"Let's hear it—what exactly is your Akatsuki organization trying to accomplish?" Onoki demanded, stepping onto an open clearing, his tone sharp as his gaze bore into Deidara.
The only others present were Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Kitsuchi—Iwagakure's core leadership gathered in one place.
"For peace," Deidara answered, utterly nonchalant.
Onoki: "…"
Everyone: "…"
"Deidara, can we get a little honesty here? Your organization is made up of nothing but S-rank rogue ninja, you've started wars, and you're collecting tailed beasts. What part of that screams 'peace' to you?" Kurotsuchi retorted, her voice dripping with exasperation.
"And here I thought we were the mysterious ones," Deidara mused. "Even our goal of gathering the tailed beasts is public knowledge, huh?"
"Enough nonsense!" Onoki snapped, his tone sharp. "Spit it out! What's your organization's real objective?"
"I told you—it's for peace," Deidara insisted, as calm as ever.
Onoki: "…"
Everyone: "…"
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique—"
"Grandpa, stop! Calm down!" Kurotsuchi shouted, throwing herself at Onoki and breaking his stance before the jutsu could activate.
Onoki was livid, his face reddening with anger as he glared at Deidara. Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi turned to the blonde bomber.
"Deidara, now's not the time for jokes! Just tell us the truth already!"
"I am telling you the truth! It's really for peace!"
Onoki's hand trembled. "You little—"
"Old man, at least let me finish!" Deidara shouted, finally raising his voice to match Onoki's.
"Fine!" Onoki barked back. "But if you don't give me a convincing explanation, you're eating a Dust Release jutsu today!"
"It's simple," Deidara began. "Akatsuki aims to unify the ninja world. If there's only one village left, and we're all part of the same family, doesn't that bring peace?"
"Hmph!" Onoki scoffed, crossing his arms. "Arrogant fool! You think a handful of rogue ninja can unify the entire ninja world?"
"It's absurd," Kitsuchi chimed in. "Sure, your members are powerful, and Amegakure's influence has grown since taking in Kirigakure's defectors. But standing against the Five Great Nations? That's a pipe dream."
"You're underestimating us," Deidara replied. "We have a plan. And we're stronger than you think."
"Stronger than Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara?" Onoki asked, arching a brow. "Because unless you have power on that level, talk of unifying the ninja world is nothing but empty boasting. Men like that don't come around twice."
"Old man," Deidara smirked. "You're stuck in the past. How do you know we can't surpass them?"
Onoki narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Deidara's confident demeanor. His voice was quieter now, but no less firm.
"You really believe that?"
"Why don't I show you?" Deidara suggested, a dangerous glint in his eye.
Onoki snorted. "I've been wanting to teach you a lesson for a while now, you reckless brat. You've got some nerve coming back here after going rogue!"
"And I've been waiting for this chance to show you my art!" Deidara shot back.
"Then let's settle this!"
Deidara leaped onto his clay bird, soaring to a remote area outside the village. Akatsuchi, having been injured earlier, stayed behind, leaving Deidara to face Onoki and Kitsuchi alone.
"Prepare to witness true art!" Deidara declared.
"Let's see what you've got!" Onoki challenged.
Deidara raised a hand. "C2: Enhanced Dragon!"
A deafening roar echoed as a massive clay dragon took shape, its presence overwhelming.
[Onoki's Shock Value: +2000]
[Kitsuchi's Shock Value: +1200]
[Akatsuchi's Shock Value: …]
[Kakuzu's Shock Value: +1200]
[Hidan's Shock Value: +500]
Even Hidan, usually unbothered by anything, felt a flicker of fear. A creature of this scale, capable of exploding? It was no joke.
"Is this guy for real?" Kakuzu muttered under his breath, his pride stung. Even as an S-rank ninja, he felt overshadowed.
"Impressed?" Deidara asked, keeping his dragon at a low altitude to maximize its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Onoki's frown softened slightly. "Deidara… I see now how you defeated Yagura. Your art has certainly evolved."
"But don't underestimate me!" Onoki suddenly formed a hand sign. "Earth Style: Clay Rain!"
Above Deidara's dragon, a large rift opened, releasing heavy, sticky clay that threatened to weigh it down. Worse, the clay could ignite with Fire Style, making it doubly dangerous.
Deidara's dragon let out a shrill cry, launching a smaller clay dragon to intercept the falling debris. With a thunderous explosion, most of the clay was destroyed, though a few chunks clung stubbornly to the dragon's wings.
"Tsk," Deidara muttered.
Kitsuchi leaped into action next, his massive frame charging forward.
"Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique!" Kitsuchi's fist hardened into solid rock as he struck the dragon, creating a gaping hole in its neck.
But Deidara simply smirked. "This is just the beginning!"
He spat out a large clay ant, grinning mischievously. "Uncle Kitsuchi, I made you a special opponent!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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