"Another war, huh?" Haku looked somewhat melancholic. Deep down, she hated war and even wished to be an ordinary person. Unfortunately, keeping up with Anya's steps was impossible for an average individual.
Konan replied firmly, "Yes. We just don't know who Sunagakure's target is. Yahiko and Nagato—my good friends in Rain Country—they both suspect Konoha."
"Thank you. I'll pass your intelligence report to him," Haku said as she prepared to leave.
Understanding her feelings, Konan spoke somewhat reluctantly, "Say hello to Master for me."
"Mm, I will."
When Konan returned, she found Yahiko and Nagato smiling at her. Puzzled, she touched her face and asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"
"Not at all. Look," Yahiko and Nagato stepped aside, revealing a large table full of dishes.
Yahiko grinned cheerfully, "Konan, while you were away, we worked really hard learning how to cook. Come and try it—let's see how it tastes!"
Konan felt moved as she took a few bites. She gave a slight change in expression before replying in a deadpan tone, "What? No way, I'll take care of this kind of stuff from now on."
"Eh!" Yahiko's happy face immediately fell.
"Haha, I'm kidding," Konan teased with a wink. "It actually tastes great! Come on, let's eat together."
"Hahaha, knew it!"
The three laughed and sat down together, feeling like they were kids again for a moment.
In contrast to the warmth in Rain Country, Sunagakure was far darker. In a shadowy chamber, Anya and Sasori discussed their strategy.
Anya spoke, "Sasori, since you're more familiar with Sunagakure, help me figure out how to get Kazekage's Puppet to leave the village."
Sasori shook his head. "There's no way. Those cowardly vermin won't listen to reason. The only option would be forcing our way out."
"Forced departure carries too much risk, especially right after returning—it could easily trigger chain reactions and hinder future control over the village." Anya frowned deeply.
"There's actually one method I thought of. Not sure if it'll work."
Anya's eyes lit up at Sasori's words and she urged, "Tell me about it."
[The Division Technique of the Spirit Transformation.] Use it on me, and let my split soul control Kazekage instead."
Anya fell into deep contemplation at Sasori's suggestion.
Sensing hesitation, Sasori asked, "What's troubling you?"
Anya nodded. "Yes. I've only ever used the Division Technique on myself. Never on another person before. The sensation of soul-splitting during division is unbearably painful—something most people couldn't endure."
"Just pain? Then that's fine," Sasori confidently replied.
"I'm not joking. It's seriously agonizing," Anya emphasized.
It was a pain beyond words—like tearing the soul apart piece by piece, growing worse with every step.
"Do it," Sasori said calmly. "I've already experienced the worst suffering in this world. Nothing could surpass the pain of losing my parents."
"Anya, you've moved me."
"Alright, relax and don't resist," Anya said.
Anya used the Spirit Transformation Technique, allowing her Dark Soul to enter Sasori's Spiritual Space.
"Spirit Control Technique."
With Sasori's cooperation, mastering his soul using the technique Anya had learned from Rin Nohara, the famed medic-nin of Konoha, was quick and effortless.
Then came the hardest part: the Division Technique.
Anya carefully began splitting Sasori's soul, keeping a close eye on its fluctuations. Deep down, she had already decided—if Sasori's soul showed any sign of collapse, she would stop immediately. To her, preserving Sasori's life mattered far more than controlling the village.
As time passed, Sasori's soul remained as calm as still water without the slightest fluctuation throughout the process. This left Anya, who was trying the Division Technique on someone else for the first time, puzzled. Was this tearing sensation only perceptible to the person experiencing it firsthand?
Finally, a small soul form separated within Sasori's Spiritual Sea.
Anya exhaled in relief and ended the Spirit Control Technique.
"So, is this what the Division Technique feels like? It's truly amazing."
Two Sasori figures spoke simultaneously within the spiritual space, eyeing each other curiously.
Anya asked curiously, "You didn't feel the pain of division?"
Sasori shrugged with a nonchalant smile. "I did. It was quite painful."
Anya was stunned. She herself had practiced the Division Technique and knew exactly how agonizing it could be. When she first started, she gave up right at the beginning because she couldn't endure the torment. Eventually, she persisted through sheer determination, enduring an unimaginable level of suffering. Her mind spun and went blank, and she stayed like that for almost a week.
For Sasori to remain so casual after undergoing such agony meant only one thing—his tolerance for pain surpassed even hers.
Without thinking, Anya exclaimed, "Sasori, you're stronger than me."
Sasori modestly replied, "Not really. I simply imagined myself as a puppet. Puppets can't feel pain."
Since the soul-splitting was successful, Anya suggested, "I've divided roughly one-third of your soul's power. Now, I'll use the Spirit Control Technique to inject this soul fragment into a Puppet's body. Let's see if you can control the Kazekage."
"Alright."
Under Anya's control, Sasori's soul successfully entered the Kazekage Puppet's body. The previously lifeless Kazekage Puppet opened its eyes and stood up. His signature Magnet Release Ninjutsu appeared around it, and chakra flowed freely within. It was like the Kazekage himself had become Sasori's new body—a sensation even smoother than controlling puppets by string.
"This feeling is incredible," Sasori murmured, ready to savor the sensation further when suddenly, the tightly closed door burst open.
"How dare you!" The Kazekage Puppet under Sasori's control shot a frigid glare, unleashing an overwhelming aura that instantly activated both the Ryumyaku energy within.
The Anbu member—part of Sunagakure's elite ninja unit—who had opened the door froze in place, too terrified to move.
Calmly suppressing his aura, Sasori questioned icily, "You dare enter without my permission? If we weren't short on manpower in Sunagakure Village right now, you'd already be dead."
Several Anbu members knelt on the ground, saying, "Kazekage-sama, we sensed chakra fluctuations inside the room. We were afraid you'd been targeted for assassination, so we..."
"I understand. This time will serve as a warning." How could Sasori not comprehend the Anbu's intentions? He casually dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand: "There won't be another incident like this. You're dismissed."
"Hai." The Anbu quickly vanished from sight. After the door closed, the Kazekage Puppet sat back down in its seat while Sasori continued getting used to it.
Meanwhile, Anya asked Sasori's true body, "How is it going?"
Sasori gave a satisfied nod and said, "That's impressive. Moreover, our Ryumyaku energy can be shared between us. This enormous amount of chakra surpasses even that of tailed beasts. However, it requires practice time. I can't fight effectively using the Kazekage Puppet right away."
Indeed, this wasn't exactly Sasori's familiar fighting style. It works fine against small fry, but when facing opponents of equal strength, he could easily be exposed. Fortunately, no one in Sunagakure Village would dare challenge the Kazekage directly.
Having resolved this difficult issue, Anya felt extremely pleased and prepared to leave.
"Just one thing though..." Sasori frowned slightly.
Anya quickly asked, "What problem is there?"
Sasori said with an expression of disgust, "The Kazekage has to process so many documents every day. It's giving me a headache."
"That's simple enough. Didn't I set someone aside for you?" Remembering a phrase from a past life, Anya threw in, "Let the secretary do the work when there's work to do, and... well, you know."
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