Iwagakure.
Training Ground.
"Lava Release: Lime Solidification Technique!"
Kurotsuchi formed hand seals and spewed a large amount of lime from her mouth.
"Water Release: Water Trumpet!"
Puff, puff, puff! Water Release followed right behind the lime.
The lime rapidly changed, becoming sticky and solidifying.
After waiting a moment, Kurotsuchi clapped her hands together. Amid a rumbling from the ground,
a treasure chest formed from solidified lime rose up.
Thanks to Kurotsuchi's precise control, the patterns on the chest were extremely clear. It did not look like something made with the Lime Solidification Technique at all.
"Ah, I did it!"
Kurotsuchi pumped her fist excitedly. This sort of mold-casting required extremely high-level Earth Release control.
She had originally learned it to make artworks, but later discovered it was also very useful for making all kinds of tools.
She ran over to the chest, opened it, and cleared out the rocks inside.
"Hmm, it'll be even better with a little polishing."
Kurotsuchi waved at Deidara, who was studying Explosion Release nearby.
"Big Brother Deidara! Come look at the treasure chest I made!"
Deidara was looking at the Stardust in his hand. "Huh? Why is so much missing?"
To use Explosion Release, he needed to process these materials beforehand. Otherwise, they simply could not withstand the energy of Dust Release.
Deidara had made every bit of the Stardust himself, so he knew exactly how much there was.
But at least a third of it was now gone, leaving Deidara thoroughly puzzled.
After all, to anyone who could not use Dust Release, this stuff was junk. No one would steal it.
Could the old man have taken it?
When he saw Kurotsuchi approaching with the treasure chest, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Though Kurotsuchi was playing around, she was also training. This