"Still haven't made up your mind? That's fine. Our organization is very understanding — we won't force you to decide right this instant."
Shinji reached out and helped Deidara back to his feet with a sincere expression.
Deidara looked genuinely surprised. "You're just going to let me walk away?"
Shinji's smile grew even warmer. "Of course. Like I said, I hold you in high regard, so I'm willing to give you more time. But your sneak attack just now was out of line. I think I deserve an explanation."
Deidara fumbled for words, taken aback by the turn of events. "I only wanted to retrieve Sasori‑san's remains — that's why I created a little chaos. If I had truly come here to kill you, the bombs I dropped would not have been ordinary ones. I would have used my greatest masterpiece instead. In the situation just now, none of you would have survived!"
The moment he spoke of his art, Deidara's voice swelled with confidence. He didn't even need to detonate himself — if he had unleashed C4 Karura from the sky just now, it would have been nearly impossible for anyone here to escape alive, let alone survive unharmed.
This was exactly why Shinji hadn't moved to finish him off. The fact that Deidara had held back from using C4 Karura proved his earlier words had struck a chord.
If Deidara had no interest in what Shinji had offered, he would have opened with far more devastating weapons like C3 Eighteen or C4 Karura to maximize his chances of success.
Shinji nodded slowly. "I believe you. And honestly, if there is something you want, you could have simply asked me directly. There was no need for all this."
"Then… you'll actually give it to me?" Deidara asked, pointing in disbelief at the Regenerative Core in Shinji's hand.
"Of course. I can tell this object is extremely important and holds great value for study. But if you truly want it, I won't refuse. That said, what you've done is hard to forgive. Even if I let it slide, my companions here won't let you off so easily."
Deidara's heart sank.
"So I have a proposal. Let's see if it works for you."
"Speak."
"Before I explain, I'd like to ask one thing. How does your organization, Akatsuki, view the existence of Cursed Spirits?"
"Destroy them."
Deidara didn't hesitate for a second, answering with a single, sharp word. "We've already discussed this internally. The conclusion was simple: it's either them or us. So whenever we encounter those monsters, we have only one choice — eliminate them. We've already cleaned up countless cursed spirit outbreaks in smaller nations, though naturally, we were paid well for the work."
Shinji's eyes lit up. Not bad — even a group of rogues like them have their priorities straight. They're people I can work with.
Whether they were good or bad never mattered to Shinji anyway. He judged others by their usefulness, not their reputation.
Besides, who was he to talk? As the High Priest and Prophet of the Cult of the Evil God, he was hardly a saint himself. Scoundrels belonged with other scoundrels.
And who said people like them couldn't do good deeds?
Even if Akatsuki charged for their services, they had still saved countless lives in those smaller nations. Without them, how many more people would have perished?
Could the Five Great Nations be relied upon?
Hardly!
They were too busy tending to their own problems to spare a thought for the suffering of weaker countries.
If only Black Zetsu wasn't secretly manipulating everything from the shadows, Shinji would have seriously considered forming a formal alliance with Akatsuki specifically to hunt down and eliminate Cursed Spirits.
"Very well — it seems we share some of the same beliefs. Then I won't beat around the bush. I need the eye of a Special‑Grade Cursed Spirit. In exchange, your organization will owe me one favor. If one day I call upon you, you must send at least four members to assist me."
"Of course — if you choose to join us instead, I'll hand this core over to you right here and now."
As he spoke, Shinji casually tossed the Regenerative Core back into Deidara's hands.
Deidara stared, stunned. "Aren't you afraid I'll just take it and run?"
"Like you did last time?"
Deidara's face flushed red. "That… that was different!"
"Relax — no need to explain. I understand. So… do we have a deal?"
Understand my foot! Deidara thought, rolling his eyes inwardly. "Even if I agree, it doesn't mean anything. I don't make the decisions."
"Then go back and ask your leader."
"And this…"
"Keep it. Otherwise, you'll have nothing to show for your trip."
For the first time, Deidara felt a genuine twinge of gratitude. If he had met Shinji and his group before joining Akatsuki, he might well have chosen to join the Cult of the Evil God instead.
But he would never admit such a thing out loud.
"Tch — you said it yourself. I'm taking it. Don't go regretting it later."
"I won't. I trust you."
Trust me? I don't even trust myself!
Deidara turned and walked away, wondering what had gotten into him.
Meanwhile, Hidan kept shooting frantic glances at Shinji, clearly asking: Are we really just letting him go? Shouldn't we tie him up and force him to stay?
Shinji shook his head. If Deidara wanted to leave, let him. With Tobi right there watching, Deidara couldn't do anything reckless anyway.
In truth, Shinji never would have gone to such lengths if he hadn't known exactly what Sasori's true form was. Everything he had done was just a performance.
Tobi, unaware of how much influence he was having, felt secretly pleased. It looked like an alliance between Akatsuki and the Cult of the Evil God was becoming more possible.
Though he did think Shinji was being a little too bold — openly trying to poach members right in front of him.
I'd better find a chance to speak with Nagato soon. Can't let him actually steal Deidara away…
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than everyone noticed Deidara, who had only flown a short distance away, suddenly stop in mid‑air atop his new clay owl.
"I'll relay your terms to our leader. If he refuses… then I'll make sure I repay the debt myself."
With that, Deidara turned and flew off into the distance.
Repay the debt? Shinji thought with a grin. How else would you do that except by joining us yourself?
It was all but certain now.
Shinji knew he had successfully planted the seed of doubt in Deidara's mind. All that was left was waiting for the right moment to make it bloom.
But Tobi's heart sank. Just what I was afraid of.
He knew exactly what Deidara meant. His loyalty was wavering.
At first, Tobi had thought Shinji's conditions were too steep and that Nagato would never agree.
But now he realized he had to make Nagato accept them — otherwise, Deidara might defect.
And if he left, he would almost certainly take Sasori with him. That would be a massive blow to Akatsuki's strength.
Worse still, if both of them joined the Cult of the Evil God, Tobi would have no way to bring them back or punish them.
What a mess…
Compared to this headache, the issue of the Three‑Tails suddenly seemed far simpler.
Tobi couldn't believe Shinji would risk ruining their relationship just over a tiny, seemingly useless turtle.
"Come on, Tobi. What are you daydreaming about? I've called you three times already."
"Ah — right, coming. I was just thinking… if that guy joins us, would he have to call Sasuke 'senpai'?"
Thankfully, Sasuke was still unconscious — otherwise, he would have likely flashed his most intimidating, superior smile.
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