Leaving Sasori's barber shop, Takumi thought for a moment, then instead of going to find the girls, he headed to the training ground.
Sure enough, he found the ever-present boy at the training ground, Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke also saw Takumi.
But this time, Sasuke didn't challenge Takumi as he usually did.
His previous crushing defeat at the hands of Sasori made him deeply understand that his strength was still insufficient.
If his strength were enough, he could have defeated Sasori himself, instead of being so arrogantly boastful only to be so embarrassingly defeated.
Proud as he was, he couldn't accept that result.
So, without further breakthroughs in strength, he wouldn't rashly challenge Takumi again.
That would just be a waste of pointless time.
"What are you here for?"
Sasuke's tone wasn't friendly. He didn't want to see Takumi now.
Somehow, he had grown increasingly hostile towards Takumi.
Perhaps it was because Takumi's displayed talent and strength far surpassed his own, causing him to feel jealousy.
He didn't care and even let this jealousy occupy his heart.
It would keep him motivated, constantly reminding him of the people he wanted to surpass:
Itachi and Takumi.
"Just came to see you."
Takumi smiled. Seeing Sasuke still diligently practicing his Susano'o, he knew his concern was unnecessary.
Before achieving his goal, even if Sasuke experienced despair, he wouldn't easily give up.
He had originally thought Sasuke might suffer a tremendous setback from this defeat and came to check on him,
Out of consideration for Mikoto.
But it seemed the guy's willpower was still pretty strong.
If it were a normal person, suffering such a crushing defeat would probably leave them devastated.
But then again, a normal person wouldn't have Sasuke's tragic experiences either.
It was understandable that his willpower was extremely strong.
"If there's nothing else, don't bother me."
Sasuke didn't even look at Takumi, his tone very discourteous.
Once, Sasuke had been very grateful to Takumi.
If it weren't for Takumi, Sasuke might not have even graduated from the Shinobi Academy.
For a proud Uchiha, that would have been absolutely unacceptable.
If not for Takumi, he would probably have had to repeat another year to graduate.
An Uchiha repeating a year to graduate from the Academy would probably be a first.
But as time passed, jealousy towards Takumi had occupied most of Sasuke's psyche.
He no longer felt gratitude, constantly seeing Takumi as a goal to surpass, even as an enemy.
Only this way could he have enough motivation to train, even regardless of his own body.
Takumi didn't stay long. Since he wasn't welcome, there was no need to force himself.
…
Returning to Akatsuki's base in Amegakure,
The members, having cancelled their disguises, formed a circle.
Everyone's gaze was on Pain, waiting for his answer.
"Sasori is no longer our comrade."
With the first sentence, it was clear that Sasori's stance no longer aligned with theirs.
Deidara's expression immediately changed.
"So, does that mean he's a traitor now?"
Hidan licked his lips, looking somewhat excited. "Then let me go kill him!"
"Shut up. You'd just be going to your death."
Kakuzu said calmly. "His body is a puppet. Your curse techniques won't work on him."
"Tch!"
Hidan immediately pouted.
There were actually quite a few people in the Akatsuki who countered his curse technique.
Kakuzu wasn't afraid, Sasori wasn't afraid, Konan wasn't afraid.
Pain himself was a corpse, so he's even less afraid.
As for the others, he had just fought Deidara and couldn't get close with all those explosives.
Itachi was similarly impossible to get close to; he'd probably be trapped in endless Genjutsu before he could approach.
"He hasn't betrayed us."
Pain's second sentence silenced everyone, their attention refocusing on him.
"He won't speak about our matters. I believe him."
Pain said calmly. "Just as I believe all of you."
"But this is his choice. If we ever face him directly in the future, I will show him no mercy either."
"Now, quickly make preparations. Kakuzu, Hidan, you two will capture the Two-Tails."
He looked at Kakuzu and Hidan, issuing a new order.
"Finally, it's my turn!"
Hidan laughed excitedly. "I will definitely sacrifice that woman to Jashin-sama!"
"The target has been staying in Kumogakure. Are we going to charge into Kumogakure to capture the Two-Tails?"
Kakuzu frowned. "The Fourth Raikage's strength is no joke."
Although Kakuzu was confident in his own strength, Kumogakure was the enemy's home ground. With such an unreliable teammate like Hidan, he was filled with worry.
"Don't worry, Black Zetsu will cooperate and lure the target out."
Pain said. "As long as you act quickly, you can capture the Two-Tails before Kumogakure reacts."
"That's good then."
Since Pain had already made arrangements, Kakuzu naturally had no objections.
"Hehehe! Finally, I can show my skills!"
Hidan was still excited, a stark contrast to the silent Deidara beside him.
Pain glanced at Deidara, then said, "From now on, Tobi will be your new partner, Deidara."
"Huh?"
Deidara looked up abruptly. "No need! My partner has always been and will always be Sasori-danna."
"Since Sasori-danna isn't coming back, I can manage alone."
He decisively refused Pain's arrangement.
"It's the rules."
Pain said calmly. "I'm not giving you a choice."
Pain's tough attitude left Deidara helpless.
He could only pout and silently complain to himself.
Unable to defeat Pain, this was the only way to vent his dissatisfaction.
Consequently, even Tobi, who had seemed okay before, became the target of his resentment.
Obito, at this moment, had no idea what kind of harsh treatment awaited him when he met up with Deidara.
Pain ignored Deidara.
He turned his attention to Kakuzu and Hidan. "There's no time to lose. I want you to complete this mission as soon as possible."
"I'll have Black Zetsu contact you with the specific operation details."
After speaking, he paused, waiting to see if Kakuzu and Hidan had any questions.
"No problem."
Kakuzu agreed without hesitation.
"I can't wait."
Hidan was even more excited, licking his scythe.
His face was full of crazy expressions.
"Good."
Pain nodded satisfied.
Although they had some personality issues, he was very satisfied with the strength of Kakuzu and Hidan.
Any enemy encountering Kakuzu and Hidan for the first time would have a hard time dealing with their unique techniques.
Apart from Takumi, he had never seen these two fail.
Of course.
Kakuzu's shuriken thrown from eight hundred miles away at Hashirama didn't count.