Yagura couldn't go into too much detail about his history with Sasori when talking to Mei Terumi.
This was something that had to stay buried forever—no third person in the world could ever know.
All he could say was that they had met during the Chunin Exams, gone through some things together, and developed a close bond over time.
Mei didn't press for details. Everyone had their secrets—especially shinobi.
But from the way those two interacted just now, she was certain their relationship was more than just "close."
"Oh?" Yagura chuckled, finding her assessment quite agreeable. "That close, huh?"
Mei nodded. "You know what they say: men who've fought side by side and shared a bed together are brothers for life."
"Sh-Shared a bed?!"
"Oh, come on. It's just a saying."
Yagura immediately defended his innocence. "Relax. The only person I've ever shared a bed with is Mangetsu."
"Oh, well, that's fine then."
...Wait. Shared a bed? Was it the kind of 'shared' she was thinking of?
It was getting late, so Yagura shooed the dumbfounded Mei off to sleep before calling over an Anbu to stand guard.
Feeling a bit tired himself, Yagura leaned back against a sturdy tree trunk and closed his eyes.
To hell with Kumogakure.
S-attribute intensity: Sleeping mode activated.
...
By dawn, the first rays of the sun struggled to pierce through the thick morning mist. The winter air in the Land of Water was damp and bone-chilling, with occasional gusts of icy wind.
The two of them woke up on time, using disposable travel essentials to freshen up before preparing to move out again.
"You're too slow."
The raspy voice came from Hiruko, impatiently urging them on.
After wiping his face with a towel, Yagura casually draped it around his neck and stepped forward, knocking on Hiruko's exterior.
"Come on, stop hiding in there. With me around, do you really need to worry about anyone getting close?"
Sasori didn't reply—only the tail of his scorpion puppet twitched slightly in response.
Yagura decided to take a different approach. "Alright, fine. Your Hiruko looks awful. I prefer seeing your real face."
"...Hmph."
That did the trick.
The shell of Hiruko creaked open.
Yagura immediately focused his gaze inside. He had always been curious about its internal mechanisms!
But what he saw left him utterly disappointed.
Where was the whole 'cycling his legs like a bicycle' thing?!
The inside was completely empty. Sasori was just sitting there—completely relaxed and comfortable!
Yagura's expression gave him away, and Sasori easily guessed what was on his mind.
"What exactly were you expecting?"
Yagura decided against revealing his mental image of internet meme diagrams from his past life.
"I thought it'd be more... complicated."
"Hah."
That single chuckle from Sasori carried all the sharp disdain of someone looking down on fools.
With Hiruko stored away, the red-haired puppet master looked far more presentable than that bald hunchbacked shell of his.
Even Mei, who had regarded Sasori with nothing but hostility, found herself admitting—albeit grudgingly—that he had a strikingly handsome face.
Yagura stepped between the two of them. "Let me introduce you two properly."
"Mei, this is Sasori. A rogue shinobi from Sunagakure and my... enthusiastic business partner."
Mei felt a little overwhelmed. An actual Kage referring to a rogue ninja as his 'partner'—only her Mizukage would be this unorthodox. She nodded stiffly at Sasori. "Hello. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Sasori, this is Mei Terumi. Just call her Mei for now. She's my assistant and, for the time being, my bodyguard."
The puppeteer, still wearing his rogue forehead protector, barely spared her a glance. "Got it."
Working relationships could be built over time.
With Yagura leading the way, the three of them resumed their journey.
...
After about two hours, they caught up with the Anbu squad that had set out the night before.
"Mizukage-sama!"
As soon as they spotted Yagura, the Anbu halted in front of him. Even through their masks, their voices betrayed urgency and anger.
"The Cloud shinobi have gone mad! They're attacking our port!"
Kumogakure, you bastards!
Yagura took a deep breath of the cold morning air, forcing himself to remain calm. Lightning flickered in his eyes as he turned back.
"I'll go ahead first. You follow after."
"Don't be reckless," Sasori objected. "You're the Mizukage. Your safety is more important."
The port at the Land of Water's border was still an hour away.
Yagura's physical prowess was undoubtedly superior to the others, but if he moved at full speed, he would leave them trailing far behind.
Mei chimed in, supporting Sasori's stance.
"He's right. If something happens to you, we won't be able to back you up in time. For Kirigakure, you are the top priority."
[Isobu: Those two brats are right, Yagura. Don't forget who your real enemies are.]
Their words had only made Yagura hesitate, but Isobu's reminder sealed the decision.
Unlike Naruto's Shadow Clones in the Fourth War, his Water Clones had a limited range and couldn't stray too far from his real body.
"You, return to your squad."
After giving his orders to the Anbu scout, Yagura steadied his emotions. "Sasori, Mei, can you both move at a faster pace?"
"Of course."
"I—Yes, I can."
No time for teasing Mei about her reaction to Sasori.
Yagura took off immediately.
...
Boom!
A massive explosion engulfed the dock, sending a towering crane crashing down as its base was obliterated by explosive tags!
...
BOOM!!!
The deafening blast seemed to shake the very air itself.
Shinobi silhouettes darted through the thick, choking smoke.
A Genin peeked out from behind a shipping container, trying to get a sense of the battlefield—only for a kunai to embed itself in his forehead.
He collapsed, dead.
"Foolish."
His Jonin leader didn't even bother trying to save him. Instead, he crouched low and immediately retreated to another hiding spot.
Still, the Genin's death wasn't entirely in vain. At least they now had confirmation—the Cloud shinobi were close.
The remaining Genin, far less experienced than their leader, finally snapped out of their shock. Panicking, they attempted to follow their Jonin.
But it was too late.
A squad of Kumogakure shinobi, drawn by the commotion, rushed forward and surrounded them.
Their Jonin had abandoned them.
A cold fear gripped the two Genin as they instinctively pressed their backs together, preparing for a fight.
"Kumogakure! Do you want to start a war?!"
One of the Cloud shinobi scoffed. "You Mist shinobi started this war the moment you sold supplies to Konoha! If not for that, we would've already won!"
"Enough talking. Kill them!"
...
Hidden in the shadows, the Mist Jonin watched impassively.
Yes, just as you Cloud shinobi said—enough talking.
He formed a seal.
The ground beneath the enemy squad erupted as the buried explosive tags ignited.
BOOM!!!
A fiery orange explosion engulfed the area, sending seven Cloud shinobi scrambling for cover.
They emerged, battered, their white armor charred black.
"These damn Mist shinobi!"
"They always fight like this!"
"Do they value their own comrades' lives at all?!"
Three for three.
Not as good as he'd hoped.
Rolling his shoulders, the Mist Jonin slipped away, already searching for his next ambush spot.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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