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Within the Akatsuki hideout, the members of the organization had once again gathered via their projected forms. However, compared to their last assembly, one figure was conspicuously absent this time.
"Uchiha Kagaya has defected from the organization."
As soon as everyone was present, Pain cut straight to the chase, announcing the core topic of today's meeting.
Kakuzu let out a cold sneer.
"I should have killed him back then. That brat. I never did like him."
Sasori, sounding puzzled, spoke up. "Defected? That kid didn't strike me as the running type."
Pain glanced at Sasori and amended his statement.
"To be precise, he has severed ties with the Akatsuki. But regardless, leaving the organization without permission is unacceptable."
Sasori chuckled before speaking again. "Seems like he spent too much time with Orochimaru and decided to follow his lead."
Deidara chimed in, his voice tinged with excitement.
"So, what do we do now? Since he's left the organization, he should be hunted down, right? Just like that big-time Orochimaru back in the day! Hey, how about sending me after him?"
Kisame grinned, showing his sharp teeth.
"Count me out. I have no interest in hunting that guy down."
Hidan scoffed derisively. "What's the matter? Scared?"
Kisame's smile didn't falter, refusing to rise to Hidan's bait.
"Hmm, to be accurate, yes, I am."
Kakuzu's green eyes shifted towards Kisame.
"You might not want to go, but I'm quite keen on the idea."
Before Kisame could respond, Deidara jumped in from the side.
"Hey! You old geezer with the mask! I already said I'm going!"
Sasori let out a displeased grunt. "Who are you calling a geezer, kid?!"
Deidara glanced at the mask on Sasori's face. Oh. Right. The old-timer next to him was also wearing a mask.
Thinking quickly, Deidara awkwardly tried to explain.
"Grandpa, I wasn't talking about you! I meant that other old guy with the green eyes and the mask."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone as he stared at Deidara.
"Boy, are you looking to donate your heart to my collection?"
Deidara waved a dismissive hand, the mouth on his palm even sticking out its tongue in a show of defiance.
"If you think you can take it, come and try! I'll make sure you get a real good taste of my art! Hahaha! Who knows, in your final moments, you might even become the first person in this organization to truly understand my art! Hmm!"
Kakuzu's voice turned venomous.
"Boy, tell me your location!"
Deidara gave a faint smile and was just about to answer when Pain interjected forcefully.
"Enough! That's quite sufficient! The purpose of summoning you today is to discuss how to deal with Uchiha Kagaya, not for you to squabble amongst yourselves. Since Kagaya has severed ties with the organization, he will naturally be subject to execution. However, we cannot dispatch too many members. A single team will suffice. The organization has its own affairs to attend to; we cannot afford to waste excessive time and resources on a single deserter."
Here, Pain paused, his gaze settling on Kakuzu.
"Kakuzu, you need to continue gathering funds for the organization. Therefore, you and Hidan will not participate in this matter."
Kakuzu clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Understood. Is there anything else? If not, Hidan and I will take our leave."
Pain gave a slight nod.
"Very well."
As his words fell, the projections of Kakuzu and Hidan flickered and vanished from the gathering.
Seeing them depart, Deidara immediately spoke up, his face full of anticipation.
"So, does that mean you're sending me and the old man, Leader? Sending us is the right choice! We were the ones who hunted Orochimaru last time. Let us handle this one too! The old man and I will make that guy regret his decision!"
Sasori spoke with a tone of utter exasperation. "I'm not particularly keen on going."
Back during the pursuit of Orochimaru, Sasori's enthusiasm had stemmed from a personal grudge. This time, however, while he might find Kagaya irritating, he didn't harbor any real hatred towards him. A tiresome mission like hunting down a deserter was not something Sasori was eager to undertake.
Ignoring Deidara and Sasori's exchange, Pain turned his attention to Itachi.
"Itachi, what about you? Do you wish to go?"
Itachi's expression remained placid.
"I have no preference either way."
Pain fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Never mind. Itachi, Kisame, the two of you need not participate."
Itachi responded with a simple, flat tone.
"Understood."
With that, the projections of Itachi and Kisame gradually faded away.
Sasori voiced his annoyance.
"You can't be serious. Do you really expect me and this kid to go hunt him down?"
Pain stated calmly, "You two appear to be the most suitable candidates. Is there a problem? Are you unwilling?"
Deidara hastily cut in.
"Not at all! I don't know about the old man, but I'm absolutely itching to go! Hmm!"
After a moment of consideration, Pain proposed,
"In that case, since you are reluctant, Sasori, how about sending Konan with Deidara instead?"
Sasori clicked his tongue in resignation.
"Forget it. Since this kid is so eager to go, I'll accompany him. After all, he went along when I hunted Orochimaru."
Pain nodded.
"Very well. However, to prevent him from escaping like Orochimaru did, I will have Konan accompany you as well."
Sasori sighed.
"Whatever."
Deidara, on the other hand, immediately objected.
"Totally unnecessary! I can handle that guy all by myself! This time, I won't fall for his genjutsu again!"
Pain disregarded Deidara's protest and declared,
"Then, it is settled."
As his final word echoed, the projections of all present members disappeared one after another.
---
On Kagaya's end, he was naturally unaware that the Akatsuki had dispatched Deidara and others to hunt him. However, he had anticipated that the organization would send pursuers; he just didn't know who they would be.
When Kagaya told Zabuza he intended to settle in the Land of Waves, he was speaking truthfully. However, he did not plan on staying in any inns or lodgings. Instead, Kagaya intended to venture deep into the mountains, find a suitable cave, and prepare for the transplantation of his father's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Based on Kagaya's knowledge, transplanting the Mangekyō and evolving it into the Eternal Mangekyō required a period of adjustment. During this time, he would be unable to use his Sharingan. Therefore, it was imperative for him to find a secure location for the procedure.
Before parting ways with Zabuza, the rogue ninja had stated that since he hadn't been able to help Kagaya this time, he would consider the debt outstanding. If Kagaya ever found himself in trouble and needed aid, he should seek Zabuza out. Then, and only then, would their accounts be settled.
Kagaya did not object to this proposal. Having someone willing to lend a hand was hardly a bad thing, after all.
Following this, Kagaya and Zabuza went their separate ways.
Several days later, Kagaya and his small party had already penetrated deep into the mountains. They had manually carved out a cave, preparing to commence the transplantation of the Mangekyō.
---
Elsewhere, Konan, Sasori, and the others had successfully rendezvoused. Acting on intelligence provided by Zetsu, they began their journey towards the Land of Waves.
Meanwhile, Zabuza, having just left the borders of the Land of Waves not long ago, encountered an Anbu operative from Kirigakure. The operative handed him a sealed missive. After reading its contents, Zabuza wore an expression of immense annoyance as he destroyed the letter. He then turned around and began retracing his steps back towards the Land of Waves, muttering discontentedly as he walked.
"What a bother. Ever since she became Mizukage, that Mei Terumī has certainly learned how to order people around."