'Oh I forgot they were in the same genin team.' Shota thought.
They had been placed on the same genin team long before Sasori was promoted to chunin and taken as an apprentice by the Third Kazekage. Pakura had also risen to chunin rank around the same time. Because of her rare Scorch Release kekkei genkai she had become a very valuable asset to the village.
Shota had no doubts that Sasori might have really tried to kill Pakura to get access to her body because in Sasori's words 'her body was a fantastic material for his research and to become his piece of art.'
Shota only agreed with the part that Pakura's body was a piece of art.
Shota decided to be the one to diffuse the tension. He said casually, "Pakura san, Sasori really saved me back there. It was difficult to fight while protecting Fū against six Iwa jonin."
Sasori answered in an annoyed tone. "I just needed answers to my questions from this brat. That is why I saved him. Don't make this a habit." He made it sound as if the rescue had been nothing more than a necessary step to get information.
Shota refused to let the cold reply end the conversation. "He is just shy and I am pretty sure that he wears the puppet over himself to hide his blush." He said the words with a bright smile and pointed lightly at the Hiruko shell.
"You..." Sasori muttered angrily. The single word carried clear warning. The scorpion tail twitched once as if ready to strike.
Shota hurried to change the subject before the tail could move closer. "So you are coming back to the village?" He asked the question quickly.
Sasori replied after a short pause. "Yes, the benefits are worth it and with no bounty I would not be disturbed while I am busy working on my art."
The practical advantages of research funds and safety had convinced him. He spoke of the village as a useful workshop rather than as a home, yet the decision was clear.
Pakura glared at him with sharp eyes. "You, watch yourself. I am not as weak as I used to be and I am going to kill you if you pull something like killing the Kazekage or trying to kill me for that matter."
Floating orbs of Scorch Release appeared around her as she released the full force of her chakra. The air grew dry and hot within seconds.
Iron sand appeared around Sasori as the Third Kazekage puppet rose from a scroll. Sasori said, "Try it missy," while releasing his own chakra.
The two S rank shinobi faced each other with open killing intent. The pressure of their combined power made the leaves on nearby trees tremble.
Shota stepped between them at once. "Umm, can we chill out guys? We have a baby here." He said the words firmly while taking baby Fū from his clone's hands. The little girl had started crying after the intense heat from Pakura's Scorch Release touched the air.
Shota held her close and rocked her gently so that the loud cries would soften and protected her with his own chakra. The presence of the crying infant forced both fighters to lower their chakra.
The glowing orbs faded and the iron sand settled back to the ground. The two quietened down after that and the dangerous moment passed.
Maki asked the practical question that still needed an answer. "What about Iwa and their betrayal?" Her voice showed clear worry about future trouble from the Hidden Stone Village.
Shota answered without hesitation. "They lost the last of their Explosion Release clan members along with five jonin. I think they are already sorry about betraying us."
The heavy losses would force Iwa to think carefully before starting another fight. The death of Gaku Tetsu and the other skilled fighters was a clear message that attacking Suna carried a high price.
As he thought about the Explosion Release user, he turned and realised that his body was already missing. Not only his but the other bodies also had disappeared. The clearing that had been full of fallen Iwa shinobi was now almost empty.
Shota's eyes moved slowly toward Sasori who managed to already take the bodies without him even noticing. 'Oh boy, is this story about me or Sasori nii san? How overpowered would he now become? Am I witnessing the birth of Suna's god of shinobi?' Shota thought horrified.
Sasori already possessed the Magnet Release puppet of the Third Kazekage and the legendary White Fang puppet of Sakumo Hatake. Adding an Explosion Release user to that collection would make him nearly unstoppable. The thought of such power growing even stronger sent a small shiver down Shota's spine.
He decided it was time to leave the dangerous area. "Let's leave before Iwa send reinforcements." Shota said while still on the ground due to his injured foot which was mostly healed but he had bandaged it to hide his nine tails chakra secret.
And because it was a good opportunity to cross off one of his fantasies. The bandage served two purposes at once. It kept the accelerated healing from being noticed and it gave him a perfect reason to ask for help.
Sasori looked down at him and spoke flatly. "Brat, I am not carrying you." The refusal came without any softness.
Shota mumbled his reply in a low voice. "I was not even asking you." He turned instead toward the kunoichi he trusted. "Pakura san would you please carry me?" The request was polite and hopeful at the same time.
One of the genin boys tried to offer a different solution. "We can carry you. It would not be difficult either since you are our age after all and not a grown man yet."
Shota glared at them with clear warning. "You all can carry the baby Fū." The three genin quickly agreed and took the small girl from his arms with careful hands.
"Sure Shota san." they answered together.
Pakura lifted the teenage Shota up in a princess carry without further argument. He nuzzled himself against her chest as she started running towards Suna with the others following behind.
'I am living the dream.' Shota thought with a smile. The long mission, the hard fights, and the constant danger suddenly felt worth it while he rested in her arms.
Sasori looked at the brat's expression and for some reason he wanted to kill him but then had a thought. 'What if I make him a beautiful woman puppet? Maybe then he would understand the true beauty of my art.' The idea formed quietly in the puppet master's mind as the group moved away from the battlefield.
--------Author Notes---------
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