Chapter 27: Stay with Deidara
"By the way, the Flying Thunder God I mentioned earlier is just one of our objectives. While we're at it, I'll also help you master the method for creating explosive tags that can be used in combination."
"Explosive tags that can be combined?"
"Yes, exactly. Senju Tobirama, the creator of forbidden jutsu, was the one who created them. But even though he invented techniques like Shadow Clone Jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation, and the Flying Thunder God, others have used them in ways more powerful than his original versions."
"The only technique no one has surpassed him in is the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, and it's perfect for you, Konan-nee."
"I was wondering… Can Konoha really compromise so easily?"
Konan's paper fluttered lightly on her cheek, blown by the wind.
"Don't worry. Once Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan begins, we'll be there to help them out of a jam. They won't have any choice but to agree to our terms."
Shiromo had already made detailed plans, but since the Chūnin Exams were still some time away, he hadn't shared everything yet.
"Orochimaru? Right, you mentioned you wanted to bring him back into Akatsuki."
Konan suddenly remembered something Shiromo had said earlier.
"He's planning to destroy Konoha?"
"...Wait, are you trying to stop Orochimaru from destroying Konoha?"
Konan was surprised, to the point where she didn't even comment on how Shiromo's plan seemed less like "helping out" and more like "taking advantage of the situation."
"If Orochimaru succeeds in destroying it, what will Pain destroy next?"
"..."
"Just kidding."
"Orochimaru can't really destroy Konoha. The most he could do is kill the Third Hokage."
"So you're planning to save the Third Hokage?"
"Bingo. That's exactly it."
Konan thought for a moment before replying, "Let me summarize for you the combat power Konoha has lost during the Third Hokage's reign."
"First, there's Kakashi's father, Konoha's White Fang Hatake Sakumo, who was driven to suicide by the biased opinions of Konoha villagers."
"Let's not even mention the entire Uchiha clan, or Itachi. The clan's leader, Fugaku, and Shisui, both possessing Mangekyō Sharingan, regardless of the Mangekyō's abilities could have decimated enemies on the battlefield. If they had just used Susanoo and combined it with their Sharingan's control over tailed beasts, no one could have stopped them."
"And there's no need to worry about their power growing uncontrollably; the Mangekyou Sharingan gradually blinds them with use."
"And they didn't even get the chance to do anything, just gone."
"Then there's the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina."
"Not to mention the defector, Orochimaru."
"And the Hyūga clan's leader's younger brother, Hizashi."
"Even you two, Konan-nee, if it weren't for Danzo, you might have had a better relationship with Konoha due to Jiraiya, and you could have been a great force in battle."
"I'm bringing up these examples because they all directly or indirectly resulted from the Third Hokage's leadership and decisions. If he had managed to keep these peoples, Konoha could easily have defeated the other four great villages on its own."
"Do you understand now? If Sarutobi Hiruzen is killed by Orochimaru, the ones who should mourn the most aren't Sarutobi Asuma, or Sarutobi Konohamaru. It's the Kazekage, the Tsuchikage, the Mizukage, and the Raikage."
"Leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen alive will actually make it easier for us to develop."
"And if the incidents I just mentioned keep happening, we can step in and absorb those forces, strengthening ourselves."
After Shiromo's words, Konan realized he was right.
She had never considered that keeping "enemies" alive could sometimes be more beneficial than killing them.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, much like their former idol, Hanzo the Salamander, had once been ambitious and had great vision. But as the years passed, he had gradually settled into a more complacent attitude.
"Ah, this is what you meant by 'foolish teamates.' What did you call it again? A 'pig teammate'?"
Konan smiled slightly, feeling a bit lighter.
"…Mm."
Shiromo almost wanted to sarcastically respond, but he held back.
He had every right to call someone a "pig teammate", he barely survived a "Chibaku Tensei" from Nagato, thanks to his quick reflexes and luck.
---
The Land of Earth lay to the northwest of the Shinobi World, known for its rocky mountains. The terrain wasn't as sweltering as the desert of the Land of Wind, but rather a bit chilly.
To the west of it was the snowy Land of Snow, perpetually blanketed in white.
Shiromo and Konan arrived near the area where Deidara was trapped.
There was no need to contact him directly. Several squads of Iwagakure ninja were already lying in wait beneath.
At the base of a towering rock wall, there was a cave, its entrance covered with a layer of white explosive spiders.
Deidara was probably hiding inside.
Tsuchikage Onoki was using Earth Clones to keep watch on both sides of the rock wall.
There's an old saying, "If you're both taught by the same teacher, you won't break each other's defenses."
But Deidara's situation was even more severe, his opponent was his own sensei.
Onoki knew all of Iwagakure's techniques. The squads of Iwa ninja below were there to stop Deidara from using the "Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique" to escape underground.
Meanwhile, Onoki hovered above, preventing Deidara from escaping through the air, occasionally trying to convince him to return to the village.
How long has it been? Onoki didn't speak a word but sat cross-legged on a protruding rock, meditating as if he was planning to play a waiting game with Deidara.
Suddenly, a figure flew up and arrived at the cave entrance.
It was Kurotsuchi, using her Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique.
"Kurotsuchi, don't go over there! That brat has covered the outside with bombs, and not just those, there are plenty more hidden in the rock walls."
Onoki opened his eyes and called out to his granddaughter, who was rushing ahead.
"It's fine, I'm not going inside. I've seen you try to convince Deidara for days now with no success. It's about time for a change."
Without waiting for a reply, Kurotsuchi waved at Onoki and flew toward the cave entrance.
"Deidara, are you there?"
"Not here."
"…"
Kurotsuchi, hovering at the entrance, twitched her lips. She couldn't help but feel like her patience was running thin.
But she still had a mission. She wasn't about to give up just yet.
"There are plenty of your old teammates from the Explosion Corps waiting down here. Aren't you planning to come out and see them?"
"Hahaha, they aren't my teammates. They don't understand art. They treat it like a job, which is an insult to art! Hmph!"
Deidara's voice echoed from within the cave.
It was clear that trying to use friendship and bonds to convince him wouldn't work.
In Iwagakure, no one could understand Deidara's art.
"Just using explosive ninjutsu doesn't make you one of Deidara's teammates," a voice suddenly came from behind Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi immediately turned around, startled. She saw a man floating in the air.
He wasn't from Iwagakure, how was he floating?
Wait, he had just mentioned Deidara…
Kurotsuchi recalled the intel they'd gathered about Deidara during their pursuit. He had revealed a few things, like how he had joined an organization and was reaching out for help.
"Are you from Deidara's organization?" Kurotsuchi asked, "Well then, don't leave today. Stay with us here!"
Kurotsuchi formed hand seals, her cheeks puffing up as she unleashed a large cloud of lime: "Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique!"
Shiromo didn't dodge. He let the lime, or maybe it was cement, cover him and begin to solidify.
During this time, Shiromo did one thing.
He pulled out something unknown and aimed it at Kurotsuchi.
Then he replied to her: "Stay? For What, To play with 'Leg Kage' now?"
(End of this chapter)