"Fujiwara Kirito, Itachi, the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan combined with Orochimaru's curse seal can't be underestimated. Be careful next time. The same goes for the rest of you. Uchiha Sasuke may cause problems for you because of his knowledge of both."
Pain looked around and spoke in a deep tone.
"That's really exciting—the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Deidara stretched out his right hand and licked his lips.
As for the curse seal, which he deemed completely unartistic, he ignored it.
"Hey, Deidara-senpai, don't get any weird ideas. I don't want to get caught up in it. That's the Mangekyō Sharingan—Itachi-senpai's Mangekyō Sharingan,"
Obito advised, though he deliberately emphasized Itachi and the Mangekyō. To Fujiwara Kirito, it didn't sound like a warning at all, but more like encouragement.
Everyone in Akatsuki knew Deidara still held a grudge over the time Obito hit him with genjutsu.
What Obito said was clearly to provoke Deidara into fighting Sasuke, while he waited for a chance to uncover Sasuke's eye abilities.
After all, Mangekyō was extraordinary.
No one could be sure what kind of unique ability it held. Obito's Kamui and Shisui's Kotoamatsukami were prime examples.
Sure enough, Deidara took the bait after hearing Obito. "Shut up! This time, I'll use my art to crush that Second Pillar, hmm!"
"Deidara..."
"In that case, I'll be the bait. I also want to see how much my student has grown."
Fujiwara Kirito said.
"Kirito-senpai, aren't you still tracking the Eight-Tails?" Obito asked, frowning slightly behind his mask.
In the future, Obito still needed Sasuke to balance out Fujiwara Kirito, the unstable element. If possible, he didn't want the two to face each other.
Because he knew—even Mangekyō couldn't beat Fujiwara Kirito.
"It's already been found. It's in the Cloud Raikage of Kumogakure." Kirito said casually. "Once we finish sealing the Six-Tails, we can move on to capturing it."
"Cloud Raikage..."
Pain repeated. Then he turned to Fujiwara Kirito. "After I finish with the Six-Tails, the Eight-Tails will be your responsibility."
"The Eight-Tails again? Always me." Kirito didn't seem surprised.
Pain exchanged glances with Konan. The latter hesitated for a moment and added, "The Eight-Tails is second only to the Nine-Tails in strength. Pain needs to capture the Nine-Tails himself. No one in Akatsuki is more suited than you."
"I think Kisame is more suitable. He can absorb chakra, and the stronger the opponent, the stronger he becomes. With Samehada, capturing the Eight-Tails alive shouldn't be an issue—as long as the Jinchūriki doesn't fully transform."
Kirito redirected the task to Kisame.
"And besides the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki himself, there's also the Raikage and the entire Hidden Cloud Village. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is the Raikage's younger brother. If a battle breaks out, it'll cause a huge commotion. The Raikage and his shinobi won't just stand by."
"Pakura and I can stop the reinforcements from Kumogakure. Kisame can capture the Eight-Tails. That seems more appropriate."
"Mr. Kirito, you're too kind."
Kisame was stunned at first, then gave a flattering smile. "You're worthy of being called Mr. Kirito. Without even seeing me fight, you've already understood my strengths so thoroughly."
"Of course. I worked in Konoha's Anbu for a year. I even discovered that Danzo had transplanted both the Sharingan and the First Hokage's cells. How could I not pay attention to someone as well-known as a Seven Ninja Swordsman?" Kirito crossed his arms.
"Heh..." Kisame didn't entirely believe him. He glanced at Itachi and asked, "Then why didn't you include Mr. Itachi earlier?"
"Itachi still has to handle his foolish Ototo. We'll talk once he survives. Honestly, with how he killed his parents, he's already a dead man in my eyes. Whether he dies by Sasuke or from illness makes no difference."
Kisame nodded. "I see... but if Uchiha Sasuke meets you, he probably won't be so lucky."
"That depends on Itachi. If he doesn't mind me killing Sasuke." Kirito looked at Itachi with interest.
Itachi frowned. "I'll deal with him. He has something I need."
"See? That's how it is."
Kirito shrugged at Kisame.
Kisame nodded again, glancing at Itachi with a slightly complicated expression. Is it still impossible for him to take action against his brother?
"Then let's wait until the first seven Tailed Beasts are sealed before we talk about the Eight-Tails. Itachi, Kisame, bring the Four-Tails here as soon as possible and seal it with the Three-Tails. Dismissed."
After saying that, Pain released his projection.
Five days passed in a flash.
Akatsuki, Konoha, and the Second Pillar were all making their moves.
Akatsuki had sealed both the Three-Tails and Four-Tails.
Konoha sent a joint team of Team 7 and Team 8, led by Kakashi, to capture Uchiha Itachi alive—hoping to find Sasuke through him.
Meanwhile, Sasuke had gathered his team and begun seeking out Akatsuki to uncover information on Uchiha Itachi.
"It's finally over. These days were hard to endure. Even with Pakura joining in, sealing the Nine Magic Dragons still took a lot of time."
In the dark, sealed cave, Kirito stretched lazily as soon as the Tailed Beasts were sealed.
"Why are you complaining? You're a shadow clone,"
Konan shot Kirito a look of disdain.
Just five days ago, when sealing began again, Kirito had used his extra chakra to cast the Reverse Summoning Technique and went home to spend time with his family.
"Haha, I've been discovered?"
The clone grinned sheepishly. "How did you know?"
"I'm a sensory-type ninja. You placed a barrier over your house, but not outside. I haven't sensed your family's chakra these past few days. They only stay home when you're around." Konan rolled her eyes. As expected, that pervert was up to it again.
Kirito didn't deny it and turned to Pakura. "Pakura, how did it feel participating in the seal for the first time?"
"Five days of being unable to move, without food or water. It's definitely not something an average person could handle. I had to rely solely on chakra."
Pakura sighed. Thankfully, there were senzu beans. Otherwise, she might have lost her mind.
"Of course! It's super hard, hmm."
Hearing that, Deidara suddenly felt like he found a kindred spirit and began complaining too.
(End of this chapter)