"Right, the Flying Thunder God I just mentioned is only one of the goals. By then, I'll also help Konan get the cultivation method for the Mutual Exploding Tags."
"Mutual Exploding Tags?"
"Exactly. Senju Tobirama, as a master of forbidden jutsu creation, was limited to just creating them.
Whether it's the Multiple Shadow Clone, Edo Tensei, or Flying Thunder God, there are others who use them more effectively than his original versions.
Only the Mutual Exploding Tags haven't been surpassed yet, which is perfect for you, Konan."
"I'm wondering, can Konoha really compromise so easily?"
The paper on Konan's cheek fluttered twice in the wind.
"It's fine. When Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan begins, we'll offer a helping hand, and they'll have no choice but to give in."
Bai Mo had already planned this out, but since there was still some time until the Chūnin Exams, he didn't elaborate.
"Orochimaru? Oh, right, you mentioned before that you wanted to re-recruit him."
Konan suddenly remembered what Bai Mo had said earlier.
"He's planning to destroy Konoha?"
...Wait, are you planning to stop Orochimaru from destroying Konoha?"
Konan was a little surprised.
So surprised that she didn't even mock Bai Mo for calling it "offering a helping hand" when it should have been "taking advantage of someone's misfortune."
"If Orochimaru successfully destroys it, then what will Pain destroy next time?"
"..."
"Just kidding."
Bai Mo became serious again, "Orochimaru doesn't have the power to destroy Konoha. At most, he'll just kill the Third Hokage."
"So you're going to save the Third Hokage?"
"Bingo, exactly."
"Let me list the combat power Konoha lost during the Third Hokage's reign."
"Kakashi's father, the White Fang of Konoha, was driven to suicide by the inherently evil public opinion of Konoha Village."
"The entire Uchiha Clan, not to mention Itachi. The clan leader Fugaku, who possessed a Mangekyō, and Shisui, known for his Body Flicker Technique—not to mention their Mangekyō abilities, if these two had just activated Susanoo on the battlefield, coupled with Sharingan's ability to control Tailed Beasts, who could stop them?
And there was no need to worry about their power growing unchecked, as the Mangekyō gradually leads to blindness with use.
Yet, they did nothing and were simply gone."
"Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, and Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"The rogue ninja, Orochimaru."
"Hizashi, the Hyūga clan leader's brother."
"And even you, Konan. If it weren't for Danzo, back then, because of Jiraiya, your perception of Konoha would have been positive, and you could have become an auxiliary force at any time."
"All the examples I've given are results directly or indirectly caused by problems with the Third Hokage's governance.
If he had managed to retain these combat powers, Konoha alone could have easily fought against the other four ninja villages."
"So do you understand? If Hiruzen Sarutobi were killed by Orochimaru, the ones who should be most saddened are not Asuma Sarutobi, nor Konohamaru Sarutobi, but the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Mizukage, and Raikage."
"Keeping Hiruzen Sarutobi alive makes it easier for us to develop."
"If the examples I just given happen again, we can replace Konoha and absorb these combat powers to strengthen ourselves."
As Bai Mo explained, Konan realized it was true.
She had never before realized that there could be situations where an "enemy" being alive was more useful than being dead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, like Hanzō, whom they once admired.
Both once had grand ambitions and broad-mindedness.
But with age, both gradually became content with mediocrity.
"This is what you call a foolish companion... what was that word you used? A pig teammate."
Konan's mood gradually brightened, a slight smile on her lips.
"...Mm."
Bai Mo really wanted to retort.
And she had the nerve to talk about pig teammates.
If he hadn't reacted quickly and been lucky, he would have been sealed by his pig teammate Nagato's Planetary Devastation.
Although that seal could also be voluntarily undone.
—
The Land of Earth is located in the northwest of the ninja world.
The terrain is mostly rocky mountains.
The overall environment is not as scorching as the deserts of the Land of Wind; instead, it's somewhat cool.
To the west of the Land of Earth is the Land of Snow, which is covered in white snow all year round.
Bai Mo and Konan arrived near the target location where Deidara was trapped.
There was no need to specifically contact Deidara for confirmation; several teams of Iwagakure ninja were stationed below this area.
On the towering rock face, there was a rock cave, its entrance covered with a layer of white exploding tags.
Presumably, Deidara was hiding inside.
Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to guard both sides of the rock face.
As the saying goes, "If it's taught by the same master, you can't break through the defense."
Deidara was now facing an even more severe situation—his opponent was his own master.
Ōnoki was aware of all of Iwagakure's techniques.
The Iwagakure ninja below were to prevent Deidara from using the Earth Dragon Bullet Jutsu to escape underground.
He, on the other hand, was guarding above, preventing Deidara from escaping by air, and at the same time, attempting to persuade Deidara to return to the village at the cave entrance.
It was unknown how long this had been going on.
In any case, Ōnoki wasn't saying a word now, just sitting cross-legged on a protruding rock face, eyes closed in meditation, as if planning a war of attrition with Deidara.
On Deidara's rock mountain, a figure flew up and arrived at the entrance of the rock cave.
It was Kurotsuchi, who had used the Light-Weight Boulder Technique.
"Kurotsuchi, don't go over there. That kid has covered the outside with bombs, not just those on the surface, but many also hidden within the rock face."
Ōnoki opened his eyes and shouted at his granddaughter, who had acted on her own.
"It's fine, I'm not going in. I've seen you, old man, trying to persuade Deidara-bro for days up there, and it's been useless. It's better if I try."
Kurotsuchi didn't look back, waving her hand at Ōnoki behind her, and floated towards the cave entrance.
"Deidara-bro, are you there?"
"No."
"..."
Kurotsuchi, floating at the cave entrance, twitched her lips, feeling her fists clench.
However, she still had to persuade him; she hadn't forgotten her purpose.
"There are many of your former teammates from the Explosion Corps down the mountain. Aren't you going to come out and see them?"
Kurotsuchi said into the cave.
"Tch, they're not my comrades. They don't understand art at all, treating art as work. That's an insult to art! Hmm!"
Deidara's voice came from inside the cave.
Clearly, trying to win him back with friendship or bonds was useless.
Because in Iwagakure, there was simply no one who could understand Deidara's art.
"Just because they use explosion ninjutsu doesn't mean Deidara considers them comrades."
A strange voice came from behind Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi turned around alertly, seeing a man also suspended in the air.
The person wasn't from Iwagakure, so how was he floating?
Wait, he just mentioned Deidara... Kurotsuchi recalled some information Deidara had inadvertently revealed during the past few days of chasing and blocking him, such as him joining an organization.
And that he was contacting that organization for help.
"Are you a member of Deidara-bro's organization? Then don't leave today; stay here with us!"
Kurotsuchi formed hand signs, puffed out her cheeks, and spewed a large cloud of quicklime at Bai Mo:
"Lava Release: Quicklime Coagulation Technique!"
Bai Mo showed no intention of dodging, letting the quicklime or cement, whatever it was, spray onto him, gradually solidifying.
During this time, Bai Mo did only one thing.
He pulled out something, aimed it at Kurotsuchi.
Then he replied to Kurotsuchi:
"Stay here to do what? Play leg shadow?"
....
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