The Land of Bears was surrounded by poisonous gas, so other countries rarely invaded it.
It had dense forests filled with poison. Even a jōnin could be caught off guard and fall victim to it.
What's more, it was home to a natural stronghold known as Hell Valley.
The air there was thick with poisonous mists, and the ground crawled with all kinds of deadly creatures. It was practically paradise for shinobi who used poison.
After about half a day of flying, Sigurd finally arrived in the Land of Bears.
He easily passed through the poisonous mists surrounding the border and sighed. "No wonder other countries look down on this place. With its poison-filled terrain, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it's hard to imagine anyone wanting to invade."
"Besides, the Land of Bears borders the southeastern corner of the Land of Fire. Geographically speaking, it's very important to the Land of Fire."
"If another country really did attack this place, the Land of Fire would be the first to kick up a fuss. After all, it's also a line of defense against the Land of Water."
After leaving the poison-shrouded border, Sigurd immediately headed for Hell Valley.
Before long, he reached the valley.
Looking at the poisonous mists below, even thicker than those at the border, Sigurd exclaimed again. "Whoa! If I weren't in this mechanical puppet body, I wouldn't dare go in."
After that remark, Sigurd promptly descended, landing in the natural stronghold known as Hell Valley.
Once he had landed, he immediately channeled chakra into the Vermilion Ring and spoke into it. "Hey, Bonsai Brother, I'm at Hell Valley. Hurry up and tell me Sasori of the Red Sands' exact location."
A moment later, Zetsu's dark voice came from the ring. "Sasori of the Red Sands is currently in the center of Hell Valley. The poison is thickest there, but I don't think that'll be a problem for you."
"Got it. Watch me go grab him now, so the boss can use him to kill time when he's bored."
Nagato: When I put this question mark here, it's not because I have a problem. You're the one with the problem!
After a casual joke, Sigurd set off for the center of Hell Valley.
Along the way, he encountered all kinds of poisonous insects and plants blocking his path.
But thanks to his mechanical puppet's powerful body, he handled them all with ease.
Soon, Sigurd reached the center of Hell Valley. There, he spotted a strange, humanoid object on all fours.
Looking at the bizarre thing before him, Sigurd exclaimed, "Wait, did Sasori already build Hiruko this early?"
"Who's there?!"
Sigurd's muttered remark, which he'd thought was quiet, immediately alerted Sasori, who had been carefully collecting poison samples.
Sasori immediately controlled the iron stinger on Hiruko's back and shot it toward Sigurd.
Sigurd reacted in an instant, leaping aside to dodge Sasori's attack.
Seeing Sigurd effortlessly dodge, Sasori retracted Hiruko's stinger and fixed his gaze on him.
Sigurd didn't attack first. Instead, he waved a hand and said, "Take it easy, buddy. I come in peace."
At his words, Sasori didn't let down his guard.
He continued to stare at Sigurd, silently taking a scroll from his hand as he remained on alert.
"Did that old woman send you to find me? Hasn't she given up after all these years?"
Hiruko's low voice emerged as Sasori controlled it to question Sigurd.
After all, at this point, only his grandmother, Granny Chiyo, would still send someone to approach him peacefully.
Sigurd shook his head at once. "No. Our leader has taken an interest in you, so he sent me to invite you to join our organization."
Then Sigurd started complaining. "Seriously, they won't even let me relax during the New Year. They had to send me over to work overtime."
With that, Sigurd waved a hand. "Ah, excuse me. I've said a few things I shouldn't have. Please don't take them to heart."
After apologizing, Sigurd extended a hand in invitation. "Well? Will you join the Akatsuki, or will you die here at my hands? Please make your choice quickly."
"Hah! The Akatsuki? I've never even heard of it. If you want me to join, you'll have to prove you're capable!"
Sasori scoffed, then immediately made Hiruko open its mouth. Countless tiny steel needles shot out.
"Hiruko: Needle Eight Waves!"
The needles came incredibly fast and covered a wide area, making them difficult to dodge.
Seeing this, Sigurd turned his inviting hand around and shouted, "Moonlight: Golden Moonlight Shield!"
In an instant, a bright, translucent golden shield appeared in front of Sigurd's palm, completely blocking the needles.
That's right, Sigurd's moonlight was golden.
He had changed its color himself by slightly altering the light's reflectivity while controlling it.
It might sound easy, but it had actually taken Sigurd and Tokiju over a month of hard work.
The goal was to distinguish Sigurd and Tokiju from each other when they fought using light.
Seeing his attack blocked in such a way, Sasori showed a hint of surprise. He murmured, "Moonlight!? What kind of style is that?"
But after his initial surprise, he quickly regained his composure and continued controlling Hiruko to attack.
The pale purple glow on the stinger clearly showed that it had been coated in poison.
Sigurd wasn't about to back down. He immediately raised the Magic Sword to defend himself.
"Sun and Moon Dance: Magic Sword Gram!"
With the Magic Sword in hand, Sigurd leaped forward and charged at Hiruko.
Seeing this, Sasori immediately controlled the stinger on Hiruko's back and thrust it straight at Sigurd.
Sigurd wasn't about to back down. He immediately raised the Magic Sword to defend himself.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
As their weapons clashed again and again, sparks flew everywhere.
Sigurd's Magic Sword was made from the combined energies of sunlight and moonlight. Its striking power far surpassed that of ordinary iron and steel.
With every clash between their weapons, Sigurd's Magic Sword left a clear gash in Sasori's stinger.
Seeing this from inside Hiruko, Sasori realized that if things continued like this, his stinger would be the first to break.
At that thought, Sasori narrowed his eyes and immediately unfolded the scroll in his hand.
Once the scroll was fully open, Sigurd saw the number three written on it.
At that sight, Sigurd immediately realized that Sasori was about to get serious.
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