Deidara Squad

Iwagakure, outside the Tsuchikage's office building.

Kitsuchi walked out of the Tsuchikage Office, his face heavy with a gloom that would not fade.

His rugged features were stern to begin with, and now his brows were locked even tighter into a deep furrow. Every step he took was especially heavy, as though an invisible boulder weighed on his shoulders.

"Senior brother, don't worry too much," Akatsuchi's muffled, booming voice came from beside him.

Akatsuchi was short, stocky, and solidly built, like a block of granite tempered through countless hammer blows. His round face always wore an honest, dependable expression.

He patted Kitsuchi's sturdy arm, trying to make his voice sound more confident. "Teacher is Ōnoki of the Two-Day Balance! He's been through more crises than we've walked roads. He'll definitely think of something this time too. Mm!"

Kitsuchi stopped and looked at this junior brother hailed throughout Iwagakure as the "Tsuchikage's Shield of Peerless Strength."

Akatsuchi might not be as flexible as him in strategy, but his toughness, loyalty, and that steady calm that did not change even if Mount Tai collapsed before him always put people at ease.

But the wrinkles between Kitsuchi's brows did not loosen. He sighed. "That may be true, but this time... the Land of Stars is putting too much pressure on us. Those 'advisers' they have stationed in the village aren't just there for show. The old man's decision this time carries no small amount of risk."

He paused, his tone carrying even more helplessness and headache. "Forget it. Let's not talk about that for now. I'll go release that kid Deidara from the confinement room. Counting the days, his time is up today. I hope this month can make that little bastard a little... just a little more well-behaved."

At the mention of