[Deidara saw through the genjutsu Sasuke was using and played along, using a clay clone to deceive Sasuke, while hiding inside a bird's body.]
[When Sasuke pierced the chest of the clay clone and was trapped, Deidara's real body appeared beneath Sasuke's feet, spitting out C4 and wrapping him in explosives.]
[Both of their chakra levels were running low, and the real outcome of their battle would be revealed at this very moment.]
[Sasuke used Chidori to break through the explosive zone, holding the electric bolt in his hand as he prepared to settle the score with Deidara.]
[Deidara, seeing the danger, shouted and detonated the C4. At the crucial moment, Sasuke managed to act faster, just a step ahead of Deidara.]
[But this can't be blamed on Deidara. After all, he had to keep an eye on the explosion, to avoid injuring himself.]
[Both of them, nearly exhausted, collapsed into a small grove.]
[Without a moment to rest, they hit the ground and immediately began a brutal hand-to-hand fight.]
[At this point, the manga introduced a sudden and unexpected element — that lightning techniques counter Deidara's clay.]
"What does this mean? Did they add a last-minute fix because it seemed hard for Sasuke to win?"
As for adding fixes, the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya was the most qualified to comment.
Back when he was writing, especially his first book, he often had to add fixes in the later chapters.
Was the protagonist losing to the enemy?
Add a fix.
Was the protagonist's logic off?
Add a fix.
It can be said that the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya has patched up his experience.
Anyway, whenever the plot of a novel encounters a major twist or isn't sure how to move forward, they just add a patch.
But, a work is still a work.
It's inevitable that there will be some flaws in the initial design, and later on, they will fill these gaps by adding new settings, which everyone present actually accepts.
However, Naruto is a work that's closely related to them, so looking at Naruto purely as a work is obviously outdated.
"Is Deidara's exploding jutsu Explosion Release or Earth Release? We really need to clarify this."
"Well, when the time comes, we can ask Onoki."
[In the anime, Sasuke explains that the hand seals Deidara uses are all Earth Release seals, so they should be countered by Lightning Release.]
[The official guidebook says Deidara's Exploding Clay technique is a secret technique but doesn't specify whether it's Earth Release or Explosion Release, so I won't overthink it here.]
[Since the official guidebook doesn't give a clear answer, let's use the characters to verify it.]
[During the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Hanzo was brought back with Reanimation Jutsu, he called Deidara the Explosion Release kid.]
[And Deidara also claimed he uses Explosion Release.]
[From this, it's clear that they're both sticking to the established setting.]
"With Hanzo and Deidara both confirming it, this Exploding Clay should be Explosion Release, right?"
"Not necessarily."
The Third Hokage glanced at Kakashi, who had spoken, and explained, "After all, Hanzo doesn't understand Deidara. Seeing the Exploding Clay explode, it's reasonable for him to assume it's Explosion Release.
As for Deidara, he might have said he uses Explosion Release because he admires those who can use it and developed a similar Earth Release technique that looks like Explosion Release."
Kakashi thought in his heart that the Third Hokage was just being difficult.
Hanzō's side is easy to explain, but Deidara isn't an idiot. How could he not even know what he's capable of?
As for the claim that Deidara developed the exploding clay because he was envious of the explosion release, that's even more ridiculous.
Kakashi definitely doesn't believe that Deidara, at the age of nine, could have developed the exploding clay on his own.
If that were true, then Deidara would be the greatest genius in the ninja world.
But thinking it in his head is one thing; saying it out loud is another.
To avoid causing trouble for himself, Kakashi could only say, "The Third Hokage is right!"
"Right about what?"
Like Kakashi, Jiraiya also didn't believe the Third Hokage's explanation.
As the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, Jiraiya didn't have the same concerns as Kakashi and said whatever he wanted right on the spot.
"Old man, with your active mind, you should come learn how to write novels with me."
"I think you're the one who wants to peek at the bathhouse and are trying to drag me in as a scapegoat."
"How can you insult my pure intentions for research? Can it really be called peeping?"
"Heh."
The Third Hokage sneered and pulled out a small crystal ball from his pocket. "With this crystal ball, I don't need to go peeking around."
"Isn't that your way of saying you can teach me the telescope technique?"
After saying that, Jiraiya nervously glanced around.
He noticed everyone was looking at him with contempt.
"Ahem… Everyone, don't misunderstand. The reason I want to learn the telescope technique is mainly for the surveillance of Konoha, for the safety of the village."
"Heh, do you really think we'll believe that?"
Looking at Kushina who spoke, Jiraiya responded with little confidence, "Well… I think you should believe it, right?"
"Peh~ I really want to spit on you and kill you. Stay away from our family in the future, don't lead Minato astray."
"So you're okay with Naruto following me? Not worried I'll teach him the wrong things?"
"Why would it be the same?"
Kushina rolled her eyes at Jiraiya and then patted Naruto's head before continuing, "Minato is my husband. He can only be sweet to me. But Naruto is different. I actually hope he brings back ten or more wives. That way, our Uzumaki clan can grow and get stronger, we'll rise again and become even more successful."
"…"
Everyone was speechless. Kushina's reasoning was really something.
It would be tough for Naruto, though.
If he really did marry that many wives, I wonder if his body could handle it.
"Mom, you…"
Naruto's face turned red, and he forgot what he was going to say.
"Haha, Minato, look at our son, he's so happy he can't even speak."
"...Kushina, is it possible that Naruto is just embarrassed?"
"That's not acceptable. Son, remember, when you're chasing girls, you can't be shy. You need to show the confidence your dad had back in the day."
"Alright, alright, Kushina, stop. Let's just continue watching the screen."
Seeing that Kushina was about to bring up his embarrassing moments from childhood, Minato quickly hugged his wife to stop her from going on.
[Anyway, it's just a bunch of nonsense, and Deidara's little secret about being afraid of lightning release was exposed by Sasuke.]
[On top of that, Sasuke kept using his Sharingan to mess with Deidara, constantly asking about the whereabouts of the one-on-seven battle. This made Deidara strongly feel that Sasuke's expression and eyes showed complete disdain for him, looking down on his passion for the art of explosions.]
[In a fit of rage, Deidara ripped off his shirt, ready to use his ultimate art to take Sasuke down with him.]
*********
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