Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

After pulling Sasori of the Red Sand to his feet, Aizen's lips curled into a faint smile.

What he had said to Sasori moments ago was entirely genuine, without the slightest trace of deceit.

This sincerity was why Sasori had been won over so quickly. 

In his pursuit of the mysteries of life, Aizen's fascination with eternity was unmistakable. 

For a visionary like him, exploring the concept of immortality was an inevitable endeavor. 

It's only natural—what biologist or seeker of knowledge wouldn't be drawn to unravel the secret of eternal life? 

This aspiration was Aizen's ultimate goal, and Sasori's work aligned seamlessly with it. 

Sasori's unparalleled talent was undeniable, but what truly captivated Aizen was their shared vision: 

An unrelenting pursuit of eternity. 

Their obsession was not mere ambition; it was a defining characteristic. Both were willing to make sacrifices that society deemed unthinkable. 

For his ideals, Aizen had lived under a veil of secrecy for years, concealing his true self among Konoha's shinobi. He manipulated and destroyed with no hesitation, even sacrificing countless innocents if they obstructed his path. 

Even close allies meant nothing if they became obstacles to his vision. 

Similarly, Sasori's obsession with his eternal art drove him to create countless puppets from human lives and even transform himself into one. 

Both men were consumed by their ideologies, indifferent to the world's judgment. 

It was this shared fanaticism that made their connection immediate and profound. 

---

"Aizen-sama! If you're planning to assassinate the Third Kazekage, is there any way I may assist?" 

Sasori, now fully composed, adopted a tone of respect as he addressed Aizen. 

"There's no need. I'll handle the Third Kazekage myself—his survival is not an option." Aizen's response was casual, as though the matter were trivial. 

Hearing this, Sasori hesitated, his expression betraying a mix of embarrassment and apprehension. 

"What is it, Sasori? If there's something on your mind, don't hesitate to speak." Aizen arched an eyebrow, his tone curious. 

Sasori, after a brief moment of deliberation, glanced at Aizen's face and carefully began: 

"Aizen-sama, the truth is that I've already devised a plan to eliminate the Third Kazekage. 

One of my spies will gain proximity to him in about two months. When the time comes, I can have him add a potent neurotoxin I developed to the Kazekage's food. Killing him would then be effortless." 

Sasori's voice grew colder as he spoke, his final words tinged with deep-seated resentment. 

"Oh?" Aizen's curiosity was piqued. "Do you bear some personal grudge against the Third Kazekage that drives you to seek his death with such intensity?" 

Aizen wasn't surprised that Sasori wanted to kill the Third Kazekage.

He was merely curious about the exact reason behind Sasori's desire to eliminate the Kazekage. 

As Sasori began to speak, a chilling glint appeared in his eyes, betraying a hatred that ran deep. 

"Back then, if it weren't for the Third Kazekage insisting on initiating the Second Ninja War, my parents wouldn't have been forced to the front lines. 

And in the end, they wouldn't have died at the hands of Konoha's White Fang!" 

Sasori explained through gritted teeth, his voice laced with venom. 

"I see," Aizen said thoughtfully, nodding as he pieced together Sasori's motives. 

"That's why you want to personally kill the Third Kazekage, correct?"

"That's right!" Sasori confirmed, nodding firmly, his voice filled with conviction. 

Aizen glanced at Sasori and fell into silent contemplation. 

Though Sasori's plan to assassinate the Kazekage involved waiting for two months, Aizen wasn't keen on delays. He preferred swift action to achieve his goals. 

Still, Aizen admired Sasori's brilliance and dedication. Had it been anyone else daring to suggest such a delay, their fate would have already been sealed. 

After a moment, Aizen broke the silence. 

"Well, Sasori, it just so happens that I prepared a small gift for you before coming here. Take a look—it might help you improve your strength more quickly." 

Sasori's expression turned curious as Aizen retrieved a storage scroll.

"Release," Aizen commanded as he unfurled the scroll and activated the sealing technique. 

The next moment, a body appeared in front of Sasori, leaving him momentarily stunned. 

"This… this is the White Fang of Konoha!" 

Sasori's voice trembled slightly as he stared at the familiar figure before him, the one he had dreamed of killing countless times. 

"Yes, it seems you recognize him. Then there's no need for me to introduce him," Aizen replied with a sly smile. 

Sasori nodded, his face a mix of hatred, pain, and confusion as he gazed at the corpse. 

Finally, he turned to Aizen with a conflicted expression and spoke: 

"I heard that Hatake Sakumo committed suicide after being accused by all of Konoha for abandoning a critical mission to save his companions. 

But... looking at this corpse, in addition to the fatal stab wound to the heart, there are clearly many other injuries. From my observation, even if he hadn't taken his own life, he likely wouldn't have survived much longer." 

His sharp eyes immediately noticed something off about Hatake Sakumo's body. 

Of course, this wasn't because Sasori was stronger than Konoha's higher-ups but because he was unaffected by Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu. 

"That's correct. Before Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, his body was already crippled, and he was gravely injured. He didn't have much time left," Aizen stated with a slight smile. 

As for who orchestrated this? The answer was obvious. 

Hearing this, Sasori's gaze toward Aizen grew even more complex. 

In a way, Aizen killing Hatake Sakumo had avenged Sasori's parents.

Thus, beyond his admiration for Aizen, Sasori now felt a profound sense of gratitude. His loyalty to Aizen deepened significantly in an instant. 

"Thank you," Sasori said softly. 

"There's no need to thank me. My conflict with Hatake Sakumo was personal. You owe me no gratitude. For now, focus on seeing how much this corpse can enhance your strength," Aizen replied nonchalantly, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. 

However, it was precisely Aizen's indifferent attitude that made Sasori revere him even more. 

But as he processed Aizen's words, a troubled look spread across Sasori's face. 

"Aizen sama! I am fully aware of Hatake Sakumo's strength. If I could turn him into a puppet capable of utilizing even half of his combat power from when he was alive, it would be enough to kill the Third Kazekage. However…" Sasori hesitated, his tone carrying a note of helplessness. 

"However, what?" Aizen asked calmly, his eyelids lowering slightly. 

At this, Sasori's expression grew serious, and he explained solemnly:

"The puppet technique can indeed preserve the chakra of the deceased and replicate their abilities, but it also comes with significant drawbacks!"