On a sand dune outside the Hidden Sand Village.
Yubi lay comfortably on the top of the dune, with Sasori standing beside him.
From this angle, they had a perfect view of the entire Hidden Sand Village below.
"What do you think?"
Sasori asked.
"He's strong... not just normally strong. For most people, that level of power is something they'll find hard to reach in their entire lives." Yubi narrowed his eyes, recalling the details of his fight with the Third Kazekage, and said calmly, "Of course, with a Bloodline Limit like his, he couldn't be weak even if he tried."
"The range and power of that ability... isn't something that can be achieved by consuming just a little bit of Chakra."
Sasori looked straight ahead without saying a word.
"Well... he is the strongest Kazekage, after all, and the leader of the Village." Yubi joked in a relaxed tone.
"The Medical Department, Police Force, Anbu, Administrative Department, Intelligence Department, Analysis Team, Economic Advisors, Military Advisors... all of them must be purged. But for our plan to succeed, the most critical element is the Third." Sasori pondered for a moment and said coldly.
"No need to be so extreme... looking at the state of this Ninja World War, although the Villages have stopped fighting... they haven't gained any advantage over Konoha, so there's still a lingering anger and resentment. I'm afraid it won't be long before they start fighting again..." Yubi smiled slightly. "Replacing all the Village's top brass at once—leaving aside whether we can do it—even if we could, it would invisibly weaken the Village's fighting strength. If war breaks out again in a short time... with no leaders to manage the vital departments, it would be even more troublesome."
"Some of them are quite capable... the only issue is that their core beliefs and thinking are heavily influenced by the Third... that needs to change. Therefore, as the source, the Third must be dealt with... After all, during the era of the Second Kazekage, our Sunagakure was developing quite well. It was only after the Third took over that things began to sour."
"You must have some ideas, right?"
Sasori looked down at Yubi, who was lazily soaking up the sun.
"During this assessment... I had some intentions of testing him. My Bloodline Limit is liquid. As long as the density of his Iron Sand doesn't increase, it's hard for him to completely block my ability's penetration. Given a few more years, I should be able to research some methods to counter his Iron Sand... However, Iron Sand is a metallic mineral after all, and its variable density far exceeds that of normal sand..." Yubi held up a finger and said with a smile, "In other words, even if you and I are given a few more years to grow, joining forces to defeat him... still won't be that easy."
"So... we have to use unconventional methods."
Their plan to eliminate the Third had to be kept strictly secret.
It could not be known by anyone else.
Even if they had the ability to kill the target... conventional combat and slaughter were not viable options.
It would definitely alert outsiders.
Especially within the Village.
"Poison?"
Sasori understood immediately.
"Exactly... you and I are both quite skilled in this area, and no one would expect us to make a move against the Third."
"And... it's best if it's a slow-acting poison, the kind that's not easily detected... and hard to trace. Otherwise, with Grandmother Chiyo around, if we're discovered... we'll end up as Rogue Ninja."
Yubi sat up from the ground.
"Leave the poison... to me."
Sasori was very calm.
As Chiyo's grandson, he was most familiar with the old woman's methods of making and neutralizing poisons... For him and Yubi, the poison for the Third didn't need to be'spectacular'; it just needed to evade Chiyo's detection.
And the one most familiar with Chiyo was, naturally, Sasori.
"When the time comes... I'll join the Anbu and find a way to get close and observe him."
Sasori added.
To be safe, their elimination of the Third would be a long-term 'project.' They had to understand the target well enough to be familiar with everything from his daily behavior to his private actions.
As for gaining the Third's trust, that wasn't a problem at all.
Both of them were now part of the new generation the Village was focusing on cultivating... Grandmother Chiyo herself was a high-ranking official, and Sasori, coming from a direct lineage, would have no trouble entering the Anbu or even becoming the Kage's guard.
"I'll handle the Third. As for other matters, I'll leave them to you."
Sasori said.
After clearing out the Third, they also needed to make certain people among the top brass 'disappear.'
This mainly involved the faction that supported the Third Kazekage.
"The others are manageable, but there's one who's a bit more troublesome."
Yubi looked up at the blazing sun over the Hidden Sand Village and said softly.
"Rasa."
Sasori uttered the name.
They had also identified the problem... Rasa, as the strongest of the Village's current new generation, had also entered the circle capable of participating in Village decision-making. His personality and style were practically a carbon copy of the Third's... Even if they killed the Kazekage, given Rasa's military achievements and age, he would surely be nominated as the successor.
"Should we kill him?"
Sasori's voice didn't waver in the slightest.
Although Rasa was also a Bloodline Limit user and his strength was recognized throughout the Village.
But as before... Sasori was extremely confident in his and Yubi's talent.
Given a few years... at the very least, Sasori didn't think he would be weaker than Rasa.
The Village's selection of a new Kage was usually based on a comprehensive evaluation... Rasa had military merits, was of the right age, and was already part of the leadership.
Most importantly, his way of doing things was identical to the Third Kazekage's. This would make the other high-ranking officials feel more comfortable and familiar with him.
They would certainly feel that Rasa was the prime candidate to take over.
Although Yubi and Sasori didn't intend to become Kage immediately after the plan succeeded, they knew in their hearts... they absolutely could not let Rasa take power.
Otherwise, the tragedy of the Hidden Sand Village... would only repeat itself.
"The Village will still need him in the future... we just need to find a way to prevent him from taking the position."
Yubi replied.
"You and I are enough. Others... will only get in the way," Sasori said coldly.
"Don't be so aggressive... if we want our Village to truly develop and grow strong, a dictatorship won't work."
Yubi teased.
"Hmph."
Sasori gave a cold laugh seeing him speak so convincingly.
"The position of Kage, while elected by the Village's power structure... and the hidden Village generally only advocates for and manages military affairs, there is one person whose stance should play a decisive role," Yubi said.
Sasori knew who he was referring to.
"The Village's performance in this Ninja World War... I imagine the Daimyo of the Land of Wind must be very dissatisfied."
"If we can gain some of his support, things will be much simpler."
Yubi laughed.
"Anyway, there's still plenty of time, enough for us to deploy slowly... I'm a bit hungry. Let's go... food first, my treat!"
Yubi stretched and jumped up from the ground.
He placed his hand on Sasori's shoulder.
"You'd better be serious... I'm not joking with you. If it doesn't succeed in the end, there's no point in me staying here," Sasori said with a tense face, serious and cold.
"Don't worry, if we fail, we'll run away together..."
Yubi raised an eyebrow.
"..."
Sasori.
This time, Sasori didn't brush off Yubi's hand.
The two walked slowly down the sand dune side by side, leaving two long sets of footprints on the sand.