On the outskirts of Amegakure, at a temporary Akatsuki base.
Dark clouds filled the sky, and a fine rain pattered down, lending the air an oppressive weight.
Pain stood at the front of the meeting room, surveying the members below him without expression.
"According to our intelligence, the Five Great Nations have joined forces and decided to launch an all-out assault on us."
His voice was calm and indifferent, as though he were describing some trivial everyday matter.
Kakuzu sat cross-legged in a corner and let out a low, raspy laugh. "Heh, so they're finally coming? Still, this is going to hurt business."
Hidan impatiently swung the scythe in his hand and bellowed, "Fuck, are they coming to die again? I'll kill however many show up. Lord Jashin loves this sort of thing anyway!"
Deidara leaned against the wall with his arms folded, muttering with a disgruntled expression.
"Hey, hey, don't you think they're underestimating us? Sending five whole nations at once, hm!"
"I get the feeling five nations might not be enough, hah."
Sasori lifted his head slightly, calmly adjusting the puppet parts in his hands, a trace of displeasure in his voice.
"Deidara, you're too loud... even your explosions aren't as noisy as your mouth."
Deidara pouted indignantly and grumbled, "Sasori, my man, why are you such a spoilsport? This is art. If you're going to blow something up, make a spectacle of it, hm!"
After a few seconds of silence, Sasori replied flatly.
"Oh, art is eternal. Those toys of yours that explode once are no art at all."
Deidara immediately bristled, his face flushing red.
"What did you say?!"
Seated off to one side, Kisame wiped down Samehada with evident interest and grinned.
"You've all been pretty lively lately. How about letting me test how sharp