Deidara is quite an oddball, almost like a naive sweetheart, to the point where Kimimaro feels guilty for tricking him.
He now feels like a scumbag for not only draining Deidara's chakra but also making him grateful, even treating Kimimaro as his best teammate.
Kimimaro realized he might have overdone it in his attempts to deceive Deidara.
It seems Deidara has gotten quite attached to him.
"Deidara-senpai, as long as we share the same pursuit of art, it doesn't matter if we're on the same team or not. In fact, it's by interacting with different people and experiencing new things that we can improve our artistic skills.
If you focus too much on one person, your art might stagnate. After all, one person's strength is always limited."
Deidara carefully pondered Kimimaro's words, then lit up with excitement.
"You're right! That's absolutely true! It seems I should change teammates more often. After some time, I'll request a new teammate from the leader. Trying new people could spark new ideas.
Like this time—if it weren't for meeting you, I wouldn't have improved my explosive clay or reached this level of perfect art. You're like my soulmate! I can already feel my art advancing."
Deidara got excited once again.
He sure gets excited easily.
Kimimaro had grown used to it by now.
Deidara was probably the easiest person he had ever fooled in the ninja world.
Good news all around.
"Deidara-senpai!"
Suddenly, someone called out loudly. Both of them turned toward the voice.
A mysterious figure wearing an orange swirl mask was running toward them.
"It's Tobi," Deidara immediately recognized him.
"Tobi?"
Kimimaro furrowed his brow slightly, already knowing who Tobi was.
Tobi was Obito's alias within the Akatsuki, but he was essentially a combination of Obito and White Zetsu, merged together.
Regardless of which one it was, Tobi, who could use Kamui, was definitely Obito.
That annoying voice was probably White Zetsu's doing.
To differentiate from the Black Zetsu one, Kimimaro decided to refer to this version as Tobi.
Come to think of it, Tobi was quite unique in that he could significantly boost the host's power, similar to Venom from the comics.
After possessing Yamato, Tobi greatly enhanced his Wood Release techniques, even producing a weaker version of the True Several Thousand Hands.
Tobi might be the most successful creation of White Zetsu.
This piqued Kimimaro's interest.
If he could create something similar, it would be a boost to his own strength as well.
A conscious White Zetsu armor? That sounded appealing, almost like an Iron Man suit.
He had the materials to make White Zetsu, something he hadn't considered before, but now he had a new direction to explore.
He would first create the White Zetsu armor, then, once he mastered Yin-Yang Release, he could create consciousness and inject it into the armor.
White Zetsu armor was no longer just a dream; it was highly feasible.
Kimimaro was already eager to get started.
"You haven't been in the Akatsuki long, so you don't know Tobi. He's a candidate to become a core member of the Akatsuki. His strength is unknown, but definitely not weak. Though his personality can be pretty annoying," Deidara explained to Kimimaro, noticing his puzzled expression.
"I see," Kimimaro played along, easing the awkward tension.
"Deidara-senpai! Finally, I've found you two!"
Tobi stopped in front of them, panting heavily as if exhausted.
"Tobi, what do you want from us?"
"Deidara-senpai, the leader sent me to give you a mission. After receiving the order, I hurried for days to finally track you down."
Tobi spoke, then looked at Kimimaro.
"And this must be Kimimaro-senpai, right? I'm so jealous—becoming a core member of the Akatsuki at such a young age!
I've worked hard for years, and the leader still won't make me a core member. Nice to meet you! I'm Tobi, part of the Akatsuki's intelligence squad."
Tobi extended his right hand.
Kimimaro saw no reason to refuse the offered handshake.
"Hello."
Kimimaro shook Tobi's hand, saying quietly.
"Ah! Kimimaro-senpai shook my hand! This is amazing! I'm not washing this hand today!"
Tobi immediately became ecstatic.
Well, this guy really was a good match for Deidara.
"Alright, Tobi. What's the mission?" Deidara interrupted Tobi's excitement.
"The leader said the Hidden Mist Village is planning something big. He wants you two to go check it out.
It seems to be related to the Fourth Mizukage. If there's an opportunity, you can capture the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.
That's one of the targets for you and Sasori-senpai."
"The Three-Tails Jinchuriki? Sounds like a decent target. I've just developed a new form of art, and I can test it on him."
Deidara rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
"Deidara-senpai's new art? I've got to see that for myself! Let me join you two on this mission!" Tobi was eager.
"You?"
"Yeah! I know a lot about the Land of Water. With me coming along, I'm sure I can help. Plus, the leader has approved it."
"Fine. Just don't hold us back, or I'll blow you up along with everything else!"
"Ah! Deidara-senpai, you're so fierce! But no worries, I won't slow you down."
Tobi joked playfully.
Kimimaro remained silent as they discussed.
The Hidden Mist Village?
The Fourth Mizukage?
Is he still alive?
Kimimaro had been near the Mist Village when he first crossed into this world, so he had a bit of "sentiment" toward the place.
Returning there would be like revisiting an old haunt.
"By the way, Kimimaro, weren't you from the Hidden Mist Village? This is like a homecoming for you.
If you're not comfortable with it, Tobi and I can go without you. I can handle them alone."
Deidara, already considering Kimimaro a friend, spoke with concern.
"It's fine. I'll come along. I haven't been back to the Hidden Mist in years, so this is a good opportunity to see it again."
"Alright, if you're cool with it, then no problem. Let's head out!"
"Great! Deidara-senpai, can we ride your white bird? It's so convenient and fast!"
Tobi's one visible eye sparkled with hope.
"Fine, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you both a lift. But tomorrow, you're on your own! My explosive clay isn't a taxi service."
(End of Chapter)