Outside Homuragakure Village.
An envoy from the Land of Earth was waiting.
The delegation numbered about twenty people, nearly all ninja, and judging by their appearance, they were quite formidable.
Certainly much better than that pathetic last delegation.
Clearly, Iwagakure truly valued this friendly visit.
In the middle of the group,
two figures of modest height particularly caught attention.
"Has Grandpa gone crazy?"
"He actually insisted we come visit this Homuragakure..."
"Hey, Deidara nii-san? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Kurotsuchi stretched out her long legs and kicked at Deidara, who was spacing out beside her, pouting as she asked.
Obviously, she really didn't want to visit this village belonging to the Uchiha Clan.
After all, during their last visit,
there had been that infamous vault theft incident.
That pervert with red eyes who waved a pair of pantyhose while teasing her had left an unforgettable impression.
Nowadays, whenever she saw anyone with red eyes, she couldn't help feeling uneasy.
If it weren't for Onoki forcibly assigning both her and Deidara to the delegation, there was no way she'd have come to this den of creepy red-eyed freaks!
"Huh? Oh..."
Deidara snapped out of his daze, responding with a slight frown.
"Maybe the old man wants to show sincerity."
"After all, he's willing to send his own granddaughter over—Homuragakure should recognize our sincerity now..."
"In any case, let's just follow the old man's orders peacefully."
Kurotsuchi blinked slightly.
"Senpai, you've really changed!"
"Logically speaking, you're the least likely person to listen to Onoki's instructions."
"But now...?"
Deidara turned his head away, replying grumpily.
"Shut up!"
"Why I change is none of your business!"
Actually, since that previous attack on the village by Konoha...
Deidara had changed.
He had grown more composed and disciplined.
And rarely caused destruction inside the village anymore.
To put it simply,
before, Deidara could recklessly experiment with his art everywhere in the village because life had been too stable.
As the direct apprentice of Onoki and also an exceptionally rare ninjutsu genius, his status within the village hadn't been low.
Plus he'd never personally experienced the pain of war.
It was natural that Deidara craved action.
This was why he had been so obsessed with explosive art.
However, that last attack by Konoha had completely shocked him.
Over a thousand dead, half the village destroyed, numerous ninja including senior student Akatsuchi perished in battle...
That hurt—
Cut deeply into his heart!
Even worse, it made Deidara realize that before Konoha's experts, his once-proud "clay techniques" couldn't even be properly executed.
He didn't even last a minute against Jiraiya.
Could only watch helplessly as civilians died violently and teammates fell in battle.
Finally, after being captured back to Konoha and treated with contempt,
after finally being returned to his village following captivity,
Deidara voluntarily knelt in mourning at the village cemetery for an entire day and night.
Only then did Deidara finally awaken to the truth:
All the happiness and comfort he'd ever known were built on the relentless labor and sacrifices of others in his village.
Which peaceful days are nothing but someone else bearing the burden for you!
Without strength, without a village, without Onoki...
Still chasing after stupid art like it means anything!
Before other major nations, he was just an ant that could be crushed at will!
Because of this, Deidara had also become more restrained.
During this period, he rarely argued with Onoki anymore.
And when this diplomatic mission was assigned, he readily accepted without complaint...
Of course, he still lived and breathed for his art.
But beneath art, he now placed a little more importance on the village.
Kurotsuchi: "Brother, do you think that guy who robbed the vault and knocked us unconscious might be from Homura Hidden Village?"
Deidara: "Not sure. Onoki said he was a member of Akatsuki; that should be accurate enough..."
Kurotsuchi: "Then let's search for him when we get the chance! That guy only has one Sharingan, so he should be easy to identify, right?"
Deidara: "Don't act recklessly! The genjutsu of the Sharingan is powerful—you won't be able to resist it!"
"Don't worry! Don't underestimate me—I've been training my willpower recently."
"I'll definitely hold the line and won't be easily deceived!"
Kurotsuchi gave her chest a light pat and proudly vowed.
At that moment,
Homura Hidden Village also sent people out to welcome the delegation into the village.
At the same time, Kurotsuchi and the others finally saw the young leader of the Uchiha Clan—Shimoku Uchiha.
Immediately,
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gasped quietly:
"Brother, is that Shimoku Uchiha?"
"He really looks so young—probably not much older than Deidara!"
"And maybe just slightly more handsome than Deidara..."
Deidara: "..."
Kurotsuchi: "Plus, he took control of the entire Uchiha Clan while still so young?"
"Brother, he's way better at playing with clay than you are!"
...
Deidara had no words left, feeling as if struck by ten thousand blows to the heart.
Where was that talk about holding fast to your principles? About holding the line?
She had switched sides way too fast!
Could it be that her mind had already been ensnared in some genjutsu?
On the other side, upon seeing that both Kurotsuchi and Deidara had actually arrived,
Shimoku Uchiha couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.
Sometimes, you have to admit—it's true what they say about old devil Onoki being an old fox!
He originally thought the old man would make the foolish move of betting on both sides—trying to flatter Konoha while showing favor to them.
In the end, he'd lose everything and suffer disgrace.
After all, whichever side eventually won wouldn't appreciate such a fence-sitter.
Yet now, Onoki had actually sent both his precious granddaughter and disciple to Homura Hidden Village.
This was completely different!
It clearly meant he intended to stake his future entirely on their side!
Ready to bet everything?
Does this old devil really dare to go all in?
If he miscalculates, his beloved granddaughter and apprentice might die here!
Can he really bear it?
Or perhaps Iwagakure truly hates Konoha that deeply?
Even borrowing the great reputation of Hashirama Senju, can they really swallow this bitter humiliation?
So he had chosen their own Homuragakure Hidden Village?
Of course, these were all just Shimoku's guesses.
What exactly was going through old man Onoki's mind? Shimoku couldn't say for sure.
But when two fat lambs practically offered themselves up on a platter, how could he possibly resist taking a bite?
Would Shimoku really let such an opportunity slip away?
...
Deidara stepped forward voluntarily.
"You're Shimoku Uchiha?"
"Yes."
"Deidara, third-generation Tsuchikage disciple from Iwagakure. This is my junior classmate: Kurotsuchi."
"On behalf of Iwagakure, we extend our greetings to your village!"
Deidara suppressed his irritation and greeted politely.
In the past, he probably would've challenged this brat Shimoku to a one-on-one duel immediately.
But now, he had learned patience.
At the same time, an Iwa chunin beside him quickly presented a gift box.
As a token of their visit to Homuragakure Hidden Village.
Shimoku accepted the gift box, opened it slightly, and glanced inside.
Three high-grade spatial scrolls lay quietly within.
Worth a full thirty million ryō (a traditional currency unit)!
Such a gift truly showed sincerity!
Seeing this, Shimoku's heart filled with delight.
He really appreciated straightforward generosity like this—no flashy show-offs, just real value.
Old man Onoki finally learned some sense, huh!
Unfortunately, compared to Konan,
Compared to the entire Rain Hidden Village, plus the Rinnegan,
This 'dowry' seemed rather cheap...
Guess that future 'strong female lead' will have to kiss the idea of becoming the main wife goodbye…
"Very well, I'm quite satisfied with this gift!"
Shimoku closed the lid of the gift box, revealing a hint of smile.
The Iwa delegation visibly relaxed, clearly relieved.
Just then, however,
Shimoku suddenly issued an order:
"Riyō, attack!"
"Capture them all!"
"The men will be sent to the Hyūga Clan to dig trenches."
"The women will be detained first, preparing for textile work!"
"And this young master Deidara seems unwilling to cooperate. Give him a beating first!"
Since they had come to his territory, Shimoku naturally wanted these Iwagakure envoys to fully experience his land's 'hospitality'.
Certainly, through this enthusiastic physical labor,
They'd surely gain a new appreciation for hard work and discipline!
After all, the village outskirts were currently constructing trenches, desperately needing manpower...
"At once!"
Riyō immediately obeyed. A large group of Uchiha ninja surged forward, completely surrounding the Iwa group like sardines in a can.
Kurotsuchi: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ (shock and disbelief)
Deidara: !!!∑(?Д?ノ)ノ (utter panic)
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