For Black Zetsu, Takumi's existence had completely become the biggest stumbling block in his plan to save his mother.
He realized that as time passed, Takumi's hindrance to the Akatsuki was becoming greater and greater.
And the most crucial point was that the Nine-Tails was still in Konoha.
But to capture the Nine-Tails, he would have to face Takumi.
This made his scalp tingle.
Although he might not necessarily have a scalp.
After all, he was just a shadow-like existence.
'Forget it, I'll take the news back as soon as possible.'
After observing for a while longer, Black Zetsu prepared to head back.
He needed to quickly relay the news that Sasori had been captured by Takumi.
Then they would see what Pain and the others planned to do.
Relying on his unique hiding technique,
It didn't take long for him to return to the secret base in Amegakure.
As soon as he appeared, the others who had been waiting immediately looked over.
"How did it go?"
Pain didn't see Black Zetsu bringing Sasori back, and immediately frowned.
Although it was Sasori's own request,
Seeing that Black Zetsu had only brought Deidara back earlier, he had a persistent feeling of unease in his heart.
Now, that feeling of unease seemed about to become reality.
Black Zetsu slowly shook his head.
Deidara's eager gaze instantly dimmed.
Although Sasori always argued with him about art, he still deeply respected Sasori.
After all, he was an elder on the path of art. Though their paths differed, their shared pursuit of art created a unique understanding between them.
Now, suddenly hearing news of Sasori's death, he couldn't help but feel grief.
Especially since Sasori's earlier act of letting him go first, in his eyes, was a deliberate move to stay behind and cover their retreat to protect him.
This made Deidara feel even more guilty inside.
"What a pity."
Kakuzu said indifferently, "He was a decent combat power."
Kakuzu was the only one present who shared something in common with Sasori.
They had both transformed their bodies into non-human states.
And through this, they had gained long, even potentially eternal, life.
Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear allowed him to gain lifespan by replacing hearts.
Sasori, on the other hand, had directly turned himself into a puppet. If his body was damaged, he just needed to replace parts. He no longer had the limitation of a lifespan.
In this regard, the two were very similar.
Now, with Sasori gone,
Kakuzu actually felt a faint sense of loneliness.
"A genius puppeteer, fallen just like that."
Kisame couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. "The human puppets he pioneered might not necessarily gain public approval, but it's undeniable that he opened up another possibility for puppeteers."
"Geniuses are always short-lived."
Itachi said calmly, "The jealousy of friends, the fear of enemies, the malice of human nature always manifests itself most vividly."
"A brilliant summary. Let's observe a moment of silence for him."
Hidan declared loudly, "I'll pray to Jashin-sama to welcome him into Jashin-sama's kingdom."
"Shut up!"
Deidara roared, his body trembling with rage.
He glared at Hidan, his bloodshot eyes suggesting he might come to blows with Hidan at any moment.
The others' attention immediately focused on Deidara, afraid he might actually start something.
This was their headquarters. If Deidara blew this place up...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"You trying to order me around?"
Hidan raised an eyebrow, flicked his right hand, and immediately pulled out his large sickle. His face was filled with eagerness. "Perfect timing, I haven't offered today's sacrifice to Jashin-sama yet."
Slap!
Kakuzu smacked Hidan, making him stumble sideways.
Hidan clutched his head and looked back discontentedly, "What are you doing?"
"This is headquarters. If you want to fight, go outside."
Kakuzu said calmly.
"Tch!"
Hidan discontentedly folded his large sickle and put it away.
Then he tossed a parting shot at Deidara, "I'm letting you off this time for Kakuzu-san's sake. Next time you dare order me around, I'll tear you limb from limb!"
He threw harsh words at Deidara.
But Deidara's gaze was no longer on him.
Deidara lowered his head, the anger and regret in his eyes beyond words.
"If I had been there, he definitely wouldn't have died!"
Deidara said through gritted teeth. "It's my fault! Sasori-danna died because of me!"
"You wouldn't have been able to beat Takumi either."
Black Zetsu said calmly. "And, when did I ever say Sasori was dead?"
Hearing this, Deidara was dumbfounded.
He suddenly looked up, staring blankly at Black Zetsu, the anger in his eyes completely gone.
Only astonishment remained: 'Are you f***ing kidding me?'
'If Sasori-danna isn't dead, why were you being so ambiguous?'
"Sasori isn't dead?"
Pain frowned. "Where is he now then?"
"Taken away by Takumi."
Black Zetsu said, "Earlier, afraid of being discovered, I didn't dare get too close. I couldn't hear what they were saying clearly, but Sasori was definitely taken away by Takumi."
"Because he deliberately didn't kill Sasori. Instead, after breaking down all of Sasori's means of resistance, he captured him."
"Knowing Takumi's character, keeping Sasori alive must serve some special purpose."
After Black Zetsu finished speaking, the few noisy members immediately started chattering.
"Great!"
Deidara felt a huge weight lift off him. "I knew it! Takumi-senpai couldn't be that bloodthirsty!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you an idiot?"
Hidan couldn't stand it anymore. "Takumi is our enemy! He captured Sasori to interrogate him for information about us!"
"This must be prevented!"
Kisame said gravely, "If Takumi finds out the location of our headquarters, he might just come knocking on our door directly."
"Then let him come."
Kakuzu said coldly, "If he dares to come, we'll make sure he never leaves."
"Alright, stop arguing."
Pain frowned, irritated by the noise, and quickly intervened to stop them.
The others stopped their quarreling and turned their attention to Pain.
"What should we do next?"
Black Zetsu asked calmly.
"Sasori won't divulge our information."
Pain said. "But I want to know what Takumi's purpose is in taking Sasori away."
"Let me go!"
Deidara immediately volunteered, recommending himself. "I'll definitely bring Sasori-danna back!"
"Don't cause more trouble."
Kisame interrupted. "Your Ninjutsu isn't suitable for covert infiltration. Leave this to Itachi-san and me."
He looked at Itachi. "Besides, Itachi-san is more familiar with Konoha. It'll be easier to infiltrate and also easier to rescue him and get out."
Itachi remained expressionless, but inwardly he was cursing: 'You damn shark-face!'
'Go yourself if you want!'
'Why drag me into it?!'
'Afraid going alone to get yourself killed isn't fun enough, you want me to come along and die with you?'
"You don't need to go."
Pain said, "I'll arrange someone for this. Your next task is to consider the other Tailed Beasts. Carrying out our plan is the top priority now."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Konan.
Konan understood.
This meant she was to infiltrate Konoha.
It just so happened she was already familiar with the way.
And she also kind of wanted to see Takumi.
Some time had passed since they last filmed the movie.
She was feeling a bit nostalgic.
Thinking this, she silently nodded to show she understood Pain's order.
"Alright, everyone go prepare first. We'll wait until Sasori's situation is clear before making further plans."
Pain concluded. Everyone dispersed to attend to their own matters.
Only Deidara kept pestering about going to Konoha himself.
In the end, he was dragged away by Kakuzu and Hidan.
Later, Hidan and Deidara did end up fighting.
The outcome was unknown.
All that was known was that the place where they fought was leveled to the ground.