"Shinji‑senpai, what is this thing?"
Tobi feigned complete ignorance as he picked up Sasori's Regenerative Core.
"That's a valuable item — it could fetch quite a high price," Shinji said deliberately.
He suspected Deidara hadn't returned because Tobi had stepped in to stop him.
Earlier, Hidan had casually mentioned that Tobi had run off with a bad stomach and had been gone for ages.
Hearing those words, Tobi froze. He never expected Shinji would actually consider selling Sasori's core.
If that was the case, he wouldn't need to risk his life trying to rescue him — he could simply arrange for someone to buy it back.
"What's it even good for? And who would want to buy it?"
"Rest assured — there will be buyers, and it won't take long." Shinji spoke with a knowing look.
He then took the core back from Tobi's hands. He needed to be extra careful.
After all, this core was essentially Sasori's true body. And knowing Sasori's skill, he could control not just puppets but also living people using chakra threads.
Shinji guessed Sasori was already playing dead, quietly waiting for an opportunity. If he made a wrong move now, with nothing but his core left, his survival chances would be almost zero.
Sasori had pinned his hopes on Deidara returning — either to rescue him or to bring reinforcements, which would give him the opening he needed to strike back.
But now, hearing that Shinji intended to sell him, Sasori decided to stay perfectly still. Being sold was actually a good outcome — no matter who bought him, it would give him a chance to escape eventually.
It was a shame to lose all the puppets he had deployed, but they could be retrieved later if the opportunity arose.
The only irreplaceable ones were those he had crafted from his own body, plus the Third Kazekage puppet.
The rest — Hiruko and the others — were still sealed inside the scrolls stored on his person.
Fortunately, no one here seemed interested in his puppets, so they were left to sink to the bottom of the lake.
Only when Shinji and his group had already left did a large bird emerge from the distant sky, keeping a safe distance and following them from high above.
Deidara was never one to give up easily. Stubbornness and obsession were his defining traits.
If Tobi's words didn't work, would Pain's orders be any more effective?
The answer was clear now.
Deidara refused to accept such a command. He was determined to find a way to rescue Sasori‑san.
There was another reason too — he was starting to feel deeply dissatisfied with Akatsuki.
Pain had never said anything as "romantic" as promising to take him to blow up the Five Great Nations.
Before, he had nothing to compare it to. But now, every time he closed his eyes, he remembered the genuine promise that man had made to him.
So he wanted to use this rescue mission as a test, to see if they truly shared the same goals and vision.
At the same time, Itachi and Kisame had finally found their target, blocking the path of Jiraiya and Naruto, who were traveling the world to train.
"Headband scratched out like a missing‑nin from Konoha… and that face."
"It's you — Itachi Uchiha."
Seeing the headband, Jiraiya's mind raced through all the defectors from Konoha over the years.
Slowly, the faint memory of a young, somewhat reserved figure merged with the cold, expressionless man standing before him.
The events of that night had shaken the entire village. Later, Jiraiya had pieced together many details from various sources and learned part of the truth behind Itachi's actions.
But the full story — especially the secret deal Itachi had struck with the village — had never been revealed to him by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"After all these years, I didn't expect anyone would still remember me. It has been a long time, Lord Jiraiya."
Itachi greeted him in a flat, distant tone. Even though he used the honorific "Lord," there was no trace of respect in his voice.
The real Itachi had died six years ago, along with his entire clan.
Kisame chuckled. "So this is the legendary Toad Sage of the Three Sannin — Jiraiya the Gallant. Looks like Samehada is in for a feast today. I'm quite curious what your chakra tastes like."
As he spoke, Kisame unwrapped the bandages covering his blade and gripped it firmly.
Naruto's eyes went wide. He never imagined the perverted hermit who always dragged him to spy on the women's bathhouse would have such an awesome title.
One of the Three Sannin… Jiraiya the Gallant!
That sounded seriously cool!
But then the name Itachi Uchiha rang a bell in his head.
Wait… Uchiha?!
"Are you also from the Uchiha clan? Do you know Sasuke? Sasuke Uchiha? But wasn't the whole clan wiped out…"
Naruto blurted it out without thinking, loud and open‑minded, completely unaware of the danger.
Jiraiya's face darkened instantly — but the expected attack didn't come. Itachi didn't even seem angered.
He simply asked calmly, "What is your relationship with Sasuke?"
"We were classmates, and we fought side by side! Even though he's changed so much and left the village with some strangers, I'll still defeat him one day and bring him back home!"
Naruto was already bursting with energy and making bold declarations as usual — but Itachi remained unmoved.
"So you are another survivor of the Uchiha clan, just like Sasuke? Whenever Sasuke sits alone in silence, he always mutters about getting revenge on a certain man. Do you know who that is?"
"Naruto — stop talking!" Jiraiya cut in sharply, trying to stop him from saying more.
But just then, something seemed to stir Itachi's memories. A faint, bitter smile appeared on his face.
"Revenge? If you mean the man who slaughtered his entire clan and then defected from the village… then yes. That man is me. It seems my foolish little brother has not forgotten my words. How… reassuring."
Naruto felt as if ice water had been poured over him. His eyes went wide.
Little brother?
Slaughtered his own clan and ran away from the village?!
Uchiha… Itachi!
Finally, the pieces clicked into place. Naruto gasped aloud, "You're Sasuke's older brother — the one he's been wanting to take revenge on this whole time?!"
"Itachi — what exactly do you want here?"
Jiraiya's expression grew heavy and stern. He could already sense the hostility in the air. He couldn't let Naruto keep provoking him.
Itachi's answer was simple and cold: "Leave the jinchūriki here. You may go."
Jiraiya's heart sank. So they came for Naruto.
"Do you even understand what you're doing?"
Itachi shook his head slightly, as if he had no more time or patience for words.
"Naruto — run! I'll hold them off!"
Now that their intentions were clear, Jiraiya let go of any hope of resolving this peacefully.
And if Naruto stayed — the very target they had come for — he would only get in the way.
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