Chapter 55: The Red Sand
Amidst the boundless desert, the brutal sun bore down upon two figures traversing the barren sands.
Behind Uchiha Kagami, Kakuzu was being dragged across the sand, bound and bruised. His flesh was shredded, and every inch of him was caked with blood and sand.
Kagami sighed, a look of admiration crossing his face.
"As expected from a ninja who lived through the era of the First Hokage. Your willpower is truly unyielding!"
Kakuzu, breathing heavily, let out a bitter laugh. "You can kill me, but you'll never get my money! You think a bit of genjutsu torture will break me?"
Kagami nodded solemnly, as if moved. "I respect you. A man like you doesn't deserve to die here. Go on, you're free to leave."
---
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, his dull green pupils scrutinizing Kagami deeply.
"Uchiha Kagami… I must admit, you share the same boldness as Hashirama Senju."
"Hmph, work on raising your bounty. I'll come for you again!"
With that, Kakuzu tore off the ropes binding him and turned to leave. He trusted that someone as strong as Kagami wouldn't stoop to trickery.
Heh… You may have the upper hand now, Kagami. But in fifty years? Just you wait!
---
Watching Kakuzu walk off, Kagami casually pulled a bankbook from his pocket.
"The password is six-seven, four twos, followed by the kanji for 'Takigakure.' Remember it, and deliver this to that stingy old hag. Tell her to withdraw the money immediately."
He handed the bankbook to his summon, Revolver, who was still in his oversized cat form.
"With this, not only will we pay off the previous ninja tool balance, but we'll also cover the Uchiha Clan's tool expenses for an entire year."
Revolver's ears twitched nervously. He'd overheard Kakuzu muttering the bank details under his breath during the torture.
Who knew bounty hunting was so profitable…
---
There was no way Kagami would kill someone as valuable as Kakuzu.
The veteran bounty hunter would only grow more determined to earn money after realizing his stash was gone. Next time they crossed paths, Kagami could bleed him dry again.
Years ago, Kagami might've struggled against someone like Kakuzu. But now, with his current strength and insider knowledge of Kakuzu's techniques, it only took three minutes to subdue him.
Still, Kakuzu had some admirable traits. Despite enduring relentless genjutsu torture, he'd only revealed the password after losing consciousness.
With a puff of smoke, Revolver vanished, returning to the Cat Realm.
Kagami continued walking, his destination not far.
According to his map, the ancient kingdom of Roran was nearby. However, maps were often imprecise.
---
Pressing his fingers against the sandy ground, Kagami sent waves of chakra into the earth, expanding his sensory range.
He lacked Minato's innate sensing abilities but compensated by using sheer chakra reserves to cover a broader area.
Closing his eyes, he visualized the terrain within a ten-kilometer radius.
Nothing.
"Such a barren place," he muttered. "No wonder the Land of Wind is so fond of war."
---
Hours later, Kagami's brows furrowed as he detected a strange chakra signature.
Unlike a typical ninja's, it felt hollow, as if it lacked vitality.
He leaped in its direction, soon spotting a faint speck of orange amidst the dunes.
As he approached, the figure noticed him as well, immediately adopting a defensive stance.
Kagami halted a short distance away, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"The ninja world is small, isn't it? Or perhaps rogue ninja like you just prefer desolate places. Scorpion."
---
"Uchiha Kagami," the man muttered, his expression darkening.
Chakra threads extended from his fingers, ready to summon his puppet—the Third Kazekage.
Kagami's reputation as "Crimson Eye" preceded him. While Scorpion, or Sasori, had earned his S-rank rogue ninja status, he knew he couldn't compare to someone who could sway the outcomes of entire battles between nations.
"Aren't you supposed to be playing cat and mouse with Sakumo Hatake? What brings you here?"
Kagami didn't rush to attack. He was tired of constant fights. Besides, fighting someone like Sasori would end too quickly to be entertaining.
Sasori's eyes narrowed, his voice low. "The Land of Wind is my home. What's so strange about me being here? The real question is, what are you doing away from the front lines?"
Kagami paused thoughtfully, then chuckled.
"I get it. You're here for Roran, aren't you? Out of puppets after fighting Sakumo, so now you're looking for a restock?"
---
Sasori stiffened, panic flashing through his mind.
Damn it! Am I under genjutsu?
No, that's impossible. I don't rely on sight to perceive the world—I'm a human puppet! So how…?
Did I say something to give it away?
No, his words hadn't revealed anything.
But how else could Kagami know?
---
With a puff, the Third Kazekage puppet floated into the air, Sasori's face set in a grim scowl.
"Crimson Eye… Let's see if you live up to your name!"
---
Kagami casually swiped his fingers through the air, sending an invisible slash that severed Sasori's chakra threads.
As the Kazekage puppet dropped to the ground, Sasori moved to reconnect the threads, only to hear Kagami's voice again.
"Your core is in your left atrium. Destroy that, and you're finished."
The cold, emotionless tone sent chills down Sasori's spine.
"Your secrets are laid bare before these eyes. Sakumo might've spared you, but don't expect me to do the same."
---
In a flash, Kagami appeared beside Sasori, his hand clamping down on the rogue ninja's shoulder.
Though Sasori's body was a puppet, he still felt a deathly chill emanating from Kagami's touch.
"I'm heading to Roran myself. Maybe I'll let you keep some of the puppets I don't find useful."
"Join me, or…" Kagami's fingers tightened.
"You have three seconds left to live."
---
"…Fine," Sasori finally muttered.
"Traveling with you might offer some… new artistic inspiration."
Kagami smirked, releasing Sasori.
"Good choice. Let's get along, shall we, Red Sand Sasori?"
---
The two figures moved through the desert, Sasori trailing slightly behind Kagami.
The biting sandstorm didn't faze Sasori's puppet body, but he couldn't help noticing something strange about Kagami.
The sand seemed to avoid him entirely, falling straight to the ground just before touching his skin.
He's maintaining a chakra shield against the sand… constantly?
What a monster…
Sasori, who had assassinated the Third Kazekage, felt no urge to strike from behind.
Eventually, Kagami stopped, pressing his hand to the ground once more.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"Found it."
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