Sponsored by: ? Xinghe Yu Ni Jie Wenrou
Twenty-seven days. Twenty-seven nights on the open sea.
The ship, piloted by Orochimaru, finally docked at a northwest port in the Land of Waterfalls.
The Land of Waterfalls bordered the Land of Grass—the site of the First Battle at Tenchi Bridge—which itself was adjacent to Amegakure, the destination for the Sixth Battle. A day's travel, at most.
Time was still plentiful. Sasuke, taking pity on Orochimaru who hadn't slept in nearly a month, suggested resting at an inn in Takigakure.
…
A secret Akatsuki base within the Land of Waterfalls.
The last crimson wisps of chakra were sucked from the phantom dragon, returning to the Gedo Statue's maw. The girl with light green hair and dark skin, wings snapping mid-air, became a cold, still corpse.
Her name was Fū. A girl born and raised in Takigakure… just like Naruto, her immense natural chakra reserves had marked her as the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki.
And just like that, Akatsuki had sealed another beast.
It started during Sasuke's preparations for the Fifth Battle. Obito and Kisame had laid their cards on the table.
Obito wanted it done within a month. Hunt and seal the Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Eight-Tails. Pave the way for Nagato's hunt for the Nine-Tails.
In less than a week, Kisame returned to his homeland, defeated the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, and sealed the beast on the spot.
But the hunt for the Seven-Tails in Takigakure… that's where he hit a wall.
Not because Fū was stronger than the previous Jinchuriki. It was her flight. The Seven-Tails' unique ability to take to the sky completely countered Kisame's style.
Kisame had to retreat. A few days later, Deidara—with his own brand of aerial combat—arrived. The hunt resumed.
Fū could have fought alongside her village. But she saw Deidara's Explosion Release. One mistake, and Takigakure would be wiped off the map. So she led them away. Fought alone. In the end, she couldn't hold against both. Her spirit left her in the cold, damp caves of her homeland.
Her body didn't escape either. A White Zetsu swallowed her remains.
Deidara rolled his sore shoulder. "Counting this little bird-girl, that's three beasts I've brought back for the cause, yeah!"
Tobi's phantom flickered. "The Three-Tails was a team effort with your senior! Give me some credit too, yeah~?"
Deidara scoffed. "Hah? Without my explosive art, you couldn't even scratch that turtle's shell!"
A rare moment of fairness from a White Zetsu. "Deidara, your contributions pale next to Kisame's. To date, Kisame has brought four beasts to Akatsuki. Three of those, he hunted solo."
"Tch!" Deidara's boast fell flat. "Who wants to be compared to a tailed beast hunter?! Whatever! I've over-delivered. All I want to know now is… where is that bastard Uchiha Sasuke?!!!"
Black Zetsu's voice slithered out. "Since Itachi left, Sasuke has been unusually quiet. He used to pester us almost monthly. Why the sudden absence this time? Perhaps he died somewhere… unnoticed."
White Zetsu piped up. "Oh, Sasuke? He's right here in Takigakure, yeah~."
"Hm…?"
Every gaze snapped to the white phantom.
White Zetsu continued, unfazed. "That… was spotted by one of my clones during the sealing. He and Orochimaru checked into an inn. In the fishing village."
Deidara exploded. "HEY! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO SOONER#!!"
"You didn't ask…"
"Whatever! I'm in a good mood! I'll let it slide!"
Deidara shrugged, a wild, manic grin splitting his face. "Hahahaha! Got you now!!! This time, old debts and new grudges… we settle them all at once!!!"
Konan spoke calmly. "But why is Sasuke in Takigakure? To stop the Seven-Tails hunt?"
Pain's deep voice echoed. "Unlikely. If that were the case, he wouldn't be resting at an inn."
Deidara turned, energy crackling. "Leader! I'm going to kill Sasuke! You don't have a problem with that, DO YOU!!!"
Pain's answer was final. "That is your freedom…"
The projections flickered out.
The vast cavern was empty save for Deidara, Kisame… and Fū's body, waiting to be devoured.
Bam!
Deidara leaped onto his clay bird's back. "Kisame… want to come watch Sasuke die?"
Kisame hefted Samehada onto his shoulder. "No. I leave for the Land of Lightning. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B… they say he's a tough nut to crack. I need to prepare."
Deidara shrugged. "I don't get how your brain works. Don't you ever want to do something just for yourself?"
Kisame's shark-like eyes were flat. "Different paths. No need to talk."
"Fine. Thought we could chat a bit after working together. Good luck then~"
Deidara's bird soared into the cavern's exit. Kisame watched it go, his murmur barely audible. "Have. A. Safe. Trip."
He turned. His steps were steady, purposeful, carrying him toward the next destination without hesitation.
…
A quiet night in the fishing village of Takigakure.
Sasuke sat on the veranda outside the inn, eating the local winter melon, spitting the seeds out one by one.
Only in moments like these could he steal a few hours of peace.
But his mind was anything but calm.
Kabuto's absence. Itachi and Karin not coming. Jiraiya's sudden departure without a word.
All the signs pointed to one thing: something had happened to Naruto.
If he pressed Orochimaru, the man would tell him.
But… he was afraid. Afraid that knowing would unravel his focus. Delay the Ten-Battle Project.
He didn't want to burden Orochimaru, who had been nothing but open with him, with more trouble.
Orochimaru's demeanor alone told him Naruto wasn't in immediate mortal danger.
Then… for now, he had to trust his comrades.
He'd deal with it personally, after the Sixth Battle.
Because… his opponent for the Sixth Battle was someone whose name had thundered in his ears in another life, yet he'd never faced: Nagato.
"The Rinnegan. Only one who's possessed those eyes knows their true power. Nagato isn't their original owner, but he's an Uzumaki. Like Naruto, like Karin. He won't be weak."
"And his unique method… splitting the Rinnegan's Six Paths powers into the 'Six Paths of Pain.' I've only heard rumors."
"If fighting Nagato can give me new inspiration for developing my own Rinnegan… the long-term benefits would be immense."
"Hm?"
Sasuke's head snapped up.
There… circling in the night sky above the inn… was a familiar white bird.
Through the miniature telescope in his left eye, Deidara spotted Sasuke too. His grin turned feral. "Found. You. Uchiha. Sasuke."
"Again and again. Like a bad smell." Sasuke tossed the melon rind into the bin at the corner of the veranda. He rose. "This time, I won't let you off."
Fizz!
His eyes swirled. The six-pointed star pattern blazed to life.
Swish! In the next instant, he was a blur, shooting toward the uninhabited mountains beyond the village.
"YOU'RE NOT ESCAPING!!!"
Deidara urged his bird forward, giving chase…!!!
The grudge match from another life. Late. But never canceled.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/BingeInk
Happy reading, everyone!