Ding ding ding~~~
The familiar sound of wind chimes echoed as the Akatsuki base, used for brief respites, became the scene of preparation.
Wearing their Akatsuki uniforms, Kakuzu and Hidan—the duo assigned to capture the Two-Tails—donned their straw hats and, citing Kakuzu's mantra of "time is money," declined Kisame's suggestion to wait for joint travel. They departed first, heading toward the Land of Lightning.
Kisame, also bound for the Land of Lightning, could only shrug and wait with Deidara for their new team member.
Soon, the sharp sound of something cutting through the air reached their ears.
Kisame squinted, his sharp eyes catching sight of Sasuke approaching. With his black hair and dark eyes, Sasuke bore an uncanny resemblance to someone Kisame knew well.
"Let's go," Sasuke said, tilting his head slightly and speaking in a calm tone.
For a fleeting moment, Kisame felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as though Itachi had returned to his side.
Slapping the hilt of Samehada strapped to his back, Kisame grinned. "I'll leave the planning to you, Sasuke."
Sasuke nodded briefly and started walking.
Kisame followed immediately, and thus the Eight-Tails capture team set off.
Left alone in the cold wind, Deidara watched Sasuke's back with a slight scowl.
"No greeting, no acknowledgment—just like Itachi. No manners at all," Deidara muttered. "And as for that tardy newbie who's left me out here freezing for ages, they're no better! Hm!"
As Deidara mulled over what kind of "gift" to give his new partner, the sound of something descending at high speed broke his thoughts.
"I am Seimei."
Fully armed and emotionless, Seimei landed gracefully and introduced himself with just four words.
Deidara blinked, waiting for more, but when nothing followed, he blurted out, "That's it?"
Just four words? No respect for his seniority, no pleasantries, no proper introduction. Nothing.
Deidara clenched his fists, irritation bubbling up.
"Looks like I'll have to teach you what it means to respect your seniors! Hm!"
"Senior?"
Seimei finally looked at Deidara, his expression as composed as ever. "When I was around, your grandfather hadn't even been born. I don't mind if you call me senior."
To Deidara, this sounded like pure mockery.
About to lash out, he was interrupted by a familiar voice from behind.
"He's not wrong. His age far surpasses yours," Sasori remarked as he stepped out from the base, scrutinizing Seimei with curiosity.
Surprised, Sasori added, "I didn't expect to see eternal art embodied in someone else."
Seimei turned to study Sasori. After a moment, he replied, "It's surprising to see the once-niche field of puppetry achieve such progress. Still, puppets are inherently fragile, far inferior to well-forged tools."
"As for eternal art, that's an accurate description. I am eternal."
Sasori's expression darkened. "What I meant was that you possess a hint of the beauty of eternal art. True eternal art is me! Puppetry surpasses so-called tools in both potential and utility."
"No! Tools excel in defense and power!"
"Tools are too simplistic! The versatility of puppets is true eternity!"
"Tools are eternal!"
"Puppets are—"
The debate escalated into a heated argument.
Standing off to the side, Deidara was stunned.
How did this happen? Weren't they about to fight?
Still, the discussion about art intrigued him, and before long, he joined in, declaring,
"You're both wrong! True art is the beauty of a fleeting moment! Eternity has no place in art! Hm!"
"Ridiculous…"
"Deidara…"
What began as a two-person argument quickly became a three-way clash of artistic philosophies.
Fortunately, all three knew their priorities.
Realizing no one could convince the others, they grudgingly called a truce.
Deidara sighed, shaking his head as he prepared his clay bird for departure.
"First Sasori, now another eternal art fanatic. Hm. Honestly, I'd rather work with Sasori."
Sasori glanced at Deidara, smirking.
"Fine."
Disappointed but resigned, Deidara had no choice but to team up with Seimei.
"You better not get yourself killed out there, old man," Deidara muttered as he climbed onto his clay bird.
"I'll say the same to you," Seimei replied calmly.
As the ultimate weapon, Seimei had long targeted tailed beasts as potential energy sources.
Fearless of tailed beasts, and with aerial capabilities of his own, Seimei was an ideal partner for Deidara in capturing the One-Tail jinchūriki.
Having been tempered by his time in Jōmae Village and thoroughly intimidated by Gensou's overwhelming power, Seimei had fully aligned himself with Gensou's camp.
Serving under Gensou seemed far better than endlessly crafting weapons.
With that thought, Seimei ascended into the air, following Deidara.
Thus, the One-Tail capture team began their mission.
Watching them leave, Sasori turned and headed off to fulfill his own task.
After suffering heavy losses to his puppet army in an explosion, Sasori had been assigned to guard the Gedo Statue's perimeter rather than participate in the tailed beast captures.
With all operatives moving into action, the final phase of the plan was underway.
Gensou, the key figure in this operation, also set out.
His destination: Konohagakure.
His target: the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto.
(End of Chapter)
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