"But then again, Sasori-danna, why are you walking with him?"
The relentless wind swept across the barren landscape, carrying with it the howling echoes of its passage. It surged past the crumbling rock formations and spilled into the endless, desolate desert.
From above, looking down upon the sandstorm swirling across the dunes, three small figures carved a faint trail into the soft golden sands… Logan and the two artists of Akatsuki.
"Hmph, it's not that I'm walking with him. It's that he's insisting on walking with me." Sasori said flatly.
Logan squinted against the wind and sand, looking innocent as he replied, "I told you, it's just on the way."
'Given the chance, the other party would undoubtedly take the opportunity to express his disdain.' Logan thought so and subconsciously took a step sideways. Even though Deidara was beside him and Sasori refused to get close when they walked together, Logan still made sure to keep some distance.
Feeling the fine grains of sand brush against his ears and skin in the gusts, Logan pressed his bamboo hat lower.
After their brief encounter on the stone mushroom formations, Logan and Deidara had become acquainted. The atmosphere could have been livelier, but Sasori, ever the wary 'senior', had been cautious to prevent the hot-headed, explosion-loving Deidara from being swayed by certain persuasive words.
He had subtly corrected the conversation, cutting off any deeper discussions about art.
From there, things proceeded as expected. There was no unnecessary pleasantries exchanged, after all, none of these men were the type to engage in idle small talk. Sasori and Deidara didn't waste time, and with minimal preparation, they set off for Sunagakure.
It was only now, after having truly entered the desert, that the fierce winds that perpetually ravaged this country finally began to show their true strength.
Sasori's puppet, Hiruko, kept a low stance as it moved forward. The Akatsuki cloak it wore dragged against the sand.
"Your skin is thick enough. If you didn't wear a hat, you'd probably ignore the flying sand altogether."
Logan ignored him, then gently rubbed his face, 'My skin was still young and healthy.'
The howling winds blew against the three figures while simultaneously erasing their footprints with remarkable speed. This harsh climate was unbearable compared to other regions, but it was also ideal for covering one's tracks.
"He doesn't know about our mission, does he?"
"I never told him."
When such topics arose, Logan wisely remained silent… even though he already knew practically everything about Akatsuki.
"Oh?" Deidara's curiosity was piqued. He pressed his right hand against his hat and sneaked a glance at the unfamiliar presence beside him, "Hey, you keep saying it's just 'on the way', but looking at how much Sasori-danna seems to dislike you, care to explain what exactly you're on the way for?"
Logan looked up at the sky. The scorching sun blazed directly overhead as he put on an expression of deep interest in the weather, "Why should I tell you? You guys haven't told me what you're here for, either."
It was ironic, really. They were walking together, on the same path, yet having this conversation.
"Don't pry into other people's business, Dei-chan."
Hearing this, Deidara instantly felt his temper flare, "Who the hell are you calling Dei-chan?"
Unlike Sasori, Deidara wasn't the type to let things slide. He waved his hand dismissively, "Fine, whatever. Since that's the case, I don't mind telling you either."
Hearing this, Sasori, who had been silently moving forward, turned his head slightly but did not stop him.
For them, an operation to invade a Great Ninja Village and capture a Jinchuriki, something that would seem insane and near-suicidal to the average Ninja, was nothing extraordinary.
Since everything was under control, there was no harm in revealing it.
"Wait." However, Logan suddenly interrupted, "I don't want to hear it."
"..."
Deidara nearly choked on his own words. He gritted his teeth and took a moment to calm himself. After a long silence, he glanced at Sasori, who was still walking steadily beside him, unfazed.
A realization struck him, 'So this was how a true senior operated. No wonder Sasori-danna could remain so composed in the face of someone like this.'
Logan had thrown him off, but Deidara took a deep breath, 'Yes, as a member of Akatsuki, I had to embody silence and cold detachment. In other words, being cold and expressionless was an art in itself… A mere unexpected appearance of Raiden Hattori was nothing.'
Maintaining Akatsuki's image, Deidara thought to himself. Even though he was already used to the harsh desert winds, Deidara pressed down on his hat, letting his long cloak billow in the wind, mirroring Sasori's deep and indifferent demeanor.
"Aren't you curious about what we're here for? Or is it that you already know but pretend not to, following us with ulterior motives?"
That last part should have sounded menacing, yet Deidara's words carried a mix of teasing pressure and quiet confidence, blending effortlessly into the howling sandstorm.
"I'm not curious." Logan answered honestly.
Deidara chuckled, his left hand moving slightly, just enough for a brief illusion of a tongue flickering into view, "So, you do know?"
'Not only do I know, but I could even give you spoilers.' Facing the young and flamboyant explosive genius, Logan shrugged speechlessly, "I don't know, but it's not hard to guess."
At that, both Sasori and Deidara paused briefly. Logan continued nonchalantly, " Even though I haven't contacted the organization in a while, I was still part of it… Doesn't the organization have multi-phase plans? The fact that you two are heading straight for Sunagakure with such obvious intent… your target is beyond clear."
"Haha." Deidara let out a short laugh, momentarily speechless.
Logan raised his fist and made a light gesture, "Ichibi's Jinchuriki, Fighting."
The two beside him fell into an awkward silence. After a moment, Sasori glanced at Logan with a scrutinizing look, and Logan immediately understood what he meant, "Don't worry, I won't interfere."
Again, there was nothing left to say. Sasori found himself growing irritated, 'Why did this guy always say everything before he even had a chance to? How was I supposed to get a word in now?'
"Hmph, no one even wanted you to come along in the first place."
Deidara could only scoff in agreement. He had lost interest in questioning Logan's motives any further.
…
The wind and sand showed no signs of relenting today, sweeping endlessly across the land, shrouding the distant Ninja Village in a thick veil of dust.
It was an ordinary day. No matter how fierce the sandstorm became, the people of Sunagakure would not find it unusual.
But on the other side of the storm, three figures moved steadily toward the village, silent and unwavering.
Their footsteps pressed into the sand at an unhurried pace, as if counting down to a moment of inevitable devastation.
Just like the black robes they wore, adorned with red clouds, proclaiming terror in silent oppression.
In the past and in the future, those red clouds would always represent the same unspoken dread… though there was one person in normal clothing mixed in among them.
On the road, despite some minor friction, Logan found that as long as he casually threw out a phrase like 'Art is explosion', Deidara would light up, pleased that someone finally appreciated his explosive craft.
As for Sasori, he simply ignored him.
As they neared Sunagakure, the conversation naturally dwindled. They each adjusted their states of mind, and in the distance, the village's vast silhouette gradually emerged from behind the sand dunes.
"I gotta ask, are you guys really planning to just waltz in like this?"
The massive entrance of Sunagakure loomed ahead, standing firm like an immovable fortress built from layers of hardened earth and stone.
A narrow passage in the center was the only entry point, undoubtedly guarded by vigilant Ninja.
Logan continued, "Even if I'm just 'on the way', I do have some principles. I'd rather not get caught up in this."
When Deidara heard this, he snorted disdainfully, "Relax. Other than the Ichibi's Jinchūriki, nothing in this village is worth my attention."
Seeing how the two continued their slow, deliberate approach toward the village gates, Logan decided to let them enjoy their moment.
He knew how this event would play out—their victory was inevitable, 'Still, Akatsuki was certainly bold in the early and mid-game.'
Sasori remained unfazed by their direct approach. He merely glanced at Deidara's waist pouch and offered a rare word of caution, "It is a Jinchuriki. Do you have enough prepared?"
"Of course, of course! I brought all my best tricks."
Logan cast a glance at Deidara's pouch. From what he recalled, Deidara hadn't brought much clay this time.
A few lonely cacti struggled to survive in the arid desert, and at long last, the relentless sandstorm began to settle. The air cleared, revealing the towering walls of Sunagakure in full view.
Surprisingly, no one stopped them. No one even questioned them. The supposedly well-guarded entrance stood eerily quiet, like an abandoned fortress.
Tap, tap…
The three stepped into the narrow passage leading into the village.
Ahead of them, a blood-soaked Sunagakure Ninja stood solemnly, bowing in submission. Behind him, a field of corpses lay scattered in disarray.
"Oh." Logan let out a casual remark.