At that moment, upon hearing Deidara's words, Aizen watched him with interest through his deep, unfathomable eyes.
Deidara, meanwhile, seemed to have found someone to confide in. He appeared to have forgotten the battle entirely, excitedly explaining his artistic vision to Aizen.
Aizen, however, listened to him seriously, leaving everyone below utterly astonished.
Gin narrowed his eyes slightly, a curve rising at the corners of his lips as he chuckled softly.
"The way things develop truly is unpredictable. Who would have thought that Captain Aizen would take such a strong interest in this child?"
Hearing that, Sasori merely glanced at him, his hoarse voice devoid of emotion.
"Deidara's strength is quite decent."
Gin's narrowed eyes gleamed with amusement as he said softly.
"Well, I've experienced that myself before. That's why the way things are unfolding is so intriguing."
"A youth pursuing the art of explosions, and Captain Aizen, whose scheming runs unfathomably deep... That combination really is... something to look forward to..."
At this moment—
On the crane's back high in the sky, after listening to Deidara talk on and on for quite some time, Aizen smiled and interrupted him.
"So, in your view, even if it meant dedicating everything to art, including your own life, you would not hesitate in the slightest, would you, Deidara?"
Caught off guard by Aizen's interruption, Deidara froze briefly before remembering that he was still in the middle of a battle with Aizen.
Yet he did not hesitate. He immediately nodded and said solemnly, "Yes. To create the most dazzling art of explosion, I wouldn't mind offering up even myself!"
Upon hearing that, the corners of Aizen's lips lifted slightly as he chuckled softly.
"That attitude is truly commendable..."
As he spoke, an imperceptible gleam flashed through the depths of his eyes.
"But is