Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

"Tch, who wants to see that stinky old man?"

Deidara didn't know what Takemi was thinking. He stood up, patted his butt, and walked over curiously.

"How's your research coming along? My art isn't something you can understand just by looking at it!"

"Tch, do you think your clay is so amazing?"

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

"While it's certainly interesting, I can interpret it in my own way. Besides, there's still a big gap compared to the Third Tsuchikage..."

"Hmph! I admit that old man's Dust Release is art, but don't talk nonsense. Mine is brilliant, his isn't as brilliant as mine!"

"But I think his is more brilliant."

"You bastard..."

"Alright, shut up. Look here."

Takemi didn't want to argue with Deidara. This guy was just stubborn.

"Your clay is a combination of Earth Release and Fire Release. I can't create that, but I can use other methods, like this..."

Takemi's figure flickered instantly. In a flash, he appeared on the other side of the training ground.

He casually tossed the white Rasengan, and in an instant, he had returned to Deidara's side.

Boom—

Visibly, a huge halo of light appeared in the distance, followed by a massive roar that stirred up layers of air currents.

Deidara's eyes widened. He looked at all of this in disbelief, then became excited.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! That's it, that's it! That's the brilliant art, hmm!"

"Tch, far from it."

Takemi looked at his creation and couldn't help but shake his head.

"The explosion power is decent, but it becomes relatively out of control once it leaves my control. Dust Release is stable, and its power is stronger!"

The new Rasengan Takemi had created indeed gave him a feeling of 'suicide,' even if it couldn't harm him...

However, this thing was just a test, and it was enough to tease Deidara.

"That's enough, you bastard!"

Hearing Takemi babbling on, this time it was Deidara who couldn't stand it.

"It's so brilliant, only you can't see it!"

"So, you actually want to self-destruct?"

"Huh?"

"Hmm, I guess so. Aren't you an artist, pursuing that most beautiful moment?"

"..."

"So, the moment you self-destruct, your enemies will remember you forever, remember that you sacrificed your life to let your art bloom, right?"

"..."

"I think I can understand you now, oh great artist!"

"..."

Deidara didn't want to talk. He suddenly felt that this white-haired kid was a lunatic.

Great artist?

Is that how you interpret an artist?

It seemed the description was correct, but he always felt that Takemi just wanted to annoy him.

"This great me will also sacrifice myself for art in extreme situations, but I don't want to die for nothing like this, you bastard!"

Deidara thought unhappily, but Takemi poked his head over.

"What's wrong, great artist? Are you thinking about how to research self-destruction?"

"Bastard, do you take me for an idiot?!"

"Ah, aren't you?"

"Damn it, I'll take you down with me to the Pure Land sooner or later!"

"Get lost, what are you thinking, you blonde? Have you read books?"

"I have, not many though, why?"

"..."

Deidara's frank admission of not reading much truly surprised Takemi.

The two continued to bicker until Kakashi arrived with a few Anbu members.

"Oh, I didn't expect you two to get along quite well?"

Kakashi found their interaction amusing, then spoke, "Takemi, the Iwagakure and Sunagakure people have arrived. Jiraiya-sama is already there to greet them. Have Deidara go with the Anbu."

"Did you hear that? You can finally go home, great artist." Takemi nodded, then looked at Deidara with a smile and said.

"Tch, so troublesome."

Deidara was too lazy to retort now. Although going back made him somewhat reluctant, his emotions had indeed been stirred up.

Takemi's words had stimulated him quite a bit, making him truly start to consider the meaning of Dust Release.

"Then I'll go first, you bastard."

Deidara waved at Takemi, then turned to leave.

"You just wait, next time I'll definitely make you feel my art!"

"Yes, yes, great artist."

Takemi nodded and watched Deidara and a group of Anbu leave before he finally let out a sigh of relief.

"He's finally gone. That guy is truly exceptionally noisy."

"I thought you two got along quite well."

Kakashi looked at Takemi with a puzzled expression, then smiled.

"Alright, it's good that he didn't cause any problems, and he also provided a lot of information, which is enough for us."

"Speaking of which, with Iwagakure coming this time, is Lord Hokage planning to pull Iwagakure into the investigation?"

Takemi watched Deidara's figure completely disappear, then asked curiously.

"I remember you and Jiraiya-sama both said that Iwagakure hired that organization, so they must know a lot."

"And Deidara also said some things related to them, although he knows too little, but the feud has been formed, so Iwagakure should help us, right?"

"Lord Hokage indeed has that intention, but the final outcome depends on how they are approached."

Kakashi wasn't surprised that Takemi thought so much, as his mind was always extremely active.

"However, this has nothing to do with us. Once these talks are mostly concluded, we will probably have some more actions."

"Hmm? Another mission?"

"No hurry, not now. Everything is still under investigation, but Jiraiya-sama is very invested in this matter."

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

"No, it's Orochimaru."

Orochimaru?

Hearing that name, Takemi was somewhat surprised. How did Orochimaru get involved again?

What was the deal with Orochimaru showing up this time?

Takemi's expression was a bit strange, but no matter what, Jiraiya probably wouldn't let Orochimaru's appearance go.

— — —

"Deidara, are you alright?"

Meanwhile, Kitsuchi, under Jiraiya's hospitality, had entered Konoha, and as soon as they reached their resting place, Deidara ran over.

Seeing Deidara, who seemed fine, Kitsuchi breathed a sigh of relief. Even though he knew Konoha wouldn't do anything to Deidara, he was still worried.

"You bastard, what exactly are you doing? Don't you know it's dangerous?"

"Tch, Uncle Kitsuchi, stop saying those things." Deidara snorted lightly, then suddenly looked up seriously.

"By the way, when are we going back?"

"?"

"Tell the old man, I've decided, I'm going to learn his Dust Release!"

"!!!"

Kitsuchi was a bit stunned at that moment. Was this blond guy really Deidara?

(End of Chapter)

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