"What are you doing?! What are you crying about? I'm not dead yet?"
Naruto got up and smacked Deidara with his fist.
"Naruto-kun, you're alive?"
Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What do you mean? By the look on your face, were you hoping I'd die or something?"
Naruto rolled his eyes.
"No, no! I was just… well… uh… um..."
Deidara stammered, clearly at a loss for words, before finally blurting out, "It's just good that you're alive!"
"That's more like it."
Naruto stopped paying attention to Deidara and stretched as he stood up.
Now that he has successfully subdued the 'Artistic Duo', a big weight was lifted off Naruto's shoulders.
"Alright, everyone, get ready. We're infiltrating Sunagakure."
Naruto waved his hand decisively. Despite the delay of the past few days, he hadn't forgotten about Gaara.
Why had Pain sent people to capture Gaara? The reason was simple: Gaara's position as Kazekage wasn't secure, and Sunagakure was in the middle of internal strife.
Naruto considered Gaara his brother. There was no way he would sit idly by. He had to help Gaara solidify his position as Kazekage.
"Um, Naruto-kun, I think you've overlooked something."
Kisame suddenly spoke up.
"Hm?"
Naruto turned to look at him and asked, "What's left to do?"
Kisame cleared his throat and said, "Since we got here, we haven't played any games yet."
Calling it a 'game' was just a euphemism for a test. With Kakuzu and Hidan absent, Kisame had initially been relieved, thinking there was no one to steal his thunder.
But now that Naruto had recruited Deidara and Sasori, Kisame felt more pressure to prove himself. He wanted to shine and further cement his position in Naruto's eyes.
"A game, huh..."
Naruto pondered for a moment, 'It had been more than ten days since our last activity. As a leader, I couldn't neglect the morale-boosting team-building exercises. Otherwise, I'd seem like a heartless boss.'
But given the barren desert around them, Naruto was at a loss for ideas, 'What fun could we possibly have in this wasteland?'
"Kisame, what do you want to play? Let's hear your suggestion."
After all, the purpose of team-building was to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves.
"My suggestion?"
Kisame's breathing quickened slightly.
In his mind, Naruto specifically asking for his opinion meant he held a special place in Naruto's regard. While the recognition was exhilarating at first, it quickly became stressful. He couldn't come up with a good idea for a game or test.
Kisame carefully analyzed Naruto's past activities, which always tested different skills. To think of something Naruto hadn't already done, especially something fitting for their current surroundings, was a daunting task.
This only made him respect Naruto more, as it amazed him how Naruto had previously come up with so many creative and situationally appropriate ideas.
After thinking for a while, Kisame finally said, "Naruto-kun, I don't have any particularly great ideas. But since Deidara and Sasori are new members, and Itachi and I are also part of a duo, how about we have a friendly match? A little sparring session could help build camaraderie."
"A friendly match? Not bad, not bad."
Naruto nodded in approval, 'While everyone is part of the Akatsuki, there were few opportunities for them to interact outside their respective partner. A sparring match to foster camaraderie was indeed a great idea.'
"Alright, I'll be the referee. Remember, friendship first, competition second. Don't hurt the harmony. You have one hour to prepare."
"Thank you Naruto-kun!"
Kisame exclaimed, brimming with excitement.
He wasn't just pleased that Naruto had adopted his suggestion, as he was also thrilled at the opportunity this friendly match provided. He planned to demonstrate just how much better he and Itachi were compared to Deidara and Sasori.
If done right, this could solidify his position in Naruto's eyes while diminishing the presence of the new recruits.
Itachi pulled Kisame aside and whispered, "Don't get too excited. Be careful not to underestimate them, it'd be embarrassing to slip up now!"
This competition could be a double-edged sword, with as much risk as reward.
Kisame waved his hand and said, "Relax. They don't stand a chance. Honestly, they're just stepping stones to boost our standing even higher!"
"Let's hope so."
Itachi narrowed his eyes and fell silent, focusing on optimizing his condition for the upcoming match.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Deidara and Sasori were also preparing.
As Deidara kneaded his explosive clay, he asked, "Sasori-danna, is it true? Did you really follow Naruto-kun and the Shinigami to see your parents?"
"Yes."
Sasori calmly adjusted Hiruko as he answered.
"Seriously? Then why aren't you more excited about it?"
Deidara's face showed both surprise and confusion.
Sasori sighed deeply, his thoughts drifting back to his experience, "Don't even bring it up. That world… it's beyond anything you could ever imagine."
Though the trip had lasted only an hour, Sasori had seen things he'd never thought possible. The parents he had long mourned and yearned for were alive and well in another world… living happily, no less. To make matters worse, they'd even shoved their happiness in his face. All his fears and longing had been entirely unnecessary.
And that terrifying Shinigami? It bowed humbly before Naruto. Naruto's strength was beyond anything Sasori could comprehend. He wasn't just thriving in one world but dominating in two. Sasori didn't even know how to put it into words.
Though he didn't elaborate much, Deidara had been around Sasori long enough to gauge the enormity of what Sasori must have witnessed. For Sasori, as stubborn as he was, to submit in just an hour spoke volumes. Whatever he had seen must have been on par with the awe Deidara felt when witnessing Naruto's explosive display of power.
Whoosh!
At this moment, Naruto flickered and appeared in front of the two of them.
"Naruto-kun!"
Deidara and Sasori said in unison.
Naruto waved his hand and said, "Don't be so tense. It's just a game. Oh, by the way, there's a little surprise coming your way before the match starts. I think you'll like it."
"A little surprise?"
Deidara's interest was instantly piqued, and he couldn't wait for the match to begin.
The one-hour preparation time passed in the blink of an eye. Once Naruto took back the villa into the system inventory, the desert landscape became the perfect battleground.
"Naruto-kun, what exactly is the surprise?"
Deidara was practically bouncing with curiosity, eager to find out.
Naruto performed his Sky Dance Technique, rising ten meters into the air before coming to a halt. He clasped his hands before his chest in a pose resembling a maiden in prayer.
Whoosh!
Red, blue, and purple light alternated around Naruto's body, blending together and then shooting toward the ground, enveloping Kisame, Itachi, Deidara, and Sasori.
Kisame and Itachi, who had experienced the Courage Blessing, remained unfazed.
But for Deidara and Sasori, who were feeling the Courage Blessing for the first time, the sensation left them utterly stunned.
Sasori's expression was hidden within Hiruko, but Deidara's wide-eyed, gaping-mouth reaction nearly made Naruto burst out laughing.
"Well, how's that? Surprising enough for you?" Naruto asked with an amused grin.
Deidara nodded repeatedly: "Enough! Absolutely enough!"
"Contentment is a virtue, then. Guess I won't give you the next big surprise." Naruto said with a teasing smirk.
Deidara froze, dumbfounded by what he heard, "What?! There's more?!"