Naruto: Deidara’s Struggle

After a trip to the Land of Birds, Deidara successfully obtained the Shibuki (Splash) blade, which allowed him to unlock Explosion Mastery Level 2.

Coincidentally, the recent battles against Konoha and Sunagakure had earned him a significant amount of Shock Value, pushing him up another level. With just enough Skill Points, he could now upgrade his abilities.

The system's status now read as follows:

"Strongest Artist System Host: Deidara Shock Value: 11,000/15,000 Skill Points: 0 Unlocked Skills:

Pyrotechnics: Explosion Mastery Level 1, C2 Enhanced Great Dragon, Ultra-High Temperature, Greater Detonation Range, Explosion Mastery Level 2Morphology Optimization: Form Optimization, Insect Form Mastery, Human Form Mastery, Animal Form MasteryMaterial Science (Clay): Improved Clay, Lightning-Resistant ClayNinja Arts: Chakra Enhancement, Ninjutsu Enhancement, Genjutsu Resistance Level 1, Clayification"

After a period of growth, Deidara had firmly reached Kage-level strength. In certain areas, he even surpassed elite Kage-level opponents, granting him enough confidence to roam freely in the ninja world.

"Brother Sasori, where is Orochimaru?"

According to the plan, Deidara now needed to locate Orochimaru. Sasori, having implanted Memory-Concealing Manipulating Sand in Kabuto Yakushi's brain, could easily track Orochimaru's whereabouts.

"In the Land of Rice Fields," Sasori replied.

The Land of Rice Fields?

So Orochimaru was preparing to establish the Hidden Sound Village?

As the two headed toward the Land of Rice Fields, they encountered an unexpected group along the way.

It was a squad of shinobi wearing the forehead protectors of Iwagakure, led by a stout, muscular ninja and a young girl with short black hair.

"Well, well, Brother Akatsuchi and little Kurotsuchi, it's been a long time!"

It turned out that Iwagakure had finally come looking for Deidara.

Initially, when news of Deidara's defection reached Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, he didn't react much, dismissing it as a rebellious phase of youth. Even when Kumogakure sent a diplomatic inquiry, Ōnoki remained indifferent.

What did their Jinchūriki have to do with Iwagakure? Sure, Deidara was reckless, but provoking the Eight-Tails was way out of his league.

However, after the Kirigakure defection incident and the major battle against Konoha and Sunagakure, Ōnoki had to take action—not to punish Deidara, but to ensure his survival.

With Deidara now seemingly at odds with the entire ninja world, Ōnoki feared that if Deidara kept wandering alone, it was only a matter of time before someone killed him.

"Deidara-nii, you're still alive!" Kurotsuchi greeted him with her usual unique style. Despite her young age, she already had legs longer than most of her peers—truly living up to her nickname, "Leg Shadow."

Deidara was momentarily speechless. "What do you mean I'm still alive? Should I have already died?"

"But Grandpa said you're in great danger and could die at any moment!"

"Don't listen to that old man's nonsense. I'm doing just fine!" Deidara waved dismissively, indicating his robust condition.

"Deidara, you should come back with us. It's too dangerous for you to stay out here," Akatsuchi said with concern.

"No! Deidara-nii, since you're okay, you should leave quickly! Don't come back with us!" Kurotsuchi interjected urgently.

"Hey! Kurotsuchi, stop sabotaging me here!" Akatsuchi sighed helplessly, realizing that among the three siblings, he seemed to be the only sane one.

"But if Deidara-nii returns, he might become the Fourth Tsuchikage!"

"That's unacceptable! The Fourth Tsuchikage position is mine!" Kurotsuchi declared, crossing her arms in defiance.

"Kurotsuchi, you're quite self-aware! Don't worry, I'll leave the Fourth Tsuchikage spot to you," Deidara said generously. After all, he figured Iwagakure might not even exist in the future. Hopefully, she wouldn't cry when that day came.

"Hmph!"

"You're only better than me because you're older! If we were the same age, there's no way you'd beat me!" Kurotsuchi clenched her fists and spoke defiantly.

Akatsuchi, standing nearby, scratched his head awkwardly. How had this turned into a cheerful conversation? Now he felt like the bad guy, tasked with capturing Deidara by force if necessary.

"Deidara, you really should come back with us."

"Sensei said that if you refuse, we're to bring you back by force," Akatsuchi said seriously.

"Then let's see what you've got!"

"Brother Sasori, don't intervene," Deidara said, feeling a surge of interest from his memories of the original host.

After all, scaring Kurotsuchi with bombs had been his favorite pastime as a child.

"Alright, Deidara. Be careful!" Akatsuchi warned before making his move.

"Earth Release: Stone Pillar Prison!"

From behind Akatsuchi, the accompanying Iwagakure shinobi cast the Stone Pillar Prison technique. Numerous stone pillars rose from the ground, layer upon layer, trapping Deidara inside.

"This Earth Release is so childish!"

"Ha!" Deidara casually threw out a swarm of Clay Spiders, easily blasting the prison open.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

Akatsuchi summoned a dragon made of stone to attack Deidara. As Ōnoki's disciple, his mastery of Earth Release was naturally exceptional.

C1 Special Type: Clay Serpent Hands!

Boom!

The stone dragon shattered into fragments. Watching from the sidelines, Kurotsuchi grimaced in disdain.

"Deidara-nii, what kind of techniques are you developing?"

"Gross!" Apparently, all women had an aversion to slimy creatures.

"Hehe!"

Grinning mischievously, Deidara clapped his hands on the ground, summoning an endless swarm of white clay snakes.

C2 Special Type: Myriad Snake Net Formation!

"Akatsuchi Shock Value +1000"

"Kurotsuchi! Here they come!"

"Don't cry like you did last time!"

"Ah! Deidara-nii, you're so mean!"

"Lava Release: Lime Coagulation Technique!"

Kurotsuchi spewed a large stream of lime from her mouth, quickly petrifying the clay snakes in front of her. However, compared to the sheer number Deidara had summoned, her efforts were a mere drop in the bucket.

"Ah! Akatsuchi-nii, save me!"

"Why didn't Grandpa teach me that flying technique? I'm going to die!" Kurotsuchi screamed in panic.

Akatsuchi sighed, covering his right hand in a thick layer of rock, making it several times larger, much like the Multi-Size Technique used by the Akimichi clan.

He then struck the ground with a powerful punch, creating a massive crater with spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the surface.

The clay snakes were either blasted away or crushed, clearing a large area.

"Earth Release: Stone Fist Technique!"

Akatsuchi, known for his natural brute strength, was nicknamed the "Unmatched Shield of the Tsuchikage." Of course, this was an exaggerated claim; everyone in the ninja world knew that Konoha's Tsunade was the true master of raw power.

"Brother Akatsuchi, if you don't show me your true strength, you won't be able to bring me back!"

"Looks like I have no choice."

Akatsuchi opened his mouth wide, slowly spitting out a massive stone golem to stand guard in front of the Iwagakure shinobi.

This was his signature technique:

Earth Release: Golem Technique!

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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