"So, Sasori of the Red Sand just... let you go?"
Kurenai Yuhi asked the question with an expression that clearly said 'I don't believe you.'
"Of course he did. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here in one piece," Hagoromo replied flatly. "Given that the route I chose was heading straight for the Leaf's front lines, it's only logical that Sasori would leave rather than risk being surrounded by Leaf shinobi, isn't it?"
The three teammates looked at each other. Clearly, they didn't buy a single word of Hagoromo's explanation.
That was Sasori of the Red Sand, not some random stray ninja.
Apparently, during the time Hagoromo was "missing," Asuma had given the other two a detailed crash course on Sasori's identity. They now knew exactly what kind of monster he was. No one believed that escaping an S-rank rogue was "easy."
"I engaged Sasori while retreating toward the front lines. Once Sasori entered the Land of Fire and realized where I was heading, he chose to withdraw to avoid unnecessary trouble."
This was Hagoromo's entire explanation for that life-or-death struggle.
It was simple and straightforward, and extremely hard to believe. Was Sasori the kind of ninja who feared being surrounded? Usually, he was the one surrounding entire armies.
The version his teammates expected was: 'I engaged Sasori while retreating toward the front lines, and then I died.'
It wasn't that they wanted Hagoromo to perish; it was just that, based on the info Available on him , that was the only logical outcome. The fact that Hagoromo returned without a scratch was verging on the supernatural.
However, Hagoromo's explanation ended there.
He didn't plan on revealing the finer details of the battle—especially regarding the moves he had used, which, according to his own previous rules, should have been under seal.
Nor did he mention the bombshell that the "Strongest Kazekage," missing for years, had actually been murdered by Sasori.
So, while Squad Hagoromo withdrew under the pretense of delivering "urgent intelligence," the teammates themselves didn't actually know what that intelligence was.
They were currently on the road to Headquarters. With Aoba Yamashiro supporting the limping Asuma, their pace was sluggish. Hagoromo opted not to use his summons; in a non-emergency, he preferred to save chakra.
Flashy ninjas usually ended up face-down in the dirt.
To ensure safety, Hagoromo chose a V-shaped route: moving deep into the Land of Fire's secure interior before turning back toward the command center. This maximized their protection from Rain or Grass village patrols.
After a day of travel, they reached the Leaf Command Center on the Hidden Stone front. The squad split up:
Kurenai and Asuma: Headed straight to the field hospital. Asuma needed professional medical attention to undo the damage from his teammate's "friendly kick."
Aoba Yamashiro: Went to submit the official B-rank mission logs.
Hagoromo: Used his reputation as the "White Yaksha" to request a direct meeting with the commander, Jiraiya.
Hagoromo was granted a private audience immediately. When he walked in, his "new equipment"—the massive iron gourd—made Jiraiya freeze for a second. The Sannin looked genuinely baffled, wondering when this kid had developed a thing for cosplaying.
But Jiraiya didn't dwell on the fashion choice. He knew Hagoromo wouldn't claim to have "top-secret info" as a joke.
"Hagoromo, your squad was supposed to be infiltrating the Land of Rain. Any new movements from Hanzo?"
"It's not about the Hidden Rain," Hagoromo said, getting straight to the point. "While it's true their garrison numbers are down, I have something much more significant to report."
"What did you find?" Jiraiya leaned forward.
"First, we encountered Pakura of the Scorch Style on the border. After a brief skirmish, we managed to retreat. But we soon discovered her true objective."
Hagoromo took a breath. "She wasn't there for the Leaf. She was hunting the Sand's S-rank traitor: Sasori of the Red Sand."
"Sasori? Are you sure?" Jiraiya's expression tightened. Sasori appearing on the border was indeed major news.
"Confirmed. He attacked us. I ordered my squad to evacuate while I stayed behind to buy time."
Jiraiya looked at him with a mix of respect and concern. Anyone who knew the name "Sasori" knew the gap in power. To stay behind alone was either an act of ultimate sacrifice or utter recklessness.
"During our fight," Hagoromo continued, "Sasori revealed a specific puppet. It was a human puppet made from the corpse of the Third Kazekage."
Jiraiya stood up so fast his chair nearly tipped over. "The Third Kazekage was killed by Sasori?!"
This was more than major—it was a world-altering revelation. The Third's disappearance was the spark that ignited the current Great War. If the Leaf could prove the Sand's own traitor killed their leader, the political leverage would be immense.
Hagoromo wasn't finished. "Furthermore, I encountered a group calling themselves Akatsuki. Their leaders are three young ninjas... one of whom possesses some kind of ocular jutsu."
The room went silent. Jiraiya sat back down, his mind racing through memories of three orphans he had left behind years ago.
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