Setting foot in the Land of Wind felt like stepping directly into a whirlwind of sand. The shifting dunes and the biting chill of the night made the climate's harshness unmistakable.
nation built upon such an unforgiving landscape was naturally at a disadvantage. No matter what miracles it could produce, its economy was never bustling with trade.
Logan followed Sasori as they plunged into the windswept desert. They weren't heading straight for Sunagakure but veering toward another destination. Under the cold moonlight, the ancient sands, which had long eroded the will and patience of countless travelers, posed little threat to the two of them.
Contrary to the endless sea of sand often depicted in films, the Land of Wind had a layered geography. Around Sunagakure, at least, the terrain was somewhat habitable.
As they skirted a minor curve along the border, a certain anticipation settled between them. Conversations grew sparse, as if an unspoken understanding dictated their silence.
Logan opened his mouth a few times, instinctively wanting to break the awkward atmosphere, but sensing the mood, he thought better of it. Ahead of them lay a mission of grave significance… one that, before long, would usher in conflict and bloodshed, altering the lives of Sasori, many Ninja of this world, and perhaps even himself.
Finally, they arrived at a desolate rocky plain. Deep cracks split the ground like sorrowful scars, and there wasn't a soul in sight.
Sasori scanned their surroundings before stopping beneath a particularly conspicuous rock formation. It's a massive, weathered stone shaped like a mushroom.
"We're here." Sasori said simply.
Logan followed, placing a hand on the coarse surface of the stone. Time and wind had worn it into a rugged, ancient texture, "So, this is the meeting spot you agreed upon?"
Sasori didn't respond. He merely sat down, closing his eyes to rest.
Logan was used to this kind of reaction. He circled the peculiar rock twice, but soon grew bored and sat down as well.
Deidara hadn't arrived yet. Since they needed to rendezvous before heading to Sunagakure, this was the designated meeting point.
As Logan rested, he gazed into the distance. The sky was beginning to lighten ever so slightly. The veil of night had yet to fully recede, casting the landscape in a hazy, yellow desolation.
He had no particular expectations for this meeting, and his primary concern was whether the mission would go smoothly.
Time passed slowly in silence. As the sun finally rose over the horizon, its light bathing the land in golden hues, their awaited companion finally arrived.
From the northern wasteland, a shadow emerged. It moved with ease, leaping over jagged rocks and uneven terrain.
Sasori sensed the presence and stood up, stepping onto the stone mushroom. He carried himself like a senior figure, though his height did little to reinforce the image.
"Here he comes." Logan remarked, shifting his gaze to the approaching figure. This was his first time seeing Deidara, the Akatsuki's member with a significant role in the original work.
The wind carried sound swiftly across the barren land. As the shadow drew closer, its features became clear… a black cloak adorned with red clouds pattern, golden hair cascading down one side of his face, partially obscuring his left eye. A single braid extended from the crown of his head.
"Sasori-danna! Long time no see, hmm!" Deidara could be heard shouting from a distance.
However, as he got closer, the atmosphere took a sudden shift. He immediately noticed something was off, 'There was an extra person present?'
The vigilance in Deidara's heart was instantly heightened. His cheerful expression darkened as his eyes narrowed. Akatsuki always operated in pairs, meaning no additional members should be present on this mission.
"You're late." Sasori said, his tone as composed as ever, his puppet-like eyes staring at Deidara from within Hiruko.
"Who is this guy?"
With a quick movement, Deidara landed atop the stone mushroom, joining Sasori. Two figures clad in black cloaks now stood side by side, the notorious 'Artist Duo' of Akatsuki, both directing their scrutiny toward Logan.
Deidara wasn't particularly tall, and his face looked quite young. The gaze he directed over carried no trace of goodwill.
Logan remembered that Deidara should be under twenty years old, but now that they were standing close, Logan realized he was actually the tallest among them all. He couldn't help but straighten his chest a little, feeling somewhat satisfied.
Sasori was about to introduce them but deliberately paused, seemingly recalling something.
Deidara, who viewed Sasori as both a senior and a rival, frowned. He sensed that things weren't simple and immediately worked his mind, quickly deciphering the silent signal in Sasori's gaze.
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?" Deidara faced Logan and said with a hint of arrogance.
Logan, caught off guard by the sudden questioning, was momentarily baffled. He glanced at the quietly standing Sasori and the corner of his mouth rose slightly.
As for Deidara's unfriendly gaze, Logan simply ignored it, silently calling him a brat in his mind.
"I was just passing by and saw Sasori, so I tagged along. Nice to meet you. Oh, by the way, I didn't bring a gift."
The phrase 'just passing by' was particularly interesting. Sasori couldn't help but glance at Logan, who noticed and, without any sense of humility, raised his eyebrows slightly.
Deidara, being straightforward, couldn't quite figure out the relationship between Logan and Sasori. He scratched the back of his head hesitantly, intending to throw in another sharp remark.
However, Logan's next words caught him off guard, "Deidara... you're the renowned artist of the Akatsuki, right? Sasori has been singing your praises the whole way here. Now that I've finally met you, I have to say… I've heard so much about you."
Upon hearing this, Deidara's expression unconsciously softened, "Oh… well, it's nothing, really..."
Logan's gaze drifted over Deidara's Iwagakure's forehead protector, which had a slash across it, and finally settled on his distinctive spiky ponytail. Internally, he evaluated: 'Hmm, artist indeed.'
Meanwhile, Sasori's expression hidden behind Hiruko nearly cracked. Thinking back, he indeed mentioned Deidara during their journey, but wasn't it more along the lines of 'watch out or you'll get blown up'?
"At least you have some taste and recognition. Akatsuki is, after all, a group of artists. Everyone here is unique in their own way. And within the group, I'm undoubtedly one of the most special existences..." Deidara declared, tilting his chin up with pride.
"I see…"
"Speaking of which, when I was on my way here just now, I didn't ride the giant bird created by my technique. Instead, I moved forward by repeatedly jumping. Haha, doesn't that feel artistic..."
"Cough!" Sasori had to interrupt. Otherwise, who knew where this conversation would end up? His original expectation was for them to start a fight, and the more intense the fight, the better. But things had taken a turn too fast.
" He's a former member of the organization, Raiden Hattori." Sasori's tone turned serious as he looked at Deidara.
"…What?" Deidara was stunned. He turned to Logan to confirm, "That Raiden Hattori? Didn't he disappear a long time ago? So that means..."
Seeing the conversation return to normal, Sasori nodded slightly and said coldly, "He lost contact for years before reappearing. Whether he can even be considered 'returning' is uncertain. How the leader will handle this is yet to be determined."
"Be careful, Deidara." Sasori reminded.
Logan could only smile helplessly, as if to say, 'Fair enough'.
Deidara looked between them. When 'big senior' Sasori spoke seriously, it carried some weight.
Deidara scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Got it… Danna."