Directly altering memories seemed like a permanent solution, but it carried a fatal hidden danger.
Once Deidara realized he had been deceived and his memories had been tampered with, someone with his personality would definitely seek revenge at any cost.
That would only push Deidara to the opposing side and affect Iwagakure's plans in turn.
So, during Deidara's imprisonment, Aoba chose to give him long-term subconscious suggestions.
They would not alter any of his memories. Instead, they merely added an extremely subtle inclination to his existing personality and thoughts.
Like boiling a frog in warm water, Deidara himself would never realize that his sense of belonging toward the Akatsuki, his yearning for "Starlit Art,"
had been planted in his mind beforehand.
He would only believe that it was a desire that had always existed deep within his heart.
There was also a more practical reason.
Ōnoki!
Never underestimate that old geezer.
Ōnoki was merely old, not foolish. After Deidara returned to Iwagakure, he would definitely examine him from every angle.
Some things would inevitably leave traces once done. Besides, the Shinobi World had countless strange secret techniques, so Aoba would rather go through more trouble than allow anything to go wrong.
"Then I'll leave the rest to you."
Aoba looked at Nagato and smiled. "As for Ōnoki, I'll need you to personally put on a show and apply some pressure on him."
Nagato nodded without saying anything more.
He stepped forward, lifted the unconscious Deidara as if carrying a chick, then flashed away and vanished from the spot.
Rumble!
A violent explosion thundered beside Deidara's ears. His head buzzed, and it took him quite a while to regain consciousness.
"What's going on—"
Only then did he discover that he was tied up. He tried struggling twice but could not break