The battle between Sasuke and Deidara come to a close with Deidara eventually killing himself in an explosion to kill Sasuke. Sasuke manages to escape by using Manda, Orochimaru's familiar. Elsewhere Naruto and the Konoha ninjas tracking Sasuke come up short when Karin devises a plan to throw off Sasuke's scent. Back in the Leaf village, Jiraiya informs Tsunade that he has found the whereabouts of the Akatsuki leader and starts his infiltration mission. Also in this novel we find out who is pulling the strings of the Akatsuki, it is none other then Madara Uchiha!!!

Isn't it weird that we are all rooting for Sasuke even when he has turned evil? He is no longer the kid who is the protagonist's friend. He is a different person consumed by his need for revenge. He is a bad guy, just like Orochimaru and the members of Akatsuki.

Shouldn't we be indifferent to this battle? What does it matter whether Sasuke or Deidara wins? Yet, we want Sasuke to succeed. Maybe we want to see him turn good in the end because of Naruto. I guess that shows our own hope and optimism.

Full manga review at https://anushanarasimhan.com/2015/12/19/naruto-manga-review/