ryoma Aburame's lips curled slightly. He knew... the Third Kazekage had begun to harbor doubts.
The next morning, the sun rose as usual.
When they returned to the Kazekage's Office, they found a handsome red-haired youth standing beside the Third Kazekage.
"Sasori of the Red Sands?"
Though he was a teenager, he still had the looks of a boy.
Akira Sarutobi sized up the other's delicate features. Beneath his faint smile lurked a trace of ruthlessness.
—The kind that made him seem capable of pulling out a knife and stabbing you twice at any moment.
Of course, Sasori had not yet earned the title of Red Sands at this point.
The title came after Sasori defected and killed his former comrades who had pursued him, their blood staining the yellow sand red. Thus, he became known as Sasori of the Red Sands.
But judging from how closely he followed the Third Kazekage...
It was probably... not far off.
Yes, the anniversary of the Third Kazekage's death.
He only hoped the Third Kazekage could see through it: even among the "Third Sand," there were those without the Will of Sand.
From an opponent's perspective, Akira Sarutobi saw no need to warn the Third Kazekage.
But if they were truly going to form an alliance and aid one another, then... stable cooperation brought by a powerful Kazekage would be many times better than anything Rasa could offer.
"Everyone, please have some tea." Sasori extended a hand with a smile, inviting them to drink.
"..."
Hatake Sakumo blinked, feeling a headache coming on.
The son of the couple who had been killed stood right before him, inviting him to tea.
And he came from a clan famed for poison.
Well, damn...