One by one, Inoiki calmly listed the names and abilities of each Akatsuki member he pulled from Deidara's unwilling mind.
At the side, Tenten continued to scribble everything down onto her scroll with quick, practiced strokes, recording every crucial detail.
After finishing the rundown, Inoiki asked another question, his tone as steady and relentless as ever.
"Tell me — why are there only nine active members in Akatsuki? After Orochimaru's betrayal, why didn't you recruit a tenth? Is it because no one else was strong enough?"
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"But that doesn't seem likely," he added, his voice growing sharper. "After all, the man I fought a few hours ago wasn't listed among your ranks — yet he was powerful enough."
As with every question before, Deidara remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin, defiant line.
He refused to give Inoiki even a single word.
But it didn't matter.
Inoiki wasn't truly expecting answers out loud. Every time he spoke, he was forcing Deidara's mind to react — forcing fleeting thoughts, flashes of memory, instincts. And through his psychokinetic ability, Inoiki was quietly reading all of it.
Inoiki lightly gripped Deidara's right hand, his fingers brushing over the ring the bomber wore.
"Ring, huh?" Inoiki mused aloud, his sky-blue eyes glowing faintly as he peered into Deidara's mind.
"Is it more than just part of your identity?"
He focused, reading the threads of thought Deidara struggled to suppress.
A moment later, Inoiki smiled coldly.
"So... this ring acts as a transmitter," he said. "Your leader uses it to communicate with all the Akatsuki members remotely."
Deidara's glare sharpened, but he still said nothing. His mind, however, betrayed him.
Inoiki continued, almost casually, as if he were simply reciting facts from a book.
"It's not just for communication. It allows all of you to gather virtually. You can channel your chakra together — assist in the sealing of the tailed beasts. That's why none of your teammates were physically here. They don't need to be."
The others listening in — Naruto, Kakashi, even Ebizo — exchanged tense glances. The implications were clear: Akatsuki could operate together from anywhere.
Inoiki gave Deidara's hand a small, almost mocking pat.
"And when Orochimaru defected... he took his ring with him, didn't he? That's why you haven't filled the tenth position. Until someone dies and their ring is retrieved, no new member can officially take their place."
He let go of Deidara's hand, letting it fall limply to the ground.
"Interesting system," Inoiki said calmly.
Inoiki straightened, fixing Deidara with a calm, unwavering stare.
"Now, my last question," he said.
"Why did Akatsuki target the Kazekage first? Why didn't you go after other tailed beasts instead? And why didn't you make a move on Naruto, even though your network must have known where he was? Were you afraid of Lord Jiraiya?"
Inoiki once again reached into Deidara's mind, ready to extract the truth without words — but this time, Deidara actually spoke, his voice low and rough, as if he hated himself for answering.
"Yes... and no," Deidara muttered.
"Jiraiya... he's powerful. Very powerful. He's not someone a few of us could defeat easily. It would've taken at least two full teams from Akatsuki just to try and subdue him. Maybe even more."
The people gathered listened in tense silence, the weight of Deidara's words sinking in.
"But if we had truly wanted Naruto that badly," Deidara continued, "we would've gone after him. Our leader could have moved personally. We didn't because it wasn't time yet. It wasn't necessary."
Deidara's eyes, once defiant, seemed heavier now, more resigned.
"In reality... we need to seal the tailed beasts in a certain order," he admitted.
"We can't start with the strongest ones. If we did, it would damage the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. So, we go from weakest to strongest — in ascending order. One-Tail, Two-Tail, Three-Tail, and so on."
He exhaled sharply, as if disgusted with himself for explaining this much.
"But now that we've captured the One-Tail... it doesn't have to be that strict. We could go for the Three-Tails... or even the Four-Tails next. As long as they're still on the weaker side."
Inoiki studied him quietly for a long moment, then nodded slightly, the pieces fitting together in his mind.
Inoiki gave a small, almost amused smile.
"Oh? Willing to speak now, are you?"
Deidara scowled.
"At this point, what's the point in staying silent? You're already reading my thoughts anyway. Whatever I try to hide, you'll pull it out eventually."
He paused, his gaze narrowing with curiosity.
"But I need to know something. How are you doing it? You're not weaving signs, not using any visible ninjutsu — no preparations, no tricks. How exactly are you reading my mind?"
Inoiki regarded him for a moment, then nodded.
"Since you answered one of my questions honestly, it's only fair I answer yours."
He crossed his arms casually, his tone cool and matter-of-fact.
"It's my Kekkei Genkai."
Deidara's eyes narrowed even further, focusing intently.
"You see," Inoiki continued, "when someone is asked a question — and if they know the answer — it instinctively flashes through their mind. It's reflexive. Automatic. Most don't even realize it's happening."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering.
"And that brief moment... that spark of thought... is all I need. I'm not reading your mind all the time. I simply catch the answers when they surface."
Deidara clenched his fists, understanding — and frustration — flickering across his face.
"You can resist all you like," Inoiki finished quietly. "But instincts are harder to silence than words."
Deidara gave a slight nod, the curiosity in his eyes fading as he fell silent once more.
Inoiki didn't seem to mind. He rose to his feet and turned toward Neji.
"Neji," he said, "use your Byakugan to search the ruins. Look for any rings like this one."
Neji nodded without hesitation. In an instant, his Byakugan activated, the veins around his eyes bulging as he scanned the debris. It didn't take him long — within moments, he spotted the object hidden among the rubble.
"I've found it," Neji said. "I'll bring it here right away."
Moving swiftly, Neji retrieved the ring and returned, holding it out to Inoiki.
"Here it is."
Inoiki accepted the ring, examining it briefly before turning back to Deidara. With a sharp tug, he also removed the ring from Deidara's own hand, pocketing both.
"At the very least," Inoiki said calmly, "with these in our possession, we can be sure that no new members will be added to their organization — not after we arrest or eliminate them one by one."
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