Chapter 386: Chapter 386: Scorpion of the Red Sand, Care to Make a Deal?

Chapter 386: Chapter 386: Scorpion of the Red Sand, Care to Make a Deal?



Takuya had intentionally given Pakura opportunities to leave marks behind. He wanted to see if the Third Kazekage himself would make an appearance to rescue her.

Whether the Third Kazekage would come, Takuya wasn't entirely sure. But he knew that Pakura leaving those marks was equivalent to giving Sunagakure a chance to rescue her.

No matter what rumors were spreading on the outside, Takuya figured Sunagakure would choose to save Pakura.

If the Third Kazekage came, great. If not, using Pakura as bait to wipe out a few squads of Sunagakure elites would be just as satisfying.

Crushing the enemy and taking down their strongest fighters while breaking Pakura's spirit- Takuya figured it was a win-win.

The camp had shikashige keeping things steady, and the battlefield had Hatake Sakumo. Takuya didn't have to worry about those matters.

All he needed to do was handle what he was best at.

Sure, he wasn't great with strategy and paperwork, but that didn't mean he couldn't win a war his own way.

Two days went by without incident.

Finally, some Sunagakure shinobi stumbled upon the marks Pakura had left behind, and they immediately reported the information up the chain of command.

They didn't notice Takuya, who was perched on a faraway tree, well hidden by the thick leaves, observing them.

"Let's see just how far up the chain they'll take this," Takuya murmured.

Pakura's marks were bound to be a big deal for Sunagakure. But whether it would reach the Third Kazekage was another question entirely.

After all, he was the village leader. He had many responsibilities, including keeping an eye on Sakumo.

Sunagakure would definitely send someone to investigate, to make sure it wasn't a trap set by Konoha.

Luring the Third Kazekage out wouldn't be easy-it was not as simple as just wanting to save Pakura.

What Takuya didn't expect was for the person investigating to be a famous figure from Sunagakure.

The grandson of Chiyo, the Red Sand Scorpion!

In the original storyline, this guy poisoned and killed the Third Kazekage, becoming one of the main reasons the Third Great Ninja War happened in the first place.

Not bad. The future handsome rogue of the Akatsuki, Scorpion, really lived up to his hype.

Recalling what some Naruto fans in his previous life had said about Scorpion, Takuya couldn't help but chuckle.

"Who's there?!"

At this stage, Scorpion wasn't yet strong enough to kill the Third Kazekage or fully embrace his twisted artistic ambitions.

But even with his transformation, he could never bring himself to truly harm his

grandmother, Chiyo.

Which was why, in the original story, he pulled his punches during their battle.

Both Scorpion and Itachi had their own form of hesitation-Scorpion held back for Chiyo, while Itachi practically unleashed an ocean to ensure Sasuke's safety.

For an organization like the Akatsuki, having such sentimental oddballs was likely maddening for leaders like Konan and Nagato.

With a chuckle, Takuya shook his head in mock disappointment. "I wish I could say Pakura shared some inside info, but unfortunately, she didn't cooperate. Not that it matters- Konoha's intel on Sunagakure isn't perfect, but we know enough. It doesn't make much

difference to me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Scorpion's voice hardened. He was far from loyal to the

Kazekage, but he was still a shinobi of Sunagakure.

Takuya's dismissive words about the village irked him.

"It means," Takuya said with a sly grin, "you're just too weak."

Scorpion blinked, stunned into silence.

There wasn't anything in the intel suggesting that Takuya was prone to exaggerating his

strength.

Takuya's arrogance and offhanded dismissal of Sunagakure left Scorpion at a loss for words.

"Wanna make a deal?" Takuya finally offered.

"What kind of deal?" Scorpion's eyes narrowed.

Holding Scorpion's unwavering gaze, Takuya smiled darkly. "You and I team up to take down the Third Kazekage. Afterward, his body is yours. What do you say?"

"?!!!"

Scorpion's expression remained unchanged, but he instinctively took two steps back, clearly taken aback by Takuya's audacious proposition.

Next Bonus: 400-> 700 power stone

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 450+ at Patreon.com/Emiko1.