Chapter 88: Is This Blond Guy Deidara?
Salamander Hanzo.
That damn name—Danzo knew it all too well!
He could still remember the events in the Land of Rain vividly. His Root organization had been dismantled because of Hanzo's actions.
"Why are you asking about that guy?"
Danzo's fists clenched, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"This latest investigation has ties to Hanzo," Hiruzen replied flatly. He knew some of the history between Danzo and Hanzo—otherwise, he wouldn't have called him in.
"Jiraiya and the others went to Iwagakure and ran into some… interesting individuals. But we need to confirm a few things with Hanzo."
"Jiraiya…"
As if hearing Hanzo's name wasn't bad enough, hearing Jiraiya's pushed Danzo to the edge. Could there be any good news today?
He still remembered the day he walked into the Hokage office and heard Hiruzen tell Jiraiya, "I'll leave the village to you."
Why didn't you ever say that to me?
Danzo was now seriously suspecting that this whole meeting was just Hiruzen's way of spiting him.
But he could only grit his teeth and endure it—for the simple reason that he wasn't Hokage.
"Hanzo's been in seclusion in Amegakure. I have no way of contacting him."
"But didn't you have close ties with him over ten years ago?"
"…"
"So, could you try and find a way to get in touch? I have some important things to ask him."
"…"
Danzo's breath quickened. He wanted to shout: That was then! This is now!
If it were up to him, he'd strangle that damn Salamander with his bare hands.
After all those years of painstakingly building up Root, it all crumbled because he had tried to gain Hanzo's support.
Wait a minute—
Suddenly, Danzo remembered the message that came from the Fourth Mizukage's side.
An orange-haired man, a blue-haired woman…
That scene—it matched those people from back then.
"Hold on. Didn't that orange-haired guy die back then?"
Danzo clearly remembered everything from that day, but something about it didn't add up.
Wasn't the one who survived supposed to be the redhead?
"Do you know something?" Hiruzen asked, tapping his pipe with a frown. "You seem…"
"Hmph. I was just thinking that bastard might already be dead," Danzo snapped.
Despite the unease growing in his chest, he kept his face cold and stern.
"According to intel, he's been reclusive for years, hasn't shown his face at all. Maybe he really did die."
If Hanzo was dead, it would make sense for Amegakure to cover it up.
After all, the Land of Rain was a strategic hotspot—bordering several small countries and right next to the Lands of Wind, Fire, and Earth.
Without Hanzo, who knows what kind of chaos would break out?
"You might be right," Hiruzen admitted, frowning deeper. "But I still want to try. That information could be vital."
"Danzo, about this matter—"
"Hold up," Danzo suddenly interrupted. "I heard Ōnoki's student, Deidara, is in the village right now?"
Hiruzen paused, instantly growing cautious. "Yeah? What about it?"
"I suggest we detain him."
"Are you insane?!"
Hiruzen's face darkened immediately. But Danzo calmly shook his head.
"He came here of his own will. We didn't capture him. Besides, Ōnoki values him highly—why waste this opportunity?"
"No. I've told you countless times—we can't make short-sighted decisions. Forcing him to stay isn't a good move. The shinobi world needs peace. Don't you get that?"
"Iwagakure has never been our ally. Using him to leverage Ōnoki—what's wrong with that?"
"I said no! That's final!"
"You haven't changed a bit," Danzo scoffed. "Still so soft. Just like with the Uchiha. You'll regret this one day!"
"That's enough. I am the Hokage!"
"Hmph!"
Danzo turned on his heel and stormed out.
"I'll try to contact Hanzo," he muttered bitterly, "but I'm not promising anything."
Bang!
He slammed the door hard.
That felt good.
He had not only irritated his old friend but also dodged being given a direct order.
Even if he himself had been disgusted by the whole conversation.
"…Still, how should I handle this?"
As he made his way toward the Root base, Danzo mulled over his options.
Go to the Land of Rain and find Hanzo?
Not a chance. That place was a graveyard—for both his hopes and his Root operatives.
Besides, he wasn't even sure how Hanzo viewed him now. Without guaranteed safety, he wouldn't risk it.
"I need someone else to go. Maybe…"
Suddenly, a name popped into his head.
"Maybe I can send Orochimaru. That would also help stir up some tension with Jiraiya…"
"Ugh, how annoying. And Iwa is probably arriving soon too."
---
Konoha Village – A training ground
Kitagawa Gen was working on his Rasengan while Deidara sat off to the side, clearly bored out of his mind.
Another day passed. Nearly a week had gone by.
Gen had been having a pretty easy time recently.
Oddly enough, Naruto and his crew were being watched much more closely now. Every time he saw Naruto, he'd hear him complain about Iruka hovering over him like a hawk.
But that also meant both blond troublemakers were too busy to cause him problems.
And in the meantime, he had managed to tame the bigger blonde—Deidara.
To deal with Deidara, you had to appeal to his interests.
Conveniently, Gen had been eyeing his secret art—not only as preparation for Dust Release, but also to mask the new Kekkei Genkai he had acquired.
So, he spent some time researching it thoroughly. Now he finally understood why Deidara's technique felt like a bloodline limit, but technically wasn't.
"The key lies in the clay. It's the medium that fuses Earth Release and Fire Release. But this gives a solid foundation. Ōnoki probably is trying to see if Deidara can learn Dust Release."
If Deidara could improve his Wind Release and learn the correct ratio for Dust Release…
He might actually pull it off!
Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta—not a bloodline limit passed down by family—so, in theory, it's possible.
"Deidara may be problematic, but once he believes something matches his idea of 'art,' he'll throw himself into it wholeheartedly."
Unfortunately, it seemed like Ōnoki was a bit too stubborn—and old-fashioned?
"Ugh, who'd want to see that cranky old man anyway," Deidara muttered.
Deidara had no idea what Gen was thinking. He stood up, brushed off his pants, and curiously walked over.
"How's your research going? My art isn't something you can understand with just a glance!" he declared proudly.
"Tch. You think your clay is that amazing?" Gen raised an eyebrow, lifting his hand—and in an instant, a white Rasengan swirled into existence.
"It's certainly interesting, but I can express myself in my own way. Besides, you're still far off from the Third Tsuchikage."
"Hmph! I admit that old man's Dust Release is art, but don't lump us together! My art is dazzling! Much more dazzling than his!"
"Personally, I think he is more dazzling."
"You bastard..."
"Alright, shut up and watch."
Gen didn't feel like arguing—Deidara was the type who'd never back down with words.
"Your clay mixes Earth and Fire Release. I can't replicate that, but I can take a different approach. Like this..."
The moment he finished speaking, Gen's figure blurred and vanished. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared on the opposite end of the training field. Casually, he tossed the white Rasengan away. Instantly, he was back at Deidara's side.
BOOM—
A massive blast of light erupted in the distance, followed by a deafening explosion that sent shockwaves ripping through the air. Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief, then immediately sparkled with excitement.
"Yes! Yes! YES! That's it! That's the kind of dazzling art I'm talking about, yeah!"
"Tch. Not even close," Gen said, glancing at the aftermath of his attack and shaking his head.
"The explosion's power isn't bad, but once it leaves my control, it becomes unstable. Dust Release is much more consistent—and a hell of a lot stronger."
The new Rasengan variant he created gave him a sense of suicidal danger… not that it could hurt him. Still, it served its purpose: mainly, messing with Deidara.
"You've said enough, you bastard!" Deidara finally snapped, unable to take Gen's nonstop commentary any longer.
"It was dazzling! You're just blind!"
"So… is your ultimate goal to blow yourself up?"
"What?"
"Well, you're an artist, right? Seeking the most beautiful moment of expression?"
"..."
"So when you self-destruct, your enemies will never forget you. They'll remember how you gave your life so your art could bloom in its final moment. Isn't that right?"
"..."
"I think I understand you now, oh great artist."
"..."
Deidara had no words. For the first time, he seriously questioned if this white-haired kid was a lunatic.
Great artist?
Was this how people interpreted artists?
Technically, what he said wasn't wrong… but Deidara couldn't shake the feeling that this guy was mocking him.
"Sure, I'd die for my art if I had to, but I'm not throwing my life away for nothing, you bastard!"
The annoyed blond glared at Gen—but the latter leaned in again.
"What's up, great artist? Thinking about how to perfect your self-destruction?"
"You bastard! You think I'm an idiot?!"
"Oh? Aren't you?"
"Damn it! One of these days I will drag you down with me!"
"Scram, scram! What's going on in that yellow-haired head of yours? Ever even read a book?"
"I have. Not many. Why?"
"..."
Gen was actually a little surprised by how candidly Deidara admitted his lack of book-learning.
The two bickered back and forth like this until Kakashi arrived, flanked by several ANBU operatives.
"Well, well, I didn't expect you two to get along this well," Kakashi said with a smirk.
He then turned to Gen and explained, "Iwagakure and Sunagakure representatives have arrived. Lord Jiraiya's gone to greet them. Deidara should head over with the ANBU."
"You hear that? Time to go home, great artist," Gen grinned.
"Tch. What a pain."
Deidara didn't even bother arguing. As much as he didn't really want to go back, he couldn't deny that his interest had been piqued—especially by that guy's words about Dust Release.
"I'm heading out. Later, bastard."
He waved lazily at Gen and turned to leave with the ANBU.
"Next time, I'll make sure you truly feel my art!"
"Yes, yes, of course, great artist."
Gen waved him off with a chuckle, watching until the group disappeared before finally letting out a breath of relief.
"Finally gone. That guy's more trouble than a whole squad."
"You seemed to be getting along just fine," Kakashi commented with a hint of amusement.
"As long as he didn't cause trouble, it's fine. He gave us some useful intel too. That's more than enough."
"Speaking of which," Gen said, still looking at the spot where Deidara vanished, "the Hokage probably brought Iwa here to work together on the investigation, right?"
"You and Jiraiya both mentioned they hired that organization before. I imagine they know quite a bit. Even Deidara shared a few things—though not much. Still, with a common enemy, Iwa should be willing to help us."
"The Hokage does want that. But it all depends on how the talks go," Kakashi replied.
He wasn't surprised Gen had already figured that much out—he'd always been quick on the uptake.
"But that's not really our concern. Once the talks wrap up, we'll probably be assigned to the next phase."
"Hmm? Another mission?"
"Don't worry, not yet. Everything's still being investigated. But Jiraiya's taking this very seriously."
"Is this about that orange-haired guy we ran into last time?"
"No. It's Orochimaru."
Orochimaru?
Gen's expression twisted. Again? Why did that guy's name keep popping up?
Last time they tracked him down, Gen had a strong sense someone was pushing for something. And now, Orochimaru again?
Gen frowned, realizing that if Orochimaru was involved, Jiraiya wouldn't rest until he got answers.
Meanwhile...
On the other side of the village, Ōnoki's right-hand man (Kurotsuchi's father) Kitsuchi, had just arrived with Jiraiya.
As they reached the rest area, Deidara suddenly came running over.
Seeing him unharmed, Kitsuchi let out a breath of relief. He hadn't really expected Konoha to harm him, but he'd still been worried.
"You idiot! What were you thinking?! Do you know how dangerous that was?!"
"Tch. Chill out, Uncle Kitsuchi. Enough with the lecture."
Deidara snorted, but then suddenly looked up, eyes serious.
"By the way... when are we heading back?"
"...Huh?"
"Tell the old man—I've made up my mind. I want to learn Dust Release!"
"!!!"
Kitsuchi froze. Was this really Deidara standing in front of him?