Kakuzu's phantom remained impassive. Facing the Deva Path of Pain's question, he answered in his usual flat tone.
"Right now happens to be Hidan's prayer time."
"He said no one could disturb him while he prayed, or they would suffer the curse of the Chaos God."
As soon as he finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the stone cavern.
Deidara's phantom was the first to lose patience. He sneered, his voice full of contempt for that inelegant primitive faith.
"How long could that lunatic's prayers possibly last? Three days? Five days? Don't tell me he's planning to spend New Year's in there, hmm?"
Kakuzu's phantom did not even twitch, as though they were discussing the weather.
"Last time, he prayed for seven days and seven nights."
"Then never mind." Deidara chuckled.
Konan's phantom flickered, and her gaze took on a hint of scrutiny.
"The mission to capture the Two-Tails failed, didn't it?"
"With the strength of the two of you, plus the intelligence advantage we provided, capturing the Two-Tails should have been easy. What happened?"
Kakuzu snorted inwardly, though his expression remained calm. He had long expected Konan to press for details.
"Hidan's advantage lies in his unique ability and the information gap. Against anyone unfamiliar with him, it is practically fatal. But... the intelligence had actually leaked long ago."
Kakuzu's voice carried regret and reluctance.
"The commotion Hidan caused in the Land of Hot Water was too great. His abilities were exposed, and Konoha's newly emerged Purifiers have already set their sights on us. They shared our intelligence with the Five Great Nations, so Yugito of the Two-Tails was extremely careful during the battle to avoid letting Hidan obtain her blood."
"The fight turned into a war of attrition. We were surrounded by at least three elite squads