After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 216

Chapter 216: Deidara: I Feel Like Someone's Targeting Me

White light flickered several times like a poor signal connection before extinguishing.

"See, I told you it wouldn't be that easy."

Ōnoki appeared calm on the surface, but cold sweat was actually forming on his forehead.

"Really, indeed. Worthy of being 'Bloodline Selection,' even more impressive than Kekkei Genkai."

At Iwagakure's training ground, Naruto was attempting to use Wind, Earth, and Fire nature chakra to replicate the Dust Release mastered by Ōnoki. But facts proved this wasn't as simple as he'd thought.

Unlike Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique or Added-Weight Rock Technique, though learning difficulty wasn't low, these techniques were ultimately Earth Release jutsu. As long as you mastered the corresponding chakra flow, you could basically copy them with minor differences.

But Kekkei Genkai and Bloodline Selection differed from ordinary techniques. Perhaps all were fusions of same-attribute chakra, but fusion ratios, sequential order, and individual will differences could produce different results.

For example, both "Water" and "Earth" have natural changes. Some could only produce so-called "Mud Release," but others could produce the corrosive "Lava Release." The differences were quite significant.

Bloodline Selection's replication difficulty was several times higher still. If from the same bloodline, perhaps there was a small probability of autonomously mastering the so-called Kekkei Genkai through genetic inheritance. But without blood relation, for instance, between Second Tsuchikage "Mu" and Ōnoki, only through detailed instruction, plus Ōnoki's own high talent level, could this Dust Release ability be learned.

Even with bloodline bonuses, Ōnoki's son and granddaughter hadn't mastered Dust Release. Nearly eighty-year-old Ōnoki didn't want the Second Tsuchikage's ultimate technique to be lost in his hands. Of course, this didn't mean he'd teach this jutsu to an outsider like Naruto. His ideal target remained his genius disciple.

After that last conflict, Jiraiya cleared both sides' misunderstandings after Ōnoki regained consciousness. This time, the stubborn Tsuchikage didn't continue his hard stance.

Can't be helped. His fists weren't as big as the other party's. According to the "Will of Stone" philosophy, greater strength meant more say; conversely, one could only passively accept reality.

Though Ōnoki provided Naruto with intelligence about the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki and Takigakure Village, Naruto wasn't rushing to leave. He always felt Ōnoki was still hiding something. Just that the other party kept refusing to speak.

White light emerged again from Naruto's palm, indicating his chakra injection sequence was at least correct. But reverse-engineering Dust Release's "formula" from zero remained very difficult.

"Cough, cough. Naruto Uzumaki, stop trying for now."

Ōnoki truly worried this kid might figure out Dust Release's secrets, so he began changing the subject.

"Interested in making a deal with me?"

As he spoke, the embarrassed expression on Ōnoki's face gradually shifted to seriousness. Actually, this wasn't really a change of subject. He'd been looking for opportunities these past days to speak frankly with this Naruto Uzumaki.

"Oh? You want to teach me this Dust Release?"

Naruto's response made Ōnoki silent for a second, then he continued as if he had not heard.

"I heard you've already fought that 'Akatsuki' organization, correct?"

"Yeah, their leader's already dead. Now, another guy calling himself 'Madara Uchiha' controls the whole organization. I should have told you this already."

Ōnoki nodded lightly, not questioning Madara Uchiha's identity again.

"Then, have you seen a young person who uses explosive techniques in that organization?"

The old man asked somewhat cautiously. He truly feared Naruto's next sentence would be "Saw him, killed him."

"Explosives? I've seen someone using missiles, but that guy didn't look young."

Naruto meant Asura Path Pain.

"Missiles, no, no, he uses something called 'Explosive Clay.' Right, that kid's called Deidara and also has blonde hair."

After Ōnoki described Deidara's appearance and background, the response he got was a headshake.

"Haven't seen clay. Maybe that organization sent him on some other mission."

Hearing this, the old man before Naruto finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"If so, then I'm relieved."

"What's up, old man? Is that kid your grandson?"

Naruto looked at Ōnoki with a smile. From the emotions the other party currently revealed, Naruto could sense the elder's love for a junior.

And Ōnoki didn't immediately deny it.

"That child's called Deidara, my disciple. Though no blood relation, I've considered him my own grandson."

After speaking, his expression suddenly became solemn as he looked at Naruto.

"I know this request may be excessive, but I still want to ask you, when fighting him, don't take his life. This child just took a wrong turn. Partly my fault, too. Please spare his life. If possible, best to tie him up and bring him back."

Speaking, this village Kage, this seventy-plus-year-old man, actually bowed to Naruto.

"Please, in exchange, I'll tell you Rōshi's, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki's, possible whereabouts."

After all, as the village's Jinchūriki, even if Rōshi left in anger, wandering everywhere, Ōnoki couldn't just watch idly. He'd naturally conducted investigations. Especially after Five-Tails Jinchūriki Han mysteriously disappeared, the investigation intensity increased even more.

Hearing Ōnoki's words, Naruto's mouth split into a huge smile. His several days waiting here weren't wasted. This old man finally spoke up.

"No problem. When I meet him, I'll hold back. But just one vague Jinchūriki location isn't quite enough, old man. That's your disciple you view as your own grandson."

Naruto approached Ōnoki, first naturally helping straighten the other's bent waist, then looking at him sideways with ill intent.

Being stared at with such eyes, Ōnoki's heart tightened. This kid wouldn't want...

The short old man's expression changed repeatedly before finally making up his mind.

"You're right. Just one possible location truly isn't weighty enough. If you can bring Deidara back, then I'm willing to teach you Dust Release."

Speaking those final words, Ōnoki's tone was difficult to bear. This sentence seemed to exhaust all his spirit. He ultimately violated the principles of a village Kage, placing personal feelings above village interests.

Ōnoki could certainly comfort himself. Naruto Uzumaki being so powerful, with or without Dust Release, his threat to Iwagakure was irresistible anyway. But that was after all a secret technique passed by the previous Tsuchikage, belonging to the entire village.

Traditional masters held firm beliefs that such unique skills could only be given to one's most recognized direct disciple. No wonder so many crafts had fewer successors as they passed down, finally becoming completely lost.

Seeing Ōnoki's appearance, Naruto finally couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Hahaha!"

Ōnoki immediately became somewhat embarrassed and angry, raising his head. This stinking kid, does he also want to humiliate this old man?

After laughing for a while, until veins became visible on Ōnoki's forehead, Naruto finally wiped away tears of laughter.

"Old man, I've received your determination. That brat, I'll send him back to you safe and sound."

Speaking, Naruto stood straight. His imposing back blocked Ōnoki's forward view. Sunlight poured from above, seemingly rimming this back with golden edges.

"As for that Dust Release thing, keep it yourself. I can figure out this kind of thing myself. That's it, see you."

Finishing, Naruto walked toward the training ground exit.