Inside the secret base where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood.
As the last wisp of chakra was drawn into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, died.
Only then did all the members of the Akatsuki have a chance to stretch.
"We're down another person, so the sealing took even longer."
"Did Itachi really die, or did he take the chance to run off?"
Deidara could not help muttering, immediately earning a murderous glare from Kisame.
"What are you glaring at me for? I didn't say anything wrong."
Deidara was not afraid of Kisame and immediately snapped back.
Mostly, he had always wanted to prove himself again in front of Itachi. He had invented the ninjutsu C4 Karura specifically to kill him.
Yet before he could settle the score, he had heard that Itachi was failing and close to death.
How could he not be anxious?
Naturally, Kisame, who respected Itachi more than anyone, could not stand Deidara disparaging him like this. If the Deidara here had not been merely a mental projection, Kisame would damn well have already hurled Samehada straight at his mouth!
Before the atmosphere could grow even more tense and strained.
Pain finally spoke. "Reliable information has come in. We can confirm that Uchiha Itachi is indeed dead."
He had kept quiet earlier only because he did not want to affect the sealing of the tailed beast. Now that the sealing was complete, there was naturally no reason to conceal it.
"Huh? He really died? Who killed him? From what I know of that man, he wouldn't sit quietly somewhere waiting to die. He would make his death more meaningful."
Even the heavyhearted Kisame could not help seeing Deidara in a new light.
He had not expected Deidara to