Author's Note (2021/04/30): Another chapter that I felt was necessary to add - this one adds more depth to the conflict of my OC's spying and some easter eggs as to what's coming next with the war arc. Sorry for the weird updates on a completed fic. With editing this since finishing near a year ago, sometimes this shit happens (I can only imagine what it's like for authors who publish original works. No wonder there's so much retconning for some series *ahem* Naruto *ahem*...)

Chapter 30
Serpentine Tongue

The sun sweltered against the cloth fabric of his turban while he scoured the sands.

Although a resident of the forgotten western desert, the Deserter had grown used to the landscape for all the years he spent there. Since his arrival after the last war, he made it his task to survive against all odds and prove the superiors who sentenced him to his exile wrong. He slept in abandoned fortresses, decaying ruins, and on slopes of clay rock where the desert met the great plateaus of the westerlands where no one dared to trek. He would break his fast on wild onions and spring water from his waterskin while he travelled from one fortress to another and would eat fried lizard and pear-cactus for dinner – or if he was lucky, he would find fresh fruit like papayas, coconuts, or bananas growing near the odd oasis. Butchering wild camel or antelope was a rare treat, but he was lucky to see merely a cactus on his endless travels. Mirages plagued him, especially when water would be low in his worn waterskin. His empty hazel eyes had seen a lot in the last war, but to relieve those moments before his eyes in the desert was an utter nightmare which he could never truly wake. Every day was met with anguish and agony, but he found ways to pass the time. Twenty years would be his release and would often count how many days he had left. Sometimes he gave up. Although he was a Deserter, Sunagakure held some value towards him in his swordsmanship. He was their esteemed escort across the barren lands if any lord or Suna-nin dared to trek the desolate landscape – for the Deserter now knew it best.

Sensing a presence approaching over the dunes, he paused upon the sands and saw two Suna ANBU coming closer. Meeting them in the middle, he saw their glances were marked with urgency. "What can I do for the likes of you? Is there a ruin that needs scouting?"

One of them shook their head. "No, it's the village. You are to return at once."

"Return, you say?" He was bewildered. "I still have three years left of my sentence… unless I've lost track of time."

"War approaches." The other spoke, stepping closer. "You are hereby ordered by the Kazekage and the Suna Council to return to Sunagakure where you are to await further orders and a potential pardon for your misdeeds."

"Misdeeds…" The Deserter breathed, resting a hand on his blade's scabbard. "I only deserted my post. If that's still considered a misdeed, then times really haven't changed much since my sentencing."

The first Suna ANBU stomped their foot on the sands. "You've forsaken your village and your honour! We of Suna never forget treasonous acts! You should've known better before your desertion, old man."

The Deserter drew the hilt. "Old man? I'm only forty-five."

Watching the two Suna-nin reach for their katanas at their backs, the Deserter jumped into the air with his blade drawn to strike. A giant scorpion with pinchers the size of cattle emerged from the sands behind the two ANBU, its appendages clicking furiously as it rose. Swift as the winds themselves, the Deserter planted the tip of his katana down into the forehead of the creature. Green ooze erupted from the impact as the chitinous monster fell to its death. Crashing into the dunes, the Deserter withdrew his blade and cleaned it with the cloth of his poncho.

"I still got some fight left in me," He smiled under his turban, sensing the shocked silence that surrounded the ANBU. Their hands flinched away from their katanas. "Very well. It's been a while since I was last home… Lead the way."

The shadows of the statues loomed over the council that morning.

Voices swirled in disarray following the news of a failed a coup spurred by the tracker-nin. Councillors shouted at each other, pointed fingers, and argued over who knew what while the Kazekage and his two siblings sat quietly and waited for the meeting to start. A sudden silence befell the room as the towering commander of the tracking unit entered. Moro started for the vacant seat where Kenzō once sat, and all eyes followed him there. His seat creaked loudly as he sat down, and the councillors stared at the unmasked commander with caution.

Zarō began the meeting, drawing the distracted councillors to his booming voice. "As you may have heard through the grapevine, one of us has been outed as a traitor. Kenzō-sama has been plotting to usurp power from our village for quite some time, it seemed. Right under our noses, too... Following this discovery, he has been subdued by the Kazekage and stripped of all titles, powers, and influence. As we speak, he is in the process of being escorted to the Sunagakure Prison where he is to face trial for the crimes he's committed against Suna and its people."

The councillors grew restless again.

"Serves him right...!" One scoffed.

Another grumbled to their neighbour. "That's what we get when we allow outsiders to take refuge in our lands... No wonder the First took matters into his own hands those years ago..."

"Hmm..." A councillor nodded. "Those from the clan-system would never understand, that's for certain..."

Their words disturbed Gaara, reminding him of his assistant and the large tracker-nin who sat two seats away. Their distaste for foreigners remains strong, despite their known allegiance to the village… It's time I silence them.

Sand struck the table, alerting the councillors from their conversing.

He spoke next. "To replace Kenzō on his now-vacant council seat is Moro of the Scorch Release, the Commander of the Sunagakure Tracking Unit."

"What -?!" A councillor stood in uproar.

"We did not agree to this!" Another shouted as they stood. "Moro-sama is an outsider, and the brother of a traitor! He and Pakura-sama were kin -!"

Moro stood to meet the councillor in the eyes. He shot them a glare that was both harsh and great in strength. "We were… and she's dead. She died for Suna and by Suna. But I'm my own person, councillor... Best that you remember that." His glare tensed. "…Or else you'll be due for a reminder."

Gulping, the councillor slowly retreated back to his seat.

"Kazekage-sama," A different councillor called. "Surely you can agree that this man -?!"

"He's on the council, now. It was my sole decision to make, not yours." Gaara turned to their newest member. "Welcome, Moro-sama. We appreciate your services to Suna and the many duties you and your men carry out in the name of preserving our way of life. We expect great things from you."

Taking his seat again, Moro eyed the council with his stern eyes as he rested his folded hands before him on the table's surface. "Kenzō-sama was my superior, but he was always a traitor… I knew it from the start, but the bastard hid his intentions well, I must admit." He began. "Following the confrontation while the Kazekage was away at the Summit, we of the tracking unit were able to keep the coup under wraps. We were able to stop the uprising with the help of Gaara-sama and Kankurō-sama, and all his subordinates captured and questioned. Unfortunately, many of them were subjected to a curse seal... which makes interrogation difficult. We tried to undo the sealing he used, but it's proving difficult. None of the Sealing Corps can break the fūinjutsu he cast upon them... not even the slightest bit."

Turning to the sound of footsteps, Gaara saw Nomasaki enter the room with a pair of ANBU who followed close behind her. Her lilac eyes were directed towards the floor in shame, averted away from any who saw her. He felt his heart sink in his chest from the sight. She appeared defeated in every sense of the word.

Moro glanced to where she stood. "One of my underlings afflicted of that curse seal is here today. Show them, girl. Show them what Kenzō-sama's so-called 'debt' to Suna was, in his eyes..."

Reluctantly, she stepped forward. While the councillors turned her way, she slowly opened her mouth and revealed to them her curse seal. The black hexagram appeared, coating her tongue in its foul markings of secrecy. Gasps sounded across the room. Even Temari and Kankurō were surprised, but Gaara remained silent and solemn.

"That mark…!" Kankurō whispered to himself. "It's a curse seal, that's for sure… I had no idea…"

Temari nodded. "No doubt whatever it was she did or saw, Kenzō didn't want us to find out… She may not have deliberately committed treason, or rather was forced…"

Kankurō tsked. "Why did it have to be her…? She is Gaara's assistant… As if we didn't need any other causes to be suspicious about…" He turned to the Kazekage who remained as silent as the stone statues that towered behind them. Gaara handled it, but still… This was all just bad luck that she was chosen by that dissident. He studied his ringed-eyes as he saw him glance to Nomasaki. What he saw both surprised and hurt him. There was pain hidden behind his seafoam eyes, but he saw through his stoic façade. He could not help but feel sympathetic. He cares for her after all this… even still.

"So it's true -!" A councillor stammered. "Such a jutsu does exist -!"

Zarō turned to the Kazekage. "How long has this been taking place?"

Gaara glanced to her, then he spoke. "For all we know, Kenzō-sama could have been doing this since he gained his council seat… about twenty years."

"The Kazekage's assistant was afflicted with this same seal after the attack by the Akatsuki, nearly two years ago." Moro confirmed. "No Sleeper Jutsu, just the curse seal. Believe me, we checked."

Zarō looked to Nomasaki. "Can you speak to this, young woman?"

Sensing all eyes on her, she hesitated her words. "...Yes."

The Sealing Corps did all they could. Formula after formula, nothing could crack the seal that lay upon her blackened tongue. Whatever seal Kenzō used, they suspected it was a forbidden fūinjutsu – a rare type of kinjutsu known only to the wielder. By the time she reached the Intel Division, her hope was already broken. Kenzō's secrets would die with her, it seemed.

A silence fell.

"If I can say more..." She pushed herself to continue, her voice low and shameful. "I was part of... his plan. I wanted no part of it, but I was... forced, since the day Gaara-sama took office. I was given this seal against my will to keep… that man's secrets... I may be an outsider like him, but I am not a traitor. I did what I had to do to survive. I'll take that to my death if I have to if no one believes me. That's all I have to say about... this."

Zarō's eyes narrowed slightly. "And the seal was unable to be lifted?"

Averting her guilt, she nodded.

"With the war preparations," Gaara said, drawing away her unwanted attention. "The Kage agreed that the daimyo and their people must be hidden from their capitals for their protection. The Land of Frost in particular, as we suspect the battleground will be the Land of Lightning… and we can't promise the war won't cross borders. That being said, we agreed to deploy a team comprised of shinobi of all villages to escort the Frost daimyo and his people to safety." He turned to her, his eyes firm and face slate-like. "Nomasaki, you will be departing at once. There, you will be joined by the Mizukage, who is in charge of the operation."

His command surprised her. Only twenty-four hours ago she was hoping for mercy for her crimes, and now she stood – a shinobi with a chance for redemption. Her shame faded, replaced by a calm façade. "Yes, sir."

An elder slammed his fist on the table in fury. "Why is this one not arrested with the others?! She was a spy on our Kazekage! An agent of Kenzō -!"

"She has been cooperative in this matter. It's only because of her that we even have substantial evidence to put Kenzō-sama to trial." Moro shot them a sharp glare from his furrowed brow. "She may not have the seal lifted upon her, but thanks to her services we know a lot more about this conspiracy than that bastard ever hoped we'd figure out. Besides, she's a sensory type. Shinobi like her are well-needed for this conflict if we are to win against these Akatsuki."

Gaara watched their conversation carefully. "Thank you, Moro-sama." He affirmed. "Can you give us any insight on the Tracking Unit?"

"Since Kenzō-sama was arrested, I've been scrubbing the ranks clean of dissidents... much like how the council has. Some talked, others kept their silence, and some even tried to fight back. Those ones, I'm afraid, are no longer with us." Moro gave a dark smirk. "As we tracker-nin say, 'We don't take kindly to traitors'."

"How many of your forces can we add to our battalions?"

"Near all of them." Moro answered. "I'll keep some here with the ANBU to protect the civilians and support the border patrol, but our strength is best suited for the battlefield."

Gaara nodded. "I see. You'll lead a team of well-versed tracker-nin to the Land of Frost as well, in addition to my assistant. From there, you'll meet with those of our Allied Sealing Corps. When the task is completed, you will meet up with the rest of the forces in the Land of Lightning. I'll be leading the Fourth Division, where you'll be stationed."

"Understood." Moro nodded. "I'll send for our most skilled immediately."

"Moving on to other matters..." Zarō reminded, taking over the discourse. "There are some criminals of ours who's sentences are nearing their end, such as the deserter. He's eligible for a pardon, due to ending sentence and his skills that may prove useful for the war ahead. The Sunagakure ANBU sent an envoy to retrieve him from the western desert. He should be here by dawn, in time to escort Kenzō-sama to the prison while he awaits trial."

"Deserter?" Temari turned to Kankurō. "Have you heard of them?"

Kankurō shook his head. "I didn't know they still sent our prisoners there… it's a ruthless place. Not even the Demon Desert can touch it…"

Gaara was intrigued. "What makes this 'deserter' worth a pardon?"

"The deserter was a fine swordsman, and led us to many victories in the Third Shinobi War against Iwagakure… that was until they deserted, of course." Baki added. "The nature of his crime was kept largely secret from the village due to fears of other shinobi following suit with leaving the ongoing conflict. Even so, his exact charge is left unclear."

"Very well." Gaara folded his arms. "In that case, I suppose I'll decide when I see him for myself."

As the meeting continued, Nomasaki dismissed herself from the chamber. She had much to prepare if she were to journey to the Land of Frost. Travelling by foot would take at least a week – even if she had Hanone. And who knew how long the mission would last before war inevitably broke out. Still, the notion excited her as much as she felt empty. Snow, frost, and ice would soon be within reach – and her acts under Kenzō would soon be a distant nightmare away. Walking down the corridors, she sensed a familiar chakra approach from behind. When she turned, she saw Temari.

"Hey, Nomasaki. Wait up," Temari called. "I wanted to speak with you."

"Temari,"

Pausing her steps, Temari gave a somewhat stern look from her green eyes as she studied her face. "I just wanted to say I can respect you... after what you did. To break away from a superior such as that must've been no easy task, or thought for that matter. We had no idea… We honestly thought you were one of the dissidents… until today, that is."

Nomasaki nodded, averting her glance to the floor. "Thanks. I'm… sorry for all I've done."

"Don't worry about it. We're comrades. We've trained together, shared bento together, and have fought together. I have to admit, when I found out about your assignment... I was nothing short of shocked. But I'm glad that you're the same timid kunoichi who became my jonin training partner." She gave a brief smile. "You've done your part and thanks to you, the village will be a safer place for everyone now that Kenzō's gone - not just the Kazekage." Something she saw in her violet eyes made her concerned. "What will you do now?"

Meeting her face, she washed it of shame and masked it in bravery. "I'll go to the Land of Frost as Gaara-sama requests, then I will fight for my village in the war. That's what I'll do." She said. Her violet eyes narrowed into a determined glare. "And when I return, I'll testify in the trial so that man will rot in his cell."

"Good plan." Temari nodded, approving of her words. "I'm looking forward to fighting alongside you again. It's been a while since we last fought together as two jonin." She turned on her heel, starting on her way home. "I'll see you in the Fourth Division."

Watching her back disappear further down the hall, Nomasaki turned the opposite way and started home as well. She had much to prepare for and the envoy to the Land of Frost left in an hour.

Hopefully I can repair their trust in me, she thought, I must be strong for the war to come.

I must be strong.

The sky was a bright blue when she stepped out of her apartment.

It felt odd to be wearing her shinobi attire and flak jacket with no mask. Even with her katana strapped to her back, she still felt as if she were wandering about naked. She shuddered. I'm more than that mask, she reminded herself, I'm the Wolf of the Desert – and I'm a kunoichi. Her heavy pack was strapped to her belt, containing food rations, a waterskin, scrolls, and other ninja tools. Her summon scroll for Hanone was contained within it as well – but she decided he would draw too much unwanted attention amongst her comrades if he were there. No doubt he would curse them and snap his jaws. She decided she would wait until the real battle begins – but if he would be willing to fight, she was uncertain. When she appeared at the gates that late afternoon, she was met with Commander Moro and a team of ten other tracker-nin. For the first time, she saw her comrades reporting for duty with no sign of masks. Not a single glimmer of porcelain lingered. It felt surreal.

"Wolf-girl," A young man approached. "It's good to see you in one piece after what happened. The Sealing Corps are researching every day, we might have our seals lifted someday even still."

He puzzled her. His voice was strangely familiar, but meeting his face was another problem altogether. She noticed his brown hair, light green eyes, and a scar that traced his jawline. He appeared a few years older than her – maybe in his mid-twenties. She rose a brow at him. "Do I…?" She suddenly realized. "You're… Sōhei?"

He gave a chuckle. "I'm not going to be an owl for a while, I'm still not used to it." He was friendly-faced – far different than the porcelain slate she grew to know. "Looks like we'll formally be comrades on this mission. I'm looking forward to it."

He truly is on our side after all… For once my senses were right. She was relieved. "Me, too." She hesitated her words, mulling them over carefully as she watched him clean his blade upon the clay stone. "…I forgive you, for what you did." He turned to her, meeting her calm and pained expression. "You were only following orders, but still… you stopped. I never had a chance to tell you over all that's happened. It's nice to have at least one comrade from the tracking unit I can trust."

Forcing a light smile, he nodded. "Same here."

"Alright, we move out!" Moro signaled to the group.

Passing under the towering cliffs, they soon emerged into the desert and took in the vastness of the yellow horizon. It was a while since she last saw the desert. Startling herself, she found herself wondering if it would be the last time she would see it. Shaking off the thought, she walked on with her comrades. A presence suddenly entered her senses. Pausing, she saw the silhouette of a man being led by two ANBU into the village gates behind. The chakra was distant but felt strangely feather-like, warm, and in a way familiar. She wondered which one of them it was, or if she knew them from the tracking unit or from the Kazekage's estate. Still, the chakra irked her.

Moro took notice and soon gave a cocky smirk. "Looks like the deserter is returning sooner than we expected." He met his small battalion and gestured to the gates. "If any of you have the chance to see him in combat, don't blink or you'll miss it! That man was a great swordsman in his heyday."

While her team moved on, Nomasaki hesitated to follow. Looking back at the village gates, her glance lingered with a dangerous curiosity. A cool wind blew past her, swaying against the faded bruises on her cheek and her golden strands that danced along her Suna headband. Her violet eyes filled with hope and longing and a feeling of hurt filled her chest. It were as if it were the most painful forgotten memory.

That man… Strange. It feels like I met him… once before.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she turned away and caught up with her comrades.

To the Land of Frost.

Sunset.

The orange rays entered the windows with little intrusion. Alone in his office, the sound of the door opening caught Gaara's attention from his paperwork. With a curt nod, Baki entered. "Yes?"

"We've summoned the deserter as decided upon by the council, sir." Baki said. "He is due for a hearing, as his abilities may be useful for this war."

"The deserter?" Gaara repeated, curious. "Who are they, exactly?"

"It's Kyō, a previous jonin of ours who deserted us during the Third Shinobi War." Baki answered. "He was a comrade to me once, and taught me the art of the Wind Blade."

This caught Gaara's intrigue. "He deserted? On what grounds?"

Baki shook his head. "None are certain. Some say he sold intel to the other side. Others say he killed a superior... but my guess is like the other defectors... he found no use in further fighting." He met Gaara's eyes with a hint of pride. "Unlike the other rookies, I never lost respect for him. Your father Rasa-sama was the one who spared his life, after the council called for his death. They hoped he would be made an example to others who wished to defy commands, if he were executed."

"Who ordered his death?"

Baki hesitated at first, containing his distaste. "Kenzō-sama, coincidentally."

"Of course..." Gaara scoffed. "It's only appropriate this deserter escort him there, then." He signaled a nod. "Bring in the deserter so I can give him his orders."

Turning on his heal, Baki left the room and returned with two ANBU who had a man in chains. The man's appearance struck Gaara's curiosity. Standing between the shinobi, the man stood even taller than Baki and appeared slightly older. He was dressed in worn shinobi garbs with a turban covering his face save for his hazel eyes, and a sand-coloured poncho over his shoulders. He had a scabbard strapped to his belt, but the ANBU to his left confiscated the blade. As Gaara studied the man, he saw what lingered behind his eyes. Loss. Perplexing him, he swore he saw the man before. But he could not pinpoint where.

"Leave us," Gaara commanded. Nodding, both ANBU and Baki soon left the room. After the door closed behind them, he watched his silent guest carefully. "I've heard about you, the one who fled during the Third War. Some consider you a traitor, others a criminal... but I don't know you so I can't make that judgment. I'll judge you based on this assignment." His eyes narrowed slightly. "You are to escort the envoy to the Sunagakure Prison to the far reaches of these lands, to the Demon Desert. There, you will hand over custody of the disgraced Kenzō-sama to the wardens where he is to await trial for his crimes against the village."

The man nodded. "Sounds easy enough." His voice was low and crisp. "Does the Kazekage have any further requests?"

"Not at this time." Slowly, the sand from his gourd flew to the chains around his wrists and shattered them. The sand picked up the katana and passed it to him. Taking back his blade, he returned it to its scabbard on his hip. "If you complete this task, I'll grant you your well-due freedom with a pardon. From there, you are welcome to resume your former duties as a shinobi of this village until you reach retirement age."

The man bowed, a fragment of sun striking his turban. "You are most generous, Kazekage-sama. I'll be sure to not disgrace you."

As the man turned to exit, something pushed Gaara to question. "Forgive me but I don't know of you, only from my former superiors. I heard you're an excellent swordsman, is this true?"

"Yes, my lord." The man nodded. "I was once known as 'Kyō of the Wind Blade', before I was... placed into exile. I'm known as 'Kyō the Deserter', now."

Gaara's eyes narrowed. "What were you exiled for? If you don't mind me asking. There appears to be no clear knowledge of why, so I'm fairly curious."

"I'm a deserter. What more is there to tell?" Kyō shrugged, his tone flat. "I left my post before the war ended, and was deemed a traitor with a bounty on my head. I returned here as a missing-nin... because of my crimes." Looking at the young Kazekage, he smiled lightly under the cover of his turban. "I knew your father. Quite well, actually. We were on the same genin team in our youth. You look like him... it's uncanny, if I can be frank. I see Karura-sama in you as well, around the eyes." He looked down, reminiscing. "After the council called for my death, it was your father who lessened my sentence. I don't know if it was because of our past friendship or perhaps he felt sorry for my situation, but still... he spared my life, even when I least deserved it."

"I see." Gaara nodded, taking the words with salt. "I hardly knew the man, aside from his dislike for me."

Kyō averted his empty hazel eyes. "Forgive me if I spoke out of turn, Kazekage-sama. When you're in the desert with scarce food or water, you lose your ability to socialize." He turned back, his eyes calm. "For near twenty years I did my time in the far reaches of this land's desert, towards the western edge where the sand turns to plateau. I guarded empty palaces swallowed by the sands, escorted lords and their hosts and protected them from monstrous scorpions, wyrms, and bandits… and I did it all in the name of my village. My social cues aren't what they used to be, especially being gone as long as I have. I'm just thankful I can finally leave that desolate place behind."

"I'm sure it was hell, believe me." Gaara's face hardened with duty. "Kyō, time is of the essence. It would be best if you left sooner rather than later."

"Understood." Turning, he looked back to the Kazekage one last time. "I'll be at the gates momentarily. When I return, you can send me off to war so I may fulfill my duties to my village."

Gaara honoured his request with a nod. "Well said. You're dismissed."

With the close of the office door, the mysterious man left. From their brief encounter, Gaara could not help but maintain some suspicion of who the man really was. He knew his father – Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, he was Baki's sword master, and he was sentenced to exile for near twenty years.

And his eyes were eerily familiar.

A fragment of light entered from the creak of the heavy iron doors.

Looking up from the corner of his dirty cell, Kenzō saw a flicker of red come into view. As the darkness settled, he soon seen ringed-eyes glaring down at him from a face that held nothing but contempt. He could not help but grin at his misfortune. "My… the Kazekage comes to greet me in my own cell. I should consider myself a lucky man to be in his presence."

"Don't flatter yourself." Gaara spat. "I didn't come here for your audience."

Kenzō scoffed. "Why bother, then? What could you possibly want from me? There's no breaking her seal, you know that as much as I. That jutsu wasn't designed to be broken so easily… only death can free her now, and it's in my best interest that she stays alive."

Gaara peered down at him, studying his disgraced appearance. Once a proud councillor dressed in fine robes and followed by titles and subordinates, the man was clothed in dirtied rags and followed by mites and rats that scurred along the cell's floor. It was fitting for a man such as himself.

"Before the Five Kage Summit, my siblings and I were attacked by masked-nin in the Land of Iron. Since then, I've been putting the pieces together and I suspect they were your men, commanded by your will to assassinate me." His glare narrowed. "Well? I am right or not, Kenzō-sama?"

"I think you already figured it out. Very good, I should say. Not bad for a impudent shard of Reto-sama and his accursed legacy." Kenzō applauded. "What else do you want with me? Spit it out already and leave me here to lay in my excrement… I have no time to waste on words with a sand-bastard."

Gaara eyed him with strong suspicion. "…Did you have a hand in the Akatsuki attacking the village?"

A silence.

Then, Kenzō chuckled. "Interesting proposition… but I'm afraid I can't speak to that." Sand suddenly threw him against the decaying stone behind him. Landing on his face with a thud, the disgraced councillor gathered himself on his knees while curses escaped his lips and a dark chuckle sputtered after. "Hasty with that temper… but you should've let me finish. I can't speak to that because that arrival was pure coincidence. I wanted Shukaku gone, and they came, conquered, and stole it. I refuse to speak more… However," He eyed the Kazekage sharply. "There was another time I contacted the Akatsuki, and they actually carried out what I intended." Gaara glared at him in a tense silence, amusing him. "Your father, such a grim and stern fellow… He was tiring me with his failed plans to restore the village to its former glory, so I may have hinted to Orochimaru of the Sannin that the Kazekage needed assistance in the Konoha Crush. It played out perfectly… that snake dealt with him faster than I could have hoped – urgh -!"

A wave of sand swam over his body and held him tight against the wall at his back. He could not lift a single finger, the sand growing tighter after each passing second. For a moment, Kenzō thought the Kazekage might crush him. Stepping closer to the bars adorned with sealing tags, Gaara's glare hardened with hatred. "When it comes time for your trial, I'll personally make sure that you'll never see the light of day again… You'll spend the remainder of your life behind bars, I swear on my title of Kazekage!"

When the iron door slammed shut with a rumble, the sand fell and Kenzō plummeted to the cold stone below. Coughing small droplets of blood, he glared up into the darkness that surrounded his cell.

And he was caged.