The Land of Rain.
The sky was still covered in thick, dark clouds, with very little light filtering through.
A fine rain fell endlessly, and the scent of damp earth filled the air.
Rumble-
A dazzling bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.
The flash lit up an Amegakure high-rise. Atop the dozens of stories stood a figure in a black-and-red robe, illuminated by the lightning.
He raised his hand toward the sky. The mouth in his palm stayed tightly shut, as though in disgust, clearly unwilling to drink the falling rain.
"Hey, Deidara, feeling any better?"
The iron door opened, and a red-haired youth inside the building called out to the second blond standing in the rain.
"Yeah." Deidara nodded, walked back inside, and took the towel Sasori offered him to dry his soaked hair.
"Konoha sent another letter. They want to invite every village in the Shinobi World to establish a United Shinobi Village."
Sasori handed Deidara the letter from Konoha. The previous letter Konoha had sent had brought news of Obito's death and the final end of the Shinobi War.
"Got it, Sasori."
Deidara nodded and opened the envelope. A gleam flashed in his eyes as he read the words inside.
"Sasori, what do you think?"
"What do I think? I'm not the one in charge."
Sasori shrugged, turned, and headed downstairs.
"You're Amegakure's Kage now. You need to be ready to make choices and bear the consequences."
Deidara followed Sasori downstairs and said, "Don't worry, Sasori."
Sasori nodded.
Ever since the kid had returned from his trip to Iwagakure, Deidara had grown increasingly subdued.
Today, he had even gone nuts and run up to the roof to admire the lightning.
If not for his young age, Sasori would have already given him a Fire Scorching Gift