Naruto: In the future world

"Damn, he looks strong."

The blonde boy spoke with sarcasm.

"Hey, you! Still alive?"

The puppet-like young man didn't respond to his friend. Instead, he stood up, calmly dusting himself off.

"You look well, Sasori."

"Sasori?"

Yahiko questioned to himself, surprised.

Sasori looked coldly at the blonde and said, "What are you doing, Deidara? Let's take him on together."

"Alright then. Let's do this."

Sasori pulled two small knives from hidden pockets while Deidara clenched his fists tightly.

"This won't be easy. Should we call Nagato?" Konan asked anxiously as she glanced toward Yahiko.

"I already contacted him a moment ago. He should be on his way. I'll hold out until he gets here."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Done planning already? It's time for the artistic performance!" Deidara grinned as he charged toward Yahiko, assuming a specific fighting stance.

"Kyokushin Karate?"

Yahiko dodged the punch, but was shocked by Deidara's explosive speed. A powerful blow to his gut sent him flying backward!

(How? His body is small—how can he possess such destructive power?)

Yahiko spat blood, stunned, as he stood up with a pained expression.

Deidara rushed him again, but Yahiko retreated, deciding to put some distance between them.

He raised his fists in front of his face, assuming a boxing stance.

"Boxing, huh?"

Deidara smiled eagerly and charged without fear.

But the moment he entered Yahiko's range, he felt as if a giant had locked its gaze on him.

Two quick punches to his nose threw off his balance, and a third sent him staggering back.

"What kind of monstrous strength is this? Is this even boxing?"

"Don't let your guard down, idiot."

Sasori came from behind Deidara, slashing with his twin blades, but Yahiko was alert and quickly stepped back.

As he did, Deidara came at him again.

Yahiko was about to counter with a punch, but Deidara grinned. "I've seen through you."

Deidara evaded the punches masterfully and launched a brutal counterattack.

Yahiko spat out more blood as he retreated.

Sasori attacked again from the other side, but Yahiko chose to dodge the blades—taking hits was better than getting cut.

After gaining some distance, the three paused and stared each other down.

"So, have you reconsidered your decision? If you have, we can still overlook what you did."

Deidara pleaded as if he didn't want to keep fighting.

But Yahiko's stance made it clear—he wasn't going to back down.

"Enough pointless talk, Deidara. Let's end this."

"Yeah, I know."

Deidara and Sasori stood side by side, their combined aura shifting suddenly.

"I'll take the right."

"Then I'll go left."

They moved in parallel, closing in on Yahiko.

(This doesn't look good… Nagato, when will you get here?)

Sweat trickled down Yahiko's cheek as he glanced between Deidara and Sasori… and Konan.

Deidara came from the left at blistering speed, attacking Yahiko who was losing his focus, while Sasori unleashed a flurry of stabs from the right.

Yahiko wasn't superhuman. He had taken significant damage. Blood streamed from his arm and leg, staining his clothes crimson.

Hope was fading. He was just human. No sudden power awakening. No miracle.

Yahiko finally dropped to his knees, struggling to breathe.

The synergy between Sasori and Deidara was terrifying—almost unreal.

Sasori grabbed Konan, whose eyes were filled with tears, and pressed a blade to her throat coldly.

"Are you really going to kill an innocent girl too?"

"And Yahiko… doesn't he look innocent to you? Don't question the leader's decisions."

"I don't agree with these policies."

"Shut up. If you're not going to follow through, go die."

Deidara sighed and approached Yahiko, who could only think of Konan, eyes wet with emotion.

"Yahiko…"

"Don't worry, Konan. I'll protect you no matter what."

After restraining both Yahiko and Konan, Deidara sat down, keeping watch over the area while Sasori made calls to the other members of their organization.

"So, you two are a couple, huh?"

Deidara spoke with a small smile as he looked at Yahiko.

Deidara had made a decent impression, making casual conversation surprisingly easy.

"That's right."

Yahiko nodded, his face shadowed.

"It must be awful being hunted by this organization, huh?"

"Aren't you one of them? Why are you insulting them?"

"Well, it's not like I joined by choice. They've got a lot of money, so I figured… why not?" He laughed.

"You're really weird for someone in an evil organization that kills innocents," Konan said in disbelief.

"Yeah… I guess so," Deidara chuckled.

After a pause, Deidara spoke again.

"I had a harsh family."

He looked down, his voice quiet.

"I was the illegitimate child of a teenage girl who was taken advantage of by a delinquent. That's why my father married my mother."

Yahiko and Konan were stunned. Why was Deidara telling them all this?

"After ten years of abuse, my father assaulted my mother again, which gave us my little sister. She became the reason I stayed alive—protecting her, caring for her, giving her a happy life. It was my mother's dying wish."

Deidara smiled gently, eyes closed as he looked toward Yahiko and Konan.

Sasori wasn't close enough to hear any of it.

"If I may ask… where is your sister now?"

"I bought a house a few years ago. She lives alone there."

"You mean you left her on her own?"

"Of course not. I'd never abandon my sister. We had a fight, and I stepped out for a bit to let things cool off. But that's when I met them..."

---

Scene 23: The Meeting

A few years ago...

Deidara walked down a street, texting with someone named "The Joker" before calling him.

"You bastard! I told you not to send product messages unless I replied!"

"That wasn't me. Some rookie did that."

"I'm out. I've had enough. Just let me live in peace."

"..."

There was no reply.

"I've kept my side of the deal. Paid my debt off years ago. Why won't you leave me alone?"

"Deidara, you're a prodigy—an underground genius. I can't just let go of you that easily."

"I'm sorry. I'm not risking my peaceful life again. Let's end this, Orochimaru."

"It would be a shame to lose you... Wait. Who are you?! Kakuzu?!"

"Huh? What's going on?" Deidara was confused by Orochimaru's sudden panic.

"How did you find this hideout?! I was sure he'd never reach me!!"

"Hey! Orochimaru? What's happening over there?"

No reply. The line went dead.

Deidara froze, mind racing with possibilities.

He turned toward his house.

"I'll be right back. Wait for me, Ino!"

He ran off.

---

In a luxurious seaside home...

The glass by the front door was shattered. Someone had been slammed into it.

The injured man staggered to his feet, blood flowing from his shoulder. From the doorway, a figure in a black suit appeared—Kakuzu.

"How long did you think you could keep running? Former member of Orochimaru's trio?"

"This wasn't supposed to happen so soon. You've gotten stronger..."

Kakuzu calmly drew his pistol.

"A shame our partnership ends like this. But betrayal must be repaid in kind."

Just as Kakuzu was about to pull the trigger, someone jumped in—forcing him to step back.

"Deidara?!"

Deidara rushed to Orochimaru's side, kneeling.

"Are you okay?!"

"Don't worry about me. Why the hell are you here, idiot?! Seeing that man means you've lost your chance at survival!"

Deidara smiled nervously.

"You saved our lives once. How could I not come for yours? Besides, I'm ready. I won't die, no matter what!"

He turned to Kakuzu, who still hadn't reacted—another corpse or two meant nothing to him.

"I don't know who you are, or why you're after Orochimaru, but how about a deal?"

"A deal?"

"If you spare his life, we'll both join your organization. You said Orochimaru used to be one of you, right? Then you must know how valuable he is—imagine what he could do with a partner like me."

"Hmmm."

"Killing us is easy, right? But what does your organization gain from that? Think of the value we'd bring over the next year."

Kakuzu sighed and stared at Deidara, then put away his pistol.

"I hate long conversations. Let's see if you're useful, Yamanka Deidara."

Deidara froze.

(He knows my surname? Were they watching me too?)

"I can't believe he accepted that, haha!" Orochimaru laughed despite the blood he coughed up.

"Take it easy."

"I survived! Haha!"

He was genuinely happy.

"Anyway, we're members of their organization now. I can't go home yet… I hope you'll look after me a bit longer." Deidara smiled warmly.

"Of course. I'm glad we're working together again."

---

Present Time

"And that's how I joined them."

Deidara looked down, smiling faintly, eyes hidden beneath his disheveled hair.

"And your sister?"

"Let's just say… she hasn't seen me since that day."

"I'm sorry..."

Yahiko, always the kind soul, apologized even to the man who had tried to kill him.

"Are you an idiot? Apologizing to someone who held a weapon to your throat minutes ago?"

"It's okay. I understand now—you didn't join them by choice. You're not truly evil."

Deidara stood, his face still shadowed, and said mysteriously,

"Instead of dying meaninglessly... wouldn't it be better to live long enough to witness this organization's downfall?"

Yahiko and Konan widened their eyes, exchanging a serious look.

"Hey, Deidara, are you done giving your speech? Let's finish them off."

"No need, Sasori. We've just gained members seven and eight."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, that's right. Looks like they chose to live after all."

---

Sakura and Ino had spent the entire day out.

They'd gone to the movies, played games at the amusement park, and later grabbed a bite at a restaurant.

Now, after their little outing, they walked side by side, each holding cotton candy in hand.

"Yaaah, I feel so refreshed right now."

"Same here. That was such a fun date… but I've officially broken my perfect attendance streak," Sakura sighed, a hint of regret in her voice.

"Oh, come on, sweetheart. Forget school for a bit. You're ranked third after Sasuke and Naruto. No one's going to surpass you anyway."

"I have to work hard and surpass both of them! I want to be number one!"

"Stop dreaming. Those two are geniuses—ordinary humans can't reach them."

"Don't justify your laziness by saying the top students aren't human."

"School's just boring. That's all."

"Alright, alright, it's not that serious."

As they walked, Ino suddenly caught sight of something and bolted.

"Huh? Ino? Wait, where are you going?!"

Sakura ran after her, watching Ino slip into a side alley. A group of people had just turned down that path.

(No way... was he really around me all this time?)

Ino dashed toward the intersection, but the moment she looked down the alley, no one was there. It was as if the earth had swallowed them whole.

"B–Brother… that was you, wasn't it? I'd never mistake you for anyone else!"

She cried out, her voice heavy with grief, as Sakura stood silently behind her.

"If it was you… please, tell me. Did you really think I wanted you gone from my life? I was always cold, but I never meant any of it! So please… if you're listening, show yourself..."

There was no response. Not a single sound. It was as if she were speaking to shadows.

"I'm sorry, Deidara… I'm so, so sorry!!"

Her sobs spilled out, tears streaming down her cheeks as Sakura approached and gently pulled her into an embrace to comfort her.

---

In a dimly lit place, a figure stood pressed against the wall. His features were hidden in shadow, unreadable.

"Was that her?"

"Yeah... she should be in school now. What is she doing here? I need to be more careful."

"For now, don't disappear for too long..."

"I know..."

Deidara stepped toward the person he was speaking to, tears silently flowing down his cheeks—painting a portrait of sorrow across his face.

"Let's go, Yahiko. The others are waiting."

He wiped his eyes. Hearing his beloved sister's voice again had steeled his resolve. It made him sharper, more focused than ever before.

---

Scene 23

The Meeting — End

#To_Be_Continued