Inside a dimly lit room in Iwagakure, the argument between Ōnoki and Deidara grew more intense, their faces almost touching as they shouted at each other.
"You insolent brat! Stop spouting nonsense in front of me!"
"Old man, I'm telling you this for your own good!"
For the sake of his own health, Ōnoki decided to drop the argument. With a huff, he turned away and strode toward the door.
"You can stay here and reflect on your actions! Don't even think about going back!"
Deidara scoffed, his expression unwavering.
"The boss and Sasori will definitely come for me. Hm!"
"At most five days... No, three days! I'll be out of here. Hm!"
Ōnoki let out a cold chuckle.
"Heh, if they dare set foot in Iwagakure, I'll make sure none of them leave!"
With that, he stormed out of the room.
(A short-haired girl quietly slipped away.)
As soon as he stepped outside, Ōnoki's furious expression faded into calm contemplation. Despite their heated exchange, he had actually gained something valuable from Deidara.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
From his former disciple's words, he had gathered critical information about Yoru Organization's secretive leader.
Uchiha clan.
Slightly older than Deidara.
Exceptionally powerful.
Unpredictable personality.
Connecting the dots, one name came to mind—Uchiha Obito.
At seventeen, Obito had single-handedly forced the Fourth Raikage to retreat in battle, making a name for himself across the ninja world. He was hailed as the greatest talent of his generation.
But at the peak of his fame, Uchiha Obito suddenly vanished, as if he had disappeared from the world entirely.
Not long after, the Yoru Organization emerged.
"I had assumed Yoru Organization was merely working in secret with Konoha... but to think—"
Ōnoki let out a wry chuckle, muttering to himself.
"Hah... I didn't expect you to be this ambitious, Minato Namikaze."
"But if you think you alone can change the balance of the ninja world... you're sorely mistaken."
Shaking his head dismissively, Ōnoki called out loudly.
"Akatsuchi!"
A broad, round-nosed man with a red hat and scarf came running over at once.
"I'm here, Lord Tsuchikage!"
(Akatsuchi, Ōnoki's trusted aide and bodyguard.)
Hovering in the air, Ōnoki patted his subordinate on the shoulder.
"Spread a message throughout the ninja world. Let it be known that Deidara infiltrated the Yoru Organization for years and brought back crucial intelligence."
"The force disrupting the world order—Yoru Organization—is actually a puppet of Konoha."
"And its true leader... is none other than the Fourth Hokage's disciple, Uchiha Obito."
This move would serve multiple purposes: turning the world's attention against Konoha while cutting off Deidara's chances of returning to Yoru Village.
At the same time, it would justify Deidara's actions over the years, giving them a legitimate explanation.
As for whether the other villages believed it or not—
He didn't care.
Akatsuchi nodded his large head.
"Understood, Lord Tsuchikage. Anything else?"
After a brief moment of thought, Ōnoki added,
"Send a team to contact the villages that have lost their Tailed Beasts. Convince them to unite and put pressure on Konoha."
"...Also, reach out to Kumogakure. This is a critical time. We need to stand together."
"Got it, Lord Tsuchikage," Akatsuchi responded before departing.
Once he was gone, Ōnoki brooded to himself.
"The growth of Yoru Organization is threatening the balance of the great villages. We need to eliminate them quickly."
"And if we destroy them, Deidara will have nowhere to return to."
Yes—even now, Ōnoki still held hope for his former disciple.
All the so-called 'crimes' Deidara had committed over the years?
Ōnoki couldn't care less.
What a joke.
They were shinobi. Killing and blowing things up was part of the job.
Was that a problem?
Not at all.
The more chaos he caused, the better his skills were.
...
Outside Madara's Base
Uchiha Madara's face was dark as he flung Orochimaru to the ground with force.
"Black Zetsu, take him back and keep a close watch on him."
Black Zetsu nodded slightly, speaking in a respectful tone.
"Understood, Madara-sama."
As Madara stared into the pitch-black night, a quiet fury burned in his chest.
"Why... why does this keep happening?!"
His voice trembled with frustration.
Every time he thought he had found a true bond—
They betrayed him.
First Hashirama.
Now Obito.
Watching Madara's simmering anger, Black Zetsu smirked internally.
Just moments ago, it had been wondering how to sow discord between the two.
Now it didn't even need to lift a finger.
'Uchiha Izuna is Madara's greatest weakness. And now Obito has made a move against him... Heh.'
'With just a little push from me, these two will become sworn enemies,' Black Zetsu mused.
...
Outside Iwagakure
Obito and Sasori had searched for Deidara for quite some time but found no trace of him.
Obito waved his fan idly, a peculiar expression on his face.
"Sasori, have you considered the possibility that Deidara got mad, ran off to Iwagakure on his own... and got captured?"
Sasori thought about it for a moment before nodding slightly.
"With Deidara's personality... that's entirely possible."
"Leader, we should act now."
"We can seize the Five-Tails' Jinchūriki while we're at it and retrieve Deidara in the process."
Obito smirked.
"You mean retrieve Deidara and then capture the Jinchūriki, right?"
Sasori's expression didn't change.
"...Let's just move."
Obito chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
"No rush. Let's take our time. We wait ten, maybe fifteen days before making a move."
"If Deidara really got caught, then right now, Iwagakure is on high alert. They're probably waiting for us to walk right into their trap."
"Better to wait until they let their guard down."
Sasori frowned. "But—"
Obito grinned.
"Worried about Deidara? No need. He's the Tsuchikage's personal disciple."
"Unlike you, he didn't assassinate his own village's leader. He'll be fine."
Sasori shot Obito a cold glare. "If you can't speak properly, say nothing at all."
"I see. You just want to rest, don't you?" Sasori said flatly.
Obito laughed, scratching his head.
"Haha, you got me."
"After that last battle, I am feeling a bit worn out."
"Besides, you need time to repair your... tools, right?"
Sasori pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Fine. I'll stay here and wait. Deidara might show up on his own."
"Leader, take your time."
With that, Obito vanished into his Kamui space, his Sharingan glowing red.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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