"Your Highness Ye Ning, I've finally found you!"
Ye Ning had just finished dealing with Sasori of the Red Sands when a voice called out from nearby.
He looked up and saw Karura running toward him, panting. Sweat dotted her cheeks, and her face was tense.
Ye Ning could clearly see the relief on Karura's face when she spotted him.
Had she been afraid something might happen to him in the village?
"I just wanted to look around. I didn't expect to get lost and end up here by accident."
"I'm glad you're all right, Your Highness... Sasori?"
Karura's pupils narrowed slightly, and astonishment showed plainly on her face.
As a student of the Third Kazekage—a detail not mentioned in the original, but established in this story—Karura naturally knew Elder Chiyo's precious grandson. She also knew how reclusive he was.
It was rare to see Sasori out and about. What a strange day.
Karura's expression suddenly stiffened, and unease washed over her.
Sasori... surely he hadn't offended His Highness Ye Ning?
Everyone knew how eccentric and withdrawn Sasori could be. If the two of them had really clashed, it would be hard to explain...
A thousand thoughts raced through Karura's mind.
Sunagakure was already in a difficult position. If they managed to antagonize the Daimyo's Son of the Land of Fire and incur the Daimyo of the Land of Wind's displeasure...
Their already meager budget would suffer yet another blow.
When he saw Karura, Sasori of the Red Sands inclined his head politely. "Hello, Sister Karura."
!?
Karura whipped around, disbelief written all over her face.
Sasori had just called me... Sister?
Karura's expression went dazed, and an inexplicable ache rose in her heart.
She was probably the person in Sunagakure who had the best relationship with Sasori. Before his