Chapter 67. This Ninja World... Let it Be Destroyed!
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"Why?"
"Why? You're a Suna ninja! A ninja from one of the Five Great Ninja Nations! You couldn't possibly understand the misery of the Land of Rain! I just want to change this place!"
A roar echoed as Sasori, along with six others, was escorted back to the prison.
He wasn't bothered by the betrayal.
After all, from the start, he had planned to use the others as bait. Being betrayed? It was only natural.
As for the tragedy of the Land of Rain...
It had nothing to do with him.
No!
Even the Ninja World, the Land of Wind, and Sunagakure—none of it mattered to him anymore.
The only thing he pursued now was the eternal beauty of art.
So, he had failed?
That was fine.
The tools he had crafted on a whim had been confiscated?
That was fine, too.
Standing quietly before the towering prison walls, Sasori gazed at them as if they were iron bars separating him from the outside world.
But he hadn't given up!
He believed in himself!
One day, he would definitely escape from here!
...
Time passed.
The recent uproar over the attempted jailbreak seemed to have faded away. Life returned to its routine. Everyone continued mining and working in the sewers peacefully every day.
Kyusuke glanced at Sasori. For various reasons, his identity had not been exposed. Instead, Number 9527 had left.
Kyusuke recalled the words 9527 had said before leaving, and a wave of emotion washed over him.
Really.
Another person had been moved by Yahiko's ideals.
"For the Land of Rain?" Kyusuke muttered to himself, his heart aflame.
They all believed it!
The Land of Rain would definitely change!
Just then—
"Come here." A low voice sounded in his ear.
Kyusuke blinked, startled, and then came back to his senses. He turned to see the person calling him, and he was surprised.
This guy…
He had the same identity as him!
His identity also hadn't been exposed, just like him last time, for various reasons.
Kyusuke's face twitched as he noticed Sasori, who was also looking at him. Could it be… he hasn't given up yet?
...
"This time, we'll succeed."
Sasori looked at the six individuals before him.
After the betrayal last time, he had observed quietly for a while.
These remaining six people... they had stayed here and hadn't left.
If they were going to betray him, they would've left the prison long ago. After all, Sasori was no one important, no big shot—just a captured ninja. If anyone really wanted information from him, why go through so much trouble?
So…
Those who were still here must undoubtedly be planning to escape, just like him.
Otherwise, why stay here digging in the mines? No one could actually enjoy digging in the mines!
"Last time, it was just a traitor's fault."
Sasori finished his words.
"..."
The group nodded expressionlessly.
You're right!
Absolutely!
Failure was all because of a traitor!
"And this time… I'm not digging any tunnels," Sasori continued, seeing no objections. "From my investigation, there are four major iron gates and six tunnels. When we leave our cells, there are two routes: one requiring the opening of four gates and another needing only three! But… for that, we need to go through a staircase."
Sasori finished his words. Everyone was stunned and looked at him in confusion, as if they didn't understand why he said that.
We're not seriously walking out the front door this time, are we?
Noticing their confusion, Sasori smirked faintly, as though he had anticipated their thoughts. He had guessed what they wanted to ask.
He calmly explained, "Tunneling isn't an option anymore. Those guys won't just sit back and let us dig again. So, the simplest method—the most unexpected method—is exactly what you're thinking. This time," he paused, his gaze sweeping over them, "I'm walking out the front door openly!"
Everyone was shocked!
Moments later, realization began to dawn.
"You're planning to steal the key?"
But… was that even possible?
However, Sasori shook his head with calm confidence. His eyes gleamed, and the corner of his lips curled slightly as he said lightly, "No! That method is too stupid!"
With a confident look, his gaze swept over them. "I plan to… make the key myself!"
This time...
He was determined to walk boldly out the main entrance!
He didn't believe those guys would anticipate his thoughts!
"So…" His piercing eyes locked on them as he said seriously, "I need your help!"
The words fell, and...
Without hesitation, the group fell silent for a moment, then nodded in unison, replying as one: "Of course~"
…
With the united effort of everyone involved...
Sasori began planning his second prison escape.
He used mealtimes, outdoor breaks, and rest periods to pester the prison ninjas, secretly and carefully observing the keys hanging from their waists, memorizing their shapes and details firmly in his mind.
Then…
After returning to his cell at night, he quietly began crafting the keys from memory, working meticulously, bit by bit.
Each time he successfully made a key, he would test it under the cover of others!
At that moment, it felt as though he had returned to his childhood—carefully crafting his first puppets under the old woman's guidance, eventually succeeding in creating the Father and Mother puppets that embraced him.
Tension. Focus.
Sasori gripped the key tightly, his eyes filled with determination. "I will succeed!"
And then…
He would reclaim what was his!
Before long, using the decoy group as cover, Sasori successfully crafted a working key, unlocking the iron gates during a test run.
Yes!
He succeeded again!
Overjoyed, he coordinated with the others to plan the escape.
...
Night fell.
When everyone was tired and resting, he quietly opened the decoy group's cells.
Then…
A group of people walked outside quietly. One by one, they crept through the prison corridors, avoiding patrolling guards, unlocking iron gates one after another.
The first gate.
The second gate.
After going through the stairs, they finally arrived at the third gate.
Sasori took a deep breath. Under the protection of the group, he carefully tried the key in his hand.
If he could just unlock this final gate...
He would succeed!
Those guys… are nothing after all!
The first key.
Something seems to have gone wrong... it won't open.
But that was fine. He had a spare key!
He pulled out the second key, but... it didn't work either!
It's missing a corner! After all, it was made of wood.
Then, Sasori took out the third key expressionlessly and gently slid it into the lock.
By this time, the six others around him were holding their breath, their eyes fixed on the key.
This is the last spare key!
Suddenly—
Under everyone's gaze...
"Click!"
The gate opened!
Sasori's lips curved into a faint smile. Through the narrow opening, he looked at the sky.
Moon. Stars.
Everything felt so familiar—even the air blowing through the gap. He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This feeling... it was intoxicating!
Success. He succeeded!
"Tonight's revenge..."
He slowly pushed the gate open, his face calm as he stepped outside. Spreading his arms, he was about to turn around to tell the others to hurry—
Wait a moment!
Why was someone standing nearby?
Sasori's face stiffened. He snapped his head around, and his mouth twitched in frustration as he looked ahead.
Standing before him were three figures—one with orange hair, one with red hair, and one with black hair.
They were looking at him with warm smiles.
"Good evening, little brother!"
"..."
Sasori gazed at the six people behind him with an unreadable expression. In a flat tone, he asked, "Who else? Come out."
The words fell.
The six fell silent.
A gentle breeze stirred.
Sasori's eyelids twitched as he stood there in silence.
He seemed to understand something.
Frustration. Rage. Chill.
What was this?
Are they bored?
If everyone was an undercover agent, why had they gone to such lengths to gather materials for him, stand guard, and cover his tracks?
What about the trust between ninjas?!
This Ninja World… Let it be destroyed!