Just as the Third Hokage was persuading Jiraiya, the Third Kazekage led his troops back to Sunagakure.
"Welcome back in triumph, Lord Kazekage!" The people of Sunagakure immediately welcomed him with songs and dances.
Amid the cheers, a red-haired boy stood quietly at the edge of the crowd. Sasori of the Red Sands' amber eyes reflected the Kazekage being surrounded by the masses, and his gaze was terrifyingly calm. The hot wind stirred the loose hair over his forehead, revealing the pale skin beneath.
"Why start wars?" Sasori's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the puppet mechanism hidden in his sleeve. "Why cheer for slaughter?"
His parents—the finest puppet-master couple in Sunagakure—had died beneath the White Fang of the Leaf's blade. From that moment on, the thirteen-year-old genius had seen the true nature of war. Now, as he watched the Third Kazekage being worshipped by the crowd, he suddenly understood something.
"So... this is where war begins." Sasori murmured to himself, then turned and vanished into the shadows of an alley. He needed more time. He needed to create more perfect puppets. One day, he would make these great figures who started wars taste death for themselves.
Elsewhere, upon returning to Kirigakure, the Third Mizukage immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Lord Mizukage, are you all right?" Karatachi Yagura and the Kirigakure shinobi rushed over in alarm.
"I'm fine. I should be able to hold on for a few more years. Use that time to prepare yourself," the Third Mizukage told Yagura.
"Yes, Teacher. I'll be ready," Karatachi Yagura replied firmly.
That was right. The Third Mizukage was actually a Jinchuriki. Though the Three-Tails was gentle, the Third Mizukage himself was simply too weak, which was why he had been eroded into this state. Karatachi Yagura, who would come after him, was