The journey there had been rushed.
The return trip was much more leisurely.
Perhaps it was because Takumi's final words had deeply touched Sasori's heart. Throughout the entire journey back, Sasori didn't speak a single word, and his expression remained cold, as if he really were a puppet.
But honestly, Takumi was a bit curious.
How did Sasori manage to maintain such flexible facial expressions after turning himself into a puppet?
Although he himself had also created many human puppets, once someone was made into a puppet, the surface of their body still became very stiff.
Unfortunately, Sasori ignored him, and Takumi wasn't particularly concerned about this point.
Puppets just need to be practical, right?
Who cares if their expressions are rich or not.
And so, Takumi and his group leisurely returned to Konoha.
As soon as they entered Konoha's territory, their situation was immediately reported by the Anbu and landed on Hiruzen's desk.
"Good, well done."
Seeing the report, Hiruzen beamed with joy.
"What's going on?"
The two advisors, who happened to be there, curiously gathered around.
The ever-present Danzo also "coincidentally" appeared in the Hokage's office and looked at the document together.
"Successfully rescued Gaara, who was kidnapped from Sunagakure..."
Koharu read with a frown, and Homura immediately continued, "Captured one of the Akatsuki members, Sasori of the Red Sand."
"!"
The two were startled, but before they could say anything, Danzo immediately demanded, "Hiruzen, hand Sasori over to me. I'll make him spill everything he knows about the Akatsuki."
"No!"
Hiruzen instinctively refused. After a pause, he started looking for a reason, "Well... we should see the specific situation first."
"As a Missing-nin from Sunagakure, an extremely dangerous individual like Sasori of the Red Sand should be disposed of."
Koharu frowned. "He's a master puppeteer. If he's allowed to cause trouble in the village, the casualties could be substantial."
"Correct."
Homura nodded in agreement. "It's best to deal with such a dangerous element quickly."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Danzo said bluntly. "A chess piece like this, you have to squeeze out every bit of its value."
"Hiruzen, handing him over to me is the best choice, and you know it."
Danzo once again pressured Hiruzen with his gaze.
"Danzo, Hiruzen is the Hokage. Watch your attitude."
Koharu was very dissatisfied with Danzo's repeated use of Hiruzen's given name.
But how would Danzo care about her opinion?
He just fixed his single exposed eye on Hiruzen, waiting for his answer.
"It's really not possible."
After careful consideration, Hiruzen resolutely rejected Danzo's proposal again.
After thinking it over, he felt he needed to ask Takumi's opinion on this matter.
After all, Takumi was the one who captured him. If he disposed of Takumi's prisoner without even asking him, it would be somewhat disheartening.
Moreover, Danzo kept scheming against him. If he let Danzo control Sasori, a powerful fighter, he might wake up one night to find puppet assassins in his bedroom.
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted angrily and was about to storm off. "You'll regret this!"
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Hiruzen immediately said.
Danzo intended to continue leaving.
But upon seeing who entered, he stopped in his tracks.
The person entering was Takumi, followed by Kakashi's team and Guy's team.
And Sasori, bound securely, appearing very docile.
'Why is this old bastard Danzo here?'
Takumi was puzzled for a moment, but maintained a respectful greeting on the surface, "Hello, Elder Danzo."
While greeting him, he immediately infused Danzo's mind with the doctored memory again.
"Hm... Ah!"
Just as he was about to snort coldly, Danzo's expression suddenly changed drastically. With a retching sound, he immediately covered his mouth and, abandoning all pretense of composure, frantically ran out.
He certainly didn't want to spew a rainbow from his mouth in public.
How could he continue as the Root's leader if that happened?
"What's wrong with Elder Danzo?"
Takumi even pretended to be puzzled, watching Danzo's retreating figure.
"Never mind him."
Hiruzen stepped forward with a smile, his face full of gratification and satisfaction. "You did well, Takumi-kun. Capturing an Akatsuki's member alive this time is a great achievement!"
"Now we can learn more information about the other Akatsuki's members."
His eyes were filled with anticipation.
Although they had planted Itachi as a spy, to avoid exposing his identity, Itachi rarely passed them information.
So they also knew very little about the Akatsuki's affairs.
Capturing Sasori now, in Hiruzen's view, was a golden opportunity.
"That probably won't be possible."
Takumi shook his head.
"Hm? Why not?"
Hiruzen asked, surprised.
Koharu and Homura also frowned at Takumi. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do you have some other idea?"
"I do have some ideas, but they're not related to this."
Only then did Takumi notice the two advisors, and quickly greeted them, "Hello, Advisor Utatane, Advisor Mitokado."
After the greetings, he continued to explain, "Sasori has turned himself into a puppet, so conventional means won't extract any information from him."
"He doesn't feel fear, and having his limbs destroyed causes him no pain whatsoever."
"His current state also ensures he's immune to the influence of Genjutsu."
"In short..."
Takumi didn't need to finish; the three elders understood his meaning.
"What a pity."
Homura's expression showed genuine regret.
If they could have used this opportunity to obtain Akatsuki's information, it would undoubtedly be a major event.
"In that case, dispose of him."
Koharu said, "To prevent him from causing any damage to the village."
"What's your opinion?"
Hiruzen asked Takumi. Since Takumi knew he couldn't get information from Sasori yet still brought him back,
He must have some plan for Sasori.
He wanted to hear Takumi's suggestion carefully.
"My opinion is simple."
A mysterious smile appeared on Takumi's face as he stated his arrangement for Sasori.
"I intend to make him the village's barber."
Upon hearing this, everyone was utterly shocked.
'Why a barber?'
As advisors, Koharu and Homura wanted to ask Takumi the reason for this arrangement.
But as advisors, it wasn't appropriate for them to question directly.
"Takumi-kun, could you explain your thoughts in more detail?"
After the initial shock, Hiruzen immediately asked with a chuckle. "Why specifically a barber?"
"Because he's suited to be a barber."
Takumi puffed out his chest and said matter-of-factly, "Think about it. Sasori can precisely control a dozen or even twenty puppets, directing them as easily as his own limbs. Doesn't that show incredible dexterity?"
"I wondered what would happen if we applied this characteristic to daily life."
"After thinking it over, I realized this has great potential."
Takumi grew more excited as he spoke. "Consider this: Sasori could manipulate puppets to cut hair for a dozen or twenty people simultaneously. Wouldn't that greatly improve efficiency and reduce manpower consumption?"