Artistic Duo vs The Kotodama Devil

The atmosphere in the garden grew oppressive, thick with the weight of malevolent energy. Kaito's once casual demeanor had melted away, revealing something far more sinister. His presence oozed with darkness that made the air heavy and difficult to breathe. Deidara and Sasori, seasoned killers of the Akatsuki, stood on high alert.

Sasori moved first, immediately summoning his most powerful weapon. He stretched out his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the Third Kazekage Puppet appeared, hovering beside him. It stood tall and menacing, its dark wood reflecting the pale sunlight.

Deidara, meanwhile, was grinning, despite the tension in the air. "Let's see how long you last against true art," he said, biting down on the clay between his fingers and creating a small bird. The clay bird expanded in his palm, its wings flapping as it prepared to take off.

Kaito smirked, his demonic aura intensifying. "You fools. You have no idea what you've walked into."

With a his words, the air around them began to warp. Kaito voice reverberated with a strange, otherworldly quality.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the Akatsuki duo trembled violently. Jagged spikes of dark energy erupted from the earth, forcing them to leap backward to avoid being impaled.

Sasori, unfazed, controlled his Kazekage puppet with precision. He sent it hurtling toward Kaito, releasing the Iron Sand that had once made the Third Kazekage feared across the land. The sand surged forward in a massive wave, forming spears that shot toward Kaito with deadly intent.

Kaito barely moved. With a whisper, the iron sand halted in mid-air. His smirk widened. "You think your petty tricks can harm me?" His power resonated, and with a command, "Turn to dust," the iron sand crumbled into dust.

Sasori's eyes narrowed, realizing his initial attack had been negated. Deidara, however, seemed unfazed. He released his clay bird, sending it soaring toward Kaito. As it swooped down, Deidara called out, "Art is an explosion! Katsu!"

The bird detonated in a massive burst of flames, the force of the explosion shaking the entire garden. Debris flew in all directions, and a thick cloud of smoke rose into the air.

But as the dust settled, Kaito stood unharmed, the demonic grin still plastered on his face. "Explosions? Such a fleeting form of art," he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

Deidara's grin faltered for a moment. "What the-? That should've blown him to pieces!"

Kaito raised a his voice, and with a simple command, the ground beneath Deidara cracked open, dark energy spiraling upward to bind him. Deidara cursed, quickly leaping into the air, narrowly avoiding the tendrils of dark hands.

Sasori, meanwhile, moved into action. His Kazekage puppet began releasing a fine mist of Iron Sand, manipulating it into thousands of tiny needles. "I'll turn you into a pincushion," he muttered as the needles shot toward Kaito at high speed.

Kaito's eyes gleamed with amusement. With a single word, "Repel," the needles halted in midair, then reversed direction, flying back toward Sasori and Deidara. Both shinobi dodged swiftly, but the ease with which Kaito had deflected their attacks was unsettling.

Deidara, perched on his clay bird now soaring above the garden, glanced down at Sasori. "We need to hit him harder, un! This guy's tougher than we thought."

Sasori's face was unreadable as always, but his mind was racing. This enemy was more than a mere merchant. There was something off, something demonic lurking beneath Kaito's skin. And this power,it was unlike anything they'd ever encountered.

As if reading his thoughts, Kaito laughed. "You're starting to understand, aren't you? I'm no simple human. I am Zagred, a devil who transcends your pathetic reality."

Sasori, sensing the need for more firepower, released his Kazekage puppet's full power. The Iron Sand transformed into massive spiked spheres that floated above the battlefield, ready to crash down on Zagred.

In unison, they launched their attacks. Deidara's clay dragon roared as it dove toward Zagred, followed by the flock of smaller birds, each primed to explode. At the same time, the spiked spheres of iron sand plummeted from the sky, aiming to crush the demonic merchant beneath their weight.

For a moment, it seemed as if the combined power of Deidara and Sasori might overwhelm even Zagred. But then, with a voice that echoed across dimensions, he spoke a single word:

"Erase."

The air rippled, and with a terrifying blast of energy, all of their attacks disintegrated into nothingness. The iron sand dissolved, the clay birds turned to dust, and Deidara's dragon was obliterated mid-flight.

Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell?! How did he...?"

Before they could react, dark tendrils shot from the ground, wrapping around Sasori's puppet body and yanking him toward the earth. Sasori barely managed to detach himself from his puppet before it was destroyed by the tendrils.

Deidara, still in the air, looked down at Sasori, realizing they were both being pushed to their limits. "This guy's no joke. We need a new plan, un!"

Sasori stood, unharmed but frustrated. "This isn't a battle we can win with brute force alone."

Zagred, his voice dripping with amusement, floated toward them. "You fools. You thought you could challenge me? I am eternal. I am all-powerful. And I will tear this world apart, starting with you."

Deidara scoffed, though unease gnawed at him, a cold shiver running down his spine. "A devil, huh?" His voice was laced with mockery, but the tremor beneath it was undeniable.

Sasori, standing beside him, remained calm, though his tone carried a rare hint of bitterness. "First a god... and now a devil," he muttered, his memory flashing back to their encounter with Naruto. He recalled the moment the boy had declared himself a god before summoning that terrifying hand from the heavens.

Zagred's sharp ears picked up on Sasori's words, and his eyes gleamed with twisted amusement. "Did I hear you right, mortal? A god? You've encountered such a being?"

Deidara, gritting his teeth, shot a glance at Sasori. The weight of their encounters in recent days had been unsettling, and now they faced something possibly even worse.

Sasori's lips barely moved, his voice cold and laced with irritation. "Our luck has been truly terrible lately."

Zagred laughed, a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the oppressive air. "A god, you say? How amusing. If you've survived such a being, then perhaps you'll entertain me for longer than I thought."

Sasori's eyes narrowed, his gaze locked onto Zagred, calculating the situation. "Luck or not, we will not be your entertainment," he said flatly, though he knew the odds were turning grim. The situation had gone from bad to worse, and now they faced an enemy who reveled in their struggle.

Deidara clenched his fists, biting into his clay. "Doesn't matter if it's a god or a devil. My art will blow you all away, un!"

Zagred's grin widened as the air thickened with tension. Deidara and Sasori stood firm, the weight of their previous encounters hanging over them. This wasn't some ordinary mission-they were up against a being unlike any they had faced before.

"Pierce," Zagred said, his voice reverberating through the air. Instantly spears formed from his words shot towards Sasori and Deidara.

Deidara reacted fast, leaping back and launching a flock of clay birds to intercept the spears. They exploded mid-air, creating a shockwave that rocked the battlefield. "Heh, un! You're gonna need more than that!" Deidara formed more clay creatures in his hands, biting down on the explosive material with manic glee.

With a swift hand sign, Deidara summoned his massive C2 clay dragon, the colossal white sculpture soared into the sky. It hovered overhead, casting a long shadow as its mouth opened, releasing smaller explosive bombs in rapid succession. Each bomb exploded in brilliant bursts of light, turning the air around them into a battlefield of fire and destruction.

Zagred, however, wasn't idle. "Block," he commanded with a sneer. His words materialized into a barrier, effortlessly blocking the explosions. The blasts, meant to tear apart everything in their path, fizzled out against his magic as if they were nothing more than a nuisance.

Sasori's expression remained stoic, though his eyes narrowed in frustration. "Deidara, stop playing around." With a quick movement, Sasori leaped back, summoning his Hundred Puppets with a single seal. The air filled with the eerie sound of wooden bodies clacking as a hundred figures materialized around him, their eyes gleaming with malice.

The puppet army, a wave of death, rushed toward Zagred. Armed with poisoned blades, spears, and chains, they swarmed the devil, their movements controlled by Sasori's expert hand. The battlefield became a whirlwind of attacks as the puppets unleashed a relentless assault from all directions.

Zagred's eyes flickered with amusement as the puppets closed in. "Such pathetic toys." With another simple word "Disintegrate" the puppets near him began to crumble into dust, falling apart before they could even land a blow. Yet, more kept coming, controlled by Sasori's sheer mastery.

Deidara, unwilling to be outdone, formed a hand sign. "Let's see you handle this! C3!" His dragon's belly swelled as it dropped a massive clay bomb towards the battlefield, a bomb large enough to level the entire estate.

Sasori stepped back, maintaining his distance as Deidara's C3 detonated. The explosion was cataclysmic-an earth-shaking blast that tore through the landscape, engulfing the entire area in a massive cloud of smoke, debris, and fire. The sheer force of the explosion was enough to incinerate everything in its path.

For a moment, it seemed like they had won, the dust settling as the sound of the explosion echoed through the hills. But as the smoke cleared, Zagred's figure emerged from the chaos, completely unscathed, his smirk widening.

"Is that all? I expected more from the Akatsuki," Zagred mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. "You amuse me, but this ends now."

Before Sasori or Deidara could react, Zagred raised his voice. "Crush."

The air itself seemed to bend to his will as invisible force slammed down on the Akatsuki duo. Sasori's puppets were torn apart in an instant, the delicate strings severed as his remaining army was obliterated. Deidara was thrown backward, the sheer pressure of Zagred's magic forcing him to the ground, his clay dragon shattering in mid-air.

Sasori, though resilient, was forced to retreat, pulling what remained of his Kazekage puppet back to him. The Iron Sand swirled defensively around him, but even he couldn't deny that Zagred's power was overwhelming.

"This is the end for you," Zagred declared, his demonic aura intensifying. He raised his voice again, ready to finish them off with a final word of power.

But Deidara, blood trickling down the side of his face, still grinned through the pain. "Not yet, un! Sasori!" Deidara barked, his voice hoarse but resolute

"Get out of here, un!"

Sasori, his expression unreadable, glanced over at his partner. "What are you?"

"No time, yeah!" Deidara spat, staggering to his feet. "This bastard... I'm gonna take him out with my C4. But you've gotta go, or you'll get caught in the blast."

Sasori's eyes narrowed, the mention of C4 Garuda making him pause. He knew the destructive potential of that technique, and Deidara was serious this time. There was no room for hesitation, but the cold-blooded artist in him didn't relish leaving a comrade behind, even if he disagreed with Deidara on nearly everything.

But the situation was dire, and Sasori could see it as clearly as Deidara did.

Zagred, still hovering ominously in the air, tilted his head as if amused by the sudden shift in their dynamic. "Running away, are we? How pathetic."

Deidara chuckled darkly. "Heh. You don't get it, un. You're already dead." His hand reached into his clay pouch, pulling out a handful of clay as he bit into it with his palm-mouth. The familiar sensation of the malleable material molding in his hands was a comforting reminder of his artistry.

Sasori hesitated only a second longer before silently retreating. He could feel the impending surge of power from Deidara, and there was no point in staying. Without a word, the puppeteer leaped back, his remaining puppets retracting as he put distance between himself and the battlefield.

Deidara didn't waste any time. He formed a series of hand signs, the clay in his hand growing in size. His C4 Garuda technique was one of his most lethal, a massive, human-shaped bomb that would release microscopic explosives, invisible to the naked eye. Once inhaled, they would detonate inside the target's body, destroying them from within on a cellular level.

Deidara's eyes narrowed, focusing entirely on Zagred. "You're about to experience real art, yeah. Ultimate Art: C4 Garuda!"

A massive clay figure shaped like Deidara himself began to expand from the small lump in his hand, rapidly growing to the size of a giant. Its presence was imposing, towering over the battlefield. The air crackled with energy as the clay figure's surface shimmered ominously.

Zagred's expression darkened, finally taking notice of the threat before him. "Interesting. You still think your mortal tricks will work on me?"

Deidara grinned wildly. "You won't even see it coming, un. Art... is an explosion!" With a shout, Deidara triggered the C4 Garuda, the massive figure shattering into countless microscopic bombs that filled the air around Zagred.

The devil smirked. "Foolish."

Zagred raised his voice as if to dispel the attack, but nothing seemed to happen. His smirk faltered as he realized that the bombs were too small to be affected by his magic. The invisible explosives were already surrounding him, waiting for the moment to detonate inside his body.

Deidara's grin widened as he watched Zagred's confusion. "It's over, un."

With a snap of his fingers, Deidara detonated the C4 Garuda.

The air around Zagred shimmered, then rippled as the microscopic bombs triggered in unison. The invisible wave of destruction spread through his body, ripping apart cells and tissues in an instant. The ground trembled from the shockwave of the blast, the force of the detonation shaking the trees and scattering debris across the battlefield.

For a brief moment, everything went silent.

Deidara, breathing heavily, watched the explosion's aftermath with satisfaction. "Hmph... how's that for art?"

But as the smoke cleared, Deidara's triumphant grin began to fade. Zagred was still standing. His body was intact, though he seemed to be radiating an even more intense malevolent aura.

"Did you really think you could kill me with such a trick?" Zagred's voice was laced with contempt. "I told you... I'm beyond mortal limits."

Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief. "What...?!"

Zagred smirked darkly. "Disperse."

With a single word, Deidara's remaining explosives were nullified, their power dissipating into nothing. The clay that had surrounded him crumbled harmlessly, falling to the ground as useless debris.

Deidara took a step back, his breath quickening. "No... impossible..."

Zagred's eyes gleamed with malicious glee. "Your art may be impressive in your world, but against me, it is nothing."

"Alright then, un... if that didn't work, let's see how you handle this," Deidara muttered under his breath. With a few quick hand signs, several clay clones emerged from his body, each wearing the same wild grin as the original.

The clones immediately surged forward, charging straight at Zagred, who simply raised an eyebrow at the sight. "More of your tricks?"

Deidara didn't answer, his real body already retreating to a safer distance. The clones were part of his Explosive Clay Clone technique, and they would self-destruct on impact, giving him the precious seconds he needed to escape.

The first clone leaped toward Zagred, detonating in a massive explosion just inches from his face. The shockwave rocked the battlefield, but Zagred barely flinched. As the second and third clones exploded in rapid succession, the combined blasts sent debris and smoke billowing through the air, creating a thick cloud of dust that obscured the battlefield.

Deidara, using the confusion to his advantage, sprinted through the cover of the dust, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind was a blur of panic and determination. He had to get out. He had to regroup. Sasori was already gone, and now it was his turn to make an exit.

"Damn that monster, un... this was supposed to be a simple mission," he hissed to himself as he darted through the trees, his breathing heavy. He could feel the weight of the battle on his shoulders, but there was no time to dwell on it now. He needed to survive.

Back at the heart of the explosions, as the dust began to settle, Zagred stood unscathed. His sinister smile widened as he chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling like distant thunder.

"Futile," he muttered, watching the remnants of the explosions fade away. "Though I must admit... your resolve is admirable, human."

Zagred's red eyes gleamed with an eerie light as he recalled something from earlier in the battle. "A God, you said?" he mused, glancing at the direction where Deidara had fled. His interest was piqued by the mention of this so-called deity that Sasori had alluded to during the fight.

With a whisper, he dispersed the last of the smoke and dust, with magic. He also restored the estate. His gaze lingered on the path Deidara had taken, but he made no move to pursue.

"A God, hmm?" Zagred mused aloud. "First a God, now a devil... How interesting. I wonder if this 'God' is as powerful as they claim. Perhaps one day, I shall meet him."

Zagred's chuckle echoed through the empty air, dark and filled with anticipation. His curiosity had been piqued, and the idea of facing this God intrigued him far more than the fleeting challenge presented by the two Akatsuki members.

"As for you... run while you can," Zagred murmured softly to the wind. "Our paths will cross again."

With a final smirk, the devil went inside, his thoughts already moving ahead to future conquests and more worthy opponents.

Deidara regrouped with Sasori in the dense forest surrounding the village. His chest heaved, adrenaline still coursing through his veins as he processed the near-fatal encounter with Zagred. His hands trembled slightly, though he clenched them into fists to hide it.

"I can't believe it! We lost to that bastard!" Deidara growled, pacing in frustration. His eyes were wild, filled with anger not only at their failure but at the helplessness he felt against an enemy so beyond their comprehension. "First that jinchuriki brat, and now this... devil? What the hell is happening?!"

Sasori, calm and collected as always, watched Deidara with unblinking eyes. The puppet master's voice was devoid of emotion, but there was an underlying tone of grim acceptance. "We're only human, Deidara. No matter how skilled we are, beings like that devil and Naruto Uzumaki... they're something else. We aren't equipped to deal with otherworldly powers."

Deidara's fists clenched even tighter, his teeth grinding in frustration. He could still see the memory of Naruto, his overwhelming strength, the giant monkey hand that had crushed the battlefield. The humiliation of being forced to retreat back then still stung, but now it was joined by this new frustration. They had faced another opponent, and once again, they had been outmatched by something far beyond their abilities.

"You don't get it, Sasori!" Deidara snapped, his anger boiling over. "I'm not going to let some otherworldly freaks make me look like a fool. That brat, he humiliated us. I'll make him pay for that, and that devil too, un!"

Sasori's eyes narrowed, though he remained impassive. "Your anger will only cloud your judgment. They're not opponents we can fight head on. If you rush in without a plan, you'll die."

Deidara turned on him, fists raised, but even as his anger boiled over, he knew Sasori was right. This wasn't just about power anymore; it was about strategy and adapting to a world where gods and devils now walked among men.

Still, Deidara's mind couldn't let go of Naruto. "I'll find a way, Sasori. I'll find a way to take him down. I don't care if he's some so-called 'God'. My art... will be the one to finish him."

Sasori didn't respond immediately, but his eyes flickered with a hint of something unspoken. He knew Deidara's obsession would only grow, and in a world filled with gods and devils, it would be dangerous. But for now, they needed to regroup, re-strategize, and prepare for the looming threat that lay ahead.

"Don't let your obsession get in the way of your survival," Sasori finally said. "We'll deal with the Uzumaki in due time, but for now, we need to focus on what's in front of us."

Deidara glared at the ground, fists still trembling, but nodded. His rage would fuel him for now, but it was tempered by the cold realization that they were, in fact, only human. And in this world filled with beings far more powerful than them, it would take more than just raw anger to prevail.

As the two Akatsuki members continued through the forest, the shadow of their encounter with Kaito, Zagred lingered in the air. But for Deidara, one thing was clear. The next time he faced Naruto, it wouldn't end the same way.