Ōnoki froze as he stared at the area circled in red on the map.
Seriously, was this any way to put someone to work?
The circle covered every part of the Land of Wind that bordered the Land of Bears.
Was he supposed to search the entire border?
"President, could you tell this old man what exactly you're looking for?"
Tetsuya gave Ōnoki a strange look.
"Didn't I already tell you? I'm looking for a special mineral vein. The ore inside it contains powerful energy."
"I understand. It's just... isn't the area you've marked a little too large?"
"Yes, it is. But you don't necessarily have to search alone. You can bring in a few other Earth Release experts.
Teach them the technique I just taught you. Wouldn't that make the search much faster?"
Ōnoki breathed a sigh of relief at that.
If he had to search such a vast area alone, he would work himself to death.
Tetsuya also felt that simply making someone work wasn't quite right. He ought to offer something in return.
But what should he offer?
Tetsuya suddenly thought of Deidara, who was carrying out an undercover mission overseas.
"By the way, Ōnoki, I sent your dear student Deidara out on a special mission.
Once he completes it, his achievements will go down in the history of the shinobi world. Letting him come back to succeed you won't be a problem then."
"Deidara!"
He remembered that rebellious student of his.
Whenever he thought about how Deidara had become a rogue ninja and run off to join the Akatsuki, his heart ached a little.
Fortunately, the Akatsuki had later been absorbed into the Federation. They had shed their former status as a rogue ninja organization and become a special operations team under the Federation.
But coming