Several hours later...
Rin Setsu'a and Deidara arrived at Kusagakure.
"That's Hozuki Castle over there..."
The Ghost Lantern flowers blooming across the grassland looked like markers leading to hell.
A Clay Bird flew through the sky.
Deidara soon passed through Kusagakure and arrived above Hozuki Castle.
The area around Hozuki Castle was surrounded by the sea, with only one bridge leading to the rear hillside of Kusagakure.
After Mui became the village chief of Kusagakure, he devoted himself to governing the village.
The impoverished Kusagakure of the past had gradually begun to prosper.
"Let's blow up Hozuki Castle in one go with 'Eighteen Variations'!"
The corners of Deidara's mouth curled up madly, and he looked as if he wanted to blow up Itachi along with the castle.
Eighteen Variations, also known as Number Eighteen.
It was Deidara's proudest bomb creation.
"Wait."
Rin Setsu'a raised his smoking pipe, stopping Deidara.
"Mui is an extremely vigilant person. If you just drop it down like this, he'll most likely become alert. He might even notify the Five Great Nations and transfer the prisoners while he's at it..."
Rin Setsu'a wasn't trying to stop Deidara from attacking. He was merely persuading him in another way.
"Hm? Then, Brother Rin Setsu'a, what do you think we should do?"
Deidara turned to look at him.
The Clay Bird circled above Hozuki Castle, hidden in the clouds a thousand meters overhead.
It couldn't be detected without a careful investigation.
"If it were me, I'd infiltrate Hozuki Castle and observe it for a while. I'd figure out how things operate inside, then take the opportunity to find Itachi and confirm his behavior patterns..."
Rin Setsu'a said unhurriedly.
"After confirming all that, it won't be too late to move in and rescue Itachi... Besides..."
Deidara: "Besides...?"
"Besides, don't you