Naruto: Deidara’s Struggle

"System, why didn't I gain any Shock Value from Haku earlier?"

"Could it be that my art doesn't impress him?" Deidara asked curiously.

The system's voice echoed in Deidara's mind: "Host, you've already reached level 10, so you can no longer gain Shock Value from individuals below the level of elite Jonin."

What?! How could this be?!

Deidara had been planning to stage a grand display in Kirigakure to harvest a massive amount of Shock Value.

But now, it seemed that plan was completely unfeasible. Not only that, but leveling up in the future would become increasingly difficult.

When Deidara returned to the inn, Sasori was still tirelessly working on his puppets. Sometimes Deidara couldn't help but feel envious—how great it must be to not need sleep, food, or rest.

"Deidara, you've brought something back again," Sasori remarked with rare sarcasm. To him, it seemed like bringing something back had become one of Deidara's defining traits.

Every time Deidara went out, he had to return with something.

"You two take a break. I'll contact the leader," Deidara said, glancing at Zabuza, who still looked tense.

After all, they were in the presence of the infamous Sasori of the Red Sand, whose reputation alone was intimidating.

Sasori felt a sense of pride at this acknowledgment. Finally, someone who recognized him at first glance—this would show Deidara the weight his name carried.

Amegakure

Since taking the life-prolonging elixir from Obito, Nagato had noticeably felt his body improving. His energy and vitality had increased, and even the constant rain, which he usually found irritating, seemed endearing today.

Suddenly, a communication request from his ring broke the tranquility. Nagato sighed. The Akatsuki seemed to have more and more matters to deal with lately, and as the leader, he was growing increasingly busy. Life as a god wasn't quite what he had imagined.

"What is it?" The voice of Tendo Pain appeared in Deidara's mind.

"Leader, I've recruited two new auxiliary members for the organization: one is the so-called Demon, Zabuza Momochi, and the other is the last survivor of the Yuki Clan, capable of using Ice Release."

"I need you to process their induction."

Nagato sighed again. Why did Deidara always have to bring people back every time he went out?

"Fine. Have them head to the base you and Sasori established in the Land of Rivers last time," Nagato instructed.

"Understood!"

After the call ended, Deidara pulled out a map and marked the location of the secret base in the Land of Rivers for Zabuza and Haku. They needed to report there and meet Tendo Pain before they could officially be considered members of the Akatsuki.

Four days passed, during which Deidara continued researching his clay art. Right on schedule, Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha finally arrived, albeit fashionably late.

"You're so slow! I hate waiting the most!" Sasori snapped irritably.

"Sasori, must you say the same line every time we meet?" Kisame teased with a sharp-toothed grin and his unique, peculiar tone.

"Hmph!"

"Let's go," Sasori said curtly, leaping onto the water's surface without looking back.

Since this was a covert operation, the group chose to run across the sea to infiltrate the Land of Water. After all, the country's current isolationist Blood Mist Policy made it extremely closed off. Traveling by boat would not only be conspicuous but also difficult to arrange.

For the Land of Water, aside from a few merchant caravans endorsed by the daimyo, most outsiders were considered spies. Ordinary people wouldn't dare venture into such a dangerous place.

"Kisame, you haven't been a defector for long, right? What's the current situation in Kirigakure?"

"Are there any strong individuals or clans worth recruiting?" Deidara asked while riding a clay dolphin. Kisame and Itachi, on the other hand, rode atop Kisame's summoned sharks.

After some hesitation, Sasori accepted Deidara's offer and also rode a clay dolphin. It would be too embarrassing if the others had mounts while he was the only one running.

Though everyone was well aware of the underlying tensions between them, they maintained a facade of cooperation when it came to critical matters.

"There aren't many ninja in Kirigakure worth recruiting anymore," Kisame began, explaining the village's situation.

"Kirigakure was once home to three of the most famous clans with Kekkei Genkai: the Kaguya Clan, the Yuki Clan, and the Hōzuki Clan."

"The Kaguya and Yuki clans have long been wiped out. Only the Hōzuki Clan survives, clinging to the influence left behind by the Second Mizukage."

At this point, perhaps realizing he had mentioned a sensitive topic, Kisame glanced at Itachi.

Seeing that Itachi remained expressionless, his face still clouded with melancholy and silence, Kisame continued, "Aside from the three Kekkei Genkai clans, there's the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"The first generation of the Seven Swordsmen is all dead, except for Raiga Kurosuki."

"No, Raiga Kurosuki is dead too. I killed him myself," Deidara interjected.

Kisame turned to look at him, his expression unreadable—neither praise nor hostility, just a complex emotion.

"Impressive, Deidara."

"You flatter me."

"Let's move on to the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen," Kisame said.

"The strongest among them was Mangetsu Hōzuki, a genius of the Hōzuki Clan. He mastered all seven swords and displayed extraordinary talent from a young age. The village even entrusted him with the unclaimed swords for safekeeping. Unfortunately, he died on the battlefield."

At this, Kisame's tone carried a rare hint of regret.

"You're saying he was the strongest among the Seven Swordsmen. Does that mean he was stronger than you?" Deidara asked, seizing the opportunity.

"Who knows?" Kisame replied with a smile.

"After Mangetsu Hōzuki came Ringo Ameyuri. That woman died of illness—what a pity."

"Then there's me and Zabuza Momochi, though you've already recruited him into the organization."

"So, Kirigakure really is lacking in talent now," Deidara remarked.

"Before I defected, I heard they found a successor for the Hiramekarei. Someone named Chōjūrō, though I don't know if he passed the succession test."

At the mention of Chōjūrō, an image of a striking woman appeared in Deidara's mind—the future Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī.

"What about Mei Terumī?" Deidara asked Kisame curiously.

Kisame looked at Deidara with some surprise.

"I didn't expect you to know about her."

"Yes, Mei Terumī is probably the most remarkable talent in Kirigakure right now. She's a rare ninja who possesses two Kekkei Genkai, making her incredibly formidable."

"Let's just hope we don't cross paths with her during this mission. Otherwise, it'll be a real headache."

The rest of the journey passed in silence, but Deidara's mind was preoccupied with a lingering question.

Why had Obito manipulated the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, to implement the Blood Mist Policy?

Yagura was a perfect Jinchūriki, and controlling a perfect Jinchūriki with genjutsu was nearly impossible, even with the Mangekyō Sharingan.

In the entire ninja world, the only technique capable of such control was Kotoamatsukami, but Obito didn't possess it.

So how had he managed to control Yagura?

Perhaps it was a technique from Black Zetsu. After all, Black Zetsu had been scheming for a thousand years and must have collected some powerful tools.

But the cost of such a method must have been enormous. If Obito was willing to pay such a high price, then the reward must have been even greater—something immensely tempting.

What could that temptation possibly be?

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

Weekly Stable Updates with 30+ Chapters Always Available. High-Quality and Consistent Translations Are the Channel's Top Priority.

Current Books:

Naruto: Deidara's Struggle

God-Tier Kazekage: Building the Ultimate Hidden Sand Village 

Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

One Piece:The True Codex

One Piece: Rising to Fleet Admiral Through a Coup

One Piece: Magma of Absolute Justice

👉patreon.com/GoldenLong