Deidara had a few idle days, spending his time experimenting with new clay art and tweaking the system. Time passed quickly.
[Ultimate Artist System]
Host: Deidara
Shock Value: 8000/17000
Skill Points: 0
Unlocked Skills:
Explosives: Mastery Level 2, Enhanced C2 Dragon, Extreme Heat, Extended Detonation Range, Timed Bombs
Morphology: Morph Optimization, Insect Morph Mastery, Insect Morph Activation, Humanoid Morph Mastery, Animal Morph Mastery
Materials Science: Improved Clay, Anti-Lightning Clay
Ninja Techniques: Chakra Enhancement, Jutsu Enhancement, Genjutsu Resistance Level 1, Clayification
The Shock Value collected from Jiraiya and his toads allowed Deidara to level up twice, unlocking Timed Bombs and Insect Morph Activation. However, to delve deeper into Explosives Mastery, he needed to unlock Advanced Clay.
"It seems like I'll have to consult Orochimaru about clay research soon," Deidara muttered, adding the task to his mental checklist. But that wasn't an urgent priority.
What was pressing now was attending the upcoming Akatsuki meeting, where the representatives for the Konoha mission would be chosen.
"Another meeting already?"
"The frequency of these meetings has dropped lately," Kisame remarked, as usual the first to break the silence.
"What now? I've barely recovered from running around with Kakuzu," Hidan grumbled, his habitual complaint.
"Hmm? Where's Sasori?" Kisame noticed the empty spot where the puppet master usually sat.
"Don't tell me he got killed—or pulled an Orochimaru and left the organization?"
Deidara shook his head. "Nothing like that. Sasori's been completely absorbed in his new puppet art lately. He's probably not showing up anytime soon."
"Ah, I see. So, Deidara, you've been without a partner lately. Isn't that dangerous?" Kisame asked with genuine concern.
"I'll manage. I'll be careful," Deidara replied confidently.
"Enough chit-chat!" Nagato's voice cut through the banter, silencing the room.
"The Konoha plan is progressing well, we're at the final step. We need two to three members to go to Konoha and negotiate an alliance. If successful, it'll destabilize the Five Great Shinobi Villages, achieving half of our goal."
Nagato's Rinnegan scanned the room, his intentions clear.
However, despite Akatsuki's apparent numbers, few were viable candidates for the mission. Kakuzu and Hidan were compromised due to their previous exposure. Nagato himself couldn't risk revealing the Rinnegan this early. Sasori was MIA.
That left only four options.
"I'll go!" Deidara volunteered enthusiastically. The plan had been his brainchild, and he wanted to oversee it personally to ensure everything went smoothly.
"I'll go as well." A cold voice broke the silence. Everyone turned, startled.
Uchiha Itachi, usually reserved, had unexpectedly stepped forward.
The group stared at him in shock, but Itachi remained composed, concealing his true emotions. Inside, however, he was anything but calm.
It's for you, foolish little brother.
He had heard troubling news: Sasuke was in Danzo's custody, starved for days and facing the threat of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. Itachi couldn't stand idly by.
Sasuke belongs to me. No one else is allowed to touch him!
"Very well," Nagato agreed. "If Itachi is going, Kisame will accompany him."
"No problem. I've been curious about Konoha for a while," Kisame replied with a sharp-toothed grin, his interest piqued.
"I suggest we send Zabuza and Haku as well," Deidara added. "Given our status, we can't openly appear in Konoha. Let Zabuza act as the lead envoy."
"Agreed," Nagato said, concluding the meeting.
Back at the inn, Deidara created a clay clone.
"This mission is too risky," he murmured. Facing two Kotoamatsukami users—Danzo and Itachi—was nerve-wracking.
Who knows if Danzo will try to brainwash me or if Itachi will pull something?
Deidara had no intention of risking his real body until he had a countermeasure for Kotoamatsukami. His influence had grown since the Kirigakure mission, and even Obito was wary of him now. It wouldn't be surprising if someone tried to assassinate him.
A few days later, Deidara met Zabuza and Haku at the gates of Amegakure.
Zabuza was his usual gruff self, but Haku caught Deidara's attention. The boy's beauty remained as captivating as ever.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Deidara-sama?" Haku asked shyly, his cheeks flushing red.
"Nothing. Just wondering if your outfit feels… tight?" Deidara replied with a sly grin.
"Deidara!" Zabuza barked, his glare cutting off the conversation. "Don't think your rank gives you the right to act however you please!"
"Oh, is that the Executioner's Blade? I want it!" Suigetsu suddenly appeared, eyeing Zabuza's sword with unrestrained greed.
"Hmph, a brat from the Hozuki Clan," Zabuza sneered. "Too bad for you—this blade is mine. You'll never get it."
"Maybe when you die, it'll be mine," Suigetsu shot back, unbothered by the insult.
"Don't you have a mission?" Deidara interrupted.
"Why bother? The village takes 80% of the commission. I'd rather just rely on their welfare fund," Suigetsu replied with a shrug.
"Figures. Your clan can survive on water alone—how convenient."
Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of Itachi and Kisame. Clad in their black cloaks with red clouds, the duo exuded an imposing presence.
"Everyone's here. Let's move out," Zabuza ordered.
As the group left, they transformed using the Transformation Technique to disguise themselves.
From a distance, space distorted as Obito stepped out of a spiraling vortex. His single Sharingan fixed on the departing group, his expression unreadable.
"Obito, the Akatsuki is straying further from our control," Zetsu said, emerging from the ground.
"Don't worry. I've already made my move," Obito replied, his tone calm yet foreboding.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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