After having lunch with Deidara and training for a short while, Kurotsuchi could no longer hold back.
"Ahh! I'm so tired!"
"Deidara, let's call it a day and go check out the village," she said, feigning exhaustion.
The truth was, their sparring session had been more of a performance. Even a genin wouldn't have been worn out from such a light exchange.
Deidara didn't mind, though. After all, he was just a clay clone. Whatever Kurotsuchi wanted to do, he'd go along with it.
Kurotsuchi linked her arm with Deidara's and strolled through the bustling streets. The Rain Village had grown even livelier over time. Since Nagato had fine-tuned the rainfall schedule, the village enjoyed perfect weather: rain when needed and sunshine otherwise.
Look! There was even a weather forecast posted on the notice board. Deidara curiously walked over for a closer look.
The forecast explained that due to the crops being in their peak growing season, there would be steady rain for six hours each night, from 10 PM to 4 AM, over the next three days to ensure adequate water supply.
Next to the forecast were several job postings. The Rain Village was undergoing rapid development, and many facilities needed expansion. Newly formed departments—like the Medical Division, Reconnaissance Unit, Security Forces, and even a Ninja Academy—were all recruiting.
Kurotsuchi puffed out her cheeks in boredom. She wasn't interested in any of it, but seeing how engrossed Deidara was, she didn't interrupt. After a while, when Deidara finally looked away, she eagerly tugged at his arm.
"Deidara! There's a new clothing store in the village. I heard their clothes are amazing. Let's go check it out!"
This feels way too familiar—like being dragged to the mall in my past life.
Kurotsuchi pulled Deidara into a luxurious women's clothing store. The interior was lavishly decorated, and the clothes on display were clearly expensive.
For a merchant to open such a high-end store in the Rain Village showed confidence in its potential. Otherwise, no one would invest in such a risky venture.
The only thing Deidara wanted to comment on was the technology—electric lights and sales clerks in women's suits? Where on earth did they get all this? The tech in the shinobi world was way too inconsistent.
"Oh! It's Lord Deidara and Miss Kurotsuchi!" A clerk greeted them warmly.
The store owner might have been an outsider, but the staff were locals. Naturally, they recognized Deidara and Kurotsuchi.
"Lord Deidara, are you here to buy Miss Kurotsuchi a lovely new outfit?"
"Yeah," Deidara nodded. "Kurotsuchi, pick whatever you like. I'll cover it."
With that, he plopped down on a plush sofa, feeling like shopping was more exhausting than combat.
Kurotsuchi glared at him but couldn't resist the allure of the beautiful clothes. She eagerly followed the clerk to start browsing.
"Hey, Kisame, Itachi! What are you two up to?" Deidara suddenly spotted two familiar figures passing by outside.
"Oh, Deidara. Why are you in a place like this?" Kisame grinned knowingly. "Ah, I see. You're out shopping with your girlfriend."
Deidara scratched his head but didn't bother correcting him.
"What about you two? Where are you headed?"
"You haven't heard?" Kisame asked, surprised.
"Heard what?" Deidara was curious.
"Kakuzu's sick. Itachi and I are going to check on him," Kisame replied, holding up a fruit basket.
"Kakuzu? Sick?"
"Yeah, he's been diagnosed with depression. He hasn't been eating for days."
"Depression? The kind that can lead to… you know, if it gets bad?"
"Exactly," Kisame said with a nod.
Deidara sighed. "Old folks and their mental health issues… What's he even depressed about?"
"Well, you two go ahead. I'll swing by with Kurotsuchi later."
As Kisame and Itachi left, Deidara settled back into the sofa. Thankfully, Kurotsuchi was quick and didn't make him wait too long.
"Deidara! Look at this—does it suit me?"
Kurotsuchi's voice brought his attention to her. When he looked up, he nearly lost composure.
Good thing I'm just a clay clone, otherwise, I'd have a nosebleed right now.
"Ahem, ahem!" Deidara cleared his throat and forced himself to stay calm.
"Why did you choose that outfit?"
He pointed at her fishnet stockings. No man could resist their allure.
"Why? Don't you like it?" Kurotsuchi tilted her head, surprised. She crossed her legs and struck a side pose, glancing at herself in the mirror. "I think it looks great!"
"It does. Your taste is excellent," Deidara admitted reluctantly.
"And this one!" Kurotsuchi changed into a kimono next, a style she usually avoided because it restricted movement. But knowing Deidara often encouraged people to wear kimonos, she decided to try it.
"Not bad. It's a different vibe, but it suits you."
"Alright, I'll take this one and the previous outfit," Kurotsuchi declared. Deidara noted down the purchase, though as a clay clone, he obviously didn't carry money.
"Where to next?" Kurotsuchi mused.
Deidara stood up. "Let's go check on Kakuzu. I heard he's really unwell."
"Kakuzu? Sick?" Kurotsuchi's reaction mirrored Deidara's earlier one.
"Yeah, depression. Apparently, he hasn't eaten in days," Deidara replied.
The two bought a fruit basket and headed toward Kakuzu and Hidan's residence.
...
"Hey! Kakuzu, at least greet your visitors!"
"You've got company! Stop being so rude!" Hidan's loud voice could be heard from afar.
As they approached, Deidara and Kurotsuchi saw several other Akatsuki members already gathered: Itachi, Kisame, Pain, Konan, and Sasori.
The only one missing was Kakashi.
After all, he had just joined Akatsuki and was still adjusting to his recent "dark transformation."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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