Night
"Brother, since it's your first time in Iwagakure, do you have a place to stay? How about staying at my house?"
Deidara said, dragging Genya along, his slightly drunk face full of sincerity and hope. After spending half the day talking, he felt like he and Genya had just met and instantly clicked.
In just the time it took to eat, the two had become close friends, despite the age difference!
Only Genya understood the beauty of art, and it was only with him that Deidara could freely talk about it. No one else truly understood him.
"Uncle Shin, you should go rest. I'll go back with Deidara," Genya said with a smile, nodding. During the meal, he only talked to Deidara about explosive art—there were things that couldn't be discussed outside.
Now, it was time to talk about other matters!
Uchiha Shin and Hikari nodded, understanding that Genya had things to do. Without saying anything else, they walked toward the inn they had booked earlier.
Genya followed Deidara to his newly built house. Inside, it was empty, almost bare. Deidara somehow pulled out a tea cup and pot, setting up to brew some tea. "Here, let's drink some tea to sober up!"
He still wanted to continue talking about explosive art with Genya.
And so, they continued talking, still having a good time.
As the night grew deeper, Genya looked at the sky outside. There was a ninja in the distance, watching them, but no one else around.
It seemed like Onoki and the others didn't care much about him… or maybe they just weren't paying attention to him. Even though that person was likely there to keep an eye on Deidara.
The goal was clear—don't let Deidara use his so-called art again.
"Bro, since you're not happy in Iwagakure, why not leave with me? Following your little brother will give you a better life. I can even build you a new lab, where you can research more advanced explosive techniques!"
Genya casually mentioned his idea, though it was also his genuine intention.
"If you want, I can get you a couple of lab assistants to help with the research!"
Take Deidara away!
"Huh? You'll provide a lab?" Deidara asked, shocked. He looked at Genya curiously. "Building a lab takes a lot of money. Do you have enough?"
Deidara didn't believe that his buddy could afford such a thing.
"You don't know my background, do you? The biggest Merchant Association in Konoha is run by my dad. A small lab is nothing to us!" Genya answered confidently, his tone calm.
Deidara was stunned. "You're the son of the current Uchiha clan leader?"
Deidara looked at Genya with a strange expression. He never expected his old friend to be some small-time rich kid, and not just any rich kid, but one who was loaded!
"Looks like you've heard about the Uchiha clan's recent troubles," Genya nodded, his interest piqued as he watched Deidara.
It seemed that the recent events in the Uchiha clan had spread throughout the ninja world, which wasn't surprising.
"Of course... such a big event, the entire ninja world knows about it!" Deidara said, continuing with interest.
"Bro, tell me, your Uchiha clan is one of Konoha's big clans. Who would dare break into Konoha and attack your clan? Was it just Itachi? Isn't he from your clan?"
Deidara's curiosity was evident in his eyes.
"Who knows? Maybe there were people from inside Konoha involved too!" Genya smiled slightly, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
It seemed that the higher-ups of some villages had already guessed the truth. They were just keeping quiet about it.
"I see!" Deidara scratched his head, a little speechless. "Do you think Itachi has gone crazy, attacking his own clan?"
"Maybe he's just gone mad," Genya said with a smile, but his tone grew serious. "But, let's not talk about that. So, what do you think? Will you accept my invitation? If you do, I'll start building you a lab right away!"
"I don't think so," Deidara shook his head. "My clay explosives are already top-tier."
He was still young, and didn't want to leave Iwa Village for too long.
No matter what, this place was his home!
And there was one more thing—he was incredibly confident in his clay bombs. He believed that he might even be the best ninja out there.
"Top-tier? I don't think so," Genya said, his gaze serious as he looked at Deidara. "From what I've observed, Lightning Release chakra affects your explosions significantly. Don't you want to find a way to improve it?"
"Lightning Release chakra?" Deidara's pupils shrank, his eyes filled with disbelief. "How did you know? I haven't told anyone about this!"
He didn't expect that Genya could guess that his weakness was Lightning Release chakra.
"I deduced it from the elements," Genya said seriously. "If you run into a ninja with more battle experience, they'll probably figure it out too."
Genya stared at Deidara with a determined look. "That's why I think your art still needs improvement."
"The explosive power, resistance, and uniqueness all have potential for enhancement!"
Genya's voice was persuasive as he continued, "If you join us, I'll support your research. Together, we can create a better clay bomb, a more perfect art!"
Deidara hesitated, his expression conflicted. He seemed tempted, but not fully convinced. "Let me think about it for a while. I'm not ready to leave just yet."
In the end, Deidara couldn't make up his mind.
Genya took a sip of tea. "Take your time to think about it. I'll come back to see you."
Genya knew that this wasn't something that could be achieved overnight.
However, he would prove with his actions that his art had flaws, and people like Deidara, who were a bit obsessive, would eventually choose to be with their own kind!
So, the two continued talking for a while.
Eventually, both of them grew tired. Genya went to the room Deidara had arranged for him to rest, while the slightly tipsy Deidara went to another room and immediately fell asleep.
The moon hung high in the sky!
The night was silent, and everything outside seemed especially peaceful.
Genya opened his eyes from his meditation, gazing at the street outside. A flash of hope crossed his eyes, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Chakra surged. With no one around, a simple shadow clone was no trouble at all for Genya now, and he didn't need to form seals anymore.
A shadow clone appeared beside him.
"Main body!" The clone smiled at Genya.
Genya slowly stood up. "You should know what I'm about to do. Take care of things here."
"Be careful!" The clone nodded, smiling.
"Iwagakure's ninjutsu, here I come!"
As Genya spoke, a grin appeared on his face, and his figure vanished from the spot!
Space-time ninjutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique!
Genya was getting more and more proficient at using it!
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