First encounter with Deidara and Sasori

At the other end of the canyon, two figures slowly approached.

One was a blond teenager wearing a black cloak embroidered with red clouds.

He wore a crazed smile as he toyed with a lump of clay.

The other was a puppeteer carrying a large scroll on his back, also dressed in the Akatsuki uniform.

They were Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sands!

The people in the caravan froze at the sight of them.

"Who are those people?"

"They're wearing such strange clothes..."

Uchiha Rìtiān's expression grew grave.

They're here!

"Uncle Shikaku, be careful. These two won't be easy to deal with," Uchiha Rìtiān said quietly.

Shikaku also dropped his laid-back expression, his gaze sharpening.

"Akatsuki..." Shikaku said gravely. "What are they doing here?"

"They're probably after the One-Tail," Uchiha Rìtiān said evenly.

Shikaku glanced at Uchiha Rìtiān, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

How does this kid know so much?

While the two were talking, Deidara and Sasori had already drawn close.

"Oh? Konoha ninja?" Deidara raised an eyebrow. "A Nara Clan member and an Uchiha brat, too?"

"What an unexpected bonus, hm."

Sasori said nothing, merely watching them coldly.

His gaze was like someone looking at dead things.

"Who are you?" Shikaku asked gravely. "Why are you blocking our way?"

"Who are we?" Deidara chuckled. "We're from the Akatsuki."

"We came to borrow something from you today."

"What?"

"The One-Tail Jinchuriki." Deidara's smile grew crazed. "Hand over Gaara, and we'll let you go, hm."

Yamada's expression changed drastically. "The One-Tail Jinchuriki? What's that?"

He was just an ordinary merchant and knew nothing about jinchūriki.

Shikaku looked grim as well.

The Akatsuki wants to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki?

This is serious!

"If you want the One-Tail, you'll have to get past us first," Shikaku said coldly.

"Oh? You?" Deidara scoffed. "One jonin and three brats?"

"Don't make me laugh, hm."

Uchiha Rìtiān stepped forward and said with a grin, "Hey, blond big brother, don't look down on us."

"Sometimes, a kid can surprise you."

Deidara looked at Uchiha Rìtiān and raised an eyebrow.

"An Uchiha brat? You want to fight me?"

"Why not?" Uchiha Rìtiān shrugged.

"Hahahaha!" Deidara burst out laughing. "Interesting. Very interesting!"

"It's been a long time since I met such an entertaining brat, hm."

He turned to Sasori. "Sasori, my man, leave this brat to me. You go capture the One-Tail."

Sasori nodded without a word and headed straight toward Sunagakure.

"Trying to leave? Not so fast!" Shikaku was about to act.

"I'm your opponent." Deidara smiled and formed hand seals.

"Art is an Explosion!"

"Ha!"

He threw out several Clay Birds, sending them flying toward Shikaku.

Shikaku's expression changed. "Shadow Imitation Technique!"

His shadow instantly stretched out and caught the Clay Birds.

But-

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Clay Birds exploded on the spot!

Thunderous explosions rang out, and smoke filled the air.

"Sensei Shikaku!" Hayate shouted.

The smoke cleared, revealing Shikaku standing unharmed where he had been.

An earthen wall stood beside him.

Uchiha Rìtiān had blocked the explosions with Earth Release.

"Oh, pretty quick reactions." Deidara raised an eyebrow. "Uchiha brat, what's your name?"

"I never hide my name. Uchiha Rìtiān," Uchiha Rìtiān said coolly.

"Uchiha Rìtiān..." Deidara repeated the name, the corners of his mouth rising.

"I'll remember you, hm."

"There aren't many people whose names I bother remembering."

Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. "Plenty of people remember my name. Who do you think you are?"

The smile froze on Deidara's face.

This brat... is pretty cocky.

"Interesting." Deidara sneered. "Then let's see what you can do."

He clapped his hands together. "C2: Dragon!"

A massive clay dragon flew from his hands and lunged at Uchiha Rìtiān.

"Watch out!" Shikaku shouted.

Uchiha Rìtiān calmly formed hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A water dragon leaped from the ground to meet the clay dragon.

Boom-!

The water dragon and clay dragon collided with a deafening explosion.

Mist filled the air.

Deidara froze for a moment.

Water Release?

Someone from the Uchiha Clan could actually use Water Release?

"Pretty interesting, hm." Deidara's smile grew even more crazed.

Just then, Jingyue made a move.

"Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana Technique!"

Deidara's movements faltered, as though he had fallen under the genjutsu.

"Now's our chance!" Hayate shouted, charging forward.

"Multi-Size Technique: Super Iron Fist!"

Hayate's fist grew enormous and smashed toward Deidara.

Bang!

The punch landed!

"I hit him!" Hayate said excitedly.

However-

Bang!

Deidara's body suddenly exploded!

"No! It's a Clay Clone!" Uchiha Rìtiān roared.

"Get out of the way!"

But it was already too late.

The massive explosion engulfed everything.

"Hayate!" Jingyue's expression changed drastically.

The smoke cleared. Hayate lay on the ground, covered in wounds.

"Hayate!" Jingyue ran over and helped him up.

"I... I'm fine..." Hayate said weakly.

Uchiha Rìtiān's expression darkened.

Deidara... really was tough to deal with.

"Heh heh, fell for it, didn't you?" Deidara's voice came from above.

He stood on a Clay Giant Bird, looking down at them.

"You're still too green to take me on, hm."

Uchiha Rìtiān clenched his fists.

This guy... is pretty tricky.

"Rìtiān, are you all right?" Shikaku walked over and asked quietly.

"I'm fine." Uchiha Rìtiān shook his head. "Uncle Shikaku, go after Sasori. Leave this to me."

Shikaku paused. "Can you handle him alone?"

"Don't worry. I have a way," Uchiha Rìtiān said confidently.

Shikaku hesitated, but finally nodded.

"All right. Be careful."

"Jingyue, take care of Hayate. I'm going after Sasori."

"Yes!" Jingyue nodded.

Shikaku turned and pursued Sasori in the direction he had left.

Deidara made no attempt to stop him, merely watching Uchiha Rìtiān with interest.

"You're taking me on alone, brat?" Deidara smiled. "Are you really that confident?"

"Of course." Uchiha Rìtiān grinned. "Because... I'm Uchiha Rìtiān."

"Ding! One-on-one duel with Deidara detected."

"Option one: face him head-on and defeat him with strength. Rewards: Show-Off Points +500, Deidara's recognition +1."

"Option two: win through tactics and schemes. Rewards: Show-Off Points +300, Deidara's anger +1."

"Option three: fight while retreating to stall for time. Reward: survival chance +30%."

Without a second thought, Uchiha Rìtiān said, "Option one!"

Come on, a head-on showdown was a man's romance!

Besides... he wanted to test exactly how strong he was now.

"Watch out, blond big brother." Uchiha Rìtiān slowly activated his Sharingan.

The two tomoe spun rapidly.

"I'm getting serious!"

Deidara watched Uchiha Rìtiān's Sharingan, a flicker of excitement crossing his eyes.

"The Sharingan? Interesting!"

"Then let's see whether your Sharingan can keep up with my art!"

The battle was about to erupt!