Iwagakure
"Lord Tsuchikage, I'm going to the border to pick someone up."
After returning to Iwagakure, Didaze spoke to Ōnoki.
"This person will be very useful to me!"
"Hmm? Picking someone up at the border? Someone who's very useful to you?"
Ōnoki looked at Didaze in puzzlement. He had no idea who at the border was worth Didaze going to fetch.
"Are you bringing Raito back?"
Ōnoki asked, somewhat puzzled.
Other than Raito, he couldn't think of anyone who would be useful to Didaze.
Actually, even Raito wouldn't be much use to Didaze. After all, Didaze's strength had already far surpassed Raito's.
"No, he's the border captain. If I brought him back, who would guard the border?"
Didaze waved his hands repeatedly. Raito was the border captain. He would have to be crazy to bring Raito back.
"Stop asking, old man. Won't you know who it is once Didaze brings them back? What's the point of asking so many questions?"
Kitsuchi seized the chance to take a jab at Ōnoki from the sidelines, making Ōnoki bristle and glare again.
Didaze could only smile helplessly.
Kitsuchi never talked back to Ōnoki like this in the original, did he? Could it be because he's gotten older?
"Go on, then. I'll assign you missions later. Once Nanako Uzumaki graduates, you'll be her Jonin instructor."
Ōnoki intended to let Didaze build up his credentials.
As for practicing Wind Release, he didn't necessarily have to train in seclusion. Sometimes, going out and fighting was better than secluded training.
Fighting more battles might produce far better results than doing nothing but training in seclusion.
"Sure!"
Didaze nodded.
He understood what Ōnoki meant. He wanted Nanako Uzumaki to become his disciple.
Although his original idea had been for Ōnoki to become Nanako Uzumaki's master, Ōnoki had refused.
Ōnoki felt he was already old, and there was no need to take Nanako Uzumaki as his disciple. Having Didaze become Nanako Uzumaki's master would be best. By the time Didaze became Tsuchikage, Nanako Uzumaki would have matured as well.
So having Nanako Uzumaki become Didaze's disciple was the best choice.
"I'm off, then!"
Didaze left the Tsuchikage's office.
"Kōdo, what do you think of Didaze's current strength?"
Ōnoki suddenly asked Kōdo.
He wanted to hear the most accurate account from Kōdo.
Although he had worked out a rough estimate of Didaze's strength himself, his own assessment could never compare to that of someone who had actually been on the battlefield.
"Didaze's current strength?"
Kōdo scratched his head.
"Didaze is absolutely strong enough to deserve the title of Kage now. If he can learn Dust Release, he'll undoubtedly become Iwagakure's strongest Kage!"
Kōdo's face was full of pride as he spoke of Didaze, as though he shared in Didaze's glory.
"How wonderful... the age of the young..."
Ōnoki smiled with gratification as well.
Seeing such flourishing vitality in the next generation brought a surge of joy even to an old man like him.
The Land of Earth's border
Traveling at full speed, Didaze soon reached the Land of Earth's border. Looking down at the border below, he couldn't help being filled with emotion.
He had faced a tremendous crisis as soon as he transmigrated here, and now he had returned to this place.
"Is that... Lord Didaze?"
The people at the border recognized Didaze immediately.
After all, that clay Giant Bird was practically impossible to replicate, and stories of Didaze had spread by word of mouth. Everyone knew that traveling by clay Giant Bird was his trademark.
"Hey! Didaze!"
Dogen waved wildly from below.
Although he was stationed at the border, he still received Iwagakure's battle reports.
Seeing his teammate shine so brightly made him feel immensely proud as well.
"Hey, Dogen! How have you been lately?"
Didaze flew down to the ground, stepped off the clay Giant Bird, and greeted Dogen with a smile.
"Kumogakure has been harassing our border noticeably less often lately. That's all thanks to you!"
Dogen cheerfully patted Didaze on the shoulder, then gave him a hug.
"By the way, what did you come back for this time?"
Dogen asked curiously.
"I came back to pick someone up to be my deputy!"
Didaze answered Dogen with a smile.
"Your deputy? That person's really lucky!"
Dogen sounded a little envious.
"Dogen, why don't you come with me? If you do, you'll be on equal footing with me!"
Didaze extended the invitation with a smile.
"No need for that. I've gotten used to guarding the border. I'd actually feel uncomfortable if I went back!"
Dogen waved his hand in refusal.
"Then I'll go pick up my deputy first. Once I've got him, let's find Raito and have a good chat together!"
Didaze planned to find Deido first, then have a meal with his two good friends.
"Go on, then. Tonight, we're not going home sober!"
Dogen smiled and waved.
Didaze nodded, then headed straight for Deido's tent.
Deido was eating at the time, and his eyes went wide the instant he saw Didaze enter!
"L-Lord Didaze?"
Deido could hardly believe it. He had thought Didaze would never come looking for him again!
After all, some things were only meant to be heard. Taking them seriously meant losing.
"Didn't I tell you I wanted you to work under me? I'm now formally inviting you to become my deputy. Are you willing?"
Didaze asked solemnly.
"Yes... yes, I am!!!"
Deido immediately bowed and nodded repeatedly, trembling all over with excitement.
"Then you'll come with me to Iwagakure tomorrow. You won't need to stay here at the border anymore."
Didaze smiled and nodded.
"From now on, you'll take missions with me. I'll be leaving all the tedious work to you. Whenever you feel you don't want to do it anymore, you can stop. I won't say anything."
Didaze told Deido.
"Rest assured, Lord Didaze. I'll use everything I'm capable of to handle every task you give me!"
Deido said with a solemn expression.
He wouldn't say anything about giving his life for Didaze. After all, that was meaningless. All he could say was that he would make sure to handle everything for Didaze.
Didaze nodded in satisfaction.
He hadn't originally intended to cultivate trusted aides so early, but Ōnoki had told him to start as soon as possible. Trusted aides cultivated after becoming Tsuchikage would still be trustworthy, but they wouldn't compare to those cultivated beforehand.
Those who followed you before you became Tsuchikage valued you as a person, but that wasn't necessarily true after you became Tsuchikage. Some people only valued the position.
After patting Deido on the shoulder and offering him some encouragement, Didaze headed toward the place where he had arranged to meet Dogen and Raito.
Only Deido remained there, rejoicing by himself.