Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 243: Target, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto!

The familiar sound of wind chimes rang out.

Outside the Akatsuki base, the Two-Tails capture team, consisting of Kakuzu and Hidan, donned their conical hats. Citing "time is money" as their reason, they refused Kisame's suggestion to wait a bit longer and set off towards the Land of Lightning.

Seeing this, Kisame, who also needed to head to the Land of Lightning, could only shrug and wait for the new teammate along with Deidara.

It wasn't long before a sharp sound of breaking air was heard.

Kisame squinted his eyes, and black-haired, black-eyed Sasuke, who bore a striking resemblance to someone from his past, appeared beside him.

"Let's go," Sasuke said calmly with a slight tilt of his head.

For a moment, Kisame felt a sense of nostalgia, as if Itachi had returned to his side.

Patting his sword, Samehada, Kisame grinned and said, "Then from now on, Sasuke, you will take the lead in the operation."

Sasuke nodded and turned to leave.

Kisame immediately followed.

The Eight-Tails capture team officially set off.

Deidara, left alone outside, watched Sasuke's departing figure and pouted.

Meeting him for the first time, Sasuke didn't even bother to greet his senior.

"Just like Itachi, a rude guy."

"And the junior who hasn't shown up yet, making me wait so long in the cold wind, is just the same! Hmph!"

Deidara grumbled as he thought about what kind of "welcome gift" he should give his new partner.

Finally, his new teammate arrived.

"I am Seimei."

Fully armed, the ultimate ninja tool Seimei descended from the sky, expressionless as he introduced himself to Deidara.

Deidara looked at him, waiting for more, but after realizing there was no follow-up, he asked, puzzled:

"And?"

Just those four words?

As a newcomer, there was no respect shown to his senior, no pleasantries, not even a proper self-introduction.

Deidara couldn't understand why everyone he met today seemed so arrogant.

Especially now.

Facing his question, Seimei adopted a high-cold demeanor, showing he had no intention of answering such a meaningless question.

Deidara, seeing this, clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "It seems I need to show you what it means to respect your seniors! Hmph!"

"Senior?"

Seimei finally spoke again, glancing at Deidara. "In terms of age, I was around before your grandfather was even born. I don't mind if you call me 'senior'."

Deidara thought Seimei was mocking him.

He couldn't help but prepare to strike.

A voice suddenly sounded from behind:

"He's right. He's much older than you, Deidara."

At that moment, Sasori walked out of the base. After studying Seimei with a curious gaze, he remarked:

"I didn't expect to see the essence of eternal art in another."

As a puppet master, Sasori could instantly see that Seimei was not human but a puppet-like existence without any flesh or blood.

Seimei turned to analyze Sasori, and after a quick assessment, he also commented in surprise:

"I didn't expect the once obscure puppet art to achieve such heights. But it's still too fragile compared to well-forged ninja tools."

"As for eternal art? That term suits me well. I am indeed eternal."

Sasori's face darkened. "What I meant was that you have some of the beauty of eternal art. True eternal art is me! Puppet art surpasses ninja tools in both potential and utility."

"No! Ninja tools are superior in defense and power!"

"Puppets are more versatile! They are eternal!"

"Ninja tools are eternal!"

"Puppets are—"

The argument between Sasori and Seimei grew heated.

On the side, Deidara, who was about to fight, stood dumbfounded.

How did he become an outsider all of a sudden?

Nevertheless, understanding Seimei's identity and given the topic of artistic dispute, Deidara, after some preparation, joined in eagerly:

"You are both wrong! True art is the beauty of a fleeting moment! Eternity can never be called art! Hmph!"

"Nonsense."

"Deidara—"

Soon, their argument about art became a three-way dispute.

Fortunately, all three knew the importance of their mission.

After realizing they couldn't persuade each other, the artistic debate temporarily ended.

"I didn't expect another person who believes in eternity to join us after Sasori left. Hmph," Deidara shook his head as he climbed onto his clay bird.

"I still prefer you, Sasori," Deidara said expectantly. "Won't you team up with me again, Sasori?"

Sasori glanced at Deidara and laughed.

"Alright."

Knowing that Sasori still harbored some misunderstandings about him, Deidara sighed in disappointment and resigned himself to having Seimei, who should have been a junior but was much older, as his partner.

"Don't you go dying on me, you old fossil," he said to Seimei.

"Same to you," Seimei replied calmly.

As the ultimate weapon, Seimei had always targeted the Tailed Beasts as future power sources.

Others feared the Tailed Beasts, but with his many countermeasures, he did not.

Moreover, he could fly, making him the perfect partner for Deidara in capturing the One-Tails in Sunagakure.

As for loyalty, after being tempered in the Lockfront Village and repeatedly beaten by the invincible Hagoromo Gengetsu, Seimei had come to accept his fate.

Rather than hammering away all day, working under Hagoromo seemed more appealing.

After all, with Hagoromo ruling the ninja world, he could, by extension, claim the same.

Thus, having submitted to Hagoromo's overwhelming power and entrusted his dreams to him, Seimei fully joined Hagoromo's faction.

"Let's go."

Without further words, Deidara greeted Sasori one last time before his clay bird took to the sky.

Seimei followed suit, ascending into the air.

The One-Tails capture team set off.

Sasori watched them leave, then turned and began his journey.

Due to the heavy losses to his puppet army from Deidara's explosions and his power not yet fully restored, he had not been assigned a Tailed Beast capture mission but was instead tasked with guarding the perimeter of the Gedo Statue to prevent any unwanted intrusions.

With all subordinates in action, Hagoromo Gengetsu also set off.

Destination: Konohagakure.

Target: Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto!