Hidan's Frenzy

The next day, the Canopy Screen began playing right on schedule.

[Inside the brightly lit Raikage's Office.]

[Demiurge stood elegantly before the desk. He adjusted his gleaming glasses and bowed to Darui, the Fourth Raikage, who sat behind it.]

["Lord Raikage, the latest intelligence confirms that Deidara, the Fourth Tsuchikage, is dead."]

["Iwagakure will be badly weakened for the foreseeable future. It poses no concern." His voice was calm and measured, as though he were stating an established fact.]

["Then, according to plan, our next step is to formally move against Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha of Konoha."]

["Those two are the pillars of Konoha and the entire Shinobi World Alliance. Remove them, and most of our plan will be complete. Please authorize the next phase."]

[To Demiurge's surprise, Darui did not immediately agree. He leaned back in his broad chair, his usual languor replaced by deep melancholy and doubt.]

[His fingers tapped absently on the desk, making a dull sound. After a long while, he finally spoke, a trace of weariness in his voice:]

["Let's not rush."]

[He looked up at Demiurge, his brow faintly furrowed. "Everything is moving too quickly. So quickly that it hardly feels real."]

[His gaze sharpened as he stared straight at him. "Why would Nine Nether, an organization we know so little about, choose to help me? Why help Kumogakure unite the Shinobi World?"]

["What are they really after? I don't believe anyone gives away something for nothing."]

[Demiurge showed no sign of panic at Darui's questions. Instead, he smiled with an air of understanding—and a hint of temptation.]

["Heh. You worry too much, Lord Raikage." He bowed slightly, his tone persuasive. "Nine Nether chose to support you because they recognized the grand ambition deep within your heart: to end the world's strife and