Hanzo of the Salamander.
That cursed name was all too familiar to Danzō Shimura!
The events in the Land of Rain all those years ago still haunted him vividly.
It was because of Hanzo's actions that his Root was destroyed.
If not for Hanzo realizing that the chaos was happening on his own turf and staying behind to deal with that madman, who knows—they might have ended up running for their lives side by side.
"Why are you bringing up that guy?"
Danzō's fists clenched tightly, but he forced himself to suppress his emotions.
"Because this investigation involves Hanzo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in hand, spoke calmly. He was well aware of Danzō's history with Hanzo; otherwise, he wouldn't have approached him about this.
"Jiraiya and the others went to Iwagakure recently and encountered some rather interesting individuals. But to verify certain details, we need to consult Hanzo."
"Jiraiya..."
Hearing that name on top of Hanzo's was like pouring oil on the flames of Danzō's anger.
One Hanzo was enough to make his fists tremble, but adding Jiraiya to the mix? That was unbearable.
Even now, he clearly remembered the day he walked into the Hokage's office and heard Hiruzen say to Jiraiya, "The Hokage position is yours."
Why didn't he ever say that to me?
Danzō seriously suspected that Hiruzen had called him here just to spite him.
But what could he do? He wasn't the Hokage.
"Hanzo of the Salamander has been in seclusion in Amegakure for years. I have no way to contact him."
"But didn't you have close ties with him over a decade ago?"
"...That was then. This is now."
"Still, could you try to think of a way? There are some things I need to ask him."
"...Fine."
Danzō's breathing grew heavier. He wanted to shout: That was in the past! Things are different now!
If he could, he'd strangle that bastard Hanzo with his own hands.
All his painstaking efforts to build up Root had been ruined because he sought Hanzo's support.
"Wait a minute... Could it be!?"
Suddenly, a thought struck Danzō. He recalled the reports from the Fourth Mizukage, mentioning an orange-haired man and a blue-haired woman.
That scene—it resembled those people from back then.
"But that can't be right. Didn't the orange-haired guy die?"
Danzō clearly remembered the events of that day, though the faces didn't quite match up in his mind.
Wasn't it the red-haired one who survived?
"Do you know something? You seem... off."
Hiruzen tapped his pipe on the table, his tone laced with curiosity.
"Hmph, I was just thinking that Hanzo might already be dead!"
Danzō shook his head decisively. Despite his unease, he maintained a cold expression.
"According to reports, he's been reclusive for years, with no public appearances. He might very well be dead."
If Hanzo were dead, Amegakure would undoubtedly keep it a secret.
After all, the Land of Rain was a strategic location, bordered by multiple small nations and three major ones—Wind, Fire, and Earth.
Without Hanzo, the country's future would be unimaginable.
"That's possible, but we should still try to confirm it."
Hiruzen frowned but wasn't ready to give up on such crucial information.
"Danzō, this matter—"
"Wait a moment. I heard Ōnoki's disciple, Deidara, is currently in Konohagakure?"
Danzō abruptly interrupted Hiruzen, unable to hold back.
He could handle this task, but he wouldn't accept direct orders or promises.
No one understood the chaotic mess that was the Land of Rain better than him!
"Yes, that's correct. Why?"
Hiruzen's expression turned cautious as he sensed Danzō's shift in tone.
"I suggest we keep him here!"
"Are you insane?"
Hiruzen's face darkened instantly, but Danzō simply shook his head.
"He came here voluntarily; we didn't capture him. Besides, Ōnoki values him highly. That makes him a card we can't afford to discard so easily!"
"No! I've told you countless times, we can't focus solely on the short term. Keeping him here is not a good idea. The shinobi world needs peace—don't you understand that?"
"Iwagakure has always been at odds with us. Using him to leverage Ōnoki isn't a bad idea!"
"I said no! This is not up for debate!"
"You haven't changed at all. Still as weak as ever. Whether it's the Uchiha or this, you'll regret it one day!"
"Enough! I am the Hokage!"
"Hmph!"
Danzō, seemingly enraged, turned and stormed out.
"Fine. I'll think of a way to deal with Hanzo, but I can't guarantee success!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut, leaving Hiruzen to sigh in frustration.
Danzō, meanwhile, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.
He had managed to irritate his old friend while avoiding a direct order.
Even so, he couldn't shake his own frustration.
"But how should I handle this?"
As he made his way back to the Root base, Danzō pondered his next move.
Go to the Land of Rain to find Hanzo?
What a joke. That place was a graveyard for his ambitions, the site where his Root had been buried.
And who knew how Hanzo felt about him now? Without guaranteed safety, he wouldn't risk it.
"I need someone else to check it out. Perhaps..."
A name suddenly came to mind.
"Maybe I should send Orochimaru?
It might even give me a chance to stir things up with Jiraiya..."
"Ugh, so annoying. And Kitsuchi should be arriving soon."
"Isn't that a good thing? Then you can go back to your teacher."
In a training field in Konohagakure, Kitagawa Minamoto was fiddling with a Rasengan while Deidara sat nearby, looking bored.
A week had passed in the blink of an eye.
For Minamoto, it had been a relatively peaceful week.
Naruto and the others were being closely monitored, which meant no more double trouble from the two blond troublemakers.
This gave Minamoto the time he needed to deal with the bigger blond troublemaker—Deidara.
To handle Deidara, he had to start with his interests.
Fortunately, Minamoto had his eye on Deidara's Secret Technique.
Not only could it help him prepare for Dust Release, but it could also mask the Kekkei Genkai he had acquired.
After some effort, Minamoto finally understood why Deidara's technique resembled a Kekkei Genkai yet was classified as a Secret Technique.
"The key lies in the clay. It's a fusion of Earth Release and Fire Release, but it serves as a foundation.
Ōnoki probably wanted to see if Deidara could eventually learn Dust Release."
If Deidara could improve his Wind Release and master the ratios for Dust Release, he might actually succeed.
Dust Release, after all, wasn't passed down through bloodlines but was a Kekkei Tōta.
"Deidara's personality has its flaws, but if he believes Dust Release aligns with his 'art,' he'll study harder than anyone."
Unfortunately, Ōnoki was a bit too rigid and stubborn.
"Tch, who wants to see that old geezer anyway?"
Deidara, oblivious to Minamoto's thoughts, stood up and walked over curiously.
"So, how's your research going? My art isn't something you can grasp just by looking at it!"
"Tch, you think your clay is so great?"
Minamoto raised an eyebrow, lifting his hand to reveal a white Rasengan.
"It's interesting, sure. But I can express myself in my own way. Besides, it's still far inferior to the Third Tsuchikage."
"Humph! I admit that old man's Dust Release is art, but don't lump me in with him! My art is far more dazzling!"
"Well, I think his art is more dazzling."
"You...!"
"Enough. Shut up and watch this."
Minamoto had no interest in arguing. Deidara was just being stubborn again.
"Your clay combines Earth and Fire Release. I can't replicate it, but I can achieve similar results in other ways. For example..."
Before he finished speaking, Minamoto's figure flickered, disappearing in an instant.
On the other side of the training field, he casually tossed the white Rasengan.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted, sending shockwaves rippling through the area.
Deidara's eyes widened in disbelief, only to light up with excitement moments later.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! That's it! That's the kind of dazzling art I'm talking about, hmm!"
"Tch, still a long way to go."
Minamoto shook his head, unimpressed by his own work.
"The explosion's power is decent, but it becomes unstable once it leaves my control. Dust Release is much more reliable and powerful."
His new Rasengan variant felt like a self-destructive technique, even if it couldn't harm him.
But for now, it was enough to mess with Deidara.
"Enough, you bastard!"
Hearing Minamoto's continuous commentary, Deidara finally snapped.
"It's dazzling, and you just don't see it!"
"So, are you planning to self-destruct?"
"Huh?"
"Well, you're an artist, right? Isn't the ultimate moment of beauty when you sacrifice yourself for your art?"
"...!"
"I get it now, great artist!"
"...!"
Deidara didn't want to respond. He suddenly felt like this white-haired kid was a lunatic.
"A great artist? Is that how you interpret it?"
While Minamoto seemed sincere, Deidara couldn't shake the feeling he was being mocked.
"Sure, I'd sacrifice myself for art in extreme cases, but I don't plan on dying for nothing, you bastard!"
"Ah, so you're not an idiot?"
"Of course not, you moron!"
"Then why are you talking about mutual destruction? Haven't you read a book before?"
"...Not many. Why?"
"...Never mind."
Deidara's blunt admission caught Minamoto off guard.
The two continued to bicker until Kakashi arrived, accompanied by several Anbu.
"Well, it seems you two are getting along just fine."
Kakashi chuckled at the sight before addressing Minamoto.
"Minamoto, the Iwagakure and Sunagakure representatives have arrived. Jiraiya-sama is already meeting them. Deidara should go with the Anbu now."
"Did you hear that? You're finally going home, great artist."
Minamoto smirked, looking at Deidara.
"Tch, what a hassle."
Deidara didn't bother retorting. Though he wasn't thrilled about leaving, Minamoto's words had sparked something in him.
He was seriously considering the potential of Dust Release.
"See you around, bastard."
Deidara waved casually before turning to leave.
"Wait and see. Next time, I'll make you experience my art firsthand!"
"Sure, sure, great artist."
Minamoto waved him off, finally breathing a sigh of relief once Deidara and the Anbu were out of sight.
"Finally, he's gone. That guy is exhausting."
"You seemed to get along well enough."
Kakashi gave Minamoto a curious look before smiling.
"At least he didn't cause any trouble. Plus, he provided us with some useful information. That's good enough for now."
"So, the Iwagakure delegation is here to collaborate on the investigation, right?"
Minamoto asked, his curiosity piqued as Deidara disappeared from view.
"I remember you and Jiraiya-sama mentioning that Iwagakure had hired that organization before. They probably know quite a bit.
Deidara shared some details, though not much. But with the grudge settled, Iwagakure should be willing to cooperate, right?"
"The Hokage does hope for that, but the outcome depends on how things unfold."
Kakashi wasn't surprised by Minamoto's sharp observations. The kid's mind was always quick.
"But that's not our concern for now. Once the talks are over, we'll likely have new missions."
"Hmm? More missions?"
"Not immediately. Everything's still under investigation. But Jiraiya-sama seems quite invested in this."
"Is it about that orange-haired guy we encountered before?"
"No, it's about Orochimaru."
Orochimaru?
Hearing that name, Minamoto was taken aback.
Why was Orochimaru involved again?
Last time they found Orochimaru, it felt like someone was trying to make a move.
Now he was back in the picture?
Minamoto's expression turned complicated.
But one thing was certain: Jiraiya wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
"Deidara, are you okay?"
Meanwhile, Kitsuchi had arrived in Konohagakure under Jiraiya's hospitality.
As soon as they reached their quarters, Deidara came running over.
Seeing that Deidara was unharmed, Kitsuchi finally relaxed.
Even though he knew Konohagakure wouldn't harm Deidara, he couldn't help but worry.
"You idiot, do you realize how dangerous this was?"
"Tch, Uncle Kitsuchi, stop nagging."
Deidara scoffed before suddenly lifting his head with a serious expression.
"By the way, when are we heading back?"
"Huh?"
"Tell the old man—I've decided. I want to learn Dust Release!"
"!!!"
Kitsuchi froze, utterly stunned.
Was this blond guy really Deidara?
(End of Chapter)
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