Upon returning to Otogakure, the four members of Team Hana threw themselves into secluded training. This time, no words were needed; they spent every waking moment honing their skills, working even more feverishly than Kanon herself.
Seeing Team Hana so driven, Kanon could only shake her head with a bittersweet smile.
After several more months together, the time finally came for her to depart Otogakure alone; the Akatsuki's grand plan was about to set into motion.
"Kanon, we aren't strong enough yet. Once we've reached the next level, we'll come find you in the Hidden Rain!" Tayuya said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Mm. Keep pushing yourselves. I'll be waiting for you in the Akatsuki," Kanon replied, returning the hug.
"Kanon-chan, you take care of yourself, too! Next time we meet, we'll be formidable shinobi!"
"Good luck... Once peace is achieved, we'll come back to this place and live together again."
And so, Kanon left. She departed from the Hidden Sound Village where she had spent nearly a year, leaving behind warm, happy memories. The Akatsuki's missions were calling, and it was time to return.
Three days later.
Amegakure, the Hidden Rain Village.
Deidara sat perched on a long flight of stone stairs, glancing sideways at Sasori.
"I say, Master Sasori..."
"Don't you think these recent missions have been getting a bit... paltry?"
Deidara's expression was one of clear dissatisfaction. Beside him, Sasori's voice rumbled deeply from within his puppet shell.
"Lately, we've been accepting every single request that comes our way."
"Nothing but fund-raising, or serving as mere mercenaries in border skirmishes..."
"There's absolutely no artistry in it."
Sasori shot a glance at Deidara, actually finding himself in rare agreement. "True. I feel the same."
"Hey! Sasori-nii, Deidara-nii! Good to see you." Kanon stood at the top of the stairs, clad in her Akatsuki cloak with her mask pushed up onto her forehead.
"Ah! It's Kanon-chan!" Deidara looked up, pleasantly surprised. "So, have you prepared your 'art' for that Itachi fellow yet?"
"That scumbag... I'll take him down sooner or later," Kanon said, her lip curling. She got along well with almost everyone in the Akatsuki, even Kisame was tolerable, but Itachi was the one person she wanted to kill on sight. Though she had only seen him on the day she joined, she wondered if this gathering would finally provide the chance.
"Hahaha! Don't be in such a rush, Kanon-chan. I'm going to make sure Itachi sees my ultimate art first!" Deidara said, his expression twisting into a grin.
Beside him, Sasori cut him off. "Only eternal beauty is true art. Wouldn't you agree, Kanon?" Sasori's neck gave a mechanical creak as it turned.
This 'Art Duo' is really something... Kanon thought, feeling a headache coming on. When Pain had requested she accompany these two on their next move, she couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive.
"Deidara-nii, forget about art for a second. Look, Hidan-nii and the others are here."
Following Kanon's point, Kakuzu and Hidan approached the stairs.
"You guys are late..." Deidara grumbled.
"I've brought new assignments," Kakuzu stated flatly. "One is for profit, the other is combat."
Deidara shook his head. "I'm not interested in the money-making one. Kanon-chan, do you care about the money?"
"Actually, I am interested," Kanon nodded.
"Say that again," Deidara threatened, his face contorting into a mock-menacing scowl.
"Ah... hahaha... I mean, I'm totally not interested," Kanon replied, a sweatdrop appearing behind her head. Deidara really was a handful.
"Then Hidan and I will take the profitable one," Kakuzu decided.
Hidan immediately erupted in protest. "Hey! Don't go deciding for me! I don't give a damn about money either!"
"But someone has to do it!" Kakuzu barked, cutting him off. "Sasori and Deidara want the war, and Kanon is with their unit."
Hidan paused, processing the logic. It actually made sense. Still, he roared in frustration: "You bastards! Remember this!"
Kanon wanted to point out that she hadn't even said anything before being lumped into the "bastard" category, but seeing Sasori's resigned posture, she decided to let it go. Hidan was stylish enough, but he definitely lacked in the brains department.
Sasori turned back to Kakuzu. "So, who are we fighting?"
"The target is the Land of This. They've offended a certain Great Nation, and that nation has hired us to bring them down."
"Kanon, since you're the newcomer to our team, I'll let you open your eyes today, to my art!" Deidara laughed, already beginning to knead his clay.
"Art is eternal beauty that does not decay!" Sasori countered.
"Master Sasori, we both have our pursuits. Let's just get to the mission," Kanon sighed.
With that, Kanon set off, flying into the distance with Sasori and Deidara.
Watching the three depart, Kakuzu turned to Hidan. "Hidan, it's time for us to move, too."
…
Flying was undeniably fast. A journey that would have taken two or three days on foot was reduced to a few hours. Sitting atop Deidara's Explosive Clay: Great Bird, Kanon couldn't help but marvel.
"Flying really is the way to travel."
"Right? Right? This is just a fraction of my artistic genius," Deidara bragged. "We're almost there!"
Sasori stood at the rear, observing the country below, while Deidara and Kanon analyzed their tactics at the front. Deidara pulled three pieces of explosive clay from his pouch and handed them to Kanon.
"What are these?"
"These are my jutsu: Explosive Clay: Small Birds. When we fly over the targets and I say 'drop,' you toss them down, Kanon."
"Oh, got it!" Kanon nodded.
As they spoke, they entered the airspace above the Land of This.
"Kanon, drop!"
At Deidara's signal, Kanon hurled the clay toward the buildings below.
"Two more spots."
As Deidara piloted them over two more prominent structures, Kanon dropped the remaining clay. Reaching the center of the capital, Deidara patted Kanon on the shoulder.
"Well done, Kanon! Now, witness the moment of true art!"
"Art is... an EXPLOSION!"
"Katsu!!"
Following Deidara's shout, the three locations where Kanon had dropped the clay erupted. A terrifying heatwave surged upward, followed by three massive mushroom clouds. Kanon watched the devastation with wide eyes.
"That is the aesthetic of the fleeting moment! Well, Kanon? What do you think of my art?"
"I think... I'm starting to agree with Sasori-nii. I don't quite get your art..." Kanon's lip twitched.
Looking down at the rising plumes of smoke, Deidara looked intoxicated by the sight. "The prelude is over. Time for the main attraction!"
Just as Deidara reached into his sleeve for more clay, Sasori spoke up.
"Deidara, your part of the mission ends here."
"Huh?" Deidara gritted his teeth, annoyed.
"Kanon and I will handle the rest."
"Don't be like that, Master! You said I could handle it—"
"Our objective isn't to destroy this country," Sasori reminded him coldly. "It is to occupy it."
Suddenly remembering the mission parameters, Deidara scratched his head sheepishly. "Oh. Right."
"Fine. Take me over the inner city," Sasori commanded. "Then you can stay back and watch the show."
Deidara nodded. "If you say so. Sorry for having it so easy while you work, Master. Good luck to you and Kanon-chan."
————
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