Deliberation

The next day.

A large white bird flew into Konoha's territory once again.

Konoha had been notified in advance and knew it was Deidara, so no one stopped him.

They merely sent someone to lead him to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

"The old man says an alliance is fine, but he'd like to invite the Fourth Hokage over to discuss the details."

Deidara delivered the message directly to Senyo.

It seemed Ōnoki still wanted to test Konoha.

But Senyo had plans of his own.

"Go back and tell Ōnoki to meet me at Stone Mine Cave. Set the time for seven days from now."

"I'll head back in a couple of days. First, I'm going to see Big Brother Sasori."

Though Deidara had been sent here to run an errand, his main purpose was to see Sasori. There was plenty of time anyway, so he was in no hurry.

With that, he dashed off in a blur.

That was just how Deidara was. He always did as he pleased, and aside from art, he did not take many things to heart.

Senyo did not mind. He knew exactly what kind of person Deidara was.

Stone Mine Cave was the mine that Sunagakure and Iwagakure had fought over back then. In the end, the Land of Stone had even been annexed into the Land of Earth because of it.

That vein had long since been mined dry, leaving only a bare, empty cave behind.

Senyo only knew about it because Konan had told him.

And Konan had learned of it from Kakuzu.

After all, Kakuzu had been managing that place. Once the vein was exhausted, he was the one most upset by it.

After all, his steady monthly income was gone. For Kakuzu, days without money in sight were unbearable.

He