Inside the dim cavern, multiple phantom figures appeared atop the fingers of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Kisame Hoshigaki chuckled. "What is it this time, boss? Didn't you say we were taking a break to master the Tailed Beast's power? Don't tell me you've already succeeded?"
The Deva Path's phantom stood there and cast him a brief glance. "Orochimaru is dead!"
"Oh?"
"Hm?"
"Is that so?"
The Akatsuki members reacted differently, but not one of them showed any so-called grief. Frankly, they were not close to Orochimaru. They might sigh over his death, but sadness... don't be ridiculous.
Forget Orochimaru—if any one of the people present died, none of them would feel that kind of sadness.
"He finally died, huh? Fine by me. I'd long found that gloomy creep unpleasant to look at. Who did it?" Sasori asked quietly. His phantom had returned to its original appearance. After Hiruko was destroyed, he had not used another puppet to disguise himself.
The Deva Path's phantom replied, "Second Pillar!"
"Oh?" Kisame gave a soft sound, glanced toward Itachi, and smiled. "Itachi-san, your little brother is surprisingly capable. As his older brother, aren't you pleased?"
"Boring!" Uchiha Itachi gave Kisame an indifferent look.
The Deva Path spoke again. "Enough. Stop arguing. Whatever the case, Orochimaru was an Akatsuki member. If we simply ignore the fact that he was killed, it would be hard to justify. Whoever has time lately, go kill Sasuke, the one who killed Orochimaru."
"Leave it to me, yeah!" Deidara, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "I'm very interested in a Sharingan like Itachi's. This time, I'll let him witness my art."
The Deva Path nodded. "Then the mission to kill Sasuke will be assigned to Deidara and Sasori. Does anyone object?"
"No. I've been