The Cheap Disciple and the Hokage's Little Thoughts

Outside the office window, a figure stood perched atop a giant white bird.

He was currently gazing at Uchiha Sora with undisguised excitement.

"Artist... no! Master! You are my true master, please, I beg you to take me as your disciple!"

"Akatsuki! Why haven't you left yet!"

The Hokage's expression shifted, and he nearly jumped out of his skin.

In all honesty, this guy had been working with Orochimaru to kill him just a moment ago, and now he was appearing brazenly at the office window?

If his nerves had been any weaker, he probably would have attacked on the spot.

Fortunately, the Hokage was a shrewd man; he knew that just like Itachi Uchiha, this fellow had been merely going through the motions the entire time.

He hadn't truly laid a hand on him.

Moreover, this was a dangerous individual; if provoked, the village could not withstand a second crisis right now.

In summary, it was better not to provoke him if it could be avoided.

Just as he was about to speak, Uchiha Sora, standing to the side, looked at Deidara with a helpless expression.

"I can't guarantee I can teach you; this stuff requires talent!"

"If you can't learn it, you can't blame me. Even so, are you still willing to take me as your master?"

Uchiha Sora wasn't lying. If you weren't immersed in technology from a young age and didn't study the corresponding theoretical foundations, how could a native of the Hokage's world possibly master it?

It was like trying to teach a monkey to play a video game; it wouldn't even know how to use the keyboard, let alone operate the controls.

But to Deidara, these words sounded completely different—the meaning had shifted.

Good heavens, wasn't this exactly what art was?

Whether one could learn it depended entirely on talent, and the ambiguity carried an indescribable sense of uncertainty!

If this wasn't art, what was?

Art was something elusive, something that left people endlessly puzzled.

"Don't worry, Master! I will definitely learn it. Even if I can't, I will persevere. And if I truly can't master it, I am more than willing to just do odd jobs for you!"

Deidara vaulted through the window and enthusiastically grabbed Uchiha Sora's hand, his expression resembling that of a crazed fan.

This scene made the Hokage jump, his aged face twisting into a grimace.

If he remembered correctly, this was Konoha Village's own office, right...

Why did it feel like these two were more at home here than he was?

Was there not a door! Could you not have used the door?

At this moment, to ensure his authority remained intact, the Hokage gave a symbolic cough.

"Deidara, is it! Not long ago you attacked Konoha Village, threatened the safety of the children, and even stood by while your so-called master was in danger. How do you have the nerve to ask for tutelage?"

"Furthermore, Konoha Village does not welcome dangerous individuals. If you leave now, I can let bygones be bygones!"

Deidara curled his lip, looking impatient.

"Alright, alright! I get it. Don't worry, I'm a man of principle. Once I've acknowledged a master, I will never do anything he forbids, even if it kills me."

Having said that, he turned back to Uchiha Sora with excitement.

"Master! Please take me in. With me around, no one in the village will dare to bully you..."

Halfway through, he paused to think. Since his master could crush a Tailed Beast with his bare hands, it seemed no one in the village would dare provoke him anyway.

So, he quickly changed his offer.

"Master! I can serve you! I'll be your beast of burden, truly!"

"As long as you let me see that explosion a few more times, even if I can't learn it, that's fine—I just want to hear the sound!"

Seeing how sincere Deidara was, Uchiha Sora sighed reluctantly.

"Fine... considering your fervent pursuit of art, I will take you as my disciple."

"However, I can't just set that stuff off whenever I want. It consumes a lot of energy, and besides, if art appeared all the time, would it still be art?"

Deidara wore an expression of being enlightened, nodding from time to time as if he had received a divine revelation.

"From now on, you can act as my bodyguard for the time being. You can learn from me while you're at it. If your intuition is high enough, who knows? You might actually learn it."

Upon hearing this, Deidara couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

"Understood! As you command!"

The Hokage, who had watched the entire exchange, felt his eyelid twitch uncontrollably.

He couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

How exactly was this kid Uchiha Sora raised? He looked to be only in his teens, so why was he so calculating?

Although Deidara had been the one to approach him, it felt like he had been played.

How did he end up becoming Uchiha Sora's bodyguard just like that?

Besides, you're just a chunin, yet you have the nerve to look so reluctant?

Have some shame!

Furthermore, it seems Sora doesn't even pay a salary, nor does he provide room and board.

Sora, you really are something!

But on second thought, this was a good thing. Deidara was, after all, a member of the Akatsuki; his strength should at least be comparable to a Kage, right?

If he could truly be kept firmly under Uchiha Sora's thumb, wouldn't that mean the village had gained a Kage-level combatant for nothing?

It was a massive profit!

He even felt that the village being torn apart today wasn't worth mentioning at all.

At least there were no casualties.

At this moment, he cleared his throat; as the Hokage, he still had to say something.

"Uchiha Sora, if you wish to take Deidara as your apprentice, you must have him join Konoha Village. Otherwise, it's always inconvenient to have an outsider in the village."

As he spoke, the Hokage kept winking at Uchiha Sora.

This was as clear as a direct order.

Uchiha Sora wasn't stupid. In fact, he had already considered everything before coming to the office today.

He understood that while the Hokage appeared to be a kind old man, he was full of devious schemes behind the scenes!

If Deidara weren't here today, he might have been thrown into solitary confinement immediately.

He might even have been sent to the Anbu for "research."

Deidara was his shield; he really couldn't do without him!

Thus, Uchiha Sora nodded.

"That is only right. Deidara... my apprentice, are you willing to join my Konoha Village starting today?"

"After joining, I can let you follow me and enter the Uchiha Clan directly. By then, you will be able to appreciate art even more closely!"

Deidara was stunned, hesitating for a moment.

He was used to being a rogue ninja; joining a village—especially Konoha—so formally felt a bit strange at first.

But soon, he shook his head. Compared to art, these things meant nothing.

If he could witness art every day and learn from it, then forget joining Konoha; he would even be happy to be the Hokage!

"As you command! Whatever Master says, goes!"

Uchiha Sora nodded with a faint smile, looking thoroughly gratified.

This scene made it seem as if Uchiha Sora were the elder, and this Akatsuki member were merely a junior.

Watching this unfold, the Hokage's eyelids twitched, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but jerk repeatedly.