This was when Deidara hadn't even finished preparing C3 No.18.
Even so, its power was still not to be underestimated.
It directly tore apart more than twenty of Sasori's puppets on the spot, and all the other puppets were blown away by the shockwave.
Even Sasori was no exception, blasted flying by the impact.
He hadn't expected the fortress to suddenly explode.
Sasori was also sent spinning, pieces of his body scattering everywhere.
That was because he had actively disassembled himself.
Otherwise, his body would have been damaged by the blast.
When the dust settled, Deidara and those ten-plus men had all escaped. Leaving Sasori furious.
What enraged him wasn't that he hadn't killed anyone, but that his information had somehow been leaked.
It was as if the enemy had predicted his abilities.
Although Sasori only needed to repel them, having his intel leaked still left him very displeased.
Standing amidst the ruins of the explosion, before long a figure quickly approached to meet him, it was Kakuzu.
"How many people did you run into?", Sasori was using chakra threads to constantly "pick up" the red puppets on the ground, one by one sealing them back into scrolls.
Kakuzu looked somewhat weary, "On my side, more than thirty, led by Kitsuchi."
"Their defense was too strong, we were stuck in a stalemate."
"Only when there was an explosion over here did they retreat. That wasn't your Hundred Puppet Performance, was it?"
Although Kakuzu and Sasori had worked together many times, that move usually wasn't needed. This was his first time seeing it.
Sasori made a sound in reply, his voice somewhat heavy, "My information was leaked. They all retreated. I also encountered someone who used clay bombs, rather troublesome."
Kakuzu was quite surprised. Most who fought Sasori ended up dead, so the possibility of leaked intel was extremely small. Yet somehow, it had leaked.
"No matter what, we've driven Iwagakure off, that's enough."
At this point, Kakuzu could only sum it up.
"This mission will be considered finished."
"But we still need to stay a while longer, to make sure Iwagakure doesn't send in stronger reinforcements."
Sasori, still searching around for his puppets, responded, "Just as well, I need to repair my puppets."
"I'll go talk to the Sunagakure people, see if they want to occupy this place."
———
In the forest outside the Uchiha clan grounds—
Konan beat her wings, carrying Nagato, landing on a tree.
This time Nagato hadn't come by wooden cart. He stood on the tree only by leaning against the trunk for support.
After all, he had come this time to treat his injuries. If it were just to send Pain, there would have been no need.
Nagato closed his eyes and activated the Phantom Lantern Body Technique.
Moments later, Rengoku quickly emerged and led Nagato inside.
The group soon arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory.
This was Nagato's first meeting with Orochimaru.
"So you're the true body behind Pain."
Ever since taking a hit from Super Shinra Tensei in Rengoku's dream-space, Orochimaru had wanted to study the Rinnegan.
But until now, he had never found the Elixir of Life, so he hadn't had the chance.
Rengoku introduced from the side, "This is Orochimaru, you should know him."
Konan and Nagato both nodded at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's reputation hadn't been good, but Pain wasn't any saint either.
What they cared about was only whether Orochimaru had ability.
With Rengoku as the intermediary, both had already heard something about the other from him.
"This is Nagato and Konan. You'll have time to get familiar later. For now, check Nagato's body."
Since Nagato and Konan had come here, naturally they wouldn't shrink back.
"We'll trouble you then," Konan said politely.
With Rengoku accompanying, Nagato soon lay face-down on Orochimaru's examination bed.
Yes, face-down, because his back was full of black rods, so he couldn't lie flat.
Orochimaru set up many medical devices on Nagato, and after probing himself, finally realized how terrible Nagato's condition was.
"Incredible, so many black rods stuck through your organs, and you're still alive."
Pointing at the image on the screen, Orochimaru said to Nagato, "These black rods pierce precisely into every organ, not a single one missed."
Rengoku saw the CT-like image and didn't feel it strange. He was used to it.
Hearing this, Rengoku snorted, "So basically Nagato's being used as a giant blood bag."
"Feeding the eyes and the Gedo Statue, truly the biggest wronged victim."
Nagato showed no reaction to Rengoku's words, but Konan's expression dimmed.
After all, Nagato had ended up like this in order to save her.
And now that Danzo had managed to get himself killed, they couldn't even take revenge on him.
Nagato's expression grew firm, "This grudge, I will settle myself."
Rengoku smiled, "I have confidence in you."
They had been plotting this early on. How could they fear a Madara who hadn't even crawled out of the grave yet?
"Can Nagato's black rods be removed?", Rengoku turned to Orochimaru and asked.
Orochimaru extended his tongue to lick his face, "We can safely remove them now."
"But, I think we should also take out Nagato's curse seal," Rengoku had actually forgotten about that.
"Let me see."
He walked to Nagato, placing a hand on his chest.
The sealing formula unfurled from Rengoku's hand, winding onto Nagato's chest.
Rengoku clearly "saw" the curse mark on Nagato's heart.
This really was a curse passed down three generations. Rin, Nagato, and Obito all had the same one on their hearts.
Madara might only have this one technique, but as long as it worked, that was enough.
This curse mark could be controlled remotely.
And the moment someone tried to undo it, it would instantly detonate the heart.
Nagato saw the sealing technique Rengoku used and felt it somewhat familiar.
It seemed to have traces of the Four Symbols Seal, but mixed with other sealing arts. A system of his own.
He hadn't expected Rengoku's sealing to be this strong too.
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to take out the Rinnegan at the same time?", Rengoku suggested.
Orochimaru immediately shook his head, "The Rinnegan is highly active, and its pupil power is extremely strong."
"Even if Nagato 'died,' the Rinnegan would remain active for quite some time."
"We can't wait that long, or else Nagato really will die here."
Seeing that Orochimaru had already thought everything through, Rengoku nodded and agreed, "What's your concrete plan?"
Orochimaru pointed at Nagato's heart, "This curse seal is powered by the host's life energy."
"Simply put, once the host dies, the curse seal is released."
Rengoku understood almost instantly, "You want Nagato to fake his death?"
Orochimaru shook his head, "How can it be called fake death? It's real death."
"But he can be revived afterward."
Konan looked worried, "Isn't that too risky?"
Orochimaru replied as if it were obvious, "Of course. Whether to remove it is up to you."
Nagato raised a hand to stop Konan, "If it isn't removed, I'll still be a puppet. So this curse seal, I must take out."
"Since I've chosen to come here, I'll entrust myself to you."
"Orochimaru, go ahead."
Orochimaru's eyes showed approval, "Don't worry. I won't let you die."
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