Chapter 17 — Sasori, Reborn!
The following morning, Sasori awoke.
The sterile scent of medicine lingered in the hospital room, mixing faintly with the dry, dusty air that always seemed to drift in from the desert outside. Sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting pale golden lines across the bed where the once-infamous puppet master lay motionless.
For a long moment, he simply stared at the ceiling, his eyes unfocused—as though uncertain whether he had truly returned to the world of the living.
Then his gaze slowly shifted.
When he saw the familiar figures standing beside his bed—Chiyo and Ebizō—something in his expression softened.
The cold indifference that had once filled his eyes was gone.
"I saw Father… and Mother… at Yomotsu Hirasaka."
His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.
"They told me to go back… They said it isn't time yet… not time for the family to be reunited."
At that, his voice faltered.
The words caught in his throat, and for a moment, he couldn't continue.
Granny Chiyo's fingers trembled slightly. Beside her, Ebizō lowered his head, his expression heavy.
Because the man lying in that bed was no ordinary patient.
He was Sasori of the Red Sand—an S-rank missing-nin of Sunagakure. A criminal whose name alone once inspired fear across the shinobi world.
Five elite jōnin stood guard around the room, their eyes never leaving Sasori for even a moment.
The instant Sasori stirred awake, Baki stepped forward without hesitation.
"You can exchange pleasantries later, Granny Chiyo," he said firmly. "You need to seal Sasori's hands first."
His voice was calm—but absolute.
"A puppeteer's hands are his life."
Granny Chiyo had prepared herself for this moment. She had known it would come. She had repeated it in her mind countless times, steeling her resolve.
But now that the moment had truly arrived…
She hesitated.
Her eyes lingered on Sasori's hands—pale and still against the hospital sheets.
Hands that had once crafted masterpieces.
Hands that had also slaughtered countless shinobi.
Baki's tone turned colder.
"I'm sorry. Either you seal Sasori's hands… or we execute him immediately."
The room fell silent.
"This is the Fourth Kazekage's decision."
Every word was clear. Every word final.
Sasori heard everything.
Slowly, with visible effort, he raised his hands.
They trembled slightly—whether from weakness or resignation, even he did not know.
"Granny Chiyo…" he said softly.
"Just do as they say."
Ebizō sighed deeply and rolled up his sleeves.
"Sister… let me handle it."
But Chiyo shook her head.
"No."
Her voice was quiet—but firm.
"I was the one who taught Sasori puppetry."
Her eyes never left her grandson's hands.
"So let me be the one to end it."
Those hands…
So talented.
So deadly.
So irreplaceable.
Taking a slow breath, Granny Chiyo formed a series of seals. Her chakra gathered at her fingertips, thin strands of energy weaving together like invisible threads.
Then she pressed her hands down onto Sasori's palms.
Two curse marks spread outward instantly, crawling across his skin like dark ink soaking into paper.
The sealing technique activated.
The chakra pathways in Sasori's hands locked shut.
Every jutsu he had ever mastered—every puppet technique, every hidden mechanism—was sealed away in that instant.
The room seemed to grow heavier.
"Sasori," Chiyo said gently, her voice trembling despite her composure.
"From now on… let us two old folks stay by your side. All right?"
Sasori stared at his hands for a long time.
They felt numb.
Distant.
Like they no longer truly belonged to him.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Even without puppetry… these hands can still pursue art."
Chiyo and Ebizō froze.
They had prepared themselves for anger. For despair. For silence.
But not for acceptance.
Not for hope.
Relief flooded their faces almost instantly.
Baki, however, did not share their joy.
Neither did the other Sand shinobi.
Allowing Sasori to live as an ordinary civilian was already the greatest mercy the village could offer.
After all…
This was the man who had assassinated the Third Kazekage. No matter what he did now, there was no path back into the village's ranks.
Sasori flexed his stiff fingers slowly, as if reacquainting himself with them.
"One day," he said quietly, "I'll create a puppet strong enough to protect the entire village."
His eyes were steady.
"And I'll pass it on… to someone worthy."
Chiyo wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded repeatedly.
"I haven't lived all these years for nothing…"
Beside her, Ebizō also began to cry—openly and without restraint.
Baki gave a small gesture.
One by one, the Sand shinobi withdrew from the room.
Only Yashamaru remained behind, quietly observing. This had been Rasa's order.
Sasori was not to be left unwatched.
But there was another observer present as well.
Hidden deep beneath the floor.
Zetsu listened in silence from underground.
He did not surface.
Nor did he attack.
Instead, he chose to withdraw.
"Even with Sasori's hands sealed… Chiyo and Ebizō aren't easy opponents," he thought. "I'll have to find another opportunity."
His concern wasn't Sasori himself.
It was the secrets Sasori carried.
Secrets about the Akatsuki.
Secrets that could not be allowed to spread.
In truth, however, his fears were unnecessary.
Rasa regarded the Akatsuki as nothing more than a mercenary organization that sheltered rogue ninja. He had little interest in pursuing them further.
---
Baki said "Sasori woke up."
Seiki smiled faintly when he heard the news.
Then he picked up his luggage and followed Jiraiya aboard a ship bound for the Land of Water.
"Thank you for taking care of us this past year."
Baki scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I should be the one apologizing. I imprisoned you at first."
He hesitated before continuing.
"I should've trusted my instincts. Any man who enjoys sand baths is a man worth trusting."
Seiki laughed.
"Your instincts weren't wrong," he said. "Don't doubt them next time."
Then he waved casually.
"Goodbye. I'm off."
Just as he finished speaking—
A figure landed lightly on the dock.
It was Pakura.
"Sarutobi Seiki," she said. "Have you forgotten our wager?"
Seiki grinned.
"Of course not."
Without another word, Pakura tossed him a scroll.
"This scroll can track my location. In ten days… follow it and find me."
Then she turned away sharply, her expression deliberately cold.
But the men on the ship were already staring, captivated by the elegant lines of her back.
Without turning around, Pakura raised a small red fireball in her palm.
"Anyone who wants to die can keep staring."
The effect was immediate.
Everyone snapped their heads forward.
Everyone except Jiraiya, who scribbled furiously into his notebook.
"Incredible… this is perfect material! Miss Pakura, when my book is finished, I'll send you a copy!"
"I'm not interested," she replied flatly.
Seiki sighed.
"If you give her a copy of Icha Icha Paradise, she'll kill you."
Jiraiya froze.
"Icha Icha Paradise…?"
His eyes lit up.
"That's a great title!"
He immediately wrote the name across the notebook's cover.
Seiki blinked.
"…So I named it?"
Throwing an arm around Jiraiya's shoulder, he grinned.
"When it becomes a bestseller, don't forget my share."
Jiraiya laughed.
"Not a chance. I've got other uses for that money."
"You're still paying off Tsunade's debts? It's hopeless. That woman's a bottomless pit."
Jiraiya flushed red.
"What do you know? A man's love runs deep!"
"So unrequited love counts as deep now?" Seiki smirked. "I dare Pakura to kiss me. Do you dare ask Tsunade?"
Pakura stomped her foot.
"Baki! You didn't hear anything just now. Right?"
Baki nodded stiffly.
He wasn't brave enough to provoke her.
"See you in ten days," Seiki called. "No—nine!"
"Hmph. As if I care."
But as the ship sailed away, Pakura's cold expression slowly softened.
War was coming.
And in wartime…
Every farewell might be the last.
Sarutobi Seiki… she thought quietly.
You'd better not die.
Standing on the deck, Seiki held the scroll in his hand.
It still carried a faint warmth.
Ahead of them lay the Land of Water.
Their destination: Kirigakure — the Village of the Bloody Mist.
"Farewell, Sunagakure," Seiki murmured.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Pakura… see you in Kirigakure."