Ch. 201Preparations for battle
Naruto assembled a four-person squad to confront the mastermind behind the alien threat, while Deidara prepared to leave Iwagakure and face the danger. After warning Kurotsuchi to begin evacuations if the squad failed to return, Deidara donned his Akatsuki cloak and departed.
- Sasori volunteered to represent Sunagakure, and Naruto named himself, Sasuke, Deidara, and Sasori as the decapitation squad.
- Gaara warned Naruto not to underestimate the unknown enemy, while Darui concealed a strange expression as he stayed behind.
- Deidara and Kurotsuchi discussed the Jashinist Cult’s expansion and learned that Haimā and Klee were settling in well in Konoha.
- Deidara told Kurotsuchi to evacuate Battle City if the squad did not return, but she rejected his defeatist words and urged him to stay confident.
- Deidara put on his old Akatsuki cloak, recalled Nan’s words about dawn following the dark night, and left for battle.