Ep. 457: Akatsuki recruits Deidara and Hidan while investigating Orochimaru and the Hidden Leaf

457

Sasori, Itachi, and Kisame recruit Deidara into the Akatsuki under Pain's orders, pairing him with Sasori to hunt Orochimaru in the Land of Wind. After a clash involving puppets and reanimation jutsu, Orochimaru escapes, prompting the group to investigate the newly founded Otogakure. Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame handle a mission in Kusagakure, while Kakuzu is assigned a new partner after waiting for a replacement. Kakuzu, Itachi, and Konan travel to the Land of Hot Water to eliminate an apparent immortal. Konan acts as a decoy for Hidan, who engages Kakuzu in battle. Impressed by Hidan's immortality, Kakuzu allows him to destroy one of his hearts. Hidan is subsequently recruited and paired with Kakuzu. The Akatsuki also learns of Sunagakure's plan to destroy Konohagakure and the Third Hokage's death, leading Itachi to volunteer for a covert assessment of the situation.