"You're with the Cult of the Evil God?" Deidara was stunned.
"That's right. I am the High Prophet and Grand Priest of the Cult. Where did you hear about us?" Shinji began spinning his tale again.
"Never mind how I know. The point is… I've heard rumors. Is it true… you guys really pay double salary, and you get actual holidays off?"
Deidara hesitated for a moment, but finally asked. His curiosity was eating him alive!
It was hard to believe such words had come from Itachi Uchiha's mouth — which proved the Cult must really have something going for it.
Shinji immediately recited his sales pitch perfectly: "Of course! We are actively recruiting core members. Whatever Akatsuki pays you… I'll double it! No monthly performance reviews, no running around like a dog trying to scrape up money every day. Plus: work from 8 AM to 5 PM, weekends off, full public holidays, travel allowance, meal allowance, marriage and funeral benefits — everything is covered. And we've got social security, medical insurance, and commission too!"
Deidara was completely dazzled. "Wait… what's social security?"
"Details, details. What matters is: are you interested in joining us? We are eager for talent. People like you — ambitious, creative — are exactly who we want! Come on, fill out this form and sign this contract."
Deidara blankly took the pen and paper. He hadn't even read it yet, and was already halfway tricked into signing.
"Wait — no! Why would I sign anything?! Who said I'm joining you?!"
He quickly threw the things away.
Shinji snatched the contract back instantly — each one cost him 100 Cursed Spirit Points, after all. The pen wasn't worth saving.
"What? You want another beating?"
Shinji glanced at him sideways and put the contract away.
"Go ahead and beat me to death if you dare! Someone will avenge me!" Deidara shouted angrily.
Shinji sneered dismissively. "You think too highly of yourself. Who avenges a dead man?"
And that was the truth.
In the original story, Akatsuki members died one after another, and did anyone ever avenge anyone?
Wasn't that their motto? "To complete the Great Plan, all sacrifices are necessary."
In the end, everyone became the sacrifice.
Still, Shinji saw great potential in Deidara. Most importantly — this guy was crazy enough to actually blow himself up!
Anyone else would weigh the cost. But not Deidara. If he said he'd kill you… he'd blow himself up just to make sure it happened.
Like just now — he was ready to take Shinji down with him. Only problem was, he ran out of clay and couldn't do a thing.
"What do you want from me? If you're trying to make me betray the organization, forget it."
"Look at you, getting all worked up. I'm just talking about a career move — why make it sound so dirty? By that logic, didn't you betray Iwagakure? Or are you denying that?"
"They didn't understand my art! That's why I left that dump!"
Deidara's face flushed red, and he stuck his chin out defiantly — Shinji had hit a sore spot.
"Oh? And now… who in Akatsuki truly appreciates your art?"
Deidara was lost for words for a second, then replied: "The Leader, of course! He personally sought me out and invited me to join!"
"That's it?"
Shinji looked astonished, then pointed at himself. "Standing right in front of you is the guy your leader — Pain, the guy with the dead fish face — personally tried to recruit… twice. And failed both times. To be honest, your leader is pretty petty. When I said no, he got mad and attacked me. I took him down twice. The second time he brought six bodies… I almost tore them all apart. Didn't he ever mention that to you guys?"
Deidara stared — shocked, confused, and deeply skeptical, unable to believe it.
Shinji didn't care. "Ask him yourself sometime. See if I'm lying."
Now Deidara wasn't so sure.
If he's lying, why would he tell me to ask the Leader?
Wait — no! Don't let him distract you!
"So what even if it's true?!"
"Nothing. Just telling you: Akatsuki has no future. You'd be better off coming to work for me. What's the point of running around capturing Tailed Beasts? Is that fun? If you join me… I'll take you to blow up the Five Great Nations!"
"REALLY?!"
Deidara's eyes lit up instantly — so bright even his swollen eyelids couldn't hide it.
"Cross my heart and hope to die. Come on — right now, let's go blow up Kumogakure first!"
(Raikage: "Are you kidding me?! Can't you go bother someone else?!")
Shinji grabbed Deidara to leave. Deidara took two steps, then stopped, torn.
"…No. I can't just leave like that. What kind of person would that make me?"
"Ugh, you fool! People move UP in the world! Water flows downward! Don't lie to yourself — how long have you even been in Akatsuki? You've got zero loyalty there!"
"Well… that's true. But… you're not lying? You really will take me to destroy the Great Nations?!"
"Have I ever lied to you?!"
Well… he hadn't. They'd only met today.
Meanwhile, Moxi and Sasori were fighting so hard their brains were almost spilling out — and here Shinji and Deidara were standing around having a dramatic soap opera romance.
Truly unbelievable.
"…I… I need to think about it."
Shinji noticed his eyes kept darting toward Sasori. "You worried about something? Want me to… take care of him for you?" He made a slicing motion across his neck.
"NO! NO! Sasori‑san is a good man! Sure, we argue all the time about art… but I respect him truly!"
Deidara refused immediately.
"Ah… well then. I won't push you. Go back and think it over. When you decide, come find me. Mention the name Akagi the Oni at any underground Exchange House — I'll get word within hours. I'll contact you right away."
"Brother Akagi… you're a good man. It's just… I'm not ready yet. Give me a little more time."
"Fine. Go. And don't come back here — next time, I might not be able to keep you safe."
They parted reluctantly. Deidara kept looking back over his shoulder, then started walking faster, jogging, running… sprinting for his life.
Dammit! Finally escaped!
He ran until he was gone from sight. When he finally stopped, his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest.
"Hah… that guy thinks I'm easy to fool. But… blowing up the Five Great Nations… that's really hard to turn down."
"Whatever. First priority: make more explosive clay. Sasori‑san still needs me to rescue him."
Deidara wasn't as stupid as Hidan. He had just played along, pretending to be tricked, just to get away.
And Shinji?
How could he not see through Deidara's terrible acting? He was just playing along too.
After all — if you want to recruit a great talent, you don't just paint a bright future; you also need top‑level persuasion and manipulation.
Deidara… would be back.
____________________
For more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"