Orochimaru was a rich man—very rich. Otherwise, he could never have established so many secret laboratories across the Ninja World, much less built Otogakure from the ground up with his own hands.
So although Orochimaru felt somewhat annoyed by Houka's blatant extortion, he was wealthy enough not to care. With a sweep of his hand, he had someone bring out a sum of money and hand it over to Houka.
When they left the underground laboratory, Deidara and Kimimaro's fight in the backyard had already been decided.
The backyard, once imbued with the tranquil charm of a southern riverside town, had been blasted full of holes. Deidara, the culprit, was pinned to the ground and rubbed into the dirt by a murderous-looking Kimimaro, blood streaming down his body.
Deidara shouted that it was unfair, his tone full of grievance as he demanded another match.
And in truth, that was indeed the case. Though Kimimaro possessed the powerful Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai and was a born Taijutsu powerhouse, if he truly fought Deidara to the death, he would undoubtedly die!
Deidara's Explosion Release, used through Explosive Clay, allowed him to fight on land, at sea, and in the air. As long as he flew into the sky and kept tossing bombs at Kimimaro, he could blow Kimimaro to death in less than half a day!
The only reason he was currently being ground into the dirt by Kimimaro was that his Explosive Clay... had run out.
Houka separated the two with a helpless laugh. "Alright, stop fighting. Kimimaro, Orochimaru wants you. Get inside."
Only then did Kimimaro reluctantly let go. He snorted at Deidara. "Watch your mouth next time!"
Deidara sprang up from the ground and pointed at him as he roared, "Bastard! Just wait until I restock my Explosive Clay. I'll