Ran's appearance surprised Shigeo Aburame greatly.
"Ran, what are you doing here? Didn't you and the Fūma clan already settle in Amegakure? Did something happen along the way?"
"No, Master!"
Ran shook his head and knelt on one knee before Shigeo.
"The Fūma clan has established a strong foothold in Amegakure. Lord Yahiko has treated us very well, all thanks to your help!"
He pointed to the surroundings as he continued.
"I noticed how much you value these white cells, so after securing our position, I returned to continue cultivating them."
"I see!"
Shigeo nodded in understanding, then reached out to help Ran to his feet.
"You've worked hard, Ran. You've been a great help to me. But cultivating these cells must cost a fortune. Where did the money come from?"
"The clan members earned it through missions in Amegakure," Ran replied with a proud smile.
"We gained Lord Yahiko's trust and participated in the collaborative 'East Water Transfer' project between Amegakure and Sunagakure. The mission rewards were substantial."
"Haha, you deserve it," Shigeo chuckled. "But spending that money here—wouldn't your clan have objections?"
"No, everyone is grateful to you, Master!"
Ran shook his head solemnly.
"The clan knows it's because of your help that we could join Amegakure and find a path to revival. This debt cannot be repaid with mere money…"
"It has been repaid!"
Shigeo interrupted Ran with a wave of his hand and pointed to the glass containers around them.
"These things are invaluable to me. Money can't compare. They have already repaid any debt. So, you don't need to dwell on it anymore. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!" Ran nodded earnestly. "I understand. But I still wish to stay by your side. That is my desire and request."
"Is that so?"
Seeing Ran's determined expression, Shigeo pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. I do need an assistant. You can stay and help cultivate these white cells. I'll provide the necessary funds."
"Yes, Master!"
Ran immediately agreed and then turned his gaze to the figure standing beside Shigeo, a trace of curiosity on his face.
"And who might this person be?"
"You don't need to know."
Sasori lifted his head slightly, his icy, emotionless eyes fixed on Ran.
"Tell me—have you seen Orochimaru?"
"Lord Orochimaru?"
Ran frowned slightly, then shook his head.
"No, ever since he left seven years ago, he hasn't returned. Why are you looking for him—"
"Enough!"
Shigeo interrupted Ran and gestured for him to stop.
"Don't ask unnecessary questions. And stop addressing Orochimaru with honorifics. He's our enemy now. If you see him, notify me immediately."
"Yes, Master!" Ran responded without hesitation and retreated respectfully.
Sasori seemed satisfied with Ran's attitude. The stinger on his tail, which had been raised slightly, lowered back down.
Ran, unaware of how close he had come to death, bowed to Shigeo before leaving the room.
Once he was gone, Sasori spoke again.
"That subordinate of yours is quite remarkable. I can see you value him. If he dies one day, I can turn him into a human puppet, identical to his living self."
"No thanks!"
Shigeo twitched slightly at Sasori's suggestion, looking at him with a hint of helplessness.
"I prefer the original. By the way, your puppet modifications seem incomplete. Feel free to use any of the rooms here."
"Hmm."
Sasori nodded and left the cell cultivation chamber to continue his work in a nearby room.
Meanwhile, Shigeo extracted a piece of white Hashirama cell tissue from a container and began synthesizing Wood-Style Parasitic Destruction Bugs.
The process didn't take long.
In half a day, Shigeo had consumed all the Hashirama cells that Ran had spent seven years cultivating, resulting in an increase of over 2,000 Wood-Style bugs in his body.
When he stepped out of the room, Sasori glanced at him with evident surprise.
"You seem stronger again. How do you do it?"
"Want to try?"
Shigeo pulled out a few blood-red bugs from his pouch and handed them to Sasori.
"Add these to your puppets. I'm not sure if they'll be effective, but it's worth a try."
"…"
Sasori stared at Shigeo for a moment before taking the bugs and disappearing into another room.
After an hour, Sasori returned, his tone filled with rare excitement.
"Do you have more of these bugs? Give me a few more."
"…"
Shigeo raised an eyebrow at Sasori's uncharacteristic eagerness but handed over another batch of blood bugs.
"These aren't easy to cultivate, so use them sparingly."
"I know!"
Sasori replied casually and disappeared into his workshop again, emerging only by evening.
This time, he held a scroll marked with a large "Three." Outside the base, he unfurled it, revealing intricate seals.
*Poof!*
With a burst of smoke, a gray-cloaked puppet appeared. Sasori manipulated it to attack the forest ahead.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
*Shhhhhh…*
Black iron sand shot out like rain, riddling the trees ahead with holes. Screams of agony soon followed.
"Ahhh!"
"My leg—!"
"Run! Ahhh—!"
Hearing the commotion, Shigeo stepped outside, greeted by the sight of toppled trees and a field of mutilated corpses, their discarded weapons marking them as bandits.
Shigeo frowned and turned to Ran.
"Ran, who were those people?"
"They're bandits from a southern stronghold!" Ran's expression darkened. "I drove them away once, but they dared to return."
"Hmph, that's the result of mercy," Sasori sneered as he adjusted his puppet.
"Your base has been exposed. The best solution is to eliminate them completely. I can handle it if you give me more of those bugs."
"Haha, no need to trouble you with such trifles!"
Shigeo grinned and released a few blood bugs into the air.
"Go!"
The bugs buzzed off toward the south, disappearing into the dimming sky.
Moments later, flames erupted in the distance, accompanied by deafening explosions.
*Boom, boom, boom…!*
(End of Chapter)