Before the Fourth Battle, Deidara had gone to intercept Sasuke, only to be shot down in the end. He had since channeled all his pent-up rage into something productive.
He returned to his homeland and defeated the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, Roshi of Lava Release.
That had originally been Kisame's assignment, so Kisame hunted down the Five-Tails, which also belonged to Iwagakure, while he was at it.
Having lost two tailed beasts in succession, Tsuchikage Ōnoki, who had once employed the Akatsuki during wartime, announced that he was severing ties with the organization!
Meanwhile, although Danzo had died on the isolated Blue Moon Island, the members of Root indirectly confirmed his death when their Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals vanished.
Zetsu immediately relayed the news to Obito.
In the current shinobi world, only a handful of people could kill Danzo without anyone noticing.
Since the Akatsuki had not done it, Obito naturally thought of the boy who, with Orochimaru's backing, had defeated five Akatsuki members in succession!
Shisui's right eye had presumably fallen into Orochimaru's hands as well!
"They beat us to it again..."
This time, Obito was unusually agitated.
Although the Akatsuki had successfully captured and completed the Sealing of five tailed beasts, the unease haunting him refused to fade.
He had a feeling that Orochimaru must be planning something major through Sasuke!
"If Sasuke transplants Itachi's eyes, he could awaken the eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in no time, and his power would inevitably grow even further. And I failed to obtain Kotoamatsukami, which would have ensured that Sasuke served my purposes..."
"If... Orochimaru's objective really conflicts with the Akatsuki's interests, he'll be a major threat right on our doorstep!"
"Perhaps it's time to lay my cards on the table with that man..."
During the Akatsuki's gathering for the Sealing of a