Chapter 177: Konan vs. Sasori of the Red Sand! (Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes!)
Land of Wind.
Boundless desert.
Sasori of the Red Sand had just emerged from a village, unfortunately, with nothing to show for it.
"Konoha's White Fang should be dead by now," Sasori of the Red Sand mused to himself.
The reason he hadn't finished him off at the time was that Hatake Sakumo's companion had arrived, and he was confident in the deadly poison he had personally concocted.
He believed that after such a long time, even a top-tier medical ninja like Tsunade would absolutely be unable to heal the gravely injured Hatake Sakumo.
Afterward, Sasori of the Red Sand immediately entered the Land of Wind.
He knew very well that Hatake Sakumo held a significant position in Konoha, and Konoha would surely hunt him down.
Furthermore, when the cowardly Sunagakure learned that he had turned the Third Kazekage into a puppet, they would undoubtedly join forces with Konoha.
Therefore, the Land of Wind was the most suitable place to hide.
This was because the harsh environment there allowed for excellent concealment.
At the same time.
He also needed to find suitable materials to replenish his puppets.
After all, that was the once renowned Konoha's White Fang, and after the battle, his puppets were reduced to only the Third Kazekage.
"Heh, Konoha and Sunagakure should be searching everywhere for my tracks now, but they won't succeed."
Sasori of the Red Sand thought of the Konoha and Sand Ninja scurrying about like ants, and a smile crept onto his lips.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Sasori of the Red Sand stopped in his tracks and looked at a strange woman in front of him.
Konan, who had used the Art of the Godly Paper and possessed paper wings, looked down at Sasori of the Red Sand below. "It seems that village is your masterpiece, Sasori of the Red Sand!"
"You know me... What is your purpose?" Sasori of the Red Sand demanded.
Her hair and robes swayed in the wind, Konan said calmly, "I want to invite you to join Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?"
Sasori of the Red Sand asked, "I haven't heard of it!"
"It seems your information is a bit lacking."
Konan replied, "But it's okay, you'll know today."
"And for future operations, we will need your strength, so lend us a hand!"
Sasori of the Red Sand sneered, "Your tone is quite condescending, and this high-and-mighty attitude is also very annoying."
Konan's expression was as usual. "You can think of Akatsuki as a sanctuary for rogue ninja."
"You know, out there, Konoha ninja and Sand Ninja are looking for you everywhere, and finding this place is only a matter of time."
"It's worth mentioning that although gravely wounding Konoha's White Fang was a remarkable achievement, there are many people in Konoha stronger than Konoha's White Fang."
"For example, Sarutobi Asuma, known as the new demigod of the ninja world!"
Sasori of the Red Sand's expression changed slightly. He asked in a deep voice, "Did you just say... Hatake Sakumo isn't dead?"
"Of course!"
Konan affirmed, "Akatsuki's intel is never wrong!"
"As expected of a top-tier medical ninja..."
Sasori of the Red Sand praised coldly, "If I were afraid of Konoha, I wouldn't have made a move."
"Besides, I prefer to rely on my own strength to protect myself!"
Konan landed on the sand from the air, the wings on her back spreading out and transforming into countless paper sheets that whizzed past Sasori of the Red Sand.
Sasori of the Red Sand turned his head to observe the white paper flying past him, while Konan said, "As long as you complete the mission, no one will care what you do. We can even provide some assistance for what you need."
"If Konoha and Sunagakure find you now, even our organization's leader might not be able to protect you."
Sasori of the Red Sand smiled faintly upon hearing this. "I see, it sounds not bad, but..."
Taking out a scroll from behind him, Sasori of the Red Sand crouched down and opened it, looking up at Konan. "Although it's not a bad offer, I first need to confirm if you have the ability to protect me!"
With that said, Sasori of the Red Sand pressed the scroll, and smoke billowed out. "Today's luck isn't too bad. Although I came up empty just now, you seem to be a very good material."
As the smoke dissipated, the puppet made from the Third Kazekage appeared.
Sasori of the Red Sand stood up straight, looking at the expressionless Konan, and laughed, "Smile, and I will turn you into a collection that is no less than the Third Kazekage!"
As his voice fell, Sasori of the Red Sand raised his right hand, and chakra threads appeared at his fingertips. The floating Third Kazekage puppet spread its arms, and with a clang, two sharp, poison-coated blades shot out from its sleeves.
Konan frowned slightly.
The next moment, the Third Kazekage puppet spun in mid-air before lunging at Konan at high speed.
Konan watched calmly.
Sasori of the Red Sand grinned excitedly, moved his right hand, and the Third Kazekage puppet's blade hands crossed with a clang, slicing Konan into three.
Whoosh!
The Konan body, cut into three pieces, suddenly disintegrated, turning into countless white papers.
"Here we go again..."
Sasori of the Red Sand frowned. "What kind of ninjutsu is this, hmm?"
The countless white papers in the air suddenly accelerated towards him, whistling past him from both sides.
Sasori of the Red Sand turned and saw the papers converge, gradually piecing themselves into a human form.
"I can't do anything about you, it seems I have no choice but to use force to take you."
Konan, formed from the white papers, spoke with a hint of helplessness.
Sasori of the Red Sand raised his hand, and the Third Kazekage puppet behind him flew up and landed in front of him. "Heh, you're quite interesting, but don't underestimate me. Otherwise, be prepared for me to inspect you inside and out!"
As his voice fell, the Third Kazekage puppet lunged again.
Konan raised her right hand, and her arm immediately dispersed into sheets of paper that flew forward, enveloping the Third Kazekage puppet from both sides.
"Hmm?"
Sasori of the Red Sand's expression changed. He moved his hand, but the Third Kazekage puppet still fell uncontrollably from the sky, crashing to the ground with a thud.
"My techniques are completely countered..."
Sasori of the Red Sand's heart sank. It was the papers that suppressed the puppet's mechanisms, rendering even a powerful puppet like the Third Kazekage useless.
"I'll say it again, join us and lend us your strength."
Konan spoke again.
Sasori of the Red Sand snorted, retracted the puppet with a gesture, and said, "Since I can't defeat you, it proves your organization does have some strength."
"In that case, there's no other choice. I'll join Akatsuki, and go wherever you go, as long as I can collect enough materials."
Konan retracted her papers and said indifferently, "You seem surprisingly reasonable. However, as you wish."
Sasori of the Red Sand snorted. "I just want to see who exactly this Akatsuki Organization is."
"And your ninjutsu is indeed quite special."
Sasori of the Red Sand looked up at the fluttering white papers and said deeply, "Perhaps I can feel an artistry I've never experienced before!"
Those with ability always have something special.
Konan lowered her eyes with a hint of helplessness. "I can't guarantee that, but once you join Akatsuki, I'm sure you won't regret it."
And at that moment.
On top of the bare, giant stone pillar behind Sasori of the Red Sand, Zetsu emerged. "It seems to be going very smoothly."
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