Well, I'm back in a way. Sadly not entirely since I'm still looking for a job but fear not I have a solid plan for the future. It just so happens that I'm currently sick so I used that time to write another chapter. It's sadly not much but it's better then leaving this story to college digital dust.

Enjoy

—-

The puppet master was actually enjoying the time he spent in this little game disguised as a fundraiser, it was almost nostalgic in some aspects. The lies, the deals and the stench of greed. It appeared in whatever world you are, the highest positions always play these games.

Naturally his position wasn't all to favorable at the moment. To play the game you have to have a certain presence and power to your name but at the same time avoid the spotlight. Right now his position as genius child gave him presence and put him right into the spotlight.

Every other player of the game had there eyes on him and clearly planned on making sure that everyone knew that the puppet master was below them. The odds of the game were stacked against him but this fundraiser was only a little round and he just joined the game.

This night won't end in a huge success but it could give him some bonus points. Nobody will suspect that he is already aware of the game at his young age, he just needs to make sure that he talks to possibly investors who don't play the game. People who are born into there riches and simply enjoy the live of nobility without being aware that they are being used.

Sasori watched the people going around in this little party while listening to what is actually being said. Most of it was gossip and talk about personal opinions, both could come in handy in the right situation but more important was the little deals that were made. A agreement there, a handshake here and there you have a player of the game.

The next step was to find a group of people who clearly don't play the game, preferably small fish who aren't so attractive to the actual players. The puppet master heard how some guest was screaming at a waiter for getting his order wrong, at the same time he noticed how many guest rolled there eyes at the mans outbreak while those in his group looked disgusted at the waiter.

That group was obviously a annoying part of the party and it appeared like the players of the game didn't want to be associated with that group. Not the best place to start the game but you have to start somewhere.

Sasori overheard what the man actually ordered and quickly spotted a tray with that exact drink. The puppet master skillfully walked through the crowd, picked up the glass and just as skillfully arrived at the group. Now all he needed to do was to sink down to there level to be excepted into this group. "I would have expected a better service from the host of this little party but it appears that money can't buy everything."

The madman turned to him. "I know, this party sucks. Nobody here knows how hard it is to be us."

Sasori offered him his drink. "Here, let's hope we have the same taste."

The man took the glass and took a deep breath of the aroma. "Wine from Menagerie, the only thing that these animals are actually useful too. Thanks kid, you saved this party."

A member from the group spoke. "Party? I thought this was a fundraiser for some refugees or something."

Sasori waved dismissively with his hands. "Probably something useless along those lines. Now that they have no home they come running to us for help, typically for such peasants who judge the higher authority but beg the moment they need our help."

The group shared a laughter with Sasori while he himself didn't feel anything for saying those things. He played these kind of games for so long that he was already beyond cold regarding other faceless groups. His personal beliefs didn't change however. If everyone here would just use some of there money to not help the people but remove the entire problem the refugees could rebuild on there own, but nobody cares about solving problems. They all wish to brighten there image.

The man who received the drink from Sasori had a big smile on his face and grabbed the puppet master's arm. "Follow me kid. I'm doing you a favor."

Sasori had no time to protest before he was pulled through the entire hall by the energetic man. As he was pulled he noticed how more of the other players watched him. Were was that idiot dragging him?

"Here you go kid, I did you a favor. You can thank me later." With those words he simply left to return to his friends. Sasori looked around and noticed he was standing in front of another group of people, however it was clear by the way they looked at him that they were all players of the game, not only that but he apparently stepped into the nest of royalty.

A man in a elegant suit, white hair and a equally white mustache approached him with a smirk. It was painfully obvious that he already declared himself as king of the game. "You must be that boy wonder everyone is talking about. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine mister Schnee." Sasori replied with confidence in his voice. He could feel how every other player watched his every move. It was important now that he made it clear that he didn't stand with that man but also make sure that he wasn't viewed as a enemy.

"If im correct then this must be your first fundraiser you were invited to. Naturally you must be overwhelmed by the magnificence of the higher class, you must know I don't spare any expense when it comes to entertaining my guests." The man said with a smile. He enjoyed looking down on others, Sasori knew those kind of people very well.

"Absolutely mister Schnee, I was always very found of the glorious name Schnee when I first heard it. It really broke my heart to hear that it had fallen so low in the last couple of years." Sasori said with a fake hint of regret in his voice.

Obviously the businessman and his guest were surprised by that comment, everyone knew that the Schnee dust company is the biggest in the world. "It seems you made a mistake, my company is doing quite well."

"Im not talking about your business mister Schnee, everyone can build an empire out of a famous name. I'm talking about that the Schnees are now nothing more then merchants instead of famous hunters with beyond unique talents." Sasori said while putting his hands in his pockets. He wanted to make sure that that man realized how inferior he actually is.

"Times change. Sometimes we can't control how the family name changes." Mister Schnee answered with a hint of rage in his voice. There are only a hand full of people who are allowed to talk to him like that, not even his family members are among them.

"I understand, since you are a Schnee yourself it must have been hard to abandon your family legacy for profit. Oh, wait. You didn't give your legacy up, you gave the legacy of your wife up. That would explain why she isn't here right now, she is probably ashamed how she let somebody take her family name and change it into nothing more then a label." Sasori was smiling from ear to ear as he said those words. He knew that he was right and he also knew that he was making himself a enemy of the Schnee family. This wasn't a talk anymore, this turned into a declaration of war.

Mister Schnee was boiling with rage. His outburst drew the entire attention of the hall. "We live in a time were the powers of the Schnee are no longer needed! I saved this family from the doom that is there old ways! We don't need legendary hunters anymore!"

Sasori laughed. "Let me introduce you to the future."

With a hand motion his chakra threatens were connected to Minerva. With a blink of a eye she was towering behind Sasori. The guest could only watch as she held up her claw like arms and several little hatches opened to reveal even more weapons. "This is the future. Power, precision, prestige. This is the ultimate form of timeless eternal art. You're Schnee familie hunters were famous in there time, Minerva however is made to be a legend."

Sasori enjoyed every moment of speechlessness from his opponents. However this was a perfect moment to leave with grace. "Come Deidara, I believe we gave our hosts something to think about."

—

In a small city with just enough security to fight the creatures of Grimm and enough technology to call itself modern, two people were talking to one another. One of them just finished talking with one of his connections.

"And you are certain that the next guy we meet knows about Hidan?" Kakuzu asked his traveling companion who told him every time that they were this close to finding Hidan.

The blond man simply smiled. "Of course my friend, you got to trust me. It would be bad for the reputation of my clan of bandits if I were to lie to you. Trust me, my boss would kill me."

In truth the shady man was simply using Kakuzu as a sort of bodyguard. The people he was meeting were people he owed money. He talked to them alone and suggested that they simply forget any sort of money problems. Most of the times the people recognized Kakuzu from the festival and knew exactly what kind of monstrosity he really is.

Kakuzu loomed over his traveling companion. "Your boss should be the least of your concerns."

He simply smiled and assured that everything will end in everyone's favor.

Again he was lying and already planned how to get rid of Kakuzu once he served his purpose.