According to the original plan, the destroyed heart was supposed to be Earth-type—one of the easiest to obtain. With two Kage-level experts working together, it wasn't long before a lone Earth Release ninja found himself targeted and had his heart stolen by Kakuzu.
With the new heart secured, Kakuzu and Anya rode toward Sunagakure Village aboard the Eagle Puppet.
This time, Anya planned to have Kakuzu infiltrate Sunagakure's leadership. With the Kazekage Puppet, Sasori, and Kakuzu all in play, firmly controlling the village wouldn't be an issue.
Now that her impersonation of Kurotsuchi had been exposed, there was sure to be a confrontation between Sasori and Chiyo. If persuasion failed, Anya would have no choice but to take drastic action—that meeting would be critical.
After hearing what Anya had said, Kakuzu seemed indifferent, though he repeatedly asked, "When exactly are you planning to deal with Rasa?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "Didn't I already tell you? His position is too important right now—he's got everyone in Sunagakure watching him like a hawk. We can't make a move yet. At the very least, we'll need to wait until after the Third Battle ends."
"And how much longer will that take? The war's dragged on this long without a clear outcome," Kakuzu muttered frustratedly.
"That's why I'm bringing you over there myself, okay? You can personally keep tabs on him constantly if it bothers you so much," Anya sighed helplessly. "Uncle, I feel like ever since you joined the Organization, your obsession with money's gotten worse and worse."
"You dare talk like that?" At the mention of the Organization, Kakuzu's temper flared. "We founded this thing together three people strong, but you vanish for days at a time, and Sasori's always messing around with his puppets. Every single problem always gets dumped on me. Now the Organization's grown so big—just handing out payments, distributing antidotes, and verifying missions on a monthly basis takes tons of work. Have you ever worried about any of that?"
"Uh..." Feeling uneasy, Anya scrambled to appease him, flattering, "Uncle, with all your years of experience, managing an operation this small must be a piece of cake for you, right?"
From what Anya knew, Kakuzu's background as a Bounty Hunter meant he was extremely capable in these areas—especially when it came to handling finances. No one ever missed their share, and shady dealings in missions never slipped past him unnoticed. Many outer circle members deeply respected—and feared—Kakuzu. She never thought he'd do this well.
Hearing the flattery, Kakuzu dropped his complaints and asked instead, "So now that you want me involved in Sunagakure, does that mean transferring the entire Organization here too?"
Anya was ready for the question and calmly replied, "Only those who can integrate into the village will be moved over. As for the rest, I plan to let our new official members handle management. Of course, the money part will still be under your control."
"More official members? Who?" Kakuzu asked sharply—he knew well enough how significant that title was within the Organization.
A familiar name slipped from Anya's lips: "Sanshouo Hanzo."
"It's him? He actually agreed to give up leading Rain Country just to join our newly formed group?" Kakuzu couldn't hide his surprise.
"In the ninja world, power earns respect. If he can't beat me, joining the Organization is his only choice."
Seeing Anya's calm expression, Kakuzu finally realized—this Anya before him was no longer that weakling who could be killed with a single slap. Just by how easily she destroyed one of his hearts, her true combat strength definitely wasn't inferior to his.
Recalling their first meeting, Kakuzu felt an unusual sense of time passing, even a rare wave of nostalgia. After a while, he asked, "Hot Springs Country's pretty far from Sunagakure. You expect me to make the round trip every month?"
"No need for all that hassle," Anya said with a faint smile. "The Organization now has another official member—Secretary. With her around, distance isn't an issue anymore."
[Heavenly Transfer Technique] was absolutely the best delivery jutsu in the Naruto world. Back in a past life, if Mabui became a courier, she'd have made enough to break the bank.
"Anya," Kakuzu rarely called her by name.
"Huh? What?" Anya looked puzzled.
Kakuzu remained silent for a moment before saying, "Nothing. I just feel like you've suddenly grown up."
Hearing this, Anya gave a faint smile. Growing up was natural with experience—but it always came at a cost: every shift in emotion, every stage of growth, and every stretch of time.
In Sunagakure, after ending the war with Konoha, Chiyo ignored Rasa's repeated attempts to persuade her otherwise. She gave up the idea of opposing Konoha together with him and chose to return to the village alone. Now, sitting solemnly before Sasori, she questioned, "Kurotsuchi, my younger brother's student and your childhood best friend—he's still alive, right?"
Sasori's eyes flickered slightly before he nodded. "Granny, looks like you've already met. Did Big Brother Kurotsuchi say anything to you?"
Chiyo pulled out the puppet Anya had given her and slowly said, "He said showing you this would be enough. You'll tell me everything, Sasori. I really want to know exactly what you know about him."
After seeing the puppet in Chiyo's hand, Sasori already understood. It seemed Big Brother Kurotsuchi was planning to come clean with Granny. Well, hiding things had been exhausting anyway.
Sasori said naturally, "Big Brother Kurotsuchi faked his death on the battlefield back then, and I've known all along. His current identity is Anbu of Konoha, but in reality, he's a member of the Zero Organization—and I'm part of it too."
"The Zero Organization?" Chiyo frowned, completely unfamiliar with the name. Urgently, she continued, "Do you even know what this organization does? Furthermore, if he's an Anbu of Konoha, his intentions when coming to Sunagakure must have been ill-intentioned. Don't forget, your parents died at the hands of Konoha ninjas. Sasori, wake up—you're still a child! Don't let him fool you."
"Ahhh, Granny," Sasori said with disappointment, "you really don't understand me. From the moment my parents died, I stopped being a kid. As for what this organization does—I can tell you."
"There's a burning intensity in Sasori's eyes: 'The Zero Organization exists to reshape this war-torn Ninja World and establish a new order.'"
Chiyo stares at Sasori in disbelief. "You're insane. Is this still my gentle and obedient grandson?" She pauses, realization dawning. "Wait, it must be Big Brother Kurotsuchi. He's the one who must have corrupted my grandson. Back then in Konoha, I should have killed him."
At this moment, regret floods Chiyo's heart, and her tone hardens. "I don't care what that mad organization does. From now on, you are not allowed to leave the village. And that snake Kurotsuchi — I'll deal with him myself."
Just then, a deep voice calls from outside the door: "Chiyo, if I were the leader of this organization, would you still think Sasori had been deceived?"
Hearing this voice, Chiyo murmurs in stunned disbelief, as if struck by lightning: "Kazekage-sama? But... why?"
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