One of them had dark blue hair, shark-like features, sharp teeth, golden eyes, and skin reminiscent of a sea predator. A bandaged sword strapped to his back stood out prominently. His appearance made him look older than his actual age.
The other person seemed much younger, even younger than Uchiha Itachi and Kirito himself, probably around twelve or thirteen years old. He had long, dark blonde hair, with his left eye covered by the fringe. A pigtail sat atop his head, making him look more like a middle schooler, even more immature than Obito.
If nothing unexpected occurred, these two were likely Kisame, the Mist Swordsman known for using hand seals during battles in the later stages of Naruto, and Deidara, the artist who loved to call his art "true beauty."
As Kirito assessed the two, they were also sizing him up.
The Samehada on Kisame's back seemed to emit a sense of confusion, anxiety, and excitement, making Kisame sweat nervously. "What a terrifying guy," he thought. "Just standing here makes Samehada react like this. I've never seen anything like it before."
Inexperienced Deidara, meanwhile, held his chin and looked Kirito up and down. After staring at him for a while, he couldn't figure out what made Kirito so special.
Without waiting for Pain to explain, Deidara spoke first: "Hey, is this the so-called phantom god Kirito? The one who wiped out a clan? He doesn't look like much. Hmm."
"He doesn't have any special abilities, nor does he have a bloodline limit like the Sharingan. Just plain genjutsu. Is this guy really that powerful? Hmm."
The moment Deidara finished speaking, the entire scene fell silent. Konan, Pain, Kakuzu, Sasori, Zetsu, and even Kisame, who had just joined, all stared at Deidara as if he were an idiot.
Still oblivious to their reactions, Deidara continued looking at Kirito with disdain.
"You'll find out soon enough," Kirito said, his voice calm as ever. He had been waiting for a chance to set up a perfect illusion for Deidara and Kisame.
Upon hearing Deidara's taunts, Kirito flicked his right sleeve and grasped the Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, out of thin air. Under everyone's gaze, he silently activated it: Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu.
"That's enough, Kirito," Pain intervened before Kirito could take action. "Deidara made a careless mistake. Let it go."
Deidara was essential for capturing the tailed beasts in the future, and unlike Kakuzu, he didn't have five lives to spare. If a real fight broke out, Deidara would die before even realizing what happened.
"Haha, Leader, I was just joking with him," Kirito said, the illusion already in place. "How could I hurt this young rookie?"
"Hey, who are you calling a rookie?" Deidara fumed. The term "rookie" sounded harsh to his ears, and his tone turned sour.
Sasori, who stood nearby, couldn't stay quiet any longer. "That's enough," he said firmly.
Deidara respected Sasori and, hearing his words, turned his head away in an arrogant huff.
With the tension diffused, Pain began introducing the two newcomers to Kirito. "This is Itachi's new partner, Hoshigaki Kisame, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the second wielder of Samehada."
"Nice to meet you," Kisame stepped forward politely, greeting Kirito.
Kirito nodded in acknowledgment as Pain continued, "And this is Deidara, the apprentice of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, from Iwagakure."
Without wasting any more time, Pain got straight to the point. "Kirito, from now on, you will accompany Sasori and Deidara to the Land of Wind to track down Orochimaru."
At this, Pain's Rinnegan gleamed, and his expression turned cold. "The Akatsuki does not tolerate traitors. This time, you must make sure to kill him."
"It seems Obito already informed Pain that I let Orochimaru go on purpose," Kirito mused, sensing the warning behind Pain's words. With a slight smirk, he nodded. "Understood. I'll take care of it. Perfect timing—I've been wanting to test some new ninjutsu."
"By the way, what about my teammates?" Kirito asked.
Pain nodded, "That brings me to the second matter."
"The negotiations between the Hidden Mist and the Hidden Sand are nearly complete. Soon, the Fourth Kazekage will send Pakura of the Scorch Release to the Land of Water under the guise of a secret mission."
"Once you've eliminated Orochimaru, head to the Land of Water on Deidara's clay bird. Sasori and Deidara will accompany you. You'll have plenty of time."
"Let's move then," Kirito said, turning and walking out of the temple.
Sasori and Deidara followed closely behind him.
"Itachi, Kisame, you're heading to Kusagakure," Pain said, turning his back on Itachi and Kisame.
The two nodded slightly, and Kakuzu asked, "What about my new partner?"
"You'll have to wait a bit longer," Pain replied thoughtfully.
Three days later, in the Land of Wind, near the Great Eastern Sand Dunes.
Amid the vast desert, a fierce sandstorm howled.
Kirito, Sasori, and Deidara, all dressed in black robes with red clouds and wearing wind-chime hats, stood against the relentless wind and sand.
Behind them, the desert had been trampled, leaving two rows of footprints and a trail from Sasori's puppet. Soon, the sandstorm buried their path.
In front of them lay a depression, with a massive, disc-shaped sand dune rising ahead. In the distance, they could faintly see the entrance to a cave.
"This place is disgusting—nothing but sand everywhere," Deidara complained.
"Quit whining, we're here," Sasori said, glancing at Kirito. "Well? Is that snake hiding in there?"
"I can sense his chakra," Kirito nodded. He had formed an invisible shield around himself, preventing the sand from reaching him.
"In that case, I'll blow it all up with my art," Deidara said confidently.
"That's not an option," Kirito replied. "The leader wants him dead, and if you blow the place up, Orochimaru will likely escape using a summoning jutsu. He's already aware of our presence."
Kirito threw a few kunai casually, and moments later, sand snakes emerged from the dunes, slithering toward them.
Before long, the three reached the cave's entrance, where Orochimaru awaited them.
"Oh? I didn't expect Pain to send Kirito after me. I thought it would be Itachi," Orochimaru mused, seemingly surprised, but not panicked.
"Sorry, Uncle Snake, or rather, Orochimaru now. I have no personal grudge against you, but orders are orders, and the leader has demanded your death," Kirito said calmly.
(End of chapter).
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