Stay With Deidara

"Oh, right. The Flying Thunder God I mentioned earlier is just one of our targets. When the time comes, I'll also grab the cultivation method for the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag for you, Konan."

"Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag?"

"That's right. Tobirama Senju was a master at creating forbidden techniques, but that's all.

Whether it's the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique or Impure World Reincarnation, or Flying Thunder God, others have used them better than the original.

Only the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag hasn't been surpassed by anyone. It's perfect for you, Konan."

"I'm wondering, can Konoha really compromise so easily?"

The paper on Konan's cheek fluttered twice as the wind blew past.

"Don't worry. When Orochimaru's Konoha Collapse Plan begins, we'll send charcoal in snowy weather. They won't have a choice but to agree."

Shirozumi had already planned this, but since the Chunin Exams were still some time away, he didn't go into detail.

"Orochimaru? Right, you mentioned before that you wanted to bring him back."

Konan suddenly remembered what Shirozumi had mentioned earlier.

"He's planning to destroy Konoha?"

"...Wait, are you planning to stop Orochimaru from destroying Konoha?"

Konan was a little surprised.

She was so surprised that she didn't even point out that Shirozumi's action wasn't "sending charcoal in snowy weather," but rather "taking advantage of a disaster."

"If Orochimaru succeeds in destroying it, what will Pain destroy next time?"

"..."

"Just kidding."

Shirozumi's expression turned serious. "Orochimaru doesn't have the strength to destroy Konoha. At most, he can only kill the Third Hokage."

"So you're going to save the Third Hokage?"

"Bingo, exactly."

"Let me tally up the combat power Konoha lost during the Third Hokage's reign."

"Kakashi's father, Konoha White Fang, was driven to suicide by the inherently evil public opinion of Konoha villagers."

"I won't even mention the entire Uchiha Clan. Itachi isn't included.

Fugaku, the clan head with the Mangekyo, and Body Flicker Shisui. Not to mention the abilities of their Mangekyo, if these two had activated their Susanoo on the battlefield, combined with the Sharingan's ability to control Tailed Beasts, who could have stopped them?

And there was no need to worry about their strength growing uncontrollably, as the Mangekyo would gradually cause blindness with use.

As a result, they were gone without doing anything."

"Yellow Flash Minato Namikaze, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Kushina Uzumaki."

"The traitor Orochimaru."

"The Hyuga clan head's brother, Hizashi."

"Even you guys, Konan. If it weren't for Danzo, you would have had a decent impression of Konoha back then because of Jiraiya, and could have become a supporting force at any time."

"These examples I've given are all results directly or indirectly caused by the Third Hokage's governance.

If he had managed to retain this combat power, Konoha alone would have been able to contend with the other four villages."

"So, do you understand? If Hiruzen Sarutobi is killed by Orochimaru, the ones who should be most saddened are not Asuma Sarutobi or Konohamaru Sarutobi, but the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Mizukage, and Raikage."

"Keeping Hiruzen Sarutobi alive will be more convenient for our development."

"If the examples I just gave happen again, we can take these forces in Konoha's stead and strengthen ourselves."

After Shirozumi said this, Konan realized it was true.

For the first time, she discovered a situation in this world where keeping an "enemy" alive was more useful than them being dead.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, like Hanzo of the Salamander they once admired.

Both had once possessed grand ambitions and broad vision.

But as they grew older, they both gradually became content with mediocrity.

"This is what you call a foolish companion... what was that word you used? A 'pig teammate'."

Konan's mood gradually improved, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards.

"...Mm."

Shirozumi really wanted to retort.

How dare she talk about pig teammates.

If he hadn't reacted quickly and gotten lucky just now, he would have been sealed by the pig teammate Nagato with Chibaku Tensei.

Although that seal could be actively broken.

The Land of Earth is located in the northwest direction of the Ninja World.

The terrain is mostly rocky mountains.

The overall environment is not as scorching hot as the deserts of the Land of Wind, but rather somewhat cool and shaded.

To the west of the Land of Earth lies the Land of Snow, perpetually covered in white snow.

Shirozumi and Konan arrived near the target location where Deidara was trapped.

There was no need to contact Deidara for confirmation; several squads of Iwagakure Ninja were lurking below this place.

On the towering rock face, there was a cave entrance covered in a layer of white explosive spiders.

It was presumed that Deidara was hiding inside.

The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, using a Rock Clone Technique, guarded both sides of the rock face.

As the saying goes, "Taught by the same master, they can't break each other's defenses."

The situation Deidara was currently facing was even more severe—his opponent was his master.

Ōnoki was well aware of all of Iwagakure's methods.

The Iwagakure Ninja below were there to prevent Deidara from using the Earth Dragon Burrowing Technique to escape underground.

He, on the other hand, guarded the area above, preventing Deidara from escaping through the air, while also attempting to persuade Deidara to return to the village at the cave entrance.

It was unclear how long this had been going on.

Regardless, Ōnoki hadn't spoken a word. He sat cross-legged on a protruding rock face, eyes closed, resting, as if planning to play a war of attrition with Deidara.

On Deidara's mountain, a figure flew up and arrived at the cave entrance.

It was Kurotsuchi, who had used the Light-Weight Rock Technique.

"Kurotsuchi, don't go any closer. That kid has covered the outside with bombs. Not only those outside, but many are hidden within the rock walls."

Ōnoki opened his eyes and shouted at his granddaughter, who was acting without permission.

"It's fine, I'm not going in. I saw you, old man, trying to persuade Brother Deidara up here for days with no success. Might as well let me try."

Kurotsuchi waved her hand at Ōnoki behind her without turning her head and floated towards the cave entrance.

"Brother Deidara, are you in?"

"Nope."

"..."

Kurotsuchi, floating at the cave entrance, twitched the corner of her mouth, feeling her fists clench.

However, she still had to try to persuade him; she hadn't forgotten her objective.

"There are many of your former companions from the Demolition Squad down below. Aren't you going to come out and see them?"

Kurotsuchi said, speaking into the cave.

"Tch, they're not my companions. They don't understand art at all. Treating art as a job is an insult to art! Hmph!"

Deidara's voice came from inside the cave.

It was clear that trying to win him back through friendship and bonds was useless.

Because in Iwagakure, there was no one who could understand Deidara's art.

"Just because they use explosion ninjutsu doesn't mean Deidara will see them as companions."

A strange voice came from behind Kurotsuchi.

Kurotsuchi turned around alertly and saw a man also floating in the air.

He wasn't from Iwagakure, so how was he floating?

Wait, he just mentioned Deidara...

Kurotsuchi recalled some information Deidara had accidentally let slip during the days they had been chasing him, such as him joining an organization.

And that he was contacting that organization for help.

"Are you a member of Brother Deidara's organization? Then don't leave today, stay here with us!"

Kurotsuchi formed hand seals, puffed out her cheeks, and spat out a large mass of lime at Shirozumi:

"Katon: Sekkai no Jutsu!"

Shirozumi showed no intention of dodging, letting the spray, whether it was lime or cement, hit him and gradually solidify.

During this time, Shirozumi did only one thing.

He took out something unknown and aimed it at Kurotsuchi.

Then he replied to Kurotsuchi:

"Why should I stay? To play Shadow of the Legs?"