Chapter 350: Go Back
Inside Sasori's temporary residence, it was completely silent.
After a long while, Sasori spoke indifferently: "Boring."
Masahiko turned his head to look at Chiyo, who was waiting for his explanation, and gave her a 'reassuring' look.
"This is the third time Sasori has said 'boring', and it's different from the previous two." Masahiko smiled and said, "This time, because of what you said, Chiyo, he reminisced about his youth in the Hidden Sand Village and was slightly moved. But he also felt that restoring his flesh and blood body is an impossible thing, just empty talk, so he used 'boring' to cover up his disappointed mood."
Hearing this, Chiyo's spirits lifted, and she repeated loudly: "Sasori, go back with me! I will figure out a way!"
"Tch, boring!" Sasori also increased his volume, but his answer remained unchanged.
Masahiko's mouth twitched. Sasori, can't you say something else?
Chiyo was looking at him again. Masahiko felt a headache coming on, his brows furrowing tightly: "This is the fourth time he has said 'boring', and it's still different from the first three times..."
Masahiko pondered for a long time, glared at Sasori, and acted a bit recklessly: "There is no specific meaning this time, he just wants to make me not know how to explain it!"
As soon as his voice fell, Sasori's puppet body trembled fiercely, his 'Pretend to be a Puppet Divine Skill' completely broken.
Eh? I actually guessed right? I truly am a senior who sees through people's hearts. Masahiko beamed with joy, muttering to himself inwardly.
Chiyo paused for a moment and looked at Sasori with a face full of sorrow. She wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Masahiko.
"At this time, Chiyo, you should start pouring out your grievances. The content is nothing more than: losing your husband in your youth, losing your son and younger brother in middle age, and in your old age, you only hope to have your grandson Sasori by your side."
"Then Sasori will be even more moved, and say 'boring' one more time to prevent himself from being disturbed by familial affection."
"And then Chiyo will continue to appeal to emotion and reason. She will help you, Sasori, recall your childhood times, and even bring out the 'Father and Mother' puppets to move you."
"And then again, Sasori will still say 'boring'. This time it's directed at his childhood self who made the 'Father and Mother' puppets, but Sasori's true thoughts in his heart are not like this. Rather, they are 'I really want to go back to those simple times of the past, but unfortunately, I can't go back'."
"And then again and again, Chiyo will..."
...
About half an hour later.
"After Chiyo says this sentence, Sasori's puppet body can no longer conceal his earnest heart, and two streams of tears flow from his eyes: 'Granny! I'll go back with you!'" Masahiko's tone was full of rich emotion.
Having narrated for so long, Masahiko felt a bit thirsty. He licked his lips, thinking of asking for a cup of water, but noticed that Chiyo and Sasori were both looking at him expressionlessly in unison.
Masahiko scratched his head: "You two... shouldn't you be hugging each other, crying bitterly, and then returning to the Hidden Sand Village together at this point? Oh, you want to thank me? No need, no need, just get me a cup of water to drink."
Chiyo gave Masahiko a look full of helplessness, turned her head and said: "Sasori, go back with me."
"Chiyo, why are you starting over again?" Masahiko frowned.
"Boring," Sasori responded indifferently.
Eh? Masahiko's mind was a bit messy. Didn't we already get past this part of the plot?
...
If the narrator is ignored by the conversationalists, it becomes completely meaningless.
Narrator Uzumaki thus became Listener Uzumaki, or rather, Spectator Uzumaki.
In front of Masahiko, an annual family drama was hotly staged: the sincere and earnest veteran actor Chiyo vs. the cold and ruthless fresh meat Sasori. In the end... Chiyo suffered a complete defeat, because everything she could say had already been said by Masahiko earlier.
But Chiyo did not give up, once again seeking help from the audience on the sidelines, prompting 'Best Actor Uzumaki' to make a friendly guest appearance.
"Sasori, before I persuade you, can you first transform with a 'kaka-kaka-kaka-kaka' for me to see?" Masahiko now understood that he had gotten a bit carried away earlier, and wanted to break the awkward atmosphere first.
Sasori: "..."
Endure it, I must endure it. I almost can't afford to buy senbon anymore!
Actually, senbon were not expensive. The value of 50 senbon was only equivalent to a single kunai, just a thousand Ryo. But even so, the value of all the senbon Sasori had shot at Masahiko these past few days added up to nearly a million, let alone the precious poisons he had coated them with.
Over the years, wandering alone outside, Sasori had killed quite a few wandering ninjas in passing, or done some 'robbery' business. But being a puppet master was a money-burning technical profession. Concocting poisons cost money, and making puppets also cost money. Fortunately, he turned himself into a puppet, saving money on food, but his savings had never been much.
If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have accepted such a dangerous mission from the Land of Rain, even with the temptation of Hanzo's corpse.
Thinking of this, Sasori suddenly remembered the bounty he would receive after the successful alliance. He looked up and interrupted Masahiko's earnest persuasion: "Granny Chiyo, don't waste time here. You should go find the Tsuchikage to discuss the alliance."
"Alliance?" Chiyo was stunned.
She had heard that Sasori appeared in the Hidden Stone Village and rushed over immediately. As for the reason and purpose of Sasori's appearance here, she did not know yet.
Masahiko smiled on the side and continued to persuade: "Sasori, look how much your granny cares about you..."
"What alliance?" Chiyo interrupted.
Masahiko paused, then spoke again to persuade: "See, she didn't even know the reason for your appearance in the Hidden Stone Village, yet she rushed over..."
"The alliance between the Land of Rain and the Hidden Sand Village," Sasori interrupted.
Masahiko paused again, then continued: "That's right, it's the leader of the Land of Rain, Yahiko, who wants to..."
"The Land of Rain actually wants to form an alliance with the Hidden Sand Village?" Chiyo frowned and interrupted.
Masahiko: ???
Didn't we agree it was my turn to persuade Sasori? Why are you not letting me speak again?
Belly full of grievances, Masahiko quietly watched Chiyo and Sasori ask and answer clearly about the reasons and methods of the alliance, sentence by sentence, and then the room fell into silence once again.
After a long time, Chiyo broke the silence: "Sasori, since you can mediate for the Land of Rain, why refuse to return to the village?"
"This is just a highly rewarding mission I took in my spare time," Sasori said expressionlessly.
Chiyo let out a long sigh and shook her head: "The new leader of the Land of Rain has good ideas, just a bit naive. But... I cannot make decisions on behalf of the Hidden Sand Village with full authority on such major issues; I can only give my own opinion."
Sasori said indifferently: "No rush."
Masahiko scratched his beautiful red hair, looked at the two who had fallen silent again, and raised an eyebrow: "Finally finished talking? Then kaka-kaka-kaka-kaka, it's transformation time!"
Sasori silently stood up: "Granny, you can go and discuss it with the Tsuchikage."
Chiyo nodded and glanced at Masahiko: "Senior, we are going to find Ohnoki."
Watching the two walk away, Masahiko shook his head and laughed, shouting loudly from behind: "Sasori, look how much your granny loves you! She couldn't even bear to let you go 'kaka' for me to see! Go back!"
Sasori's puppet body jammed for a second, probably... it was time to apply some lubricating oil.
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