[System: Ultimate Artist System]
Host: Deidara
Shock Value: 3250/8000
Skill Points: 2
Unlocked Skills: Explosion Mastery Level 1, Enhanced C2 Dragon, Improved Clay, Chakra Reinforcement, Anti-Lightning Clay, High-Temperature Clay
Deidara leveled up again. He had planned to continue honing his expertise in explosions, but the system required sacrificing the Explosive Blade, Droplet, to unlock Explosion Mastery Lv. 2. The side branches, such as C1: Special-Type Sensor Mines and Extended Detonation Range, were tempting, but Deidara didn't find them urgent. Instead, he chose to unlock Form Optimization Lv. 1 and Ninjutsu Enhancement.
Boom!
A small clay spider emerged from Deidara's mouth. He held it up for inspection. On the surface, it looked no different, but the details were much more refined. The spider's legs, now optimized, provided better agility and spring. It was a practical improvement.
He tried making a clay soldier next, but it still didn't meet his expectations. Clearly, further advancements in form optimization were necessary.
"You don't seem too disheartened."
A voice suddenly came from behind Deidara.
"Who's there?"
"No need to panic—I'm not your enemy," the man said flatly, standing unfazed by the trio's tense reactions.
"Uchiha Itachi?" Sasori's immediate thought was logical. After all, there were only two known Sharingan users left in the ninja world, and among Akatsuki, only Uchiha Itachi wielded the fabled eyes.
But something felt off. The figure before them didn't match Itachi's physique, attire, or demeanor.
"I'm not Uchiha Itachi," the man replied.
"Then who are you? And why are you wearing our organization's uniform?" Sasori demanded. The black cloak with red clouds wasn't something anyone could wear—only Akatsuki's core members were entitled to it. Yet here stood a stranger, flaunting it as though it were his own.
The Sharingan glint in the stranger's eyes made the situation even more perplexing.
"Your organization?" The man chuckled softly, his tone deliberately enigmatic. "No. Technically, it's my organization."
"What?!"
Before anyone could react, Hiruko's tail lashed out, piercing through the man's chest—only to phase through like striking a phantom.
"Wait, Sasori! Let's hear him out first," Deidara urged. He already knew who this man was—Tobi, alias Uchiha Obito. His Kamui ability was practically a cheat code in the ninja world, crucial even in the final battles against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
"Hmph. Funny how the kid has more patience than you, Sasori." Tobi's nonchalant remark instantly irritated both men.
"Talk now, or I'll kill you!" Sasori hissed. Hiruko's tail swayed menacingly, signaling his dwindling tolerance.
Tobi ignored the threat and introduced himself. "I am... Uchiha Madara!"
"Uchiha Madara?!" Both Sasori and Waterman echoed in disbelief.
The name carried weight, almost mythical. Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama stood as legendary figures capable of subduing tailed beasts like they were mere playthings. Compared to them, even Sarutobi Hiruzen's self-proclaimed "strongest Hokage" title was laughable.
"How can you prove you're Uchiha Madara?" Sasori's years of experience kept him cautious. Words alone wouldn't convince him.
"Proof? I have none. Believe me or not—it's your choice." Tobi seated himself by the fire, adopting an air of impenetrable mystery.
"Let's assume you're Madara for now," Deidara cut in, uninterested in the theatrics. "What do you want with us?"
"I want to recruit you all—especially you, Deidara. Your talent is exceptional," Tobi said, his tone growing serious as he shifted his gaze toward the blonde artist.
Sasori frowned, feeling slighted. Was he, the renowned puppet master, not worthy of acknowledgment? It was clear this so-called Madara's attention was solely on Deidara.
"We're already part of Akatsuki. Why would we join you?" Sasori asked coldly.
Tobi glanced at them all, then explained calmly, "Akatsuki is a collaboration between Pain and me. If one day we part ways, I want you to stand with me."
"A proposition with no sincerity," Deidara scoffed.
"If you're at odds with the leader, what are your ideals? What do you stand for?" Deidara asked pointedly. "If you can't even explain that, why would anyone follow you?"
Tobi rose slowly, raising his hands as if embracing an invisible vision.
"My ideal? To create a world without war, hatred, or conflict—a world where people truly understand one another."
No, you just want a world where Rin exists, Deidara thought sarcastically.
"Foolish and futile," Sasori sneered. He too despised war, having lost his parents to its horrors. But he understood all too well that human nature would always breed conflict.
"Watch closely—it will happen. And when it does, I hope you won't stand against me." With that, Tobi's form twisted and disappeared into the void.
After confirming the stranger's departure, the trio returned to the fire.
"What's your take, Sasori?" Deidara asked.
"Foolish and futile," Sasori repeated.
"But you hate war too, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have defected from Sunagakure to live as a wanderer."
"Shut up. I only left to pursue eternal art!"
In truth, Sasori was just another soul scarred by the era's brutal wars. Though he claimed to chase immortality, he willingly met his end in the embrace of his grandmother's puppets—"Mother" and "Father"—relinquishing his pain.
"What about you, Waterman?" Deidara turned to their quieter companion.
"I think his vision is naive," Waterman admitted. "But I won't lie—the idea of a world without war sounds like heaven. Maybe that's why we joined Akatsuki. It's strong enough to give us and our children a chance at a stable future. Life as a wandering ninja is too dangerous."
For the first time since arriving in this world, Deidara felt a sense of purpose beyond the system. As a transmigrator, wasn't he meant to make a difference?
"Then let's strive for peace together!" Deidara declared boldly.
"Pointless," Sasori retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, Deidara-sama!" Waterman responded earnestly.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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