I’m Not Naruto, But I Got a Better Bloodline

"Ugh, so annoying. Seems like Kitsuchi is about to arrive."

"Isn't that a good thing? This way, you can go back and find your sensei."

In Konohagakure, within a training field, Kitagawa Gen was fiddling with the Rasengan, while Deidara slumped nearby, looking utterly bored.

Time passed day by day. In the blink of an eye, nearly a week had gone by.

For Kitagawa Gen, this week had been rather peaceful.

Strangely enough, Naruto and the others were under much tighter surveillance. Every time he saw Naruto, he'd hear complaints about how strict Iruka was being.

Not that Gen minded—this kept both blond troublemakers out of his hair.

He also took advantage of the lull to settle things with the big blond—Deidara.

When dealing with Deidara, the key was to approach him through his interests.

Conveniently, Gen had also set his sights on Deidara's secret technique. Not just as preparation for Dust Release, but also as a clever cover for the kekkei he had acquired.

So Gen had spent quite a bit of effort studying it thoroughly. He finally understood why the technique felt like a kekkei genkai, yet was still classified as a secret technique.

'The key lies in the clay. It's the clay that fuses Earth Release and Fire Release together. That foundation might be why Ōnoki genuinely wants to see if Deidara can master Dust Release.'

Right now, if Deidara just polished his Wind Release, and combined that with Ōnoki's notes on Dust Release ratios… he might actually be able to learn it.

Dust Release is a kekkei tōta—an advanced elemental fusion—but it's not inherited strictly through bloodline. In theory, anything's possible.

'Deidara may have a problematic personality, but once he believes Dust Release fits his concept of 'art,' he'll study it more seriously than anyone.'

Unfortunately, Ōnoki seemed a bit too old-fashioned—and stubborn, too?

"Cheh, who wants to see that crusty old man anyway."

Deidara, of course, had no idea what Gen was thinking. He stood up, brushed off his clothes, and walked over curiously.

"So? How's your research going? My art isn't something you can grasp just by looking once, you know!"

"Tch. You think your clay is that amazing?"

Gen raised an eyebrow. He lifted his hand, and in an instant, a white Rasengan formed in his palm.

"It's certainly interesting, but I can interpret it in my own way. Besides, compared to the Third Tsuchikage, you've still got a long way to go."

"Hmph! I admit that old man's Dust Release is art—but don't talk nonsense! My art is brilliant and dazzling! His isn't half as flashy as mine!"

"But I still think it's more dazzling."

"You little…"

"Alright, shut up and look over here."

Kitagawa Gen had no interest in arguing with Deidara. That guy was all talk and ego.

"Your clay technique fuses Earth Release and Fire Release. I can't recreate that exactly, but I can do it my own way. Like this…"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gen's figure flickered—and in the next instant, he appeared on the opposite side of the training field.

The white Rasengan in his hand was casually tossed away, and just as suddenly, Gen had already returned to Deidara's side.

[BOOM—]

Visibly, a massive flash of white light erupted in the distance, followed by a deafening explosion that sent waves of pressure rippling through the air.

Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief. But then, a burst of excitement flared across his face.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! That's it! That's exactly it! That's the kind of dazzling art I'm talking about, yeah!"

"Tch. Still a long way off."

Gen glanced at the blast site and shook his head.

"The explosion was decent, but once it's out of my control, it becomes unstable. Dust Release is way more reliable—and more powerful."

The new variation of Rasengan Gen had just created definitely had a self-destructive feel to it. Even though it couldn't harm him directly…

Still, it served its purpose—as a test, and more importantly, to mess with Deidara a little.

"You're unbelievable, bastard!"

This time it was Deidara who couldn't take it anymore, gritting his teeth as Gen kept running his mouth.

"It was dazzling! You're just too blind to see it!"

"So… what you really want is to blow yourself up?"

"…Huh?"

"Well, doesn't that make sense? You're an artist, right? Always chasing that perfect, beautiful instant?"

"…"

"So when you self-destruct, your enemies will never forget you. They'll remember how you gave your life to make your art bloom in its final moment—right?"

"…"

"I think I get you now… great artist!"

"…"

Deidara didn't respond. He suddenly felt like this white-haired kid was completely deranged.

Great artist?

Who the hell interprets an artist like that?

Technically, it wasn't wrong… but something about the way this brat phrased it made Deidara feel nauseated.

"At extreme moments, I would offer myself for my art—but I'm not looking to die for nothing, you bastard!"

The big blond grumbled to himself in frustration, but Gen leaned his head in again.

"What's wrong, great artist? Already thinking about how to perfect your own detonation?"

"Bastard! Do you take me for an idiot!?"

"Oh? Aren't you?"

"Damn you! One of these days, I swear—I'll drag you to the afterlife with me!"

"Scram, scram, scram! What the hell are you thinking, Blondie? Have you ever read a book?"

"I have. Not many. Why?"

"…"

Deidara's frank admission that he hadn't read much actually caught Kitagawa Gen a bit off guard.

The two of them kept bickering like that until Kakashi approached, accompanied by a few members of the Anbu.

"Well, well… didn't expect you two to be getting along this well."

Kakashi gave the pair a slightly amused look before speaking.

"Gen, the envoys from Iwagakure and Sunagakure have arrived. Jiraiya-sama is already meeting with them. Have Deidara go with the Anbu."

"You hear that? You finally get to go home, great artist."

Gen nodded and turned to Deidara with a teasing smile.

"Tch. What a pain."

Deidara couldn't even be bothered to argue anymore. Though he wasn't exactly thrilled about going back, his mood had noticeably shifted.

Especially after all the things this guy in front of him had said—it had really started stirring something in him. He was actually beginning to reflect on the meaning of Dust Release.

"Well, I'm heading out now, bastard."

Deidara waved lazily at Gen, then turned around to leave.

"Just wait. Next time, I will make you feel the brilliance of my art!"

"Yes, yes, of course—great artist."

Gen nodded, watching as Deidara and the group of Anbu finally disappeared into the distance. Only then did he exhale, a long breath of relief.

"Finally. That guy really is a handful."

"I thought you two were getting along pretty well."

Kakashi gave Gen a curious glance before chuckling.

"In any case, as long as he didn't cause any major trouble, it's fine. And he did share a fair bit of information—that alone is useful enough for us."

"Speaking of which, this time Iwagakure's visit… The Hokage wants to involve them in the investigation, right?"

Now that Deidara was gone from sight, Gen finally voiced his question.

"I remember both you and Jiraiya-sama once said that Iwagakure hired that organization. They should know a decent amount."

"Deidara mentioned a few things too, even if it wasn't much. Still, they've got a grudge now, so Iwagakure might be willing to help."

"The Hokage certainly intends to bring them in," Kakashi replied calmly, "but in the end, it all depends on how the talks go."

He wasn't surprised Gen had pieced that together—after all, the kid's mind had always been unusually sharp.

"But that's not really our concern. Once the negotiations wrap up… I have a feeling we'll be moving again soon."

"Hm? Another mission?"

"No rush—not yet. Everything is still under investigation. But Jiraiya-sama is quite invested in this one."

"Is it that orange-haired guy we ran into last time?"

"No. It's Orochimaru."

Orochimaru?

The moment that name came up, Kitagawa Gen was clearly surprised. Why was Orochimaru involved again?

The last time they had tracked down Orochimaru, it already felt like someone was aiming for promotion—and now here he was again. What was going on this time?

Gen's expression turned slightly odd. But either way, if Orochimaru had resurfaced, there was no way Jiraiya would just let it go.

...

"Deidara, are you alright?"

Elsewhere, under Jiraiya's reception, Kitsuchi had entered Konohagakure. And just after arriving at the designated rest quarters, Deidara came running over.

Seeing Deidara safe and sound, Kitsuchi finally let out a breath of relief. Even though he knew Konoha wouldn't harm him, it was only natural to worry.

"You bastard, what the hell were you thinking? Don't you know how dangerous that was?"

"Tch. Kitsuchi-ojisan, spare me the lecture."

Deidara snorted, then suddenly lifted his head and said with rare seriousness: "By the way, when are we heading back?"

"…?"

"Tell the old man—I've made up my mind. I'm going to learn his Dust Release!"

"!!!"

Kitsuchi froze for a moment.

This blond brat in front of him…

Was he really Deidara?

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