"Good! For the sake of having you join Iwagakure, this old man accepts the wager!" The more Ōnoki looked at Haku, the more satisfied he became. To everyone's surprise, he agreed without the slightest hesitation.
In his own words, for such a clever and bright "young lady," what did it matter if he suffered a little loss?
A talent like this was worth the gamble!
Just like that, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, who had refused to budge no matter what Soji said, had been provoked by Haku into allowing Soji to achieve his first objective!
Even Soji himself had not expected this.
That old fox really doesn't play by the rules, Soji thought to himself.
In truth, for someone as crafty as Ōnoki, the only thing that could make him relent was profit.
Clearly, he believed that having Haku join Iwagakure would benefit him.
Moreover, although Haku had already displayed strength no weaker than that of an ordinary jonin, Ōnoki still had his own calculations in allowing Haku to challenge their entire ninja academy alone.
Thus, the matter of Haku challenging the Kumogakure Ninja Academy, with both sides placing a wager, was settled.
Furthermore, since the matter involved a wager, there was no question of giving Iwagakure a few more days to prepare. It began immediately.
However, as the group headed toward the Kumogakure Ninja Academy, Ōnoki quietly summoned a trusted subordinate.
"Go. Head to the temple outside the village at top speed and call that brat Deidara back. Tell him this old man has found him a powerful opponent his own age. Have him end his training and return at once." As he spoke, Ōnoki revealed a sinister smile.
"Ah, yes! I'll go right away!" The subordinate was stunned for a moment upon hearing the Tsuchikage's