Naruto held the core in his hand, the one that represented Sasori of the Red Sands's life and "soul."
Even merely holding it, he could clearly sense the Chakra fluctuations contained within.
In fact, the moment Naruto took it out of the sealing scroll, he had already sensed the core's restlessness.
After all, separated from its puppet body, the core still retained an independent consciousness. Naruto merely injected a small amount of Chakra into it.
The core immediately settled down again.
Naruto raised his head and looked at the unconscious Deidara in the distance, then at the core in his hand.
"This really exceeded my expectations, Hikari." Naruto's voice was gentle, filled with undisguised praise. "You worked hard. Not only did you successfully take Hoshigakure, but you also captured two core members of Akatsuki along the way."
Uchiha Hikari merely nodded, saying indifferently, "It was just convenient. They blocked my path, and they would have interfered with your plans, so I captured them alive and brought them back. Consider them a gift for you."
She deliberately emphasized the word "gift," then watched Naruto with her dark eyes.
"It truly is a generous gift." Naruto smiled and sealed Sasori's core back into the scroll before putting it away properly. "Akatsuki has lost two more core members."
"Previously, Black Zetsu was sealed by me, Hidan was buried alive, and Kakuzu became a prisoner. Now, with only Nagato, Obito, and Konan left, they're practically reduced to a commander without troops."
Naruto planned to imprison Sasori and Deidara in the same prison, gathering the Akatsuki members together in a different way.
Once Jiraiya finished his next mission, it would be time to head to the Land of Rain.
Seeing Naruto so pleased, Uchiha Hikari's lips curved slightly. A trace of delight entered her cool