The patter of rain echoed endlessly as it poured from the sky. This mission was the longest Deidara had undertaken since his arrival in this world.
It had been a month since the night of his defection, and the group had finally made their way into Amegakure. Once a hermit village sealed off from the world after Hanzo's death, Amegakure now bared its fangs to the shinobi world once again.
"Deidara, Sasori, follow me," a commanding voice rang out.
The speaker was an elegant woman with violet hair tied into a bun. Her lower body dissolved into countless sheets of white paper, forming angelic wings as she ascended gracefully toward the highest spire.
"Konan, wait for me!" Deidara called out, quickly hopping onto his clay bird to follow her. He discreetly grabbed two pieces of paper mid-air and stashed them away.
"What are you doing?" Konan turned her icy gaze back toward him.
"Uh... research! Just curious!" Deidara hastily widened the gap between them, nervously offering up the papers as a "sacrifice."
Finally, he unlocked Paper Release. Coupled with the Hozuki Clan's bloodline he obtained from Suigetsu, the prerequisites for his Clay Transformation were complete.
--- [System Notification: Unlock Complete — Clay Transformation]
Deidara tested his newfound ability. His right hand softened, morphing into white clay. Physical attacks would no longer harm him. Not only could he self-detonate parts of his body at will, but he could also regenerate by consuming clay.
Though ninjutsu still posed a significant threat, this new ability was undeniably powerful.
Atop the tower, Tendo Pain stood in silence, his Rinnegan gazing solemnly at the world below.
"Good work, Deidara. Sasori," he said, his voice as monotonous and unchanging as ever, even in praise.
"Of course it was hard work! You got free labor out of us, after all," Sasori retorted casually, his once dour personality lightened by Deidara's antics.
Pain's expression didn't change, but his silence spoke volumes.
"Even Konan is out there working tirelessly every day," Deidara added with a mischievous grin.
"Leader, do you know what you look like right now?"
Pain's gaze shifted toward Deidara, wordlessly encouraging him to elaborate.
"Like some useless husband sponging off his hardworking wife!"
"Pu—!" Konan, usually stoic and composed, couldn't suppress a small chuckle.
"Deidara!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
"Agh! Leader, don't tell me you're mad because I hit a nerve!" Deidara's voice trailed off as he was sent flying.
Despite the chaos, the group soon returned to their discussion atop the tower. Deidara was the first to break the silence.
"Leader, isn't it about time you told us your true goal?"
"My true goal? I've already said it: to dominate the shinobi world," Pain replied.
"Dominate the shinobi world? Seriously?" Deidara raised an eyebrow. "While lounging at home all day?"
Pain's Rinnegan flared slightly, but he maintained his calm demeanor.
"I said, we will collect the Tailed Beasts to dominate the shinobi world."
"Do you believe him, Sasori?" Deidara asked, turning to his partner.
"Not a chance."
Sasori's decisive answer caused both Pain and Konan to glance at him.
"Those who truly aspire to dominate the shinobi world are ambitious and proactive. They exhibit a strong desire for control, striving to manipulate everyone around them."
"In that regard, Leader, you're nothing like a typical tyrant."
Deidara shrugged dramatically. "See? Leader, your grandiose claims wouldn't even fool Hidan, let alone us."
For a moment, both Pain and Konan appeared visibly flustered.
"Enough. Be honest with us—what's your real plan?" Deidara pressed. "Not just for us, but for everyone in Akatsuki. They're risking their lives for this organization, they deserve to know the truth."
Pain's gaze drifted toward the horizon. As the rain began to subside, the clouds parted, revealing the sun for the first time in what felt like ages. Its warm rays bathed the land below.
The villagers of Amegakure paused in astonishment, some shielding their eyes as they looked up at the sky.
"Is today Sunday?" one of them wondered aloud.
"Why has the rain stopped?"
"It must be Pain-sama's mercy! Praise be to Pain-sama and Angel!" Many fell to their knees, offering fervent prayers.
Pain's expression softened as he watched. Memories of Akatsuki's founding days surfaced—when he, Yahiko, and Konan had dreamed of creating a peaceful world.
"Peace. I want to achieve peace across the shinobi world," he declared, his voice resolute.
Deidara and Sasori exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback.
"Peace, huh? Who wouldn't want that?" Sasori murmured, his thoughts drifting to his parents and the countless lives lost in the brutal wars.
Seeing their tentative approval, both Pain and Konan allowed faint smiles to emerge.
"Will you join me in pursuing peace for the shinobi world?" Pain asked.
"Of course," Deidara replied instantly.
"I've got time to spare, so why not?" Sasori added with feigned nonchalance.
"Then follow me," Pain said, leading them deeper into the tower.
"Pain?" Konan called out hesitantly.
"They are now my trusted comrades. It's only right to be honest with them," he reassured her.
In the tower's depths, a dimly lit chamber awaited them. Deidara and Sasori finally met the true body behind the Rinnegan—a frail, emaciated man.
"This is my true form. My name is Nagato," he said, raising his head to look at them.
Sasori's expression betrayed his surprise. So this is the secret behind the Rinnegan?
The back of Sasori's puppet, Hiruko, opened, revealing a young red-haired man stepping out.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Sasori of the Red Sand," he said, his voice clear and youthful.
Konan's eyes widened. "Sasori, this is...?"
"This is my eternal art," Sasori declared. "I've transformed my body into a puppet."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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