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"How else do we handle it? Let them out for now. Otherwise, when Ōnoki arrives, he'll say Konoha lacks hospitality."
"Alright, you take care of the arrangements. When Ōnoki gets here, you'll be the one dealing with him," Tsunade said.
Since she had entrusted the matter to Kazuki, Tsunade had no intention of interfering. If Ōnoki's letter hadn't been sent directly to her, she wouldn't even have bothered asking about it.
It was clear Ōnoki was truly anxious. Why else would he send a letter so quickly, demanding that Konoha treat his disciple and granddaughter well?
He was probably worried Konoha would do something to them.
Unfortunately, his concerns were unfounded.
From start to finish, neither Kazuki nor Tsunade had any intention of harming Deidara or Kurotsuchi—unless, of course, Ōnoki abandoned them and left Konoha to deal with them as they pleased.
In that case, Kazuki would definitely take action.
With such remarkable talent, it would be a waste not to nurture them.
However, even if Kazuki wanted to train them, they might not be willing. After all, Deidara and Kurotsuchi were incredibly important to Ōnoki—and to the entire Rock Village.
Kazuki casually chose a residence designated for out-of-village guests and instructed the Anbu to bring the two from the Police Department.
"Damn it, damn it!" Deidara fumed.
Though he'd regained his freedom, he was anything but happy. Heaven could attest—having a smelly sock stuffed in his mouth for days nearly drove him to the brink.
"I'm free!" Kurotsuchi exclaimed as she stepped out of the Police Department, realizing she'd been released.
It must have been because the Rock Village had communicated with Konoha, prompting their release.
"Well, well, well, who's this? Didn't get enough rest?" Kurotsuchi teased, eyeing Deidara's bloodshot eyes and grim expression. She circled him, pinched her nose, and asked with disdain, "Why do you… smell like feet? Ugh, it's even worse on your face. Don't tell me you've been sleeping with your own feet?"
Sleeping with his own feet? Wasn't that a bit of a stretch?
"Shut up!" Deidara snapped, nearly losing it.
Not only had he endured days of a smelly sock in his mouth, but now his junior sister was mocking him. This was straight-up bullying.
"Oh, ho! Still full of energy, huh? Come on, spill it—how'd they treat you? Did they torture you or interrogate you for village secrets?" Kurotsuchi's chatter was relentless.
The Anbu ninja escorting them to their residence had a face full of exasperation beneath their mask, silently thinking: Is the Tsuchikage's granddaughter a bit too carefree? She's still in the mood to focus on this stuff at a time like this?
But Deidara… that kid had it rough these past few days. The Uchiha nearly drove him insane.
It wasn't that the Uchiha mistreated him, but Deidara was a chatterbox, constantly running his mouth. Unfortunately, the Uchiha despised that type.
From Uchiha Seiryu at the start to every guard who took shifts later, they all made a point to "gift" Deidara a smelly sock. When socks weren't available, a dirty rag would do.
No wonder Deidara was so irritable upon release.
"Shut up, shut up! I said shut up, do you hear me?" Deidara was on the verge of a breakdown, but Kurotsuchi kept yammering in his ear.
He desperately wanted to stuff a smelly sock in her mouth to shut her up. This woman was too loud.
No matter what Kurotsuchi said, Deidara ignored her, only shouting for her to be quiet.
But the more agitated he got, the more she delighted in chattering away.
"Sir," the Anbu ninja said, saluting before withdrawing after escorting them to the residence.
"We meet again," Kazuki said with a grin.
Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up at the sight of Kazuki, while Deidara glared at him, grinding his teeth. "Uchiha Kazuki…"
"What? A few days with a sock in your mouth, and you still can't calm down?" Kazuki remarked, somewhat surprised.
He'd expected Deidara to be more subdued, but the kid seemed even more volatile. Clearly, he hadn't learned his lesson.
"You had a sock stuffed in your mouth for days?" Kurotsuchi burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Hahaha, that's hilarious! No wonder you reek of feet. I told you, no one can stand your mouth—it's too loud."
"You've got some nerve saying that!" Deidara snapped, wishing he could sew her mouth shut.
As if she was any better—both of them were cut from the same cloth.
Kazuki raised a hand, gesturing at Kurotsuchi. "Need me to arrange something for you too?"
"Uh…" Kurotsuchi's expression shifted, her smile fading as a flicker of guilt crossed her face. She instinctively stepped back. "No, thanks. I'm good."
Good, you know your limits.
Kazuki nodded, satisfied. "The Tsuchikage will set out from the Rock Village tomorrow. Until he arrives in Konoha, you two will stay here. If you need anything, someone will bring it to you. But until Ōnoki arrives, you're not to leave this courtyard. I hope you both take my words seriously and follow the rules. If you deliberately cause trouble, it'll put me in a tough spot."
I'll behave, I swear. But him? Not so sure. Kurotsuchi pointed at Deidara.
"Fight me!" Deidara demanded, gritting his teeth. "If you beat me, I'll stay put. Otherwise, I won't—"
In the next second, Deidara's body went flying. Kazuki casually shook his hand, scoffing, "Punk... Oh, and do me a favor—keep an eye on your brain-damaged senior brother. If he needs medical attention, just call the Anbu outside. They'll get a medical ninja."
Without sparing a glance at Deidara, who was scrambling up from the dirt-covered ground, Kazuki walked off breezily.
After Kazuki left, Kurotsuchi smirked, sauntering over to Deidara. She inspected his disheveled state and tutted, "Not bad, huh? All that big talk about challenging him, and you went down in one hit. You'd better train for a few more years. At this rate, you'll never beat him. Grandpa said Uchiha Kazuki might be Konoha's strongest right now. The gap between you two…" She gestured with her hands, indicating a massive difference.
Deidara was so furious he nearly passed out. Whose side are you on?
Can't you go a single day without mocking me or yapping in my ear?
"Hmph, I'll beat him someday," Deidara growled.
"Good luck with that. I'm off to pick a room," Kurotsuchi said, skipping away.
"Wait!"
"?"
"Call the guys outside. I might need a doctor."