The Majestic Dragon

Several days later, Aoba met Sasori in a particular cave.

Hiruko was ugly; whenever Aoba saw it, he seriously doubted Sasori's taste.

Even if it was a human puppet, it could be replaced; why keep such an ugly one?

As he was about to complain, Sasori hit him with a stack of money at their meeting, saying, "I've prepared a hundred million ryō; help me contribute it to the sect and see how much merit it can exchange."

Aoba immediately swallowed the words he was about to say and silently nodded.

Perhaps the aesthetic sense of the wealthy is indeed strange, like that of Principal Wang from before he crossed over, who liked the internet celebrity look—the sharper the chin, the more favored...

After making excuses for Sasori in his mind, Aoba didn't hesitate and threw over a scroll.

Being such an accommodating younger brother, he, as the elder brother, couldn't be ambiguous, right?

"I thought you might need this, so I grabbed it for you."

When Sasori broke the seal and saw it was the body of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, he was surprised!

"Wasn't it said that Orochimaru assassinated the Fourth Kazekage?"

Aoba nodded, "Orochimaru is no match, but he has many ways to escape. I let him slip away without noticing."

Aoba didn't concoct a flawless story but deliberately led Sasori to fill in the blanks, saving him the trouble of explaining to Pain.

Sure enough, Sasori didn't ask further but nodded in agreement, "That 'little snake' is indeed slippery. After so long since the leader issued a kill order, we haven't resolved that guy, and instead, he teamed up with Sand and went to Konoha, heh."

Sasori was satisfied after a sarcastic laugh, taking Rasa's body back.

His new collection was about to gain another piece.

"How much money do you need? I will prepare it as soon as possible."

"Let's talk later. I don't need so much money." Aoba firmly played excellent!

Sasori had given him a grand gift upon arrival, and considering that he controlled the entire Wave Country, he was wealthy.

Talk about money?

Too vulgar!

Some nouveau riche was a bit swollen with pride.

Sasori seemed to feel the same, so after thinking for a while, he threw a few scrolls to Yasuo.

"These are my improved puppet techniques and some insights. The other scrolls contain some 'little toys' I use to practice when I'm free. They might not be as perfect as the 'Eternal Puppets' in your hands, but these are all I can offer. Or if you want something, I can steal it for you."

Sasori's 'secret techniques' and 'little toys'?

Honestly, Aoba was interested.

Not that he wanted to play with puppets, but he suddenly thought of Ranmaru, the little guy who often looked envious during Karin's training.

Although he didn't know how to restore Ranmaru's ability to walk, this puppet technique seemed very suitable for Ranmaru.

This way, Ranmaru could move freely and have some self-protection ability.

I wonder if Ranmaru has any talent in this area.

"Never mind, I'll return it and try it out."

Aoba casually took them, declining Sasori's offer, "These are enough."

Sasori knew the trade wasn't equal but had nothing else Yasuo might want. Could he craft a fine blade for him?

Sasori wasn't sure, seeming to have some idea.

That's the advantage of having a solid character setup, plus being influenced by some BUFF. He hoodwinked Sasori, so Sasori genuinely felt Yasuo was getting too little and was being too generous...

The Fourth Mizukage and the Fourth Kazekage were both 'gifts' Yasuo gave him, but he hadn't given anything valuable in return. That wouldn't do!

"Looks like I need to make a trip to the Iron Country first..."

After Yasuo left, Sasori decided.

...

Meanwhile, Aoba, delighted, prepared to take the water route directly from the Land of Hot Water to the ruins of the Whirlpool Country.

This route was faster, and he avoided passing through the Land of Fire so he wouldn't run into acquaintances.

But some people and things can't be avoided just by wishing...

When Aoba arrived at the central town of the Land of Hot Water, he immediately noticed that the people seemed to be celebrating some sort of festival.

Everyone was dressed in distinctive yukatas, carrying ladles, and walking cheerfully in the same direction.

Noticing many curious glances at himself, Aoba realized

His outfit was too conspicuous.

Also curious about what was happening, he borrowed a man's yukata from a 'kind person' and used a transformation technique to blend into the crowd.

Even though his current appearance was slightly different from his own, it was "good enough."

Then he learned that today was the day the Land of Hot Water honored the god of hot springs.

Later in the square, everyone, regardless of age or sex, could wear yukatas and receive blessings.

As for what the blessing was...

Looking at everyone's spoons, it was clear: cooled hot spring water.

There were unique water collection points around the square; using actual hot spring water would have turned it into a murder scene!

Aoba didn't want to know where this hot spring god came from.

But doesn't this seem very much like the Songkran Festival he knew?

Probably only the clothes and the water used were different...

Meticulous!

The saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Since he was there, Aoba decided to relax appropriately.

It wasn't because he changed his mind after arriving at the square and seeing many yukata-clad girls soaked through.

Then he was suddenly hit in the face by a 'wave' of water!

He could have dodged, but there was no need.

Several pretty girls looked at him eagerly, seemingly waiting for his 'blessing.'

Unaware of their audacity, were they?

They didn't see him as a threat!

Aoba sighed; he had used a transformation technique to make himself 'ugly,' how could this scene still happen?

But since these few little sprites sincerely challenged me, don't blame the old monk for giving you a BUFF on your heads!

Ready~ to~ catch~ sprites!

Great Majestic Dragon!

Great Law Spell!

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva!

All Buddhas of Prajna!

Golden Mountain Monastery, demon-restricted land, Prajna bam ha!

Damn!

With a series of mantras suddenly rising in his heart.

"Demons, where are you going!"