Gekkō Raito studied the man in the black robe. Although the man was wrapped up tightly, without even his face showing, Raito had known who he was from the very beginning.
"Sasori of the Red Sands, I never imagined someone like you would willingly return to Sunagakure and play the good little boy."
Hearing that name, Shikaku's expression changed dramatically. "Sasori of the Red Sands? That legendary puppet genius? Didn't he defect ages ago?"
"This is him in person?"
Tsunade looked shocked as well. "You actually recruited an S-Rank Missing-nin..."
Gaara glanced coldly at Tsunade. "What? One rule for you and another for everyone else? I wasn't the one who set this precedent."
He gave Raito a pointed look. "Doesn't that Lord Mizukage have a whole crowd of missing-nin serving under him too?"
That left Tsunade thoroughly tongue-tied. All she could do was glare fiercely back at him.
"My fellow Kage, Sunagakure has little strength to spare, and as Kazekage, I still have to oversee everything. Having my guard fight in my place is perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"
Raito still wore the expression of someone enjoying a show. If you want Sasori to fight, just say so. Aren't you tired of going around in circles?
"No need to explain. It makes no difference who comes."
"The point is, if you want to challenge me, the price of losing will be painful."
Since they were gambling, they had to raise the stakes.
Gaara's face darkened. "Fine! If we lose, Sunagakure will supply Kirigakure with gold dust free of charge for another ten years!"
Ten years? That was a substantial stake. Raito nodded in satisfaction. "Deal."
Gaara turned to Tsunade again. "If I lose to the Hokage, Sunagakure will pay double compensation for its previous actions!"
"And if you win?"
"If we