"So you two are members of Akatsuki!? Like hell, we're gonna let you guys take us!" Deidara smiled sinisterly and responded "wouldn't you rather be free from your curse like your jinchuuriki friend? Having that curse must be such a burden, the life of a monster is hardly worth living." Instantly Naruto's eyes glowed crimson red and he lashed out at Diedara, but before Kakashi could stop Naruto Diedara triggered explosions he had placed in the cave. The cave began to collapse and the group rushed to escape.
"That was insane how did he place those explosives without us knowing, I know they are S- class ninjas, but that's too much!?" said Sakura. "What happened to them!? I didn't see them escape the collapse!" said Sai. Suddenly, a flock of clay birds came diving out of the sky "Get away, they're bombs!" Yelled Kakashi. As the explosions went off Diedara was above up in the sky laughing maniacally. Then, he made eye contact with Naruto and, with an arrogant look, dared him to attack again, Naruto in a rage went for the bait. In the chaos, Shin separated from the group and was quickly surprised by Tobi. "Hello there, Shibi, where do you think you're going?" said Tobi like some clown. "Is it true that you can remove this curse from me?" "Of course we can, there's nothing our leader can't do!" In desperation Shin asked, "Please take me to him, I can't live like this anymore, this beast won't let me kill myself!"
During the mayhem, Naruto jumps towards Deidara in the sky, blinded by rage he heads straight towards two more bombs. Just before they blow, Sai swoops atop his drawn bird and grabs Naruto. "You idiot, you could have been killed!" "I didn't ask you to save me! Now get out of my way!" Just before Sai could yell back, Naruto saw Tobi and Shin, from the corner of his eye, running away. He quickly went after them and before Kakashi could run after him Deidara cut him off. "If you want to get to them you'll have to get passed me first."
Meanwhile back with Team Kurenai, "Stop everyone!" "What is it Neji?" asked Kurenai. "There's something strange ahead, it has chakra, but it doesn't appear to be human." "I see it now too. I wonder what it could be." Said Hinata. "Let's stick low to the ground and move stealthily, we can't afford to get spotted before reaching the others." Said Kurenai. Suddenly, a strange hooded creature appeared out of the bushes and ambushed the group, striking Shino in the arm as he was trying to dodge. "What is that!?" yelled Hinata. "I don't know, but it has the same chakra as that thing up ahead." Answered Neji. In a moment, Shino collapsed. Kurenai quickly checks the wound, "he's been poisoned, I've never seen a poison act this fast before!"
The creature attacked again, but Neji proved too quick for it and was able to take it down and remove the hood to reveal a giant wooden puppet. "Neji, there are chakra strings connected to it; the puppet master must be nearby." Said Hinata. Suddenly, a sinister voice said "I'm surprised that I was only able to poison one of you." The group turned and saw a short round creature in a black cape with red clouds.