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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 317
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 14:00:03 +0000 UTCChapter 317: Acting Kazekage
As the Fourth Kazekage disappeared into the distance, becoming a mere black dot on the horizon, Elder Chiyo and the Sunagakure shinobi stood frozen in place.
They hadn’t expected the Fourth Kazekage to attack them, nor had they anticipated his refusal to return to the village with them. His decision to flee left everyone in shock.
Given his position, even with suspicions about his involvement in the assassination of the Third Kazekage, they had planned to escort him back to the village for supervision until concrete evidence was obtained. Only then would they address the allegations against Rasa. However, his escape only deepened their doubts.
If he were truly innocent, there was no reason to run. Returning to the village to confront Sasori and reveal the truth of the past would have sufficed.
After exchanging uncertain glances, Baki turned to Elder Chiyo. “Elder Chiyo, the Fourth has fled. What should we do next?”
Elder Chiyo sighed. “For now, let’s return to the village. With our current manpower, we are no match for Rasa and Orochimaru. We’ll investigate further once we’re back.”
Relieved by her decision, Baki and the others let out quiet breaths.
They had no desire to fight Rasa. Firstly, he was still the village’s Fourth Kazekage. Secondly, as the strongest shinobi in Sunagakure, capturing him would have been nearly impossible, even with Elder Chiyo’s support.
Still, the events of the day left them uneasy. In just a few hours, the village had been rocked by a series of shocking events. The rampage of the jinchūriki, the unexpected return of Sasori with the Kazekage Puppet to suppress the chaos, the revelation that the Fourth Kazekage had ordered the attack on the jinchūriki to provoke Gaara’s powers, and finally, the discovery of his secret dealings with Orochimaru.
They couldn’t predict what tomorrow would bring.
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Back in the village, Elder Chiyo approached the room where Sasori was staying.
After being informed that Sasori hadn’t left the room, she pushed the door open.
Hearing the door creak, Sasori, manipulating Hiruko, turned to face her. “Old hag, you’re back so soon. Did Rasa give you a clear explanation?”
Chiyo nodded. “I misjudged you. The order to attack the jinchūriki came from Rasa, but it wasn’t meant to kill him—only to provoke Gaara’s abilities.”
“How cold and unfeeling. Still, it suits Sunagakure’s traditions,” Sasori said with a cold sneer. Then, his gaze sharpened with interest. “Now that the jinchūriki issue is settled, are you planning to deal with me, the rogue shinobi who left the village years ago? How many shinobis have Rasa stationed outside? Is he counting on you to strike first, betting I won’t harm my own grandmother?”
Sasori’s probing caused Chiyo to fall silent. Had they not caught Rasa and Orochimaru together at the mine, Sasori’s suspicions might have come true. Sunagakure would never have allowed Sasori to leave with the Kazekage Puppet.
But the situation had changed entirely.
Under Baki’s interrogation, Rasa had attacked his fellow shinobi and fled. Whether his flight counted as desertion was another matter, but Sunagakure now had no shinobi capable of matching Sasori’s power. With such an imbalance, any interrogation was out of the question.
In a way, Sunagakure now needed Sasori’s protection.
After a moment of contemplation, Chiyo said, “Sasori, perhaps I misunderstood you back then. Possessing the Kazekage Puppet doesn’t mean you were the one who attacked the Kazekage. You may also be a victim.”
Sasori froze briefly, silently marveling at how expertly Byakuya had manipulated the situation. In just a few hours, he had turned Sasori, with the Kazekage Puppet in hand, from a suspect into a victim.
“Hmph. At least you’re not completely senile, old hag. However, I’m curious—who do you think is the real killer of the Third Kazekage?”
“The real culprit isn’t confirmed yet. It could be Rasa or even Orochimaru and the Konoha shinobi.”
After a pause, Chiyo added, “Before we search for the truth, I’d like to hear your story. Why did you leave the village back then? Why have you refused to return all these years?”
Sasori fell silent, unsure of how to answer. Byakuya hadn’t provided him with a script before leaving, and he feared slipping up if he improvised.
Seeing his reluctance, Chiyo sighed. She could guess at the events of the past and understood why Sasori had left the village.
Rasa’s actions had not only led to the death of the Third Kazekage but had also caused Sasori to lose faith in the village. Over the years, he had chosen to wander the shinobi world rather than return.
Occasionally, he would sneak into the village at night, only to quietly observe the home he had long abandoned.
“If you don’t wish to speak of the past, then don’t,” Chiyo said softly. After a moment, her tone grew somber. “But I do have a favor to ask. I hope you’ll agree out of respect for the care I gave you in the past.”
Sasori’s expression turned wary.
“You want me to return the Kazekage Puppet? Or stay in Sunagakure? I won’t agree to either,” he said firmly. “You stopped me from going to the battlefield years ago. Now you want to cage me here again?”
Chiyo shook her head. “I don’t need you to return the Kazekage Puppet or stay in the village for long. But until the truth is revealed, the village needs your help. Without you, we can’t stop the jinchūriki’s rampages. If other villages press us, we’ll have no choice but to suffer. You don’t want to see Sunagakure fall to outsiders, do you?”
Sasori fell silent, neither refusing nor agreeing immediately.
Sensing his hesitation, Chiyo quickly added, “While you’re here, the village’s shinobi will follow your orders. You’ll have the authority of an acting Kazekage but won’t have to deal with village affairs. If you want to leave, you may do so anytime.”
Hearing Chiyo offer him the role of acting Kazekage, Sasori realized their plan was nearing success.
Still, Byakuya had instructed him to feign disinterest in the Kazekage position to avoid arousing suspicion. Fortunately, Sasori genuinely had no interest in the title and didn’t need to act.
He had agreed to this mission for a different reason entirely.
Looking into Chiyo’s eyes, Sasori said, “Old hag, I can agree to your terms, but I have one condition.”
Chiyo, visibly nervous, waited as Sasori paused briefly before continuing, “I want to visit my parents’ graves.”
