Inside Ryūchi Cave,
Obito activated Kamui, returning to Madara's side.
"Grandpa Madara, I'm done. We can start preparing to leave now."
Madara looked at his grandson and chuckled warmly.
"Good, good. Are you tired, Obito?"
"Uh…" Obito scratched his head awkwardly. Something about Madara's tone felt off, but he didn't dwell on it too much.
"Now that you mention it… I guess I am a little tired."
He had just come from an intense battle and hadn't had time to recover. Then, he'd rushed into a deep "exchange" with a certain little snake girl. Thinking about it, it really was exhausting.
Madara nodded knowingly, smirking silently.
An hour of that… Of course you're tired, kid.
Nearby, Hidan muttered irritably,
"(#`O′) Hey, leader! Don't tell me you're planning to keep that snake around?!"
"Damn it, I was thinking of offering her to Lord Jashin!"
Obito shot Hidan an annoyed glare and declared,
"Forget it! She's my snake now, got it?"
Hearing Obito's words, Sasori, who was quietly repairing his puppets, smirked inwardly.
I knew it. So, the leader really has a thing for females—even ones from other species. Unbelievable…
As someone who only cared for his masterpieces, Sasori found such desires utterly incomprehensible.
Hidan grumbled under his breath, twirling his scythe.
"(ˉ▽￣～) Tch~~"
But since he owed Obito a favor this time, Hidan stopped complaining after a few curses.
Thus, their journey to Ryūchi Cave came to a successful end.
Obito gained Senjutsu.
Sasori acquired new materials for his puppets.
Hidan received Jashin's blessings.
As for Madara, though it seemed he hadn't gained anything, the smile never left his face.
...
In Iwagakure, inside a dimly lit room,
Kurotsuchi slammed the table, fuming.
"Are you kidding me, Deidara?!"
"You're telling me the Akatsuki was formed to bring peace to the ninja world?!"
"Name one thing you've done that even remotely promotes peace!"
Deidara slammed the table back and replied,
"Right? I feel the same way!"
"But our leader insists on saying that. What can I do, hmm?"
Seeing Deidara's genuine expression, Kurotsuchi frowned, skeptical yet resigned.
"Alright, then let me ask you something else. What's the Akatsuki's purpose in collecting tailed beasts? Are you planning to wage war against one of the great nations? Which one?"
Deidara hesitated, glancing at Kurotsuchi's stormy expression, and cautiously replied,
"We're collecting the tailed beasts… also for peace… hmm?"
This time, Kurotsuchi outright flipped the table.
"AAAAHH! Deidara!"
After this chaotic exchange, Kurotsuchi was utterly frustrated. She realized that Deidara had been duped by the Akatsuki without knowing the full truth.
Who was the heartless bastard that managed to trick someone as innocent as Deidara?!
...
Back at Madara's base,
Obito suddenly sneezed.
"Ah-choo!"
Puzzled, he rubbed his nose and glanced at Madara.
"Grandpa Madara, I'm heading out now. You stay here and rest up. In a few days, I'll bring back the Five-Tails Jinchūriki for you."
Madara nodded approvingly and patted Obito's shoulder.
"Go, my child. I'll be waiting here for you."
Watching Obito leave, Madara couldn't help but feel a twinge of sentimentality.
If Obito wanted to, he could've easily abandoned me in the Kamui dimension or ordered someone to kill me.
But he didn't. This means he acknowledges me now… right?
It was almost laughable.
A man of Madara's stature, a once-mighty warlord, seeking recognition from a child.
"Heh, I think I'm starting to understand Hashirama's thoughts a little…"
Madara chuckled self-deprecatingly and shook his head, reclining on his bed and enjoying a novel brought by his grandson.
Beside him, Black Zetsu carefully worked on reattaching Madara's arm.
Seeing Madara's ever-present smile, Zetsu couldn't help but ask,
"Madara-sama, is something making you happy?"
Madara cast Zetsu a cold glance and replied indifferently,
"Whether it does or doesn't, what's it to you?"
Zetsu immediately lowered its head and continued its task. But deep down, it cursed.
What did Obito do to Madara?!
Madara used to listen to me without question!
I need to find a way to sow discord between them. Otherwise, I have a feeling Obito will ruin everything at the last moment.
Night fell. The sky was pitch black, devoid of even starlight.
Madara suddenly put down his novel, his sharp gaze piercing through the darkness.
"Hmm?"
He sensed an uninvited guest near the base.
Soon, Zetsu appeared beside him, bowing respectfully.
"Madara-sama, someone is attempting to infiltrate the base."
Still lounging lazily, Madara hummed.
"Hmm, have you identified them?"
Zetsu nodded.
"Based on the intel from the clones, it's likely Orochimaru—one of the Sannin."
Zetsu paused before adding,
"He's also the subordinate of Obito-sama who defected recently."
"Oh?"
Madara placed his novel aside and stood up, intrigued.
"Let's go. I want to see this Orochimaru for myself."
He was curious about the man bold enough to offend his grandson and lead Obito on a wild chase to Ryūchi Cave.
...
Back in Iwagakure,
Kurotsuchi had given up trying to get useful information from Deidara. Instead, she decided to just chat and catch up with him.
For his part, Deidara much preferred talking with his long-lost sister than answering questions he didn't know the answers to.
The two talked animatedly into the night.
At one point, Kurotsuchi hesitated slightly before asking nonchalantly,
"Deidara, have you met any girls you like all these years?"
Deidara tilted his head, thinking for a moment before shaking it.
"No…"
Just as Kurotsuchi secretly felt relieved, Deidara added excitedly,
"But I've met a man I truly admire, hmm!"
"Even though our views on art differ, I really enjoy spending time with him, hmm!"
At that, Kurotsuchi was stunned, watching Deidara's blissful expression.
Half happy, half worried. What even is this feeling?!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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