"Ha!"
A violent blaze erupted with a roar, and the four hurriedly retreated to the wall!
The instant Itachi landed, a Clay Centipede coiled around him!
"Hahahahaha!"
Deidara formed a hand seal with one hand and grinned triumphantly!
"You don't even have that much awareness, and you dare call yourself a mercenary?
What a shame. Killing someone like you would be a waste of my art..."
Deidara had already stirred his chakra, ready to trigger the explosion!
Suddenly, he felt his chakra-and even his soul-shudder!
The scene before him began to warp. By the time it settled again, Deidara's jaw had dropped!
"What..."
Why was he the one bound by the centipede now?
"Well, well. Looks like he's caught in genjutsu!"
Kisame smiled faintly, revealing his mouthful of sharp teeth.
"Judging by that expression, has he still not realized?"
Kakuzu folded his arms, seemingly sizing Deidara up.
"The new guy's a little slow. If he actually sets it off, he'll be the one getting hurt!"
Sasori rested his chin on his hand, watching Deidara with interest.
Only after hearing the three of them speak did Deidara suddenly realize he had fallen under genjutsu!
He looked up toward the light.
Uchiha Itachi stood in the hole in the wall. Golden light streamed in around him, making his figure seem even taller!
Those mesmerizing, blood-red eyes etched themselves deep into Deidara's heart!
"So beautiful..."
Such beautiful eyes... They must be what trapped me in genjutsu!
The centipede slowly unwound from Deidara's body. He gazed at Uchiha Itachi in the golden light, his eyes filled with longing!
"Is it over?"
"Isn't that a little too quick?"
"The kid's stopped resisting. Itachi must have won him over!"
Uchiha Itachi moved slowly through the light, gradually approaching Deidara.
"Itachi?"
"My name is Uchiha Itachi. Deidara,