Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

Today, in the Land of Wind, the weather is unusually pleasant.

The warm wind and bright sun replace the typical sandstorms, giving the desert a rare, tranquil charm.

For the Third Kazekage, who was traveling through the desert, this day mirrored his mood.

He was on his way to the Daimyō's residence in the Land of Wind to discuss increasing military funding for the Sand Village.

Previous negotiations with the Daimyō had gone well, leaving the Third Kazekage feeling optimistic and relaxed.

Surrounding him were a dozen or so elite Sand Shinobi tasked with his protection.

This wasn't arrogance on his part; it was simply a reflection of his prowess.

As a Kage-level ninja and the master of Magnet Release, with unparalleled flying abilities, he believed that aside from the famed "White Fang" of Konoha, no one in the ninja world posed a true threat to him.

Of course, this was only his belief.

In his mind, no one could defeat him in a one-on-one confrontation, and this confidence was what allowed him to travel with minimal protection.

Suddenly, without warning, a barrage of poisonous needles and stingers rained down on him.

The attack was so sudden that the Third Kazekage had no time to react. Instinctively, he summoned sand iron to form a protective barrier around himself.

Clang! Clang!

The sharp sounds of metal colliding reverberated as the sand iron successfully blocked the projectiles, sparks flying with each impact.

However, his guards were not so fortunate.

Most were struck down instantly, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

The few who managed to avoid fatal injuries were still grazed by the poisoned weapons, succumbing quickly as the venom took hold.

When the storm of hidden weapons finally ceased, the Third Kazekage dispersed his sand iron shield and surveyed the devastation around him.

The sight of his fallen guards made his eyes gleam with cold fury.

"Who dares to assassinate me?!"

His voice was icy and commanding as he scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the attack.

Black sand iron swirled around him like a menacing mist, ready to strike a hundred meters in every direction at a moment's notice.

As the sand around him shifted ominously, a familiar puppet emerged from the dunes.

"Puppet? Scorpion?!"

The Third Kazekage's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the puppet.

It was unmistakably a scorpion puppet, and only one person in the Sand Village used it—Sasori.

Shock filled his expression, both at the identity of his attacker and the unexpected skill displayed.

While Sasori's talent was well-known, the ability to approach the Third Kazekage undetected was astonishing.

For Sasori, the moment was equally surprising.

Before the assassination attempt, Sasori had asked Aizen how he planned to help him eliminate the Third Kazekage.

Aizen had only smiled mysteriously, saying little beyond instructing him to proceed as he normally would.

Now, as his initial strike left a trail of devastation among the guards, Sasori couldn't help but be impressed by the setup Aizen had orchestrated.

In his opinion, this initial strike was at most a minor distraction to prepare for his next attack against the Third Kazekage.

However, he could never have imagined that this blow would achieve such a devastating outcome!

The guards protecting the Third Kazekage were all elite shinobi of the Sand Village, each among the best the village had to offer.

Even a Kage-level powerhouse would face difficulty taking them on alone.

What's more, these elite guards were under the command of the Third Kazekage himself, renowned as the strongest Kazekage in history.

Yet, in the face of that initial assault, this formidable team of shinobi had failed to react effectively and was wiped out in a single move.

If the Third Kazekage had been even a fraction slower in his defense, he too might have shared their fate.

"Have I truly become this powerful?"

The thought flashed through Sasori's mind before he quickly dismissed it, shaking his head as clarity set in.

He began to piece together the truth.

"As expected of Lord Aizen. He must have used some technique to deceive the perceptions of the Third Kazekage and his guards," Sasori thought to himself, sighing inwardly.

While Sasori marveled at Aizen's abilities, the Third Kazekage's gaze locked onto him.

A deep frown creased the Kazekage's face.

Attempting to assassinate the Kazekage was an unforgivable crime, even for someone as talented as Sasori of the Red Sand.

However, Sasori's actions were complicated by his family ties.

He was the grandson of Chiyo, the renowned elder of the Sand Village, and her brother Ebizō, a respected Kage-level powerhouse.

The siblings held significant influence and prestige within the village, which forced the Third Kazekage to tread carefully.

"Why have you attacked me, Sasori?" the Third Kazekage asked in a low, commanding tone.

If Sasori had been misled or manipulated into this act, perhaps there was a way to resolve the matter without escalating it further.

After all, outright killing Sasori would risk provoking a rift with the Chiyo siblings, something the Third Kazekage preferred to avoid.

However, Sasori only sneered coldly, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Heh, Kazekage, when did you start becoming so hesitant? Do I need a reason to kill you? I, Sasori of the Red Sand, kill when I want to. It all depends on my mood."

Sasori's tone was as sharp as his weapons, his confidence unshaken even before the strongest Kazekage.

Third Kazekage's eyes flared with anger at Sasori's blatant arrogance.

Though he had been reluctant to escalate tensions with Chiyo and Ebizō, Sasori's insolence was unbearable.

The Third Kazekage's pride as a Kage-level ninja—and as the strongest Kazekage—refused to allow such disrespect.

"Magnet Style: Iron Sand Rain!"

With a low growl, the Third Kazekage unleashed his chakra, activating the immense magnetic force within his body.

The iron sand around him surged into the air, forming countless sharp projectiles that rained down upon Sasori.

Shhhhhh!

The whistling sound of iron sand tearing through the air echoed across the battlefield.

These projectiles, charged with magnetic power, were a deadly threat to Sasori's puppets.

One hit could render a puppet useless.

Facing the overwhelming might of the Third Kazekage, Sasori's expression hardened.

This was no ordinary opponent, and he knew he would need to tread cautiously.