Chapter 96: Rendezvous
Deidara was somewhat tactless.
From afar, Uehara Naraka heard this guy despising him and subconsciously frowned, "Don't be too lively; it's easy to get people killed."
"Is this an intern's attitude towards a full member?"
Deidara arrogantly stood on his white clay giant bird, slowly flew beside Uehara, crossed his arms, "If you, fellow, were willing to beg me, maybe I'd help you catch those two on the ground, intern!"
"..."
Uehara Naraka tilted his head.
Was this Deidara not awake yet?
Last time, beside Hanzō of the Salamander's corpse, Deidara had spoken out of turn and offended him and Konan. Honestly, if not for this guy Deidara being a new member, the grass on his grave would probably have sprouted by now.
Someone fated to be killed by Uchiha Sasuke in the future actually dared to provoke him?
"Shut up, Deidara!"
Sasori of the Red Sand loudly stopped their conflict. He knew Uehara Naraka's relationship with Konan; Sasori knew just how much that woman doted on her little disciple...
He didn't want his new teammate to carelessly offend people.
Although Deidara was a bit wild with his words, as a teammate, he was still very competent.
Sasori looked up at the two in the air and asked softly, "Uehara, how could Konan bear to let you come out and take risks?"
"...Hey hey hey, I'm a ninja too!"
Uehara Naraka looked at Sasori with black lines on his forehead [anime trope for exasperation], his gaze slowly shifting to rest on Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, as if seeing a rare treasure.
Despair filled Baki's eyes on the ground.
Unexpectedly, after fleeing here and there, they actually encountered enemies again.
Along the way, Uehara Naraka tailed them like a cat playing with mice, pursuing them. Baki could only rush along with Gaara, constantly prepared for a desperate battle.
When Baki saw people fighting in the desert, thinking they might have encountered ninjas from their village, he immediately rushed over hoping for support.
Turns out the ninjas here were also enemies.
Could anything be more despairing than this?
However, when Baki saw the Edo Tensei body standing beside Orochimaru, his face instantly turned both shocked and joyful, "That's Lord Third Kazekage!"
Although he didn't know why Lord Third Kazekage, missing for many years, would appear here, for Baki, there was at least a sliver of hope for escape. Lord Third Kazekage was very likely one of their own!
Moreover, if the Third Kazekage could truly return, it would be an extremely fortunate event whether for their escape or for Sunagakure (Village Hidden by Sand)!
After the Fourth Kazekage just died in battle, Sunagakure would soon face the awkward situation of not even having a suitable candidate for Kazekage.
Unexpectedly, the Third Kazekage had actually appeared.
This was the ninja known as the Strongest Kazekage! Perhaps Sunagakure's revival was in sight?
After the neighboring Konoha's Fourth Hokage died in battle, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi temporarily filled in. Their Sunagakure could surely do the same.
"Are you ninjas from the village?"
The Third Kazekage heard Baki's voice, looked up to see the ninja headband on Baki's head, then saw the red-haired little boy beside Baki, his ashen face looking somewhat strange.
On one side was the village's rogue ninja, Sasori.
On the other was Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Sannin.
Although he didn't know why they were fighting, the Third Kazekage still understood the principle of being caught in the crossfire.
Perhaps Orochimaru and Sasori wouldn't determine a victor in a short time, but dispatching a passing Suna ninja along the way would be very easy for them.
"Orochimaru."
The Third Kazekage's eyes shifted slightly. Looking at Orochimaru, he said, "Let's make a deal! I can temporarily not break free from your control, but you must help cover the escape of this Suna ninja and his child..."
Originally, the Third Kazekage didn't want to get involved at all.
But now, encountering Baki and a child from the village being hunted down, he couldn't just stand by and watch.
"This isn't of low difficulty."
Orochimaru looked at the Third Kazekage and said reservedly, "But it must be you who covers me and Kabuto, taking them [Baki/Gaara] away from here together."
Upon seeing Uehara Naraka, Orochimaru didn't want to stay here at all. The Edo Tensei experiment still had uncontrolled flaws; what if he encountered Pain?
But since the Third Kazekage actively chose to cooperate, then he could be manipulated.
Orochimaru also wanted to see what powerful combat strength the Edo Tensei Third Kazekage could display. What if, relying on his undead body, there was a chance to fight Pain?
The Third Kazekage felt slightly more at ease.
The Third Kazekage's gaze shifted, looking at Gaara beside Baki, and said gravely, "Hey, why did you bring a child with you on a mission? When the fighting starts later, you take the child and leave immediately! I'll cover you!"
"Lord Third Kazekage!"
Baki rushed over with Gaara, hesitating to answer about Gaara's identity, instead asking, "Lord Third Kazekage, aren't you returning with us?"
"I died long ago."
The Third Kazekage shook his head, his voice somewhat low. He continued, "Now I am a deceased person revived by Orochimaru, possibly subject to his control. This time I can still help you; next time, I might be an enemy."
Hearing the Third Kazekage's explanation, Baki felt some despair.
The Third Kazekage didn't know Baki's concerns, just continued asking, "How is the village's situation now? Who is the Fourth Kazekage?"
"The village's situation is still okay for now..."
Baki's expression was somewhat heavy. Sunagakure could probably hold on for a while longer, but with the Fourth Kazekage's death in battle, future days definitely wouldn't be easy.
However, when the topic of the Fourth Kazekage was raised, Baki finally gritted his teeth and said, "The Fourth Kazekage was Lord Rasa... Two days ago, he died in battle in the Land of Rain while covering our escape."
Third Kazekage: "..."
Orochimaru: "..."
Kabuto Yakushi: "..."
This news was a super huge bombshell.
It might very well trigger the Fourth Great Ninja War!
"Hey hey hey, don't look so miserable."
Uehara Naraka flew down beside Sasori, looked at the people opposite, the smile in his eyes almost uncontrollable, "I have Rasa's corpse on me. Want me to take it out for you to reminisce a bit?"
How many side quests could these few people complete!
Even Baki had a side quest on him!
Not to mention important characters like Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi; every Konoha Sannin had numerous quests associated with them.
Baki raised his finger, pointing at Uehara Naraka, and explained gravely, "Lord Third Kazekage, it was this guy who killed Lord Rasa..."
"No way, this intern can also kill a Kazekage?"
Deidara descended from the sky, his face somewhat exceptionally surprised. Moments later, a smile appeared on his lips again, "Ha, truly no one can be underestimated. Looks like everyone in Akatsuki is a monster! One day, I'll have to try too..."
Is this guy Deidara a dog [fickle]?
How did his face change so quickly?
Uehara Naraka looked pointedly at Gaara and said softly, "Wanting to kill a Kazekage is relatively simple. Sooner or later, you'll also have a chance."
"Uehara, did you really kill Rasa?"
Sasori was somewhat surprised. He slowly manipulated Hiruko to look at Uehara and said gravely, "After the battle ends later, give Rasa's corpse to me."
Uehara Naraka shook his head, "Give me a reason."
Sasori snorted, feeling somewhat displeased inside, but thinking about the two people behind Uehara, he couldn't beat either of them.
Sasori paused, then still explained, "His Magnet Release Gold Dust can provide us with a large amount of money. Konan will also agree."
"Tsk..."
Uehara Naraka clicked his tongue and tossed the sealing scroll to Sasori.
Sasori's reason was truly sufficient; even he found it somewhat hard to refute. After all, besides Edo Tensei, only Sasori's human puppets could maximize its use.
Most importantly, Sasori took what he gave; would he still dare to turn hostile and not let him pursue Orochimaru?
(End of Chapter)
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