Chapter 32: Sand Scorpion
The yellow sand howled, and the scorching sun baked the earth.
In the Sand Shinobi Village, inside the Kazekage Building, a meeting room was in session.
At the center of the meeting room was a large round table several meters wide, surrounded by over a dozen Sand Shinobi, all veteran ninjas of the village.
Seated at the head was a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with short red hair and the character "Love" tattooed on his forehead.
"Cough~"
A ninja in the room cleared his throat and began, "Recently, our interactions with other nations have become frequent, and trade is gradually connecting, especially with the Land of Fire. This has greatly boosted our country's economy. Thanks to the newly excavated river, our water shortage has been significantly alleviated, with 70% of the population's drinking water needs now met."
After reporting, the Sand Shinobi smiled.
"70% of the population?"
"That river must be heavily guarded."
"Yes, it's our river of hope."
The atmosphere in the meeting room was relaxed, with most ninjas wearing smiles.
Chiyo, the elder sitting to the side, looked at the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, and nodded in satisfaction. She was very pleased with this generation's Kazekage.
"Also, in terms of training new recruits, since introducing Konoha's educational curriculum, there has been noticeable improvement."
"The Chunin Exams are coming up soon. The results are something to look forward to."
"Indeed, that's good news. They are the future of the village."
The mood in the meeting room was positive, with most ninjas appearing at ease.
"However..." a Sand Shinobi with a small mustache and hair covering his right eye spoke up.
"What's wrong, Yura?"
Maki, who was also present, spoke up as well. Maki held a high position in the Sand Shinobi Village, second only to Chiyo.
Yura hesitated for a moment, and the previous lighthearted atmosphere in the room gradually faded. They had just discussed the good news; now it was time for the bad.
"Have you all heard of the organization known as Akatsuki?" Yura asked, looking around the room.
"I've heard a bit about it."
"It's said to be a group of rogue ninjas. They've been very active lately. The assassination of the Daimyo of the River Country some time ago was their doing."
The ninjas present nodded in agreement. Gaara, at the head of the table, remained silent, simply listening.
Although Gaara was the Kazekage, there were still many ninjas in the village who didn't fully accept him. A village couldn't be without a Kage, and with Konoha's tacit approval, Gaara had become the Kazekage.
"Akatsuki is composed of over a dozen members..."
Yura began recounting the information he knew. For some reason, as he spoke, a sharp pain shot through his head, causing his vision to blur.
A seal appeared in Yura's mind. As he mentioned Akatsuki, fragmented memories began to surface.
"What's wrong, Yura?"
As a Jonin of the Sand Shinobi Village, Yura had a decent network of connections.
"It's nothing."
Yura continued to relay the intelligence on Akatsuki, but his mind grew increasingly hazy.
*Crack.*
A crisp sound echoed in Yura's ears. A seal shattered, and a flood of memories surged into his mind.
...
In the Land of Wind, on a vast expanse of desert.
Three figures walked slowly across the sand, each wearing a wooden conical hat with strips of cloth hanging around the brim.
*Jingle.*
The sound of a bell rang out. One of the hats had a red string tied to it, with a small bell attached.
Su Xiao paid no mind to the bell. It helped alleviate the irritation of traveling through the desert, which was no easy task.
The three had originally been riding on Deidara's clay bird, but after reaching the desert, they were forced to walk.
The wind and sand were too strong, and the temperature above was scorching. They would have dehydrated quickly, so flying in the desert was suicidal.
Moreover, Deidara needed to expend chakra to control the clay bird. Entering the Land of Wind was different from entering the Land of Water, which was surrounded by an ocean and had no worries about enemies appearing.
"Scorpion, how much further?" Su Xiao asked, pulling out a bottle of water. He drank half and handed the remaining half to Bubu Wang, who gulped it down in a few seconds.
Bubu Wang stuck out his tongue, looking utterly miserable. He desperately wanted to shed his "genuine leather coat."
"About half a day to reach the Sand Shinobi Village."
With Scorpion around, they didn't need a guide. Scorpion had grown up in this desert country.
Su Xiao stepped on the soft sand beneath his feet, leaving deep footprints. The sand made walking more laborious.
"So hot. I hate this sand. Pfft." Deidara spat out sand that had blown into his mouth.
"Are you sure that bag of clay is enough? Our target this time is a Jinchuriki." Su Xiao glanced at the small pouch in Deidara's hand. The three chatted while traveling to stave off boredom.
"All my jutsu are art. And this time, I've prepared my 'Eighteen Number' in advance, since our target is the One-Tail." Deidara patted the ninja tool pouch at his waist, which contained special clay.
As the three continued forward, the Red Secret Technique: Machinery of the Scorpion suddenly stopped. Inside, Scorpion seemed to have detected something.
Noticing this, Su Xiao placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
"Enemy?"
"No, there's good news. A pawn I planted in the Sand Shinobi Village long ago has been activated."
"A pawn?" Deidara looked at Scorpion with confusion.
"It's the same technique I traded with Orochimaru."
"Oh? So we don't have to fight our way in?"
"No. The plan has changed. We'll infiltrate."
Su Xiao didn't understand what they were talking about. Sensing his confusion, Scorpion thought for a moment and explained, "I placed an informant in the Sand Shinobi Village a long time ago. A seal was placed in his mind, so he doesn't know he's a spy. This prevents him from being suspected. Before this mission, I activated the seal. If all goes well, he'll be the key to this mission."
A spy who doesn't know they're a spy can often play an unexpected role.
"A spy who doesn't know their identity? Hopefully, he can help us get into the Sand Shinobi Village. Fighting our way in head-on isn't a good idea."
With the strength of the three of them, a frontal assault on the Sand Shinobi Village would still be somewhat difficult.
"We'll see how it goes. I've already contacted him. From the current situation, this pawn is useful. But after the mission, I need a favor, Bai Ye."
"What is it?"
"Eliminate this pawn."
Su Xiao glanced sideways at Scorpion.
"..."
"It's my personal matter. I need to settle something afterward."
Deidara also looked at Scorpion.
"That's not a smart choice. It doesn't align with your art."
"Who knows."
The three continued on, and the team fell into silence.
Su Xiao could clearly sense that Scorpion had already accepted death. This feeling had emerged when they entered this desert.
"I'll take care of that pawn for you afterward."
"Thanks."
Su Xiao and Deidara exchanged a glance, and Deidara gave an imperceptible nod.
"Scorpion, Deidara and I will handle capturing the Jinchuriki. You conserve your strength and deal with any pursuers. How about it?"
Scorpion didn't respond, which was taken as tacit agreement.
After five hours of crossing the desert, a stepped circular wall appeared faintly in the distance. This circular wall protected the Sand Shinobi Village, reducing wind and sand while also preventing infiltration by ninjas from other nations.
At that moment, Sand Shinobi were stationed along the stepped wall. One of them squinted, spotting figures in the distance.