Land of Rice Fields.
Sitting on the back of Deidara's clay bird, Sasori and Deidara observed the situation on the ground below using a monocular.
Deidara suddenly pointed in a direction: "Is it that forest?"
Sasori followed Deidara's gesture and looked over, then nodded: "Yes, it matches the description in the intelligence, it should be there!"
The clay bird flapped its wings a few times, quickly changed direction, and sped towards the destination.
A moment later, the clay bird carrying the two landed on the ground.
Deidara jumped down from the clay bird and looked around: "Is Orochimaru really hiding in this forest?"
Sasori was very certain: "My intelligence won't have any problems!"
Deidara spread his hands: "Then what do we do now? Act immediately, or wait for the others to arrive before making a move together?"
Before Sasori received the intelligence, the six Akatsuki members participating in this operation were divided into three groups of two to gather intelligence separately. So at this moment, Sasori's group, having received intelligence through a special channel, arrived at the location first, while the other two groups were still on their way.
Sasori pondered for a moment and said: "Itachi and Juzo Biwa are nearby, it won't take long for them to get here. Hiruko and Ranmaru are a bit further away, but with the flying chimera beast, they can also get here quickly. So there's no need for us to wait foolishly for them here, let's act first!"
"Heh... finally can stretch my limbs!"
Deidara became eager to try.
Putting away the conspicuous clay bird, the two walked through the forest on foot.
Not long after, a figure appeared in front of them, bowing: "Sasori-sama!"
Sasori asked indifferently: "Kabuto, where is Orochimaru?"
Undoubtedly.
Sasori's so-called secret intelligence channel was Yakushi Kabuto. Due to Yakushi Kabuto's outstanding talent as a spy, Sasori was still convinced that Yakushi Kabuto was one of his own until now.
Yakushi Kabuto calmly sized up Sasori and Deidara, his tone respectful: "Sasori-sama, Orochimaru is extremely dangerous. Are only the two of you participating in this operation?"
Sasori, hiding inside Hiruko, raised his mechanical tail: "What are you worried about?"
"This guy is worried we'll lose!" Deidara scoffed, then said to Yakushi Kabuto: "Hey, don't treat us like small fry. We can handle a mere Orochimaru!"
The corner of Yakushi Kabuto's mouth twitched, forcing an awkward smile: "My apologies, Sasori-sama, I was overly concerned!"
Sasori then said: "Rest assured, although I am confident in defeating Orochimaru, to ensure he is dealt with thoroughly this time, the organization has also arranged for other personnel."
"Is that so? Then I don't need to worry." Yakushi Kabuto wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and sighed: "You don't know how dangerous it is to stay by that guy Orochimaru's side. This time I can finally be free!"
Sasori urged: "Cut the crap, where is Orochimaru?"
Yakushi Kabuto pointed in a direction: "Follow this path straight ahead, and you will see the entrance to an underground palace. Orochimaru was seriously injured when fighting with 'B'-sama before, and he is currently recuperating inside the underground palace."
Deidara raised an eyebrow: "'B'?"
Yakushi Kabuto, who had been observing Sasori and Deidara closely, feigned confusion and asked: "That's right, didn't 'B'-sama repel Orochimaru before?"
Deidara prepared to ask more, but Sasori interrupted in time: "Alright, you can leave now!"
"Yes!"
Yakushi Kabuto bowed respectfully and withdrew.
After Yakushi Kabuto left, Deidara asked: "Sasori-brother, what's this about 'B'?"
Sasori said: "It seems 'A's group is also targeting Orochimaru. We need to move faster!"
In the eyes of the outside world, the Akatsuki organization led by Nagato and Obito and the Akatsuki organization led by 'A' were one group.
But only they knew clearly that not only were the two sides not one group, but there was also certain competition, even hostility.
It was just that both sides were secret organizations lurking in the dark, so they wouldn't advertise this fact with loudspeakers outside.
Moreover, remaining silent could maintain the Akatsuki organization's deterrence in the Ninja World!
After all, once the Five Great Ninja Villages realized that Nagato and Obito's group and 'A's group were actually in opposition, the Akatsuki organization's deterrence would be greatly discounted.
Following the path straight ahead, not long after, Sasori and Deidara saw the entrance to an underground palace.
The dark entrance made the two instinctively vigilant, but confident in their strength, they didn't hesitate for too long and stepped inside.
Arriving deep in the underground palace, Deidara looked around vigilantly: "Sasori-brother, the layout here doesn't look much like a shelter for recuperating injuries?"
"Mhm, be careful."
Sasori nodded; he had long noticed something was wrong.
Suddenly, a blurred figure appeared in front of them. Because it was hidden in the shadows, they couldn't determine the other party's identity for a moment.
At this time, that figure slowly walked out of the shadows. It was none other than their target for this trip, Orochimaru!
Sasori said in a deep voice: "Orochimaru, finally caught you!"
Orochimaru smirked, looking leisurely and content: "Only the two of you? I thought that guy 'B' would come personally!"
Obviously, this underground palace was a trap set up by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was not someone who liked to sit and wait for death, so after getting ready, he immediately had Yakushi Kabuto pass on the news, preparing to lure the Akatsuki organization into the bait.
In his opinion, after the last great battle, the Akatsuki organization should take him seriously, and 'B' would most likely lead the team this time.
Unexpectedly, it was Sasori and Deidara who came.
Although a bit surprised, this didn't hinder his original intention of teaching the Akatsuki organization a lesson. So when Sasori and Deidara entered the underground palace, he took the initiative to show himself.
Deidara smiled: "Seems like 'B' roughed you up pretty badly, un!"
Sasori said: "Orochimaru, this underground palace is the grave you chose for yourself, right? Looks pretty good, I'll fulfill your wish!"
Orochimaru raised the corner of his mouth: "It is indeed a grave, but as for who will be buried here in the end, that's hard to say!"
Snap!
With that, Orochimaru snapped his fingers lightly.
Rumble...
Instantly, accompanied by a slight tremor of the ground beneath their feet, coffins rose one by one in the underground palace. The number was so large that they densely filled almost the entire underground palace.
Subsequently, with coffin lids falling down one after another, those 'Impure World Reincarnation bodies' lying in the coffins walked out with stiff steps.
Looking at the 'Impure World Reincarnation bodies' surrounding them with stiff limbs and dull expressions, both Sasori and Deidara frowned.
Orochimaru laughed: "Enjoy yourselves!"
Swish swish swish...
Following Orochimaru's order, the dull 'Impure World Reincarnation bodies' in the underground palace all moved into action, pouncing towards Sasori and Deidara.