[Sunagakure]
The time when the black market news came back was almost the same as when Chiyo returned.
Rasa had also read Maki's mission report.
Not only did he learn that Sasori was the one who assassinated the Third Kazekage, he also learned that Akatsuki had such a powerhouse as Monk Senku.
As well as the final distribution of the mining vein's profits.
Rasa himself hadn't stayed there to handle this matter. On one hand, "the son of a thousand in gold does not sit in a hall beneath a beam."
On the other hand, he also felt that this mining vein was itself a whirlpool.
A single careless step and one would fall in.
That Sunagakure was weaker than Iwagakure was beyond doubt.
Staying there would most likely mean suffering losses, so Rasa had tossed this hot potato of a mission to Chiyo.
In this, Rasa himself already had an uneasy mind.
If Chiyo messed up, it would damage the prestige of the Elder faction, which would help him elevate his own absolute authority in Sunagakure.
He hadn't expected Akatsuki to suddenly intervene, and within Akatsuki, for someone capable of changing the entire battle situation to appear.
Monk Senku.
With one move he captured the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki, forcing Iwagakure to step back.
Although Sunagakure didn't gain as much profit from the mine as Iwagakure, Sunagakure suffered no casualties.
That was definitely something Chiyo could count as a great accomplishment.
As for Sasori of the Red Sand, although he was her grandson, it didn't have much to do with her personally. To use that to criticize Chiyo would be hard to justify.
The key point was that Sunagakure was now too weak. Many matters could only be passively endured.
"This Monk Senku's strength is really that great?", Rasa looked over the intelligence several times, yet still couldn't help but ask Maki to confirm.
Maki replied, "At that time, our intelligence agents were right nearby. This Senku's strength is unfathomable."
"My suggestion is to gather more information on him. Maybe it will be useful later."
Rasa nodded slightly, "You handle this matter, then."
"Yes."
———
[Iwagakure]
[Tsuchikage's Office]
Onoki also felt somewhat amazed after reading this report.
He hadn't expected Akatsuki to have such a person.
That the struggle for the mine ended this way was acceptable. Onoki was, by nature, conservative and not fond of risks.
Those profits had fallen from the sky in the first place; if it dragged the two countries into the whirlpool of war, that would truly be a loss outweighing the gain.
Coughing up a bit of profit was no big deal.
What pleased him was Deidara's growth.
Whether in Kurotsuchi's or Han's mission reports, the details of Deidara's outstanding performance were all carefully recorded.
For Onoki, the importance of profit was far less than the cultivation of the next generation.
After all, Iwagakure was propped up by him alone. To have outstanding juniors was the only way for Iwagakure to go further.
"Go call Deidara here."
"Yes!"
Not long later, Deidara arrived at the Tsuchikage's office.
"Old man, I was just about to find you!", Deidara always acted as he pleased, with no respect for seniority.
But Onoki was already used to it.
"Oh? What did you want with me?", Onoki asked curiously.
"I've mastered the three nature transformations. I want to learn Dust Release."
Deidara's eyes were glowing. He had been waiting for this day for a long time.
"What? Are you serious?"
Onoki was taken aback. He had always known Deidara was gifted, but he hadn't expected his talent to be this extreme.
"Hmph! Don't you know who I am," Deidara's face was full of pride.
"Then come with me," Onoki didn't waste words and directly pulled Deidara into the training grounds.
"Test it."
He handed Deidara a cubic box. The box was fully transparent, and in the middle one could see a mechanical core.
Deidara was obviously familiar with this box.
"Watch closely, old man."
He took the box, channeled chakra into it, and ripples appeared around the mechanical core in the middle.
That was the sign of meeting the Wind attribute requirement.
Next, red flames flared into being around the core.
Lastly, a layer of black shell formed around the core.
This whole series of transformations was completed within a few seconds.
Onoki's eyes carried admiration as he looked Deidara up and down, the more he looked, the more he liked.
Deidara was only thirteen this year. When he himself had mastered these, he had already been nearly thirty.
The difference in talent spoke for itself.
"Mm, not bad, not bad."
"Although you've reached the foundation, Dust Release isn't something so easily learned."
Even though he was happy inside, Onoki didn't show it outwardly.
Hearing there was a chance, Deidara quickly said, "Don't worry, old man, I'll definitely learn it, yeah!"
Onoki thought a moment, "If you want to learn Dust Release, that's fine, but until you've mastered it, you can't go running around."
"Once you start learning Dust Release, it cannot be interrupted, or you'll never be able to learn it in this lifetime."
Deidara thought to himself, 'This old man is trying to scare me again.'
He snorted, "Don't worry, I'll master it quickly, no problem at all."
Onoki gave him a deep look, with a trace of a smile in his eyes, "Then come with me."
———
[Mount Sumi]
Obito finally met the Hiruko Zetsu had spoken of.
This Hiruko was short and stocky, wearing a dark-colored cloak, a huge cloak that enveloped him.
Even the parts of his body that were exposed were wrapped in bandages.
He looked extremely gloomy.
"You're Hiruko?"
While Obito sized up Hiruko, Hiruko was also sizing up Obito.
The other's origins were unclear, so naturally he was full of vigilance.
But now he was in need of resources. A collaborator that came to his door was not something he wanted to waste.
"That's right, I am Hiruko."
"You're the leader of the Tsukuma Organization?"
Zetsu had come selling themselves, naturally using the name of an organization.
After all, if you didn't brag a little, how would you attract others to join?
"I am."
Obito held himself with great bearing. Right now Hiruko needed them more.
Hiruko's eyes turned, "You're from the Uchiha clan, aren't you."
Since Obito had revealed a Sharingan, it was normal to be recognized as an Uchiha.
But Obito no longer used Madara's banner like before.
He said blandly, "That doesn't matter. What matters is, we can cooperate."
Hiruko's eyes probed, "And how do you propose we cooperate?"
"Our organization will capture the Kekkei Genkai you need. You will join the organization and serve me, and share your Chimera Technique."
Hiruko didn't agree immediately, "What is your organization trying to do?"
Obito's eyes flickered, "Our organization is still lying low for now, but one thing I can promise."
"Our enemies include Konoha."
Hiruko was satisfied, "No problem. As long as you can provide me with suitable Kekkei Genkai, you'll witness the birth of the most perfect ninja in this world."
Obito pulled at the corner of his mouth, speechless, "Mm, I look forward to it."
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