Edo Tensei Deidara

When Kaguya finally freed the cat-eared loli, she immediately hid behind Kaguya, clutching at her clothes. Although she seemed quite afraid of Black Zetsu loli, she peeked curiously from behind Kaguya, only to quickly withdraw when noticed.

"Don't bully her too much in the future. Since she won't be able to return for a while, we're like a family now," Kaguya said helplessly. "You should get along."

Given the current circumstances, it was nearly impossible for the cat-eared loli to return. The Dragon Veins was gone, and the special kunai was lost as well. Even if she had them, she wouldn't know where she'd end up in another time travel attempt.

As the realization that she might never return sank in, tears welled up in the cat-eared loli's eyes, though she dared not cry out of fear that Black Zetsu loli might scold her.

Black Zetsu loli furrowed her brow and reluctantly muttered her assent.

Kaguya smiled wryly, resolving the two little ones' issues before she headed toward the main battlefield, based on her memory. Lacking precise coordinates, she couldn't use spatial ninjutsu and had to rely on her knowledge from the anime and manga to navigate.

On her way, she encountered an unexpected person.

"Deidara?" Kaguya exclaimed, startled, as she saw a figure on a giant bird in the sky.

With blond hair and long bangs, tied into a high ponytail, Deidara still bore a somewhat youthful appearance despite his age, dressed in a large robe.

Indeed, it was Deidara, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

However, his body now bore signs of soil, and his eyes had an unnatural grey-black hue, devoid of a living person's aura. Presumably, he was an Edo Tensei form.

"Kaguya?"

Deidara's eyes widened, recognizing her as the bird circled in the sky and then descended slowly.

"How did you die?" Kaguya approached, scrutinizing him with a playful smirk, "Did you blow yourself up?"

"Don't joke like that. I am a true artist, hm!"

"Yes, yes," Kaguya shrugged, "Your art is blowing yourself to smithereens."

"Hey, hey, just because I like you doesn't mean you can insult my art, hm." Deidara said, clenching his fists indignantly.

"Don't say such disgusting things," Kaguya shuddered at the notion. "Since when did you develop such a sense of humor?"

"I'm serious," Deidara exclaimed, face flushed. "I wanted to tell you, but I died. Now that I have the chance, I must say it."

"I think you'd be better off dead," Kaguya said, seriously nodding as she pressed her chin with her pale fingers.

"Hey, hey, are you that heartless?" Deidara was exasperated, "And regardless of what you say, I like you, hm."

"Mother, is this person an idiot?" Black Zetsu loli tugged at Kaguya's sleeve.

"Yes, he's an idiot. Remember to stay away from such people," Kaguya replied earnestly. "Idiocy is contagious."

"Oh." Black Zetsu loli nodded cooperatively, looking at Deidara with an expression that seemed to convey concern for someone with diminished mental capacity.

"Hey!" Deidara felt like he was about to explode with anger, despite already being dead. "I heard everything you just said!"

Suddenly, Deidara's words were cut off, a white light flashed across his body, and his expression turned sullen and dark.

Kaguya frowned slightly, sensing something familiar.

"I didn't expect to meet you here," Deidara's lips curled into a smile that didn't suit him. "Kaguya."

"Kabuto, is it really appropriate for you to hide like this?" Kaguya laughed softly, her eyes fixed on the figure before her.

Indeed, the one possessing Deidara was Kabuto Yakushi, only he could speak with such guile.

"You've recognized me," Kabuto's eyes gleamed with a sinister smile. "You are indeed impressive. After all these years, you've gained enough strength to defeat Uchiha Madara. I underestimated you."

"Enough with the flattery," Kaguya wrinkled her nose in disdain. "State your purpose."

"Both of us come from Konoha. Why would you return to such a decaying place? Haven't you realized that Konoha itself is the root of all conflicts?" Kabuto sneered. "It's these ninja villages that foster war. Ninjas thrive on war, and without it, they cease to exist."

"What are you getting at?" Kaguya asked impatiently.

"Ninjas are parasites in this world, destroying it, causing countless deaths, displacing people, and leaving children orphaned at a young age," Kabuto continued, disregarding Kaguya's question, a smile appearing on his face. "Don't you find this world twisted?"

"And so?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow.

"So I hope you will join us. With your strength, we can cleanse this corrupt world completely," Kabuto's eyes glimmered with excitement. "Together, we can create a perfect new world."

"Sorry, I've heard that line too many times before," Kaguya yawned with boredom. "Can you offer something new?"

"Won't you consider it?" Kabuto said, laughing.

"Sorry, I have no grand ambitions, nor do I wish to change the world. That's not my concern. I just want to sleep well, eat dango until I'm full, and perhaps flirt with girls when I'm bored. Your words hold no meaning for me." Kaguya's clear eyes flashed with mischief as she smiled. "And besides, since you're trying to stall me, it seems things aren't going well on the front lines."

"You figured it out," Kabuto chuckled. "As expected from someone I fancy."

Someone I fancy?

"Get lost, you creep," Kaguya shivered, feeling a wave of nausea, as if she might vomit her dinner.

"A creep? Then let me show you something even more twisted," Kabuto laughed wickedly. "I wonder what it feels like to be pursued by your admirer?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Deidara extended his palm, and countless white birds flew out, rushing toward Kaguya.