"This is outrageous! Absolutely over the line!"
Hearing that Naruto Uzumaki demanded the secret technique Dustless Bewildering Cover from the Second Tsuchikage, Kitsuchi couldn't help but curse out loud.
Swish!
The small-framed Ōnoki floated up, retrieving a box from the top of a cabinet.
It was a treasure chest specifically designed to store Iwagakure's secret technique scrolls, which could only be opened by recognizing the chakra of the Tsuchikage.
Any attempt to forcefully break it would trigger a mechanism releasing strong acid, destroying the scrolls inside.
This was Iwagakure's safeguard against the leakage of their secret techniques.
Ōnoki opened the chest and pulled out two scrolls.
In his left hand was a scroll containing the Weighted Rock and Lightened Rock series of techniques, while in his right hand was the scroll for Dustless Bewildering Cover.
Looking at the fiery-tempered Kitsuchi, Ōnoki spoke calmly, "Don't get so worked up. Negotiation is about maximizing benefits. At least he didn't demand our Dust Release. That would have been crossing the line."
It was worth noting that Dust Release was not an innate ability. It was created by Mu, the Second Tsuchikage and a genius inventor of Iwagakure, surpassing the limits of Kekkei Genkai to achieve the Kekkei Tōta.
Dust Release could be learned postnatally. Even Ōnoki's mastery of Dust Release was taught to him by Mu.
Ōnoki's gaze deepened as he looked at the scroll in his right hand.
Dustless Bewildering Cover, known as the strongest anti-sensory ninjutsu in the ninja world, was far more advanced than simple concealment techniques like Camouflage Concealment. While the latter could hide one's form, it was useless against sensory ninja.
But Dustless Bewildering Cover not only made the user's form vanish but also completely erased their chakra signature and scent. This rendered them undetectable even by Konoha's Inuzuka Clan, the Uchiha's Sharingan, or the Hyūga's Byakugan.
The only way to locate someone using this technique was through physical detection methods, such as the Kazekage's sand or the Aburame Clan's insects.
However, the technique was exceedingly difficult to master, even more so than Dust Release. Since its creation, only Mu had successfully learned it.
Ōnoki sighed, "Even though I mastered Dust Release, I was never able to grasp Dustless Bewildering Cover. It's one of my life's greatest regrets. But at this point, it doesn't matter anymore."
Even the battle-hardened Ōnoki had his youthful days of ambition and dreams.
He walked to the window, holding the scroll behind his back.
It was said that Dustless Bewildering Cover was the ultimate technique for stealth and reconnaissance. While tools like crystal balls or telescopes were safer, they lacked the immersive experience of being on-site.
In any case, even if Naruto obtained Dustless Bewildering Cover, mastering it would be another story entirely.
Ōnoki returned to the desk, placing the scroll down. Then, he retrieved two more scrolls from the treasure chest.
"Since we're already giving away Dustless Bewildering Cover, we might as well include Rigid Boulder Jutsu and Mountain Sand Technique. I hope this gesture will foster goodwill between us and Konoha."
Ōnoki raised his eyes. "Kitsuchi, you deliver the scrolls."
Kitsuchi turned his head away. "I'd rather not! I'm afraid I'll lose my temper and start a fight with him!"
Ōnoki shook his head, "What a headache. In that case, let—"
"Let me do it, old man!"
A lively female voice interrupted him.
A short-haired, sharp-featured young woman leapt in through the window. She wore Iwagakure's standard flak jacket over a red, long-sleeved bodysuit.
When she stood up, her long legs, wrapped in black fishnet stockings, were particularly eye-catching.
She flashed a playful smile at her father and grandfather.
"Kurotsuchi?!" Kitsuchi's expression changed immediately. "Absolutely not! That man is a rogue ninja from Konoha who even attacked Kumogakure!"
Kurotsuchi replied nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? It's not like he can eat me alive right in front of our gates!"
Ōnoki said, "Let Kurotsuchi handle it. We'll send a team of guards to protect her."
At the gates of Iwagakure, Naruto waited patiently.
Konan remarked, "They're taking their time. Will they agree?"
Naruto replied, "They should. After all, they don't want to repeat Kumogakure's mistake."
Konan asked, "Then why not demand Dust Release? If you pushed harder, they might have had to give it up."
Naruto smiled, "Always leave some room for negotiation. You never know when you'll need to deal with them again. Besides, while Dust Release is powerful, it's not irreplaceable."
As someone who had once mastered the Six Paths Sage Mode, Naruto knew that Truth-Seeking Orbs encompassed all the properties of Dust Release while being superior in both form and range.
He was confident he would regain the power of the Six Paths and wield the Truth-Seeking Orbs once more. So why obsess over Dust Release now?
Konan glanced toward the village gate, her tone cool. "They're here."
At the forefront of a group of Iwagakure shinobi, Kurotsuchi approached with a relaxed demeanor. The rest of the group, however, was on high alert, their tension palpable.
Stopping five meters away from Naruto, Kurotsuchi stepped forward. "Let's trade. Hand over the scroll."
Naruto casually tossed the Kumogakure scroll toward her.
Kurotsuchi caught it, glanced at it briefly, then threw it behind her.
She then tossed four scrolls toward Naruto.
Naruto caught them without even checking, placing them directly into his ninja pouch.
Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to inspect them?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "You're the Tsuchikage's granddaughter. If you're personally delivering them, there's no need for me to check. We'll take our leave now."
"Wait!"
Naruto was about to teleport away with Konan when Kurotsuchi called out to him.
"What is it?" Naruto glanced at her.
Swish!
The Iwagakure shinobi tensed up, their nerves on edge.
Kurotsuchi clasped her hands behind her back and said, "I heard that when you attacked Kumogakure, you rode a giant explosive bird. Is that true?"
Naruto replied, "Something like that. Why?"
Kurotsuchi's eyes sparkled. "Can you show me your bird?"
Naruto asked, "Why would you want to see it?"
Kurotsuchi lowered her gaze, kicking a pebble at her feet. "I had an older brother—well, more like a sworn brother—who was also a rogue ninja. He loved fighting on birds, just like you. But he died recently... So, can I see it?"
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Kurotsuchi was referring to Deidara, her sworn brother.
Naruto merely thought to himself, "So this is what Kurotsuchi was like at this age—just a curious little girl."
"Alright."
Naruto formed a hand seal.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof!
A giant explosive bird appeared amidst a cloud of smoke.
"Wow!" Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up.
Naruto explained, "This is Yatagarasu, one of my summoning beasts."
Kurotsuchi asked, "Can you take me for a ride?"
Konan's brows furrowed slightly.
Naruto chuckled, "I think not. You only get one extra request, and you've already used it. You should head back and report to your father and grandfather. Don't make them worry."
Poof!
The bird vanished, and Naruto teleported away with Konan using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Phew. The Iwagakure shinobi collectively exhaled in relief.
Kurotsuchi muttered to herself, "Why is it that other rogue ninjas are so composed and principled, while Deidara was just a madman obsessed with explosions?"
After a brief rest in Amegakure, Naruto set out for Kirigakure the following day.
But that night was far from peaceful.
Boom!
Flames erupted, and debris scattered.
Thud!
Madara Uchiha dusted off his armor, his voice cold. "Your dance is pathetic. All you've done is kick up a bit of dust."
From the shattered mountainside, Sasuke Uchiha, clad in his Susano'o, strode forward. "Who are you? State your name!"
"Hmm?" Madara's eyes glinted. "That face..."