Amegakure.
Konan took the sample of Hashirama's cells that Deidara had brought back, a trace of hesitation evident on her face.
"Deidara, are you sure this stuff is safe?"
It wasn't that she distrusted Deidara—it was Orochimaru she had doubts about.
"No problem at all," Deidara replied nonchalantly. "And if there is, Leader, you can rest easy. I'll avenge you by blowing Orochimaru to smithereens!"
Konan shot him a sharp look. "Can't you be serious for just one day?"
Still, his lighthearted attitude eased the tension in the room.
"It's fine, Konan."
Nagato, brimming with his usual dramatic confidence, declared, "A god fears no challenge!"
Konan sighed. It would sound more convincing if Tendo were the one saying it.
"Alright then," she said, twisting off the cap of the vial to reveal the syringe within. She injected the contents into Nagato's left arm.
"Hissss!"
"Ouch! Ow! Owww!" Deidara mimicked exaggerated cries of pain from the side.
Konan glared at him, exasperated. "Deidara, can you not?"
"I'm just helping Leader express what he's too proud to say out loud," Deidara said with a shrug.
As the Hashirama cells began to take effect, a transformation started. Nagato's left arm turned white, spreading out from the injection site. His muscles became fuller and more defined, though the whiteness stopped at his chest, where the face of Senju Hashirama appeared as if etched into his skin.
"Ahhh!" Nagato let out a long sigh of relief. "This... this feeling!"
After about thirty minutes, the energy coursing through Nagato's body stabilized. He carefully stepped off the machine, retaining only the black chakra rods in his back for now.
"Nagato, how do you feel?" Konan asked, concern in her voice.
For the first time in ages, Nagato smiled. Though his frame was still thin, he no longer looked frail.
"Don't worry, Konan. I feel incredible," he said, gently brushing aside her supporting hand. He savored the newfound freedom of standing and walking on his own. "And it seems I've gained a little bonus."
He extended his right index finger, from which a small branch sprouted, growing into a tiny tree that rooted itself in the floor.
"Wood Release?" Konan asked, surprised but not entirely shocked, considering the source of the cells.
Deidara, however, frowned. "Leader, those black rods in your back—can't they be removed now?"
"Not at this stage," Nagato replied with a shake of his head.
"But it doesn't matter. With my body recovering, my Six Paths' strength has increased by at least fifty percent. My endurance in prolonged battles has also improved significantly, and my range of control has expanded."
"Impressive! Truly impressive!" Nagato smiled again, brimming with renewed confidence.
Though the results weren't perfect, they were more than satisfactory. Deidara shrugged.
Fine, let him take his time. In the end, the real star will be me anyway.
"Alright, if that's settled, I'll head back now," Deidara said, preparing to leave. He was already behind schedule, and Kurotsuchi had been nagging him endlessly. Women are such a hassle.
"Wait!" Nagato's voice stopped him in his tracks.
Deidara and Konan turned to look at him.
"Just now, Suigetsu reported spotting the Four-Tails Jinchuriki in the Land of Grass. It seems he's in a berserk state."
"Another Tailed Beast is about to be collected," Nagato said with satisfaction.
Deidara raised an eyebrow. "Leader, why are you looking at me? Can't you handle it yourself now that you're back on your feet? You're not the same guy who couldn't even walk without help."
Nagato paused, then grinned. "You're right. This time, I'll go with Konan."
Finally, Deidara nodded in approval. "Now you're talking. Stop overworking your subordinates all the time!"
Nagato was already on his way out but threw one last thing over his shoulder.
"But the office still has a mountain of paperwork. I'll leave that to you, Deidara."
"Hey! Leader!"
"You're strong enough now to leave one of your Six Paths here to handle the paperwork!" Deidara shouted after him, but Nagato had already disappeared.
...
Amegakure's Central Tower.
Deidara sat behind the desk, sulking as he sifted through the paperwork.
"Dear Pain-sama,
I wish to build a small bridge in front of my house to make it easier to get to work. However, Shuichi-sama denied my request, saying it would ruin the village's aesthetics. Please mediate this matter."
Deidara glanced at the village map.
Your house is five steps away from the bridge the village already built. What's the point of another one? And why does the design look so ridiculous?
Denied.
"Dear Pain-sama,
Recently, I visited a shrine where the priestess told me my son is destined to become a legend in the shinobi world. However, I don't even have a wife yet. I humbly request a loan of ten million ryo to marry and start a family. My son will repay the village one hundred million ryo in the future. Please approve this request."
What the—?!
Denied. Also, send a warning to that priestess. If she keeps making such absurd predictions, someone might actually try to stage a coup.
"Dear Pain-sama,
I wish to open an entertainment establishment, but Shuichi-sama rejected my proposal, claiming it would set a bad example. Please reconsider. I've attached a brochure, and if you're interested, I'd be honored to host you personally."
An entertainment establishment? Shuichi's a bit too strict, but I can see his point. Still, competition breeds progress...
Curious, Deidara opened the brochure. It was filled with pictures of—beautiful men.
Why would they think Pain would be into this?!
Deidara slumped in his chair, utterly defeated.
Now I understand why Nagato always looks so miserable. Dealing with this nonsense day in and day out would break anyone.
He made a quick decision. Shuichi, you brave soul on the front lines of bureaucracy, you've earned this.
He drafted an order to award Shuichi six months' bonus pay.
A small token of gratitude. Please hold the line a little longer.
At that moment, Kurotsuchi burst into the office.
"Deidara! What are you doing here?" she asked, shocked to see him buried in paperwork.
Deidara's eyes lit up as an idea struck him.
"Kurotsuchi, come here! You've always wanted to be the next Tsuchikage, right? This is the perfect opportunity for some hands-on experience!"
Half an hour later, Kurotsuchi slumped in the chair, her face drained of all hope.
"This is what it's like to be a leader?" she muttered.
Deidara smirked. "Exactly. Still want the job?"
Kurotsuchi groaned.
If this is what it takes to rule the shinobi world... No, thank you!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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