Chapter 541

Yellow sand whistled, and the scorching sun baked the earth.

Hidden Sand Village, Kazekage Building, inside a conference room.

In the center of the conference room was a large round table several meters wide, surrounded by over a dozen Sand ninja. These were all veteran ninja of the Hidden Sand Village.

Sitting at the head was a youth, appearing to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a full head of red hair and the character for "Love" on his forehead.

"Cough~"

A ninja in the conference room coughed dryly and said, "Recently, our interactions with various countries have become frequent, and trade has gradually connected, especially with the Land of Fire. This has made our country's economy much more prosperous. Because of the newly developed river channel, our country's water shortage has been significantly alleviated, and the drinking water for 70% of the population has been resolved."

After a Sand ninja reported this, a smile appeared on his face.

"70% of the population?"

"That river channel must be guarded by heavy troops."

"Yes, that is our river of hope."

The atmosphere in the conference room was relaxed, and most of the ninja wore smiles.

Sitting to the side, Elder Chiyo looked at the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, and nodded with satisfaction. She was very satisfied with this generation's Kazekage.

"Also, in terms of training new recruits, since introducing the Hidden Leaf's educational curriculum, there has been a good improvement."

"The Chunin Exams are coming up soon, and the results of the exams are something to look forward to."

"Mm, that is indeed good news. They are the future of the village."

The atmosphere in the conference room was good, and most of the ninja looked relaxed.

"However..." a Sand ninja with a small mustache and hair covering his right eye spoke up.

"What is it, Yura?"

Baki, sitting to the side, also spoke. Baki's status in the Hidden Sand Village was not low, second only to Chiyo.

The Sand ninja Yura pondered for a moment. The previous atmosphere in the conference room gradually vanished. What had been said before was all good news; now, he was about to speak of bad news.

"Has everyone heard of the organization called Akatsuki?"

Yura looked around.

"I've heard a little."

"It is said to be an organization assembled by a group of rogue ninja. They have been very active recently. The assassination of the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers some time ago was their doing."

The ninja present nodded one after another. Gaara, at the head, didn't speak, just listened quietly.

Although Gaara was the Kazekage, there were still many ninja in the Hidden Sand Village who didn't recognize him. A village couldn't be without a Kage, and coupled with the Hidden Leaf's attitude, Gaara had become the Kazekage as a matter of course.

"The Akatsuki organization is composed of more than ten members..."

The Sand ninja Yura began to recount the information he knew. For some reason, as he spoke, a sharp pain came to his brain, causing his vision to go black in waves.

A seal appeared in Yura's mind, and as he mentioned Akatsuki, some fragmented memories emerged.

"What is it, Yura?"

As a Jonin of the Hidden Sand Village, Yura had quite good connections.

"It's nothing."

Yura continued to recount intelligence on Akatsuki, but his mind became increasingly dizzy.

Crack.

A crisp sound came from Yura's ears; a certain seal shattered, and a large amount of memory flooded into his mind.

……

Within the borders of the Land of Wind, on a desert.

Three figures walked slowly across the desert. The three wore wooden conical hats, with a circle of cloth strips around them.

Jingle.

The sound of a bell rang out. One of the hats had a red string hanging from it, with a small bell tied to the end.

Su Xiao didn't care about the bell in front of him; this thing could alleviate irritable emotions. After all, traveling through the desert was not an easy task.

The three had originally traveled by riding Deidara's clay bird, but after arriving at the desert, the three had to walk.

The wind and sand were too strong, and the temperature high above was very high. It wouldn't take long for the three to become dehydrated. In short, flying in the desert was a suicidal act.

Moreover, Deidara controlling the clay bird consumed chakra. Entering the Land of Wind was different from entering the Land of Water. The Land of Water was surrounded by a vast ocean, so there was no need to worry about enemies appearing.

"Sasori, how much further?"

Su Xiao took out a bottle of water, drank half of it, and handed the remaining half to Xiang Ignoring Bubu Wang, who gulped it down in a few mouthfuls.

Xiang Ignoring Bubu Wang stuck out its tongue, its face full of despair. It really wanted to take off the "genuine leather coat" it was wearing.

"About half a day to reach the Hidden Sand Village."

With Sasori around, they didn't need a guide; Sasori had grown up in this desert country.

Su Xiao stepped on the sand beneath his feet. The sand was very soft, leaving deep footprints, and the sand made walking more strenuous.

"So hot, hateful sand, ptooey."

As Deidara spoke, sand blew into his mouth.

"Are you sure you're okay with just that bag of clay? The opponent this time is a jinchūriki."

Su Xiao looked at the small cloth bag in Deidara's hand. The three would chat while traveling; otherwise, the journey would be too boring.

"My ninjutsu is all art, and this time I prepared 'Number 18' in advance. After all, the opponent this time is the One-Tail."

Deidara patted the ninja tool pouch at his waist, which contained special clay.

Just as the three were moving forward, Hiruko suddenly stopped. Sasori inside seemed to have discovered something.

Noticing this, Su Xiao placed one hand on the hilt of the blade at his waist.

"Enemy?"

"No, there's good news. The pawn I planted in the Hidden Sand Village a long time ago has taken effect."

"Pawn?"

Deidara looked at Sasori in confusion.

"It's the kind of technology I exchanged with Orochimaru."

"Oh? So, we don't need to break in head-on?"

"No, the plan has changed. We'll sneak in."

Su Xiao didn't know what the two were talking about. Seeming to see his confusion, Sasori considered for a moment and said, "I planted a spy in the Hidden Sand Village a long time ago. I placed a seal in his mind, and he doesn't know his own identity as a spy, so he won't be suspected by others. I lifted the seal before this mission. If everything goes smoothly, he is the key to this mission."

A spy who doesn't know they are a spy can often play an unexpected role.

"A spy who doesn't know their own identity? I hope he can help us enter the Hidden Sand Village. Breaking in head-on is indeed not a good method."

With the strength of the three of them, attacking the Hidden Sand Village head-on was still somewhat difficult.

"We'll see how it goes. I've already contacted him. From the current situation, this pawn is useful. But after the mission is over, do me a favor, Bai Ye."

"What?"

"Clean up this pawn."

Su Xiao looked sideways at Sasori.

"..."

"My own business; I have to settle it later."

Deidara also looked at Sasori.

"That's not a smart choice; it doesn't fit your art."

"Who knows."

The three continued forward, and the squad fell into silence.

Su Xiao clearly felt that Sasori had already harbored a death wish; this situation had appeared when they entered this desert.

"I'll handle that pawn for you later."

"Many thanks."

Su Xiao and Deidara exchanged a glance, and Deidara nodded calmly.

"Sasori, Deidara and I will be responsible for capturing the jinchūriki. You conserve your strength and be responsible for dealing with pursuing enemies, how about that?"

Sasori didn't speak, which was considered tacit agreement.

After the three crossed the desert for five hours, a ladder-shaped circular barrier appeared faintly ahead. This circular barrier protected the Hidden Sand Village, both reducing wind and sand and preventing ninja from other countries from sneaking in.

At this time, Sand ninja were distributed on the ladder-shaped barrier. One of the Sand ninja narrowed his eyes; he saw figures in the distance.