61 Living Promise

Three days later...

After making sure that no one was following him, Sasori quietly left Sunagakure. Remembering what Smiles had told him, Sasori eventually found a group of boulders that had nicks and cuts on them. If someone were to look at them from a certain direction, they would see a giant smiley face carved onto them.

Knowing that he was in the right direction, he moved past Smile's display of artwork. After a couple of minutes, he saw the man who he was looking for; Smiles. He looked at Sasori and beckoned him to come to him with his hand.

Sasori coldly stared at him but still made his way to him.

"Have you healed, Sasori?"

"Yes."

"Good, good. This weather isn't suitable for us to talk, why don't we head somewhere else. We can even eat lunch while we discuss," Smiles offered.

Sasori didn't answer, but there was clear irritation in his eyes after he heard Smiles' offer. What was the point of meeting outside Sunagakure? Now they're going to head back there.

As he was silently cursing to himself, Smiles seemed to understand what he was thinking, "You may be surprised. We aren't actually going to Sunagakure to eat. I was thinking of something more... fancy."

Just as Sasori was about to ask what he meant, he saw Smiles flick his forehead. The moment his head was flicked, their surroundings completely changed.

"A genjutsu? Are you serious?" Sasori blankly said as examined the genjutsu he was in.

The desert country they were in was nowhere to be seen. Instead, they seemed to be inside a very, very fancy restaurant. Sasori felt slightly uncomfortable about the illusion. Was it possible for a place like this to exist in the Shinobi World? It felt too... advanced? He was merely unaccustomed to the architecture of the restaurant.

"Wanna make a bet?" Smiles interrupted his thoughts with a question. He didn't say anything, only looking at Smiles, prompting him to explain further, "I bet you that this isn't a genjutsu."

Immediately, Sasori's narrowed his eyes and tried to use genjutsu release, but his surroundings didn't change.

"Where are we?"

"Now, now. Let's not stray away from the main topic of today's meeting. Come sit. We can talk while we wait for the food." Smiles changed topics and sat down at the nearest table. Sasori looked at him before sitting opposite him.

Soon after, a woman walked towards them holding two menus, and handed them to them. She waited patiently by the side as the two looked through the menus. After a few minutes, they told her their orders.

"Now then, have you made your decision, Sasori? Will you accept my proposal?"

Sasori didn't say anything for a few seconds before asking, "How will joining the Akatsuki benefit me?"

"I can give you this." Smiles took out a book from seemingly nowhere. He placed it on the table and slid it to Sasori.

The red-haired shinobi looked at the title of the book and abruptly stood up. His eyes widened in shock as he quickly opened the book and started reading it in-depth.

Smiles didn't do anything, he simply watched with interest.

Sasori remained in that position until their food arrived. Although reluctant, he put the book back onto the table and stared directly at Smiles, "I am willing to join the Akatsuki. However, I have a condition. I wish to continue pursuing my art."

"That is good to hear, Sasori! As for your condition, you will have to be careful who you chose to... immortalize. Avoid the innocent and only use the guilty. Don't forget that the Akatsuki's purpose is to bring peace throughout the Shinobi World. I doubt they wish to do so through fear and terror."

"... That is acceptable."

"Good, very good. I plan on leaving Sunagakure in one month. I'll be heading to Iwagakure to look for any potential members. Do you wish to join me on this adventure?"

"If I go, I doubt I will have as much time to grow as a puppet technique user. There are still things that I can learn."

"If that's one of your worries, then I can potentially relieve you of that," Smiles took out two other books, both titled 'Advanced Puppet Mastery' and 'Prodigious Puppet Mastery'.

He raised his eyebrows as he read the titles. If this person in front of him could provide him the 'Living Puppet Theory', then surely those books in his hand were truly informative and complex as they were titled.

"With those two, I can travel with you. I would just need to notify my grandmother."

Still not touching their food, the two of them continue to talk about their future plans. When they finished, Smiles proposed to make a contract that the two must abide by.

To show his sincerity, Smiles also took off his mask and formally introduced himself, "My real name is Yukio. Pleased to meet you."

Sasori stared at the boy with black hair and void-filled eyes, unfazed by his appearance. Instead, he asked, "Take out the contract."

"You don't actually need to sign the contract. All we have to do is make a pinkie promise."

"Is this a jutsu? How does it work?"

"I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry about it at all."

"That's what liars say."

"...Just trust me, 'kay?" Yukio held out his pinkie over the table.

Sasori reluctantly held out his pinkie, too. Together, they formed a pinkie promise.

"Sasori, you are an Akatsuki member. You are given the freedom to pursue your art, but you must abide by the ideals and rules of the organization. In return, I will lend you the three books, 'Living Puppet Theory', 'Advanced Puppet Mastery', and 'Prodigious Puppet Mastery'. Failure to abide by the contract will result in the promise-breaker losing what they gained and worse."

[Binding Vow 'Living Promise' has been established between Yukio D. Sumihara and Sasori]

"It's done now. Time to eat." Without waiting for Sasori to respond, Yukio began to dig in. Oddly, the food hadn't gone cold.

Sasori was a bit confused but began eating his meal.

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(A/N: Should I create a discord so that you guys can chat with each other, allow me to personally ask readers for feedback, and suggestions?)