Chapter 360: "C4 Karura" - A haggard looking Deidara regrets that

he didn't get to use the jutsu to kill Itachi but decides that's okay
anyway. Sasuke looks on and tries to grasp the new attack, for before
him stands a gigantic Deidara. Sasuke begins to flee also and Deidara
states he shouldn't run, not that it does him much good anyway.
Deidara forms a hand seal and the giant inflates and pops. Sasuke is
confused but he catches the eye Deidara with his Sharingan. Deidara
yells in glee that he's won. Suddenly animals in the surrounding area
begin to disintegrate. Sasuke himself looks in horror as chunks of his
body begin to break down, eventually causing his whole body to
disintegrate. Deidara yells that this was a masterful work and Tobi
thinks over the technique's abilities. The jutsu uses tiny microscopic
bombs which disperse into the air when the giant Deidara pops. The
tiny bombs enter the body and then explode, destroying the body from
within. Deidara states he should thank Itachi and moves his hair from
away his left eye. He raises his arms in victory but is frozen in place
while a curse seal level two Sasuke jumps and pierces him from behind
with Chidori. Sasuke offers that Deidara has used most of his chakra,
which has slowed his movement. He reveals he can't see the bombs,
but the Sharingan can gives color to the chakra carrying them. Deidara
weakly asks then if the scene he saw earlier was Genjutsu. Sasuke
says yes and states he won't kill him until he reveals Itachi's location.
Deidara states he does indeed have to thank Itachi... Suddenly a hand
bursts from the bird below to grab Sasuke ankle, it's Deidara! The one
pierced with Chidori turns to clay. Deidara says he fell to that Genjutsu
years before and it won't happen again. He thinks over how hard he
worked to train his left eye to counter Sharingan. He then yells in glee
for Sasuke to take this C4 attack!...

Chapter 361: "Weak Point...!!" - Deidara emits a second C4 bomb

from his mouth which inflates and envelopes Sasuke. Deidara himself
squirms out and jumps away, boasting that now Sasuke is out of
chakra and can't free himself. Inside Sasuke uses his Sharingan to get
a better look at the micro-bombs. Deidara flies through the air and
winces at his injuries and sees that he can't model art anymore due to
his low chakra. Inside Sasuke looks into his body to see the movement
of the bombs and suddenly bursts out of the C4 prison with Chidori.
Deidara is surprised but mocks Sasuke's weakened condition. As
Sasuke flies toward Deidara with Chidori, Deidara activates his bombs
and the two men fall to the ground below. Deidara looks up to see the
snakes from Sasuke's wing disintegrate and he yells in glee that he
won. Suddenly a normal Sasuke appears from behind and slams a
hard fist into Deidara's cheek, sending him flying. Deidara is confused,
realizing he wasn't caught in Genjutsu. He then asks… could it be?
Sasuke says yes. Deidara didn't hide his hand seals well enough, a
deadly mistake against a Sharingan user who can read them at any
speed. Deidara used Earth element seals, which are weak to Lightning.
Sasuke explains he turned the C4 bombs into duds with his Lightning,
which also hurt his body too. Deidara asks when Sasuke figured out
his art's one weak spot. Sasuke explains he began to grasp it early in
the fight, as the bombs hit with Chidori Senbon didn't explode. That
gave him a theory. It was unclear at first whether the bombs which
landed near Tobi were stopped due to the Senbon or due to Deidara
stopping them. However, the land mines were set to automatically
explode. For that reason he threw his sword into the ground. Not to
check if there was a mine, as there actually was, but to see if it would
be disabled by Lightning chakra. Deidara yells in anger as to how he
could even see the mines? A morbid looking Sasuke responds that his
eyes give color to chakra, didn't he mention that already?...

Chapter 362: "Ultimate Art!!" - Deidara angrily asks Sasuke what if

he was wrong about being able to disable the mine? Sasuke replies
that he would have had to use his other option. Deidara is surprised he
still had unrevealed jutsu. He moves to stand but falls. Sasuke asks
where Itachi is and Deidara sends out clay snakes in response. Sasuke
disables the snakes with lightning and then collapses to his knees as
well. Deidara gloats that he can tell Sasuke is out of chakra too and
even if he himself can't move, he can still win. Sasuke merely stares
on and Deidara yells both Sasuke and his brother have such cocky
demeanors with eyes that disrespect his art. Sasuke states he could
care less and his Sharingan disappears. Deidara rips off his shirt
revealing a chest mouth which has been sewn up. He removes the
stitches and then feeds the maw some clay. Black veins emerge all
over his body and he gleefully states that this is his ultimate art... self-
destruction. He will become a work of art, in an explosion which will
scar the earth like nothing before. He states it will be worthy of praise
and then silently offers Tobi an apology. He states the explosion will
cover an inescapable 10 kilometers. He yells for Sasuke to show his
fear. Sasuke moves to flee but stumbles. The dark veins begin to
increase and Deidara yells to Sasuke to fall in despair and awe
because his art... is a bang! Suddenly an enormous, sculpted explosion
rips through the countryside, destroying everything in its path..
Chapter 363: "Sasuke's Death...!!" - For miles around people stare
in wonder at the explosion. The Leaf and Team Sasuke members react
in surprise and then move toward the blast. Karin tries to find Sasuke's
chakra and fails. Zetsu watches on also and figures Tobi died in the
explosion along with Deidara. Suigetsu recognizes that's where he was
supposed to meet Sasuke. He pulls out a scroll with a snake on it,
which begins to fade. Elsewhere Zetsu tells the gathered Akatsuki that
Deidara died. Itachi asks who took him out, Sasuke or the Kyuubi
Jinchuuriki? Zetsu says Sasuke, but he died too. Itachi is silent and the
leader states he should be grateful that Deidara eliminated a
hindrance. Kisame states they're forgetting someone and Zetsu states
Tobi's apparently dead too. Kisame states he was good at running, but
it must have been too big an explosion to escape. The leader states
men of Tobi's level are easy to find but not so of Deidara. He states
he's going to mourn and leaves. Elsewhere Suigetsu unrolls the scroll
and places blood from a vial on it. Suddenly a charred Manda is
summoned. Suigetsu is surprised Manda was controlled and then
notices the snake was under Genjutsu. Sasuke emerges and then
collapses. Suigetsu asks who he fought and Manda angrily accuses
Sasuke of using him with those eyes of his. He states how dare he and
then dies. Suigetsu states Sasuke should be nicer to animals.
Revealing the Manda summoning tattoo on his forearm, Sasuke states
he had no choice. Karin and Juugo then arrive. Karin states she was
worried and Suigetsu surmises Sasuke summoned Manda to take the
brunt of the blast and then traveled with him through space-time back
from where he came. Sasuke states his opponent was an Akatsuki who
was much stronger than he thought. Suigetsu says they should rest
and Karin accuses him of being weak since he beat Orochimaru.
Sasuke says that's another story, as Orochimaru was already
weakened when he fought him. In the large industrial city, a figure
calls for "Pain" the Akatsuki leader. Pain is revealed as a Hidden Rain
missing-nin with numerous facial piercings. He rises and joins the
female Akatsuki member. Before them stands a mysterious figure in
the shadows. Pain asks what happened to Sasuke and the figure states
everything is going well. Sasuke's Sharingan showed growth and it will
soon surpass Itachi's. Pain asks of the Kyuubi. The figure states Pain
should capture him and as the leader failure is not an option...

Chapter 364: "The Objective...!!" - Kisame states the amount of

rain their area is receiving is strange. Itachi looks into the sky and
Kisame wonders aloud how Itachi feels now. If he didn't know better
he would believe there were tears hidden by that rain, since he's the
last Uchiha. Itachi states he's not the last and in any case, the rain has
stopped. Elsewhere at an inn a bandaged Sasuke rests. He asks what
info they've gathered. Suigetsu says quite a bit, but not much on
Itachi. The group looks for those with a special chakra. Juugo offers
that the animals he spoke to say the Akatsuki hideouts give off an
ominous chakra. Suigetsu is surprised animals can pick up chakra, but
offers that's a given since it's just like Karin. Karin reacts badly to the
insult, exploding Suigetsu's upper body with a powerful kick. Juugo
begins to tremble as the two fight. An urge to kill rises and his body
marks emerge. Suigetsu and Karin jump to subdue him and Sasuke
uses Sharingan to calm him. They then react in surprise to see Sasuke
has fallen asleep sitting up. At the explosion crater the Leaf arrive.
Kiba offers that Sasuke's scent is weak and one of the nin-dogs states
Sasuke is apparently traveling with three others. Naruto is eager to
track them down but the dogs state they can't. Kiba closes his eyes
and forms a hand seal, stating the scent dies here. Yamato offers that
is probably because Sasuke was blown away or he used a time-space
jutsu. Kiba says it is probably the latter and then states his nose is
better than a nin-dogs, as he's found their scent. Kakashi thinks how
far Kiba has developed. Naruto is excited and they move out. In the
industrial city the shadow figure states that Naruto should not be
taken lightly, he's growing powerful and has numerous comrades. He
states Naruto alone took out two of Kakuzu's hearts. The kunoichi
offers that it isn't a worry, Pain has never lost a battle. The figure
states that's true and tells them to have the group collect the
remaining Jinchuuriki. Pain says he knows and the figure grabs a cloak
and takes his leave. The figure states the objective is about to finally
be achieved. It begins to rain and lightning and he continues that
things will soon be back to their original state. The lightning flashes
and we see the figure is Tobi! He continues, stating the Sharingan's
true power... his power, the power of Uchiha Madara! We close in to
see the Sharingan through his mask hole; he then jumps away. The
kunoichi looks at Pain and observes that the heavens weep yet again,
and asks if he?...

Chapter 365: "Chasing Itachi" - Team Snake awaits Karin's return

at the inn. She walks back plotting time with Sasuke when she is
suddenly startled. Elsewhere the Leaf ninja rush onwards following
Kiba's nose. Karin senses the high amount of chakra and realizes a
tracking dog may be with them. Suigetsu is angered at the Karin's
slowness and begins to head out. Just then she busts down the door
onto Suigetsu alerting the group that they're being tracked. Sasuke
asks Juugo if he has the maps for the Akatsuki hideouts, he says yes
and they get ready to leave. Outside Sasuke is surprised at his healing
power, attributing it to Orochimaru. Sasuke surmises the oncoming
group is the Leaf and they should be ignored in favor of finding Itachi.
And if it comes to it, Sasuke himself will take on Itachi while the others
face the Leaf. Karin takes Juugo aside and asks if his bird friends can
help her. She reveals Sasuke's battle robe, which she fawns over. She
asks Juugo if his birds can take pieces of the robe in every direction, to
make tracking difficult. Elsewhere Kiba announces that he's now
having trouble finding the scent. Kakashi states they've been
discovered, probably due to a chakra-sensing shinobi. Kiba states it
would be impossible for him to follow the numerous scents, so Naruto
takes the initiative, creating Mass Shadow Clones which head off in
every direction. A short time later Team Snake arrives at one of
Akatsuki's hideouts. Sasuke tells them to wait while he goes on.
Elsewhere a Naruto sees a cloaked figure which Sharingan so he
moves to hide. From the shadows steps Itachi, who asks Naruto to
reveal himself...

Chapter 366: "Brothers" - Naruto asks if Itachi plans to capture

him, Itachi says no, just talk. Two Narutos attack from behind but are
taken out by Itachi. Naruto states he can't trust him. Itachi raises his
hands and Naruto thinks back over how to attack Sharingan users.
Itachi asks why he doesn't run. Naruto says he can number in the
thousands and has no reason to run anyway, as capturing him will
draw out Sasuke. Itachi asks why Naruto is interested in his traitorous
brother. Naruto states that Sasuke is more his brother than Itachi's.
He charges and Itachi dissolves into birds stating he just wants to talk.
In Konoha, Jiraiya enters Tsunade's office and states he's found
Akatsuki's leader. Shizune states they should quickly plan a surprise
attack. Jiraiya says they should wait. He asks Tsunade out for a drink
to talk it over. An angered Tsunade yells that she can't just leave in the
middle of the day to drink, not when ninja are out on missions. We
then cut to Tsunade and Jiraiya in a bar drinking sake. Jiraiya explains
that the Akatsuki leader is in Hidden Rain. Tsunade offers surprise
since Rain has strict borders, that it would seem difficult for one like
him to move around. Jiraiya states that's the perfect reason to be
there, in a place which strongly hides its secrets. He goes on to explain
that the country has been in civil war and apparently the leader is
leading one side. Tsunade offers that Rain's location makes it the
battlefield of the surrounding countries. The constant strife and
refugees have also increased over time. Jiraiya states that's why he
needs to sneak in and find out the truth. Tsunade is surprised he'd go
alone and Jiraiya states he'll be okay, he's a Sannin. Tsunade
apologizes for putting him in difficult situations. Jiraiya laughs it off
and Tsunade states Jiraiya was always meant to be the Fifth. Jiraiya
retorts that he'd be a horrible Hokage. Tsunade states she knows he
regretted not being able to stop Orochimaru and kept track of him for
that reason. Jiraiya says that's no longer a problem. Tsunade says yes,
she can't believe he's dead either. Tsunade begins to reminisce about
their time with the Third and Jiraiya begins to joke about how much
she's grown. He then offers that his role has changed in life. It's now
to inspire the younger generation and that's something he'd gladly
give his life for. Elsewhere Naruto asks why Itachi is there. Itachi offers
that unfortunately he now has to go, as something has come up. He
disperses and we cut to Sasuke walking through the Akatsuki cave. In
the darkness he sees a figure and asks who it is. Soon Itachi and
Sasuke are staring each other down intently, Sharingan to Sharingan...

Chapter 367: "Itachi and Sasuke" - Itachi asks if Sasuke has

gotten taller and he replies that Itachi has not changed a bit. Itachi
asks if he's going to scream and charge like last time. Sasuke replies
that he knows nothing about him and in a flash he's behind Itachi. He
extends his Chidori sword through Itachi's back and throws him into
the air. Sasuke tells him that he could not grasp the hate that filled his
heart and how strong it made him. Suddenly Chidori blades pierce
outwards from the main blade in Itachi's chest. Elsewhere Tsunade
vomits onto the ground and Jiraiya jokes that she can't hold her liquor.
Tsunade warns Jiraiya to be careful, as he's facing a person who keeps
Akatsuki in line on his own turf. She then states if she loses him too
and trails off. Jiraiya laughs that he should be honored to get her
tears, though it probably won't be as many as Dan got. Tsunade is not
amused and Jiraiya jokes that she should bet everything she has on
his death, since she always loses. He states women dumping men
always make them stronger. They discuss relationships and Tsunade
tells him to send a toad for her if he gets into trouble. Jiraiya states
she can't leave Konoha; the Hokage has to stay to run things. She
states there are other worthy Hokage candidates like Kakashi and
Naruto eventually. Jiraiya approves of Kakashi but states Naruto has a
long ways to go. She states that's surprising since Jiraiya himself
increased his power so much. Jiraiya replies it was just like teaching
Namikaze Minato again, and Tsunade states their resemblance is
uncanny. Jiraiya replies that Minato was a once in a decade genius who
was so driven that he was their Fourth Hokage in a flash. Jiraiya states
he never had kids but if the Fourth had been his son, he would have
bragged all the time. Tsunade smiles and states that makes her think
of how different they are too. She offers that Naruto is more like his
mother Uzumaki Kushina. Both he and she as a kunoichi from the
former Whirlpool Country were alike in personality and Ninjutsu.
Jiraiya happily recounts how big a tom boy the red-haired Kushina
was. Tsunade states that she became a beauty when she grew up but
Naruto still looks a lot like his father. Jiraiya states it's that very reason
why he sees him in Naruto and why he now views Naruto like his
grandson. He moves to leave and tells her to keep an eye on Root. In
the cave Sasuke stands over Itachi's body. Itachi offers that Sasuke
has gotten stronger and tells him to come alone to the Uchiha hideout.
His body then turns into birds which fly away. In the Rain Country a
small toad emerges from some water as rain falls. It opens its mouth
and Jiraiya emerges. He states it was easier to get in than he thought,
or at least appears to be easy. Elsewhere the female Akatsuki member
asks Pain what's wrong, and he states someone with a powerful and
dangerous chakra has disturbed his rain...

Chapter 368: "Intelligence Gathering" - Team Snake rushes to

Sasuke's side and he states they were to stay back. Suigetsu states
that Karin felt another chakra and she notices the feathers. They then
move out. The rain falls in the industrial Rain Country city and a
cloaked Jiraiya walks among the crowds. Elsewhere Pain states he's
going to stop the rain and tells Konan, the Akatsuki kunoichi, to locate
the intruder. Elsewhere two Rain missing-nin seek protection from the
weather, they notice a sign for a new club offering cheap drinks and
head in. A mustachioed bartender welcomes them and they ask for
some sake. The first man asks to verify that it's not Sunday. The other
says it's not, so something must be happening with lord Pain. The first
comments that it's never rained on any other day. The other offers
that Pain probably has a reason. The other is still surprised by the
storm's strength. The other man tells him to suck it up, as Pain is
sacrificing himself for the town. The bartender offers their drinks but
they state there's nothing there. The bartender states it's their lucky
day and suddenly transforms into Jiraiya. The two ninja jump
backwards, pull kunai and demand an explanation. Jiraiya replies he'll
ask the questions. From outside the bar the building morphs into a
huge toad, which quickly shrinks and then jumps into the nearby river.
Elsewhere Pain raises his arms, stops the Rain and tells Konan to
proceed. She forms a hand seal and her body disperses into paper. The
paper then begins to fold into butterflies which take flight. In the bar
the two ninja are subdued by stomached lined walls. Jiraiya offers that
they appear to be low ranking ninja. One of the Rain ninja asks Jiraiya
who he is. Jiraiya reveals a feather and retorts that didn't he say he
would ask the questions? He then states it'll be tickle torture unless
they talk, and he wants to know about their leader Pain...

Chapter 369: "Concerning Pain" - Jiraiya tickles one of the Rain but
the man refuses to talk. Jiraiya threatens to turn him into a frog and
then continues to tickle. His partner yells not to underestimate them;
they're true shinobi who won't betray their comrades. Jiraiya forms a
hand seal and states he has no choice then. Placing his palm on the
first ninja, the jutsu activates in a puff of smoke revealing a frog where
the first Rain ninja once was. The second ninja freaks out and begins
to spill. He states that Pain is a mysterious figure who is said to reside
in the tallest tower in the city. He is rumored to be from the Fuuma
clan and no one knows what he looks like. The ninja asks then if
Jiraiya is from the old regime in Rain. Jiraiya says it doesn't matter and
what does he mean by "old regime"? The Rain ninja recognizes Jiraiya
as a stranger and states the truth of the matter is, that the rebels won
and now control the country, all thanks to Pain. Jiraiya states surprise
that he could beat Hanzou the Salamander, the powerful and well
known leader of Rain. The Rain states it wasn't easy, as Hanzou had
constant protection. Jiraiya asks how he was killed and the ninja
replies that he already said he knows little. Jiraiya flashes back to a
previous war. The Sannin, battle weary, stand amongst fallen shinobi.
Before them on a large salamander is Hanzou. Hanzou states the Leaf
will more than likely win in the end but he'll let the three of them live.
Jiraiya yells that he can still fight but Tsunade tells him to shush.
Hanzou recognizes their power and states they must take on the name
of "Sannin" in exchange for him sparing their lives. In the present the
Rain ninja offers that Pain's power is not of this world. He is a true,
heartless shinobi. Pain not only killed Hanzou but Hanzou's family,
friends and business associates, all as punishment, like a god.
Elsewhere Pain touches a wall which opens a hidden portal. He then
reclines on a bed marked "One" and closes his eyes. Five other beds
containing figures in Akatsuki robes surround him. Quickly a figure on
another bed opens his spiral eyes which resemble those of Pain and
states it's time to find the intruder...