The Sharingan Gamer

In the months that followed, events unfolded just as Kyosuke had predicted. The Sand ninja forces not only halted their advance but also retreated several dozen miles to regroup. This gave Konoha a rare and much-needed respite.

During this time, Orochimaru ordered his troops to dismantle the outposts, camps, and other facilities established by the Sand ninja, while setting up numerous traps and reconnaissance units along the way. If the Sand ninja were to attack again, clearing these obstacles would take them a considerable amount of time, giving Konoha ample opportunity to respond.

Of course, the Sand ninja did not just sit by and watch Konoha set up its defensive lines. They frequently sent elite teams to harass them, but most were repelled by Konoha's assault units.

It had to be said that ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, established the Ninja Academy, the average strength of Konoha's ninja had far surpassed that of the other villages. In these smaller, evenly matched skirmishes, the Sand ninja had no advantage.

However, the Sand ninja did have a considerable numerical advantage. So, when one wave failed, they would immediately send another to harass them. As a result, the assault units were in a constant state of struggle.

But there was one person who was more than happy to see this happen—Kyosuke, who was busy reaping experience points.

For the past few months, Kyosuke's squad had been almost entirely occupied with repelling the Sand ninja's assault units. While their results were not spectacular, they had provided a certain degree of help.

In addition to gaining a large amount of merit, Kyosuke's experience point income was also not small.

However, this time, Kyosuke did not invest his experience points in any particular ninjutsu. Instead, he directly maxed out his "Chakra Extraction Technique." After all, his personal level was still not high. Even if he could raise his Body Flicker or swordsmanship to a higher level, his body wouldn't be able to handle it.

Instead, it was better to use the experience points to improve his fundamental abilities.

This war was not going to end in a year or two. So, increasing his daily chakra acquisition was the most cost-effective choice. Especially since abilities that could greatly increase his strength, such as "Sage Mode," "Mangekyo Sharingan," and "Hashirama Cells," all required a large amount of chakra as a foundation. So, it was not surprising that Kyosuke would make this choice.

The amount of chakra he could now extract daily had skyrocketed to 10. Even if his level didn't increase, in a few years, he was confident that he could use S-rank forbidden jutsu with just the chakra he had extracted.

At this time, in a hidden location outside the Sand Village, two young boys were engaged in a fierce battle.

"Sasori, I won't lose to you," one of the boys said, controlling his puppet to attack the other, a red-haired boy.

"Boring," the red-haired boy said, looking at his only friend with a detached expression, while controlling his own puppet, "Crow," to block the attack.

This red-haired boy was Sasori of the Red Sand.

Although Sasori had lost in the previous Chunin Exams, with his puppet control skills, it was impossible for him to lose to any of his peers, even if the boy opposite him was also a genius.

Sasori's indifferent attitude was like fuel to the fire for the jealous boy. His attacks became even more ferocious.

Unfortunately, the vast difference in their talent made all his efforts futile.

At the same time, a series of painful memories replayed in his mind.

"Yo, Sasori is a real genius."

"You worthless thing. If you had half of Sasori's talent, your father would be so proud."

"Your strength is not bad, as expected of Sasori's friend. I'm sure he's taken good care of you, hahaha."

These images flashed through his mind one by one.

"It's all because of you..." the boy said, his head bowed, muttering to himself.

"?" Sasori, seeing him stop, also placed Crow on the ground, a puzzled look on his face.

He had a feeling that something was off with his friend today. But, being emotionally detached, he didn't delve into the reason.

"Are you done? If you're finished, I'm leaving," Sasori said, putting away his puppet and preparing to leave.

Seeing Sasori's "contemptuous" expression, and the back he had so openly exposed to him, the Sand ninja boy finally snapped.

"It's all because of you..."

"If you die, my talent, my art will surely be recognized by everyone."

"So, Sasori... my friend, please, die!!!"

Hearing the boy's suppressed and furious cry, Sasori was finally jolted from his thoughts.

He wants to kill me?! Sasori subconsciously turned to look at his only friend, Crow once again appearing in his hands.

Unfortunately, because "Hiruko" was still in the process of being upgraded, Sasori hadn't brought it with him today. And with a surprise attack, even Sasori was inevitably injured.

"Hahaha, without your puppets, you're so fragile?" The boy's vicious face made Sasori's stunned expression turn to a daze.

He... when did he become like this?

Is it all because he's jealous of me?

This is... so ridiculous...

This... ridiculous world...

The boy looked at the poisoned Sasori on the ground, laughed wildly for a moment, then his expression couldn't help but turn to one of sorrow. But the sorrow was fleeting. When he thought that from now on, he would no longer have to bear the title of "Sasori's friend," he couldn't help but laugh again.

"Hahaha... ugh... what are you...?!" The boy's laughter was suddenly cut short, as if he had been choked.

Before him, Sasori's "dead" body slowly stood up.

"Do you remember who taught you how to make poison?" Sasori asked, his face still calm.

"Impossible! My poison-making skills have long surpassed yours. Everyone knows that," the boy shouted in terror, slowly backing away.

"Surpassed me... that's just a title I let you have," Sasori said flatly.

However, this cruel reality made the boy's spirit completely collapse.

Sasori looked at his frenzied state and shook his head slightly. With a flick of his wrist, Crow stepped forward and easily took the boy's life.

Until the moment of his death, the boy still couldn't accept the fact that "I am not as good as Sasori."

"Life is such a fragile thing," Sasori said, looking at the dead boy on the ground, his mind inevitably turning to his own parents, who had died in battle when he was young.

Today, another important person in his life had passed away.

For this, the idea that had once been just a seed in his mind suddenly began to grow wildly.

"The reason life is so fragile is because of our frail bodies..."

"In that case, why don't I just discard this shell..."

Suddenly having figured everything out, a rare, brilliant smile touched Sasori's lips.

"Father, Mother, and you..." Sasori said softly, looking at the boy on the ground.

"You will all be with me forever..."

"Forever..."