"So, tell me—what exactly is your Akatsuki organization planning?" Onoki demanded as he retreated to an open area behind the battlefield.
Aside from Onoki and Deidara, the only other people present were Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Kitsuchi—all key members of Iwagakure's leadership.
"For peace," Deidara replied calmly.
Onoki: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
"Deidara-nii, can we be a little more sincere here? Your organization is full of S-rank rogue ninjas, stirring up wars and collecting Tailed Beasts. How does any of that align with peace?" Kurotsuchi couldn't help but retort.
"That mysterious guy even told you about us collecting Tailed Beasts?" Deidara countered with a question.
"Enough with the nonsense!"
"Spill it! What is your organization's real goal?" Onoki's voice rose sharply, clearly irritated by what he deemed to be Deidara's blatant lie. Did this brat think he was a fool?
"I told you, it really is for peace!" Deidara insisted.
Onoki: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World—"
"Grandpa, calm down! Even if Deidara-nii is lying, you don't need to start with Dust Release!" Kurotsuchi quickly hugged Onoki, interrupting his jutsu.
Seeing Onoki fuming with anger, Kurotsuchi turned to Deidara and shouted, "Deidara-nii, come on! This isn't the time for jokes! Just tell us the real reason already!"
"I'm not lying! It really is for peace!" Deidara repeated earnestly.
Onoki: "I swear to—"
"Old man, just let me finish!" Deidara shouted, seeing that Onoki was about to lose his temper completely.
"Fine! Speak! But if you don't give me a proper explanation, I'll make you eat a Dust Release attack today!" Onoki yelled back, his patience wearing thin.
"In simple terms, Akatsuki aims to unify the ninja world. If the entire ninja world is united under one village, and everyone becomes one family, wouldn't that achieve peace?" Deidara explained succinctly.
"Hmph!"
"How arrogant! You think you can unify the ninja world with just a handful of people?" Onoki scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
"Indeed, Deidara," Kitsuchi added. "Your Akatsuki members are undeniably strong, and Amegakure's strength has improved significantly after absorbing rogue ninjas from Kirigakure. But thinking you can take on the Five Great Ninja Villages? That's just naive."
"We have our plans, and our strength is beyond your imagination," Deidara replied confidently.
"How strong could you possibly be? Are you as strong as Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha from the old days?"
"If you had their level of power, then talk of unifying the ninja world wouldn't be so far-fetched. But that's impossible. Figures like them don't just appear out of nowhere," Onoki said, his tone carrying the weight of experience. He had lived long enough to understand the sheer difficulty of such a task.
"Old man, you're just too stubborn!"
"How do you know we can't reach the level of Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha?"
Deidara thought to himself: With my system, and Nagato's potential if he successfully integrates Hashirama's cells, there's no way the Five Great Ninja Villages could stop us.
And don't even bring up whether or not we can match Madara—someday, I'll be the one to defeat him!
Seeing Deidara's unwavering confidence, Onoki scrutinized him for a moment before asking seriously, "Do you really believe that?"
To ensure Onoki wouldn't continue targeting Akatsuki, Deidara decided it was time to demonstrate some power.
"You've already witnessed Kisame's strength earlier, haven't you?"
"Now, let me show you my art."
"If you can't even defeat me, then don't even think about challenging our leader."
Onoki nodded. "Fine. You've been out of the village for so long without sending back any information. I've been wanting to teach you a lesson for a while now!"
"And I've been waiting for you to marvel at my art!"
"Follow me!"
Deidara mounted his clay bird and led Onoki and Kitsuchi to an open area far from Iwagakure. Akatsuchi, having lost his ability to fight during the earlier battle, stayed behind.
Now, Deidara's opponents were Onoki and Kitsuchi.
"Prepare to be amazed! C2 Enhanced: Great Dragon!"
Roar!
A deafening dragon's roar echoed across Iwagakure for the first time.
"Onoki's Shock Value +2000"
"Kitsuchi's Shock Value +1200"
"Akatsuchi's Shock Value..."
"Kakuzu's Shock Value +1200"
"Hidan's Shock Value +500"
"Deidara's this strong?!" Even Hidan, usually fearless, felt a twinge of dread at the sight of the Tailed Beast-sized clay dragon. After all, this thing could explode!
Damn it!
So this is why Deidara has such power. No wonder that mysterious man tried to recruit him but not me. Kakuzu, the seasoned veteran, felt a pang of jealousy. Despite being Kage-level, he suddenly felt small and helpless.
"How about that? Impressive, isn't it?" Deidara didn't make the clay dragon ascend too high, knowing that Onoki could fly. Instead, he kept it at a low altitude, where he could also create numerous clay creatures on the ground.
Onoki's expression softened into one of approval. "Deidara, no wonder you were able to defeat Yagura Karatachi."
"Your art has truly evolved to this level."
"But don't think I'm just some pushover."
"Earth Release: Falling Clay!"
Above the dragon, a massive rift opened in the sky, releasing a torrent of heavy clay. The weight of the clay threatened to ground the dragon, and if ignited with Fire Release, it could cause serious damage.
Bang!
The clay dragon tilted its head upward and spat out a small clay dragon, which flew toward the falling clay. With a deafening explosion, the clay scattered in all directions, leaving only a small portion stuck to the dragon.
"C2 Standard Type: Rock Worms!"
A swarm of clay rock worms burrowed into the ground, targeting the rapidly approaching Kitsuchi. Despite Deidara's attempt to intercept him, Kitsuchi didn't slow down.
"Earth Release: Splitting Earth Turning Palm!"
Onoki pressed his right palm to the ground, causing the earth to crack and shift. The ground's crust compressed and crushed the clay rock worms instantly.
Though a basic Earth Release technique, in Onoki's hands, it displayed power far beyond its B-rank classification.
"Earth Release: Stone Fist Technique!"
Kitsuchi's right hand became encased in a thick layer of rock. Leaping high into the air, he struck the dragon's neck, creating a gaping hole.
Fortunately, since the dragon was made of clay, such damage was inconsequential.
Deidara maneuvered the dragon to gain a bit more altitude and spat out a massive clay ant.
"Uncle Kitsuchi, I've prepared a special opponent just for you!"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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