Shota and the others arrived at Suna after travelling for two days. They had no further encounters with Iwa shinobi.
Even if they wanted to pursue them, Iwa did not have the required forces to deal with three S rank shinobi.
Shota could finally see Suna getting a fearsome reputation as they now had four S rank shinobi who were all young and not old like Iwa or Konoha. One of them was even immortal which was Sasori.
Other villages would think carefully before starting trouble with Suna.
His foot had healed the same day he had received the wound thanks to the nine tails chakra but he continued to carry himself in Pakura's arms.
The injury had closed completely under the influence of the tailed beast energy, yet Shota saw no reason to walk on his own. Only a stupid gay fellow would want to get out of the comfortable place.
He even took short naps in her arms. The soft warmth of her arms and the gentle rhythm of her steps made the perfect resting spot. He closed his eyes for a while and enjoyed the peaceful feeling.
When he woke up he felt more rested than he had in many days.
As they neared the village, the guards at the wall and gate saw them. They had smiles on their faces at the return of their hero of the Third Great War, Pakura of the Scorch Release, and their young prodigy Shota Aizawa.
The men and women on duty raised their hands in greeting and looked happy to see the familiar faces. But as their eyes landed on Sasori, they stiffened in fear and their hands gripped their weapons.
The sight of the famous missing nin made them ready for a fight.
Shota immediately released himself from Pakura's arms and stood on his own feet. "He is no longer a criminal of Suna. The council and the Daimyo have approved him joining back the village. Show some respect to your village hero and the puppeteer genius and grandson of honoured Elder Chiyo." He spoke the words clearly and loudly so that every guard could hear.
The guards smiled in an embarrassed way and gave a proper welcome toward Sasori. They lowered their weapons and bowed their heads in respect.
Shota turned to the puppet master with a small grin. "Do not mind them Sasori san. They just do not know how much of a softy you are." He said the words as they walked through the open gate and entered the village streets.
The comment was meant to ease the remaining tension and remind Sasori that the fear would fade with time.
Sasori answered at once with a sharp voice. "Who said I am sad about that? They should keep fearing me and if you call me softy again in public, I will kill you!"
'Does that mean I can call him a softy in private? Tsundere.' Shota thought.
They went straight to the Kazekage's office who had already been informed about their arrival.
Inside the office, the Kazekage's eyes were locked on Sasori. The one who had killed his sensei and the last member of the genin team that comprised of Pakura and Sasori.
Rasa's face showed deep and complicated feelings as he looked at the man who had once been his teammate.
Rasa spoke first with a heavy frown. "Sasori, so you have decided to return? I wish you did not so that I could have the opportunity to kill you."
Sasori snorted in reply. "Not in a million years would you be a match for me and my art." He stood tall and confident, showing no fear of the current Kazekage.
His voice made it clear that he considered himself far above any challenge Rasa could offer.
Rasa continued in a lower tone. "I know you enough to know that you did not kill Lord Third to save your life. Heck I am sure you were not even manipulated by that traitorous bastard but the Daimyo has given his order and we would follow it."
The Kazekage admitted that he understood the true reasons behind the past events. Orders from higher authority left him no choice but to accept Sasori's return.
'He knows? And here I thought that everyone believed my lies. Well, they were stupid to start and any shinobi worth their salt could figure it out. Well time to break the tension.' Shota thought.
It seemed that everyone knew of his antics to show Sasori as innocent.
Shota stepped forward and spoke clearly. "Kazekage sama, Sasori san came to help us after Iwa betrayed us. He saved the life of the jinchuriki along with mine."
Rasa raised an eyebrow at the information. He looked at Sasori before shifting his gaze back to Shota and then to Fū who rested quietly in Shota's arms.
"So that is the seven tails jinchuriki?" Rasa asked. His eyes studied the small baby with interest. Shota nodded once to confirm. Rasa continued after a short pause. "At least we managed to finally get her in the village. As for Iwa, I had thought that they would betray us and that is why I had sent two S rank shinobi to retrieve the jinchuriki."
He did not seem to be angry though by the betrayal.
Shota asked the question that had been on his mind. "You do not seem to be angry by Iwa actions, Kazekage."
Rasa answered with a small smile. "Why would we be angry? Now that Iwa had broken the deal between the three of us, Suna, Iwa and Taki, we have the leverage to break through the deal to Taki and leave them on their own devices. And they would have to blame Iwa for this. Even if they blame us, without a jinchuriki they are nothing but a weak small shinobi village."
'Oh boy, and we had come promising Taki that we will keep to our promises. It just shows never trust a shinobi on their word unless they are Naruto.' Shota thought.
The easy way the deal was set aside reminded him how fragile agreements between villages could be. Only a rare person like Naruto kept every promise without fail.
Rasa gave the final orders for the day. "You all are dismissed. Leave the jinchuriki at the hospital to be taken care of and file a mission report." He spoke the words in a clear voice of command.
Before he could continue and address Pakura and Sasori further, the door was banged open as Lady Chiyo walked in. The elderly woman moved with surprising speed for her age. She looked at Sasori and mumbled his name with deep emotion. "Sasori..."
Sasori turned toward her and answered in his usual flat tone. "Old hag."
--------Author Notes---------
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