As the Iwagakure ninja fled, Shimoku approached Kitsuchi.
He checked on him and saw that this thick-skinned brute wouldn't be kicking the bucket any time soon.
The truth was — beating up Kitsuchi wasn't just some idle fun for Shimoku.
Primarily:
First — he wanted to loosen up his limbs, test his current strength, and try out the power of the [Dragon-Weaving Blade].
Second — if he didn't knock the son down, how could he lure out Onoki, the old man from [Iwagakure Village]?
And without luring that old man out, how could he conveniently pay a visit to their village's [treasury]?
In short, this was just a classic case of luring the tiger away from the mountain — "divide and distract."
And indeed, it was both a conspiracy and an open provocation.
Even if Onoki truly saw through it, he'd still have no choice but to come.
Kitsuchi possessed great strength capable of suppressing tailed beasts, making him extremely significant to [Iwagakure Village].
Plus, this was his own beloved son — there was no way Onoki wouldn't comply.
...
[Shadow Clone Jutsu]!
Bam—
A puff of white smoke burst outward as Shimoku created a shadow clone, leaving it behind at the scene.
Meanwhile, his real body glanced backward.
A slight smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
Then immediately, he set off, stealthily advancing toward the direction of [Iwagakure Village].
As for the place Shimoku had glanced at moments ago —
A pure white White Snake was hiding within a crevice in the rocks, trembling slightly while secretly peeking out.
Of course, there was no way Orochimaru — that sly old snake — would miss a chance to watch such an intense fight and size up Shimoku's real strength.
That's why he had already left behind a White Snake clone hidden there.
As for Shimoku himself, he didn't really care.
Right now, the stronger he looked, the warier Orochimaru would get.
It would help strengthen the alliance between his Homura Hidden Village and Oto Village.
After all, you can't lead others unless you're strong yourself!
...
On another front,
The escaping [Iwagakure Village] ninja barely needed ten minutes before rushing back inside the village.
He promptly reported the explosive news — "Enemy intrusion, Kitsuchi defeated, life in critical condition" — to Onoki, the current Third Tsuchikage.
Upon hearing that his own son had been defeated and his life was now hanging by someone else's hand,
Onoki became anxious.
He knew his son Kitsuchi's abilities well.
In the entire [Iwagakure], aside from himself, practically nobody could match Kitsuchi.
So how could he easily lose to a rogue ninja from the [Akatsuki] organization?
And why would members of the [Akatsuki] happen to appear exactly here and rescue that spy?
Countless doubts surged in Onoki's mind.
However, this wasn't the time to contemplate such questions now.
Kitsuchi's life hung in the balance.
Kurotsuchi was still so young. Could he really let her suffer the pain of losing her father right now?
Thinking thus, Onoki wasted no time.
Without hesitation, he quickly gathered his personal guards and charged out of the village, rushing toward the location where the incident occurred.
...
Soon enough, Onoki and his team hadn't even been gone for several minutes.
A small figure used the cover of night to sneak into Iwagakure Village.
Weaving silently past guards, it moved toward the village treasury located behind the Tsuchikage's office building.
The treasury wasn't heavily guarded—just two Chunin stood there on symbolic watch.
After all, this was deep within Iwagakure Village, right next to the Tsuchikage's headquarters.
If anyone actually got this far after taking down the Tsuchikage… then Iwagakure Village was probably already doomed anyway.
Right now,
This sneaking figure seemed quite familiar with the surrounding buildings and terrain.
Crouched in a dark corner, it carefully observed the guards stationed at the treasury's attic.
After just a few seconds, he formulated a plan and began preparing to act.
But just then—
From behind, a small, tender hand suddenly popped out and smacked him hard on the shoulder.
He almost leapt out of his skin in shock.
"Brother, what are you doing here?"
Startled, Deidara spun around—only to find it was just Kurotsuchi, his junior apprentice. He let out a relieved breath.
"K-Kurotsuchi! You scared me half to death!"
"How come you're sneaking into Iwagakure again? If Onoki finds out, he'll definitely get angry."
Even though she was only eight years old, Kurotsuchi already had a strong personality.
With her arms crossed tightly, she glared seriously at her mischievous senior apprentice, scolding him with full seriousness.
In fact, because he often caused trouble in the village and experimented with various clay bombs that led to significant damage,
Last year, ten-year-old Deidara ended up getting kicked out of the village and had to move to the outskirts.
Without orders from Onoki, he wasn't even allowed inside Iwagakure Village anymore.
"I couldn't sleep, so I just came to walk around the area..."
Deidara gave an awkward smile.
Of course, he wouldn't admit that he had noticed Onoki had suddenly left the village. So he seized the opportunity and came in hoping to score some quick loot.
After all, lately while researching new ninjutsu, he had been running pretty low on funds...
"Puh-lease! Brother, can't you at least come up with a believable excuse!"
"I can totally tell you're up to something bad again!"
Kurotsuchi snapped, ready to smack her annoying senior apprentice upside the head.
Unfortunately, although this guy acted irresponsibly most of the time,
He really did have extraordinary talent and great skill in ninjutsu.
Even Onoki often praised him.
Frequently comparing him to herself—which is exactly why Kurotsuchi always felt like beating someone up!
"Shhh! Be quiet…"
"Actually, how come *you're* here?"
Covering Kurotsuchi's mouth quickly, Deidara whispered as he asked.
"Earlier this evening, Dad got called out by Onoki and still hasn't returned. Mom sent me over to the Tsuchikage Building to ask Onoki when Dad can come back home."
Kurotsuchi explained, puzzled at his sneaking around.
Who knows where Dad ran off to?
Still not returning this late.
Mom's definitely gonna have Dad sleeping on the couch tonight once he gets back...
"Brother! Confess honestly—are you targeting the treasury?"
"Hush! Don't say things like that out loud!"
Deidara panicked and hurriedly tried to deny it.
"Give me half of whatever you steal!"
"What?"
"If you don't give me half, I'll scream right now, and you won't get a single coin!"
"The supposedly innocent-looking Kurotsuchi flashed a sly smile, her tone anything but gentle."
Though she couldn't rival her senior's skill in ninjutsu, she had picked up a few tricks in negotiation and intimidation from her grandfather Onoki.
"Kurotsuchi, you..."
"Do it or not? If not, I'm calling for backup — right now!"
"I'll do it!"
With clenched teeth, Deidara agreed to cooperate.
Then...
The two cautiously poked their heads out again, scouting the vault's defenses.
"Kurotsuchi, I'll break through first and knock out those two guards."
"You climb up to the edge of the attic behind the vault and keep watch for me!"
"If anyone comes, notify me immediately!"
Deidara began assigning tactical roles.
"Okay!"
"Get ready. Three... Two... One... Go!"
Deidara darted forward first, using darkness' blind spots to quickly approach the two guards.
He flipped his hands, launching several tiny clay spiders laced with paralyzing toxins directly at the guards.
With a swift surprise strike, the highly skilled Deidara took down both guards in an instant.
And with a quick push, he slipped through the door and vanished into the vault with excitement.
Behind him,
The petite Kurotsuchi hurried after him, her nimble little feet pattering against the floor.
She leapt high,
Grabbing onto the second floor's balcony railing, preparing to climb up.
If she didn't hurry, that idiot senior would probably hoard most of her share!
But just as she made it to the second floor, her right shoe slipped right off.
Reluctantly, Kurotsuchi jumped back down to the first floor, puffing her cheeks angrily,
Groping blindly on the dim floor for her missing shoe.
After finally locating the shoe and looking up,
She suddenly noticed...
A strange figure standing before her without warning.
This person wore a mask, small in build, and radiated a quiet stillness, making it impossible to tell friend from foe.
Yet in both hands, they held something peculiar—several silky long socks.
With a teasing voice, the masked figure grinned and asked:
"Oh future Shadow of the Legs! Which one did you drop? This pair of black stockings? These white ones? Or maybe those fishnets?"
Kurotsuchi: o(?Д?)っ??
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