Mastermind of the Akatsuki

After packing most of the puppets from the warehouse into storage scrolls, Sasori and Byakuya departed from the Akatsuki base. 

As Sasori donned the Hiruko puppet, Byakuya couldn't help but ask, "Sasori, for someone like you, who has undergone core transformation, does this count as wearing a body or just clothes?" 

Sasori glanced at Byakuya, silent for a while before replying, "I'm not sure if this is a body or clothing. Byakuya-sama, isn't this question a bit trivial?" 

"I was just curious…" 

Seeing Sasori unable to provide an answer, Byakuya dropped the subject. He soared into the air, heading toward the Land of Fields. 

Sasori summoned his Third Kazekage puppet and followed closely behind. 

A few hours later, the two arrived at Otogakure, the Sound Village in the Land of Fields. Orochimaru, having been informed beforehand, stood on the ground, awaiting their arrival. 

Without any preamble, Byakuya landed and addressed Orochimaru directly, "Orochimaru, how's the preparation for what I asked you to do?" 

Orochimaru's expression showed some hesitation as he replied, "The modifications to Edo Tensei are still incomplete. If I force its usage, there may be unforeseen consequences." 

"That's fine. As long as you can successfully perform the technique, we can refine it later." 

With that, Byakuya gestured for Orochimaru to lead the way. Orochimaru didn't waste words, weaving hand signs and revealing a hidden entrance in the ground. 

Unlike other villages, Otogakure was predominantly an underground settlement. On the surface, it appeared to be an ordinary village, but hidden below was a vast, sprawling network resembling an underground city. 

Following Orochimaru through the tunnels, the trio arrived at a wide experimental site. In the center lay a coffin surrounded by an ominous aura of death. 

Seeing this, Sasori frowned, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious Edo Tensei. 

Noticing Sasori's confusion, Orochimaru smirked and explained, "This, Sasori, is the forbidden technique I've been improving recently: Edo Tensei. It allows me to summon the souls of the dead from the Pure Land back to the living world." 

Sasori's body stiffened at Orochimaru's words, his gaze fixed on the coffin. 

Orochimaru continued, "I've heard that your parents were killed by Konoha's White Fang a long time ago. But that's not a problem. If you can provide their genetic material, I can help you reunite with them." 

With a sly grin, Orochimaru added, "See? I'm always thinking of ways to help my comrades." 

Sasori's expression darkened. While reviving his parents would be a good thing, he neither trusted Orochimaru nor had access to his parents' remains. 

Moreover, he suspected Orochimaru was deliberately provoking him. 

Just as Sasori was about to act, he paused and said instead, "My parents are none of your concern. But as I recall, your parents died in an accident too. Now that you've mastered Edo Tensei, don't you plan to bring them back?" 

Orochimaru's face froze. He didn't even know who his real parents were. 

On top of that, his adopted parents had been ordinary people incapable of chakra manipulation. Given how much time had passed, it was uncertain whether their souls still existed in the Pure Land. Sasori was clearly trying to provoke him. 

The atmosphere grew tense between the two, the air thick with hostility. 

"Enough," Byakuya interrupted, his expression cold. "We can talk about reviving parents later. Let's focus on seeing Orochimaru's latest results for now." 

At Byakuya's command, Orochimaru nodded, forming hand signs as the coffin's lid slowly creaked open. 

Sasori stared intently at the coffin, wondering which ninja would emerge. 

Byakuya, however, showed no interest. He already knew who Orochimaru had summoned, as it was under his orders. 

Moments later, the reanimated Third Kazekage emerged from the coffin. 

Sasori's expression twisted at the sight of the Third Kazekage. This was the man he had killed and turned into a human puppet. How had Orochimaru managed to summon him with Edo Tensei? 

Orochimaru smirked, his tone dripping with intrigue. "Sasori, I deliberated for a long time before deciding to summon the Third Kazekage. I've always been curious—what's more important to a ninja: the body or the soul?"

Sasori snorted disdainfully, pulling out a storage scroll. With a flick, he summoned his Third Kazekage puppet. "Funny, I was wondering the same thing. Let's see which is stronger: your Edo Tensei or my puppetry."

Instead of responding directly, Orochimaru turned his gaze toward Byakuya.

Byakuya gave a subtle nod, silently allowing the confrontation. Orochimaru began to manipulate the reanimated Third Kazekage, drawing iron sand from the surrounding rocks and forming sharp triangular structures.

Not to be outdone, Sasori commanded his puppet to manipulate pre-prepared iron sand, shaping it into cone-like formations.

The clash was immediate and intense. The triangular and conical iron sand constructs collided, scattering fragments in all directions with loud, resonating booms.

After several exchanges, neither Orochimaru nor Sasori gained the upper hand. Both were effectively controlling the same Kazekage, making the battle appear like a strange duel of self-opposition.

Meanwhile, the Edo Tensei'd Third Kazekage began to regain clarity amidst the repeated clashes. His consciousness returned, and he stared in disbelief at his decayed body, then at the puppet crafted from his corpse.

The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. Not only had he been assassinated, but even in death, his body and soul were being exploited by different ninjas. It was an unparalleled humiliation.

Noticing signs of mental collapse in the Kazekage, Byakuya intervened, calling off the battle.

"Enough!"

He instructed Orochimaru to release the Edo Tensei. As the jutsu was undone, Byakuya turned to Orochimaru, his tone measured but resolute. "Orochimaru, your Edo Tensei is already highly refined. It's sufficient for us to move to the next stage."

"What stage?" Orochimaru asked, his curiosity piqued.

Before Byakuya could answer, Sasori interjected with a scoff. "Our mission this time is to infiltrate Sunagakure and hunt down the One-Tail Jinchūriki. Judging by your display earlier, your abilities might actually be useful during the operation."

Sasori's confidence was palpable as he continued, "Byakuya-sama will oversee the mission. Your job is to stall the Fourth Kazekage. Leave the One-Tail Jinchūriki to me. I'll ensure it's brought back to the base without fail."

Byakuya shook his head, correcting Sasori. "Sasori, our mission isn't just to capture the One-Tail Jinchūriki. We aim to control Sunagakure itself."

"Control Sunagakure?" Sasori's eyes narrowed as he turned to Byakuya.

Byakuya's calm demeanor remained as he explained, "If we openly hunt the One-Tail, it will inevitably alert the other villages. By taking control of Sunagakure, we can seal off any leaks and maintain an element of surprise."

Sasori crossed his arms, skepticism evident. "Controlling Sunagakure won't be easy. If Rasa goes missing, it'll draw the attention of that old hag Chiyo. Killing Rasa and installing another puppet will be tricky at best."

Byakuya's expression turned enigmatic as he glanced at Sasori, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's why I intend for you to become the Fifth Kazekage. Once you assume that role, we won't have to worry about our activities being exposed."

The room fell silent as Sasori processed Byakuya's audacious plan. The prospect of becoming the Kazekage was unexpected, yet strangely enticing.

For Sasori, this was no ordinary mission—it was a challenge that could redefine the balance of power across the shinobi world.