Although Deidara had no idea who this blockhead in front of him was, he figured having a fan couldn't be all bad, right?
Had his explosions made him famous?
Haha! I knew someone would appreciate my art!
At that thought, Deidara thumped his chest and said, "If you're my fan, shouldn't you be the one following me? Why should I follow you?"
Uchiha Yu rubbed his forehead helplessly.
If you didn't follow me, you'd have to join a group of even more terrifying bad guys.
One of them couldn't be killed, another was basically a potted plant, and there was also one whose ideas about art were the exact opposite of yours.
You'd be better off with me!
"The people of Iwagakure don't appreciate your art. You'd be better off coming with me to our village! Lots of people there will like you." Uchiha Yu began laying it on thick.
Only then did Deidara realize why he didn't recognize the guy. So this bastard wasn't from Iwagakure!
"Which ninja village are you from?" Deidara asked curiously.
Was I really that famous already? Even people from other villages had heard of me!
I knew making art would make me famous!
Those old fossils in Iwagakure just wouldn't believe it, and they even kicked me out!
Hmph, that's what they get!
"Today they ignore you. Tomorrow they'll be begging for your attention!"
"Deidara, your great name has reached Konoha Ninja Village in the Land of Fire. You have plenty of fans there, and they all hope to see you in person. Why not come to Konoha with me?"
Uchiha Yu spoke with complete sincerity.
Though the people in Konoha would probably think Deidara was a lunatic...
Whatever. I'd explain it later!
Deidara nodded. "Really? Well, I suppose I can make time to come along and have a look!"
Deidara stood up, thumping his chest with an air of superiority.
Uchiha Yu smiled faintly. It looked like getting Deidara to come to Konoha was as good as settled.
Deidara was dangerous, but he was also a very capable fighter.
Once he grew up, he'd surely do plenty for Konoha.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the tent.
"Where's that blond brat who keeps setting off explosions? We have to drag him back to the village today!"
"Damn it! He blew up Iwagakure's sewers during the day! Now nobody can get around the village!"
"We have to teach that brat a lesson! Even if he's Lord Tsuchikage's student, nobody's stopping us! I said it!"
A group of people dressed as Iwagakure ninja were heading toward the poor little tent.
Uchiha Yu blinked. "You caused an explosion today?"
Deidara nodded. "Today? Which time are you asking about?"
Uchiha Yu: "..."
Then Deidara sprang to his feet with practiced ease and bolted.
He hadn't gone far before several ninja outside the tent tackled him to the ground.
"Damn it! Let go of me! You artless idiots! Don't touch me!"
In a flash, Deidara was trussed up like a dumpling. He lay on the ground, wriggling like a caterpillar.
"Hmph! You little brat! You caused another explosion! I'll teach you a proper lesson and show you your place!"
A tall ninja walked up to Deidara, sneered, and planted a foot on him.
Just then, the tent flap opened, and Uchiha Yu stepped outside.
"Four ninja. They look about Genin level."
Uchiha Yu fixed his gaze on them.
These people were picking on a ten-year-old Deidara, nothing more.
And even that might not go their way.
"Who are you?" The Iwagakure ninja looked at Uchiha Yu in confusion.
Suddenly, Deidara wriggled one hand free and formed a Hand Seal with it.
"Take a look at my art!"
The Clay Bird he'd made earlier slowly flew into the space between the four men.
"Detonate!"
An explosion rang out!
The powerful shock wave sent all four of them flying.
Deidara, still on the ground, rolled several times as well.
Uchiha Yu had been ready for it, but the blast still hurled him straight into the tent, smashing the tiny shelter into a mess of rags.
"Holy crap!" Uchiha Yu stared in shock. That explosion was about as powerful as an ordinary Fire Release technique!
Deidara really was a genius!
Thinking about it, Deidara had died in a self-detonation at nineteen. He'd still been young, and hadn't even fully developed his talent, yet he'd already been that strong.
Give him a few more years to grow, and who knew how much stronger he might become!
"Cough, cough!"
The Iwagakure ninja were all tough as nails. Even after being blasted at close range, the worst of them had only broken a few bones.
That was because Deidara had deliberately held back the explosion's power. He might have been carrying out acts of terrorism, but he didn't want to kill anyone.
Otherwise, getting kicked out of the village would have been the least of his problems.
"You little brat!"
The tall Iwagakure ninja had blood all over one side of his face. In a fury, he grabbed Deidara off the ground and raised his fist to strike.
Deidara glared at him defiantly, making the tall ninja even angrier.
"I'll smash your face in!" The tall ninja raised his fist, ready to bring it down.
Watching this, Uchiha Yu shook his head slightly. "Buddy, I strongly suggest you don't do that."
The tall ninja turned to Uchiha Yu and spat. "You little brat, you dare stick your nose into our business? Want me to kill you right here?"
One of his companions said, "Just beat him up and leave it at that. We snuck out of the village. If someone dies, it'll be hard to explain."
Uchiha Yu sighed helplessly.
He was trying to save their lives...
Deidara, still held up in the air, had already shaped a fresh lump of Explosive Clay in his hand.
The next explosion wouldn't just break a few bones.
"Fine. I'll deal with you myself."
When Uchiha Yu lifted his head, his eyes had transformed into the Sharingan once more.
The moment they saw his eyes, the ninja all stared in shock.
"Is that... the Sharingan?" One of them took half a step back. "You're not from Iwagakure!"
Uchiha Yu said, "Now that you've recognized me, I really can't let you leave."
The instant the words left his mouth, Uchiha Yu's body turned into a puddle of water. He reappeared in front of the tall ninja in the blink of an eye.
Water Body Flicker!
He snatched Deidara from the tall ninja, spun around, and slammed a fierce kick into him.
The ninja let out a scream as he flew backward and smashed into the rock behind him with a loud crack!
The rock shattered into pieces!
"Get him!"
The remaining three ninja didn't hesitate. They charged straight at Uchiha Yu.
Before you continue