"Hn," Uchiha Itachi grunted. "You talk too much. They've chosen the wrong partner for you. I am leaving the Akatsuki."

Hoshigaki Kisame was taken aback for a moment, then a wide, shark-like grin spread across his face. "Haha, is that so? Are you afraid I might kill you? I was only joking. So long as you don't provoke me, of course."

Uchiha Itachi stood up and responded, his voice serious. "You misunderstand. My departure has nothing to do with you. This is a decision I made this morning. Now, I will go and speak with the leader." With that, Itachi narrowed his eyes and began to walk past Kisame.

"Itachi, you cannot leave just yet." The voice echoed from a swirling vortex of space that materialized out of thin air. It was Obito. "Orochimaru has been handled. If you leave now, the organization will be severely short-handed. You will be responsible for that. Do you think it's easy for me to find new recruits?"

Kisame listened, a silent shock running through him. Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, was dealt with by the man standing before me? Heh… Kisame sneered to himself. This new partner of his was terrifyingly strong. He was risking his life just by being near him. Not bad. It suited his tastes perfectly.

Uchiha Itachi, however, was completely unmoved by Obito's words. The only people he wanted to see right now were Sasuke and his parents. The size and development of the Akatsuki meant nothing to him. He ignored Obito and continued to walk away.

"Itachi!" Obito shouted. "Do not forget, Itachi, the very purpose of this organization is to secure the future of the Uchiha clan. To truly protect your family, you must make sacrifices in the shadows."

Uchiha Itachi stopped, his back to Obito. He was silent for a long moment. "Very well," he finally said. "I will continue to stay with the organization until more new members have arrived. When our numbers are sufficient, you will agree to let me leave."

Obito nodded. "Alright, Itachi. There is something I need you to do right now. Sasori's partner, Orochimaru, has been sealed away by your hand. You and Kisame will be responsible for helping him find a new partner. I have already chosen the target. Sasori will accompany you."

Itachi turned around. "Who is this person?"

Obito replied, "Deidara of Iwagakure. A tedious boy with a fondness for explosions."

In the Land of Earth, before a remote temple near the Hidden Stone Village, their guide, Zetsu, stood with the three Akatsuki members, its dual-toned voice emerging faintly from the shadows.

"You may proceed. The boy named Deidara is inside."

Kisame looked around at the desolate landscape, an amused look on his face. "This place is incredibly remote. Why would he live here?"

Zetsu's voice was a dry whisper. "Do not underestimate him. He is a formidable opponent. He was once the apprentice of the Third Tsuchikage, but he possesses a certain… madness. He frequently caused terrorist incidents within the village. The Tsuchikage had no choice but to exile him to this place, to reflect on his actions."

Kisame's lips curled. "Haha, so he's a weirdo, then."

From within his puppet, Sasori's voice rasped, "Anyone the organization takes an interest in is bound to be a freak. Let's go and meet this one."

With that, the three of them, leaving Zetsu behind, slowly entered the temple. A young, blond-haired boy was sitting in the center of the room, kneading a small clay doll with a look of intense concentration on his face. As he molded the clay into the shape of a centipede, he muttered to himself, "Art! The shapes are becoming more and more similar. I truly am a natural artist, hn!"

Deidara seemed to be completely lost in his own artistic world, completely oblivious to their presence.

Hoshigaki Kisame spoke first, his voice booming in the quiet temple. "Hey! Kid! Do you want to join the Akatsuki?"

The sudden, harsh voice of a stranger shattered Deidara's concentration. He turned his head, his expression one of pure annoyance. "Who are you? Can't you see I'm busy, hn?"

Sasori's voice was sharp. "You're so long-winded. I asked you a question. Do you want to join the Akatsuki?"

"Tsk!" Deidara, who was apparently in a good mood, didn't bother to argue. He simply waved a dismissive hand. "Not interested."

"Akatsuki? What in the world is that? Never heard of it. Now, do not bother me while I am creating my art! Get lost, hn!" As he spoke, Deidara proudly showed off the clay spider in his hand.

Sasori frowned from within his shell. "You call this art?" he said with utter disdain. "Tsk. Your aesthetic truly leaves me speechless." He then glanced at Itachi and Kisame. "Do I truly have to partner with such a boring man? He has spirit, I'll give him that, but those types usually die quickly."

Uchiha Itachi replied, "This is the leader's decision. His ability will be of use to us."

"Oh? You know of my ability?" Deidara's eyes widened in surprise. "Who are you?"

"Hehe…" Hoshigaki Kisame sneered. "You are the one who has been causing terrorist bombings all over the country. As someone so disliked by your own village, what is your purpose?"

"Purpose? What purpose do I have?" Deidara put his hands in his pockets, striking a cocky pose. "I didn't realize I was so famous. Even you have heard of me. Hn. I just accepted a commission to create an explosion, using my supreme work, hn."

Listening to Deidara's arrogant monologue, the three Akatsuki members said nothing, simply staring at him in silence.

After an awkward moment, Sasori asked, "Is he finished?"

Uchiha Itachi replied, "I do not know."

Hoshigaki Kisame raised a hand, gripping the hilt of his massive sword, Samehada. "That should be enough. My patience is wearing thin."

"Forget it. I will handle this," Uchiha Itachi said, taking a few steps forward. His eyes blazed to life, the scarlet of his Sharingan a stark contrast to the temple's gloom.

"Deidara," Itachi stated, his voice devoid of emotion. "You will fight me. If you lose, you will join the Akatsuki."

"Hah! Just you?" Deidara spread his legs, falling into a fighting stance. "Then let me show you my true art! A sublime art that transcends all else, hn!" With that, Deidara threw the clay spider in his hand directly at Itachi.

Itachi stepped back instinctively. As the clay spider flew past him, Deidara smiled slyly and shouted, "Katsu!"

BOOM!

A violent explosion ripped through the space behind Kisame and Sasori. The two of them didn't even flinch, completely unconcerned by the blast.

"Hey, see! This is my art!" Deidara shouted excitedly, turning to look at Kisame and Sasori. "I've dealt with him. Now, it's your turn, hn!"

__________________________

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