After Kitsuchi and the two fled, no one else disturbed Seiya's group.
The journey was extremely peaceful, without any unexpected events.
Half a month later, guided by Zetsu, Seiya and the two arrived in Ganseki City in the Land of Earth, and found Deidara in a temple in a village outside the city.
The temple was semi-abandoned, seldom visited, empty, and silent. Deidara was a yellow-haired teenager, only sixteen years old. Seiya briefly explained the Akatsuki's ideology and invited him to join.
"What does this have to do with me, hmm? Don't interrupt my art appreciation!"
Deidara was full of disdain, his clear voice echoing in the main hall.
Sasori said indifferently, "Is this brat my partner? Quite arrogant, but likely to die young."
Seiya did not comment, continuing his invitation.
"There are two paths laid before you. First, join the organization. Second, get lectured by us and then join the organization."
"Masked man! How dare you speak to me like that!"
Deidara was greatly displeased, his expression darkening. He snorted, "It seems you don't know my power, hmm!"
Seiya said calmly, "I know your power-a terrorist who colluded with neighboring countries to carry out bombings, an anti-Iwa terrorist. Your ability is special, or we wouldn't have invited you to join the organization."
"What terrorist?" Deidara frowned. "I merely accepted a commission to use my artwork to cause explosions, hmm!"
"I only pursue the art of explosion! It doesn't matter where the art explodes!"
As he spoke, Deidara used the small mouth on his hand to create a clay insect, showing it to Seiya.
"Look at its concise lines and simple form that seeks a flat effect! This is my art, hmm!"
"It's not just a model; it can explode! The explosion will instantly elevate it from concise art to the ultimate art!"
"Art is an explosion!"
Deidara was excited, selflessly sharing his artistic philosophy.
Seiya was unimpressed.
Compared to the so-called explosion, he was more appreciative of his mother's role-playing that day.
The unprecedented 'teacher' outfit had much more art than an explosion!
Seiya said calmly, "If you are done talking, please answer me. Which path do you choose, one or two?"
Deidara's face instantly changed, as if a basin of cold water had been thrown on him.
"Masked man, are you looking down on my art?!"
"It seems you choose the second path." Seiya drew his sword, the double tomoe appearing in his eyes, and stepped forward.
"If you defeat me with an explosion, I will acknowledge your art. If you lose, join Akatsuki."
"Then let's have a match!" Deidara's fighting spirit was high.
He snorted and directly threw the clay insect in his hand at Seiya.
The insect was too slow.
Seiya easily saw through its trajectory and pierced the insect with the Kiba.
Lightning overcomes Earth.
Deidara shouted, but the clay did not explode.
He was greatly shocked.
He scrutinized the masked Seiya, inadvertently meeting the double tomoe Sharingan in the round holes.
Instantly, he fell under a Genjutsu.
...
A week later.
Seiya and Konan, who were traveling toward the Land of Demons, routinely attended the organization's online meeting.
In the vast, dim space, the enormous Gedo Statue stood.
Ten virtual figures successively appeared out of nowhere in this space, each standing on one of the statue's fingertips.
Deidara, attending for the first time, looked around.
His gaze fell on the strange statue.
He curled his lip and said disdainfully, "An ugly piece of work, completely devoid of artistic sense!"
Zetsu was the first to notice the extra figure and chuckled, "Seiya is quite efficient, isn't he! He's already recruited a new member so quickly!"
Then, he pointed to Pain, located on the statue's right thumb, and said to Deidara, "Newcomer, allow me to introduce you. This is our Leader."
"Hello, Leader," Deidara was arrogant, but he still knew to show respect to the head of the rogue Shinobi organization.
Pain nodded slightly, then scanned the room and said, "After several years, the organization is fully staffed again. I hope everyone lives a little longer."
"I actually wish I could die!" Hidan was bored, looking like he wanted nothing more than to die.
The entire room fell silent.
The Leader serves food, and you spin the table; the Leader offers a toast, and you refuse; the Leader calls him 'Dad', and you call him 'Big Brother'...
Kakuzu's mouth twitched. He was fed up with his partner.
Hidan, you want to die, that's fine, but only under the premise that others can't kill you.
The Leader can truly kill you!
Kakuzu inwardly sighed, quietly observing the Leader's reaction, which seemed utterly unfazed.
Pain, whose mind was set on the Shinobi world, would not care about such minor insubordination.
If they worked hard for Akatsuki, he wouldn't mind.
Zetsu spoke to warm up the atmosphere, "I have a piece of intelligence that will surely interest everyone."
"Recently, Konoha and Sunagakure jointly held the Chunin Exams. During the third stage, the rogue Shinobi Orochimaru attacked. The Fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage were both killed! Orochimaru has fled!"
"Good!"
Seiya clapped his hands in delight.
It was hard not to be happy that the culprit behind the Uchiha clan massacre had been killed.
Itachi Uchiha's expression hardened.
With the Third Hokage dead, Sasuke's safety could not be guaranteed.
He had to return to the village to deter the elders, including Danzo!
Zetsu continued, "Konoha is leaderless and is planning to elect the Fifth Hokage. A few days ago, Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, left Konoha alone. His specific intentions are unknown. I am currently monitoring his movements closely."
The Sannin...
Seiya's eyes flickered. He recalled his mother mentioning that when they were traveling from the Land of Iron to Kumogakure, they were intercepted by the Sannin, resulting in a fierce battle.
Those hateful Sannin.
He should find an opportunity to cause trouble for the Sannin too!
Seiya pondered for a moment, then spoke up, requesting, "Senior Zetsu, please inform me of Jiraiya's subsequent movements."
"A trivial matter! No problem!"
Zetsu smiled brightly and readily agreed.
Every time he saw the masked Seiya, he felt that a second Obito Uchiha was rising.
If he built a good relationship today, he might be able to use him someday!
...
The meeting ended. Seiya and Konan continued their journey toward the Land of Demons. After a long trek of half a month, they finally stepped into the Land of Demons.
This was a country even more remote and smaller than the Land of Grass.
Its area was not even as large as the capital of the Land of Lightning.
However, precisely because it was remote, far from the borders of the great nations, and so small that no one paid it any mind, it avoided the misfortune of becoming a battleground for the great nations and developed slowly and continuously, without major setbacks.
'A country forgotten by the Shinobi world' could be its best annotation.
However, when Seiya entered the Land of Demons, he did not see any of the quiet peacefulness that should have come with isolation.
All along the way were tragic sights of ruined walls and rivers of blood.
Seiya couldn't help but feel puzzled. With someone as powerful as Kitsuchi, had they failed to stop the Ghost Army?
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