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After nearly a full day of travel, Miao and Deidara arrived at Deidara's former residence—a dilapidated ancient temple perched on the side of a hill. Below the slope sprawled a bustling marketplace, where Deidara would purchase his daily necessities whenever he wasn't out on hired missions.
The temple appeared old and worn, yet it exuded an aura of timeless antiquity. Clearly, it had stood for many years. Within the temple grounds stood numerous ancient statues—ferocious demons, majestic warriors, and wrathful Buddha figures—all contributing to an atmosphere that was both solemn and eerie.
Treading carefully over the moss-covered stones, Miao followed Deidara into the temple. A flicker of admiration crossed Miao's face as they took in the sight. To Miao, this place was truly a rare historical relic, its age evident in the profound sense of history it radiated.
Turning his head, Miao gave Deidara a peculiar look before speaking with disbelief: "I never expected someone like you to live in such an ancient temple. If I didn't know you, I'd assume some hermit or old sage resided here."
"Hmph! It's simply because this place has an artistic vibe," Deidara retorted proudly. "Don't underestimate me, Miao. I'm an outstanding artist, so naturally, I must reside somewhere with such artistic ambiance! Hmm."
"Well, I can't deny the strong artistic atmosphere here," Miao replied coolly. "But I don't think it suits someone as impulsive as you. After all, you're just a kid of twelve or thirteen."
"Damn it, Miao! Don't belittle me!" Deidara exploded, veins bulging on his forehead. "You're only one or two years older than me, so stop talking to me like some adult! And let me tell you—I will become the greatest artist in the world someday!"
"Is that so? I'll be looking forward to it," Miao said with a faint smile, then slipped on a white mask. Addressing Deidara, he added, "I'm getting hungry. I'll head down to the market to grab some food. I haven't tried the cuisine of the Earth Country yet. Do you want anything? I'll bring something back for you."
"Now that you mention it, I'm a bit hungry too," Deidara muttered, waving dismissively. "Go ahead. It's an honor for you to fetch food for a great artist like me. Hunger stifles inspiration and creativity, you know. Hmm. While you're gone, I'll tidy up my artworks."
"Idiot," Miao muttered under his breath, ignoring Deidara's indignant shouting. He descended the stone steps toward the lively marketplace below.
"Damn it! How dare he look down on me like that! One day, I'll make him witness the brilliance of my art!!!" Deidara growled, his eyes narrowing into slits as he clenched his fists in frustration.
As Miao's figure disappeared from view, Deidara grumbled to himself, shaking his head. He then entered the temple to organize his prized clay sculptures—the works he considered masterpieces.
"This one… and this one too… Hmm, yes, this is good! These are creations of pure genius, flashes of inspiration from a true artistic prodigy, hmm!!" Deidara rummaged through large wooden crates, carefully selecting his most cherished clay models. He spoke aloud to himself, clearly lost in self-admiration.
After a while, Deidara wiped the sweat from his brow and sealed several of his favorite pieces into a scroll. These were materials he intended to use for future experiments and innovations. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he placed a small pig-shaped clay model on his palm, gazing at it with satisfaction. A dreamy expression settled on his face as he became completely absorbed in his own art.
Suddenly, Deidara's expression darkened. His eyes turned cold as he glanced sharply behind him, sensing something—or someone—disturbing his contemplation.
At that moment, a strange cackle echoed from behind him. "Heh-heh-heh, is this the guy? We've wasted quite a bit of time searching for him."
"Indeed," another voice rasped, low and gravelly. "I hate wasting time, and this brat has cost us plenty."
"Then let's not waste any more time," a third voice interjected, smooth yet commanding. "Let's finish the mission and report back to Leader-sama."
Deidara spun around abruptly, his eyes widening as he saw three figures standing not far behind him. All three wore long black cloaks adorned with red clouds, their presence oozing mystery.
The tallest of the trio stood on the right. Nearly two meters tall, his muscular frame was imposing. A massive sword wrapped in white bandages rested on his back. His shark-like features, sharp teeth gleaming menacingly, and slashed Mist forehead protector marked him as a rogue ninja. His grin was chilling, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
In the center stood a grotesque figure whose body was entirely prostrate on the ground, appearing bloated and unnatural. His mouth was covered by a black cloth, and three sharp blades protruded from his head. Behind him swayed a metallic tail resembling a scorpion's stinger, adding to his terrifying appearance.
On the left stood the most normal-looking of the group. Lean and youthful, he had a slightly boyish face framed by long bangs and tied-back hair. Dark eyes peered out beneath a scarred Leaf forehead protector, marking him as a missing-nin from Konoha. Despite his refined features, there was an air of maturity about him, likely earned through years of hardship.