Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 214: A New Breeze in the Akatsuki

Hagoromo Gengetsu, having previously interacted with Naruto, was well-acquainted with the Nine-Tails. As he observed the barely opened eye of the Gedo Statue, he sensed it contained the Nine-Tails' chakra. Though the amount was substantial, it was clearly not on par with the complete Nine-Tails.

"This Nine-Tails chakra shouldn't be from Naruto."

After some contemplation, Hagoromo Gengetsu recalled his journey to the Land of Fire years ago. During a visit to the Fire Temple, he had encountered a boy named Sora who contained part of the Nine-Tails' chakra.

"It was a precaution, wasn't it?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu considered the matter. Among all the tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails was the most difficult to handle in its berserk state. According to Deidara's reports, no Akatsuki member had visited the Fire Temple recently. It was likely Uchiha Obito himself who had done this.

Hagoromo Gengetsu internally thanked his Uchiha ally for the gift.

Back in reality, with his objective achieved, he turned to Nagato and curiously asked, "Given your previous stance, I expected you to vehemently oppose the Moon Eye Plan."

Nagato calmly replied, "Rather than handing the Gedo Statue over to 'Uchiha Madara', I'd prefer to secure Konan's safety by giving it to you. At least, 'Uchiha' will focus on you next. And the entire shinobi world will unite against you. I have faith in the world and the future. Illusions will never prevail over reality."

"You are sincere," Hagoromo Gengetsu chuckled, "and bold."

With the Gedo Statue now in his possession, he could easily betray their agreement. However, he wasn't the type to sacrifice his reputation over Konan's life.

"Your time is short. Say your farewells," Hagoromo Gengetsu said before moving to the Gedo Statue, placing his hands on its wooden surface, and seriously exploring the Ten-Tails' shell.

"Where should I place such a large thing? It won't fit in a sealing scroll."

After some time, Hagoromo Gengetsu pondered this question. Suddenly, sensing something, he turned to see Nagato had passed away.

Konan, without a tearful outburst, gently laid Nagato down and covered him with a blanket. She then looked back at Hagoromo Gengetsu, her eyes devoid of hatred, filled instead with a silent resolve. From that day forward, Konan would live not just for herself but for Nagato and Yahiko's hopes and regrets.

Without a word, she took Nagato's body and left quietly, likely heading to retrieve Yahiko's body so the three could be together once more.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, shifting his focus back to the Gedo Statue, realized that the era of Pain-led Akatsuki was over. It was time for a new beginning. As he looked into the distance, he noted that it was time for the others to act as well.

On the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, wind chimes tinkled in the sea breeze. Finally freed from the monotonous task of searching for the Three-Tails, the Art Duo, Deidara and Sasori, walked along a path. Deidara pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time.

Sasori, having noticed this several times, asked, "Deidara, why do you keep checking the time?"

Without looking up, Deidara responded, "What else would I be doing? Just checking the time!"

"My question is, why are you checking the time?"

Sasori's voice lowered. If not for his puppet body, his face would surely be covered in lines of frustration.

"Why? Because... wait!"

Deidara's eyes fixed on the watch's hands, which finally reached the predetermined position. He grinned widely.

Crack.

He crushed the pocket watch and turned to Sasori with enthusiasm, saying, "Sasori, you asked why I was checking the time. Now I can formally answer: to betray you!"

At that moment, Deidara's face swelled up, his entire body ballooning like a pufferfish.

"Feel my passion! Experience the true essence of art!"

C4 Karura!

The real Deidara, having turned himself into an explosive puppet, waved to Sasori.

"Art is an explosion! Hah!"

With a shout, an endless white light burst forth from Deidara's bloated form.

"Deidara!"

Sasori, caught completely off guard, roared in anger. As a comrade, he immediately recognized Deidara's Karura technique, which he himself dreaded.

But why would Deidara attack him out of nowhere? Why?

In the brief moment before the explosion's white light engulfed everything, Deidara explained with a dramatic flair, "Sorry, Sasori. I'm a spy."

"Deidara!"

Sasori's final roar was drowned in the explosion's white light. Nearby, Deidara watched his new art piece and smiled with satisfaction.

"This is it! The anger, pain, and despair of betrayal, followed by an explosion, is a touching masterpiece of art! Worth the wait!"

Before seeking out Pain, Hagoromo Gengetsu had assigned Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Kei, and Deidara to handle the Akatsuki members and bring the organization completely under control. He had synchronized their actions to avoid alerting the enemy. Deidara had been checking his pocket watch, waiting for this moment.

Despite his suspicions, Sasori had never expected the youngest, most carefree member, Deidara, to betray him. Consequently, Sasori suffered greatly, unprepared for Deidara's artistic ambush.

Simultaneously, two other Akatsuki groups faced their own predicaments.

In the Land of Hot Water, within a privately reserved mountain hot spring, Kisame was enjoying a bath with his eyes closed. Footsteps approached openly. Kisame opened his eyes to see a familiar pair of Sharingan.

In the Land of Earth, the Iwa Break Mountain Range, Kakuzu and Hidan were returning with their prize, the Five-Tails jinchūriki. Suddenly, a gust of wind brought dust and a pair of young Uchiha with fan emblems on their clothing.