Outside Sunagakure.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa was dumbfounded.
Over the past few dozen seconds, his mood had undergone a complete upheaval.
His battle with Deidara had been ongoing, and he had held the advantage. Just as he was about to unleash a powerful move to subdue the blond brat before him, an enormous roar he knew all too well rang out from inside the village.
"Damn it, that's Shukaku's voice! Has Gaara gone berserk??"
Rasa inwardly cursed. Unable to spare Deidara any more attention, he immediately turned and rushed toward the village.
Although Sunagakure had many powerful shinobi, Rasa was currently the only one who could subdue Shukaku the fastest. He dared not waste time; he had to hurry back before the damage to the village became severe.
"Hey! Old man, are you running away? I haven't shown you my greatest art yet! Don't go! Hmm!"
Rasa completely ignored Deidara's shouting and returned to the village at top speed. He was just about to use a ninjutsu, but the sight before him truly shocked him.
Shukaku had actually been sealed away again!
Floating in the sky was a figure whose back he knew better than anyone's.
That figure had played an indispensable role in everything he had achieved!
"M-Master?"
The iron sand wings lifted slightly, and the figure turned around, staring expressionlessly at Rasa.
"This is..."
"A puppet??!"
Rasa was shocked. He never could have imagined that his mentor, who had disappeared so many years ago, had actually been made into a Human Puppet!
The only person capable of doing this was someone else on the missing persons list!
Sasori of the Red Sands!
"Rasa, long time no see. Time really flies..."
On the rooftop, Sasori of the Red Sands spoke:
"Don't be surprised. You should be thanking me. If it