Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand-Chapter 242: Kazekage Ninja- - 31: Prelude to the Prison Break (Part 3)

Chapter 242: Kazekage Ninja-Chapter 31: Prelude to the Prison Break (Part 3)

The next day, during the recreation time at Abyss Prison, Aotu Tailuo strolled leisurely around the exercise yard, his steps exaggerated and deliberate, as if he were parading on a stage. Behind him, Yamada Shuji followed closely, one hand covering his face in shame while the other clung to Aotu Tailuo’s pocket, trailing after him like a shadow.

Nearly every prisoner in the yard had stopped their activities, staring dumbfounded at the ostentatious pair. Many of them gaped, rubbing their eyes as if to confirm they weren’t hallucinating.

The once-dominant leader of the Thug Gang had been reduced to Aotu Tailuo’s "boy toy"!

The situation was nothing short of explosive. It was happening right before their eyes, undeniably real. While it’s said that a true man knows when to bow and endure, no one had ever seen someone stoop so low as to figuratively crawl under another man’s crotch.

The members of the Thug Gang hung their heads in shame, their usual arrogance and swagger completely gone. Though everyone knew that Yamada Shuji was merely a second-generation rich kid from Yamada Clan in Dragonfly City, he was still their boss. But now, their boss had become someone else’s "plaything." How could they continue to hold their heads high? They wished they could dig a hole and disappear into it.

Meanwhile, the "officers" of the Yuexi Faction were cheering and whistling in glee. Ever since the assassination of Inoue Muramasa, their faction had been overshadowed by gloom. They had been planning revenge, but without a leader to guide them and with the Thug Gang’s overwhelming numbers, their plans remained just that—plans. Now, Aotu Tailuo had acted, not only humiliating the Thug Gang’s leader but reducing him to a mere "plaything." What could be more satisfying? What could be more cathartic?

"Tailuo! You’re amazing!" someone shouted.

"Tailuo! You’re amazing!" others began to echo.

"Tailuo! You’re amazing!" The chant grew louder and louder, spreading across the yard until the entire crowd joined in—even the elders who usually remained neutral.

Even some of the guards, despite their better judgment, were quietly mouthing the chant.

In those ten minutes of recreation time, Aotu Tailuo slowly led Yamada Shuji around the yard, lap after lap. Occasionally, he waved at other prisoners, as if basking in the adoration of his audience. In that moment, he truly became the "star" of the prison.

"This kid... he really knows how to put on a show. But I have to admit, it worked. And no one died in the process. A clever move," remarked Zhenshan Bao, watching the scene unfold through the blinds of his office window.

From that day forward, Aotu Tailuo effortlessly became the de facto leader of the Yuexi Faction and the indirect leader of the Thug Gang. His "status" in Abyss Prison skyrocketed, and he was soon assigned the cushy job of delivering meals to the prisoners in the Black Cell, sparing him from the grueling labor of screwing bolts and pedaling sewing machines in the workshop.

This, of course, was orchestrated by Rasa and Zhenshan Bao. Their goal was simple: to give Aotu Tailuo access to the high-profile prisoners in the Black Cell—specifically, Kazama Xu.

As one of Iwagakure’s most formidable shinobi, Jing Hang had often considered eliminating this ruthless woman. But each time, he was stopped by Rasa and Yamashita Tetsu.

It wasn’t out of pity or mercy but because keeping Kazama Xu alive was akin to planting a massive landmine under Iwagakure. Why not take this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone? Let her assist Aotu Tailuo in escaping, making the story more believable while redirecting the future conflicts of the Akatsuki Organization toward Iwagakure.

Over the years, the Akatsuki had been recruiting rogue shinobi, and someone as powerful as Kazama Xu was undoubtedly a prime target. As for the effects of the chakra-suppressing drug injected into her, that was a non-issue—a single antidote would suffice. If she dared to act against Sunagakure, the solution was simple: her blood sample was stored in the medical department, ready for Hidan to use at any time.

Does this sound far-fetched? Illogical? Jing Hang thought so too. But after Yamashita Tetsu laid out his analysis, even Jing Hang had to admit it made some sense.

Ever since the Iwa-Suna War—or more accurately, since the failed mission to kidnap the old monk—Kazama Xu had been completely abandoned by Iwagakure. Neither the Third Tsuchikage Onoki nor the Fourth Tsuchikage Purple ever mentioned her team’s attempt to capture Shukaku, deliberately downplaying or outright ignoring the incident.

After all, the facts were undeniable, and Iwagakure feared Sunagakure might use the incident as a pretext for retaliation. As a result, no one even considered rescuing her.

Thus, Kazama Xu, once the prized disciple of the Second Tsuchikage, and one of the only two shinobi in Iwagakure capable of wielding the Bloodline Elimination technique Dust Release (now the sole wielder), was discarded along with her team.

From the village’s perspective, such sacrifices were almost inevitable. But from Kazama Xu’s perspective, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

She had carried out the village’s orders, risking her life and losing countless comrades. Yet, despite the failure of the mission, the village discarded her without hesitation, even publicly branding her and her team as rogue shinobi. This was something Kazama Xu could never accept.

She was unwilling to accept it!

Why should shinobi who risked their lives for the village bear the consequences of the Tsuchikage’s poor decisions?

Why should they be branded as traitors for no reason?

But what could she do? Locked in the pitch-black abyss of the Black Cell, injected with chakra-suppressing drugs, her strength had diminished drastically. She could barely perform a basic Clone Jutsu, let alone wield Dust Release. How could she fight for justice for herself and her fallen comrades?

Yet, the thought of wasting away in the depths of the Abyss Prison filled her with despair.

What could she do? novelbuddy-cσ๓

Kazama Xu asked herself this question over and over again.

"First, eat," a deep, magnetic voice interrupted her thoughts.

Kazama Xu turned her head instinctively. Through the faint candlelight filtering in from the door, she saw the face of the man delivering her meal. He was a young man with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, a slim waist, and long legs—a rather handsome figure. (Without the candlelight, the Black Cell was completely shrouded in darkness.)

She noticed that the man was also studying her.

"Well, well! I thought the depths of the Abyss held only the most heinous criminals, but it turns out there’s a beauty locked up here. So, what did you do to end up in this place?" he asked with a chuckle.

Kazama Xu, noting his prison uniform, immediately lost interest. For a fleeting moment, she had considered taking him hostage, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Sunagakure wouldn’t negotiate for a mere prisoner.

Seeing that she ignored him, Aotu Tailuo didn’t mind. He placed the meal tray into the delivery slot.

"From now on, I’ll be the one delivering your meals. Eat up so I can collect the dishes. Here, a little gift for our first meeting."

With that, he dropped a piece of fruit candy into the slot.

Ignoring the food, Kazama Xu unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth.

Instantly, a long-lost sweetness spread across her taste buds, a sensation so delightful it was almost intoxicating.

"What’s your name?" she asked.

"Aotu Tailuo," he replied.

"Thank you, Aotu Tailuo. I’ll remember your name," said Kazama Xu.

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