r18novel Chapter 140 Artists
Chapter 140 Artists
"Sorry, old man... I'm not going to just stay idly outside the village. Now that I'm out here, I'm determined to pursue that ultimate art of explosion! Hmm!"
On a dusty path on the border of the Land of Earth, a figure was hurrying along at a leisurely pace. But this boy was quite different from other travelers; almost all his attention was focused on his hands, intently kneading and shaping a white object.
He had long, dark blond hair with bangs that fell to the side, obscuring his right eye. His left eye, however, had a bluish-green pupil that shone with an artist's focused and fervent light.
This was Deidara, who had just been expelled from Iwagakure. However, compared to the wild and unruly member of Akatsuki he would become in the future, his face still retained a touch of childishness.
"The Land of Fire... the road is really long." He muttered to himself as he sculpted his form. "If the old man knew that I not only didn't reflect on my actions but also went to Konoha's territory, I wonder how angry he would be... But, if I could take this opportunity to join that legendary organization... oh! This look feels pretty good!"
After some careful tinkering, Deidara was finally satisfied with his creation. He had molded the lump of white clay into a simple, line-drawn spider.
Just then, an unnatural rustling sound suddenly came from the nearby woods.
Deidara abruptly raised his head, his gaze sweeping towards the source of the sound. His body appeared to remain in a relaxed standing posture, but the fingers gripping the clay spider were slightly curled inward, ready to hurl it and detonate it instantly—if the newcomer showed even the slightest hostility.
"...What is this? A tiger?"
Emerging slowly from the dense bushes was not a human ninja, but an unusually large, white tiger.
But what's most striking is the mask covering its face, made of an unknown material and decorated with eerie fox patterns, which gives it an unsettling feel.
Since the white tiger did not show any signs of aggression, Deidara did not act immediately, but observed it with high vigilance, especially its peculiar mask.
"Is it some kind of summoned beast? That mask on its face... it looks so eerie. Hmm?"
"Strange... why do I feel like I've seen this somewhere before?"
He tried to search his memory, attempting to find the source of this sense of déjà vu.
Just as Deidara was scrutinizing the white tiger wearing the strange fox mask in front of him, trying to recall the source of that familiar feeling, strange noises came from the surrounding forest once again!
But this time, the sound didn't come from a single direction. Rustling sounds arose simultaneously from all directions, and a suffocating sense of oppression spread through the forest like a tide.
Immediately afterwards, figures of different shapes and exuding different auras slowly emerged from the surrounding shadows and trees.
The first thing that catches the eye is four other enormous and strangely shaped spirit beasts, which, together with the white tiger, form a perfect encirclement.
Coiled on the thick tree branch was a giant snake, the golden snake silently locking onto the boy below.
Beside them, the colossal beast Xuanwu, a creature combining the forms of a tortoise and a snake, lay steadily on the ground. Above them, the giant bird Zhuque glided silently in the air, while the massive dragon-shaped creature Qinglong emitted a deep hum.
These summoned beasts, each with a distinct form yet all radiating a powerful chakra, are none other than the Nine-Faced Beast.
At the front and back ends of the path, and behind them, stood two humanoid beings, the Southern Dipper Immortal and the Northern Dipper Immortal, each holding a staff in one hand and forming a hand seal with the other.
What truly blocked Deidara's path were the two figures standing directly in front of him: one was the black-robed "Grim Reaper" wielding a giant scythe and exuding an ominous aura, and the other was the "Celestial Maiden."
Seeing the beings surrounding him, Deidara's hazy memories instantly became crystal clear! His body began to tremble uncontrollably, but not out of fear; it was a shiver caused by extreme excitement and ecstasy!
"Hey...is it for real?!" he growled almost incoherently, his eyes wide with excitement. "If...if it really is the organization I'm imagining! The leader! Come out here right now! Don't hide!"
Menma, hidden in the shadows, was slightly surprised by Deidara's unexpectedly excited reaction. With a thought, he used the Flying Thunder God coordinates engraved on Kurama's body and appeared in front of Deidara without warning, standing precisely between the Shinigami and the Celestial Maiden.
Deidara's gaze swept quickly over Menma, eagerly capturing every feature on him—the fox mask, the black robe, and the nine-faced beast beside him.
That's right! It's him! The person the old man has been secretly searching for and fearing for so long! The leader of the [Ember] organization!
Deidara's heart pounded wildly. He couldn't believe... he'd run into them here!
Although I don't know why he appeared on the border of the Land of Earth... but the target is right in front of us, so things will be much easier!
Just then, Menma's voice rang out through the mask, stating his purpose directly. "Explosion Release ninja, Deidara. I've come to welcome you to join the [Jin] organization and become one of us."
Upon hearing this, Deidara's smile widened instantly, becoming even more flamboyant and fervent, and he responded almost impatiently.
"That's wonderful! Perfect timing! I came here specifically to find you in my pursuit of ultimate art—[Jim]!"
Seeing Deidara's almost fanatical state of excitement, Menma instantly understood. So that's how it is… It seems that the [Great Spiral Wheel] he threw down near Konoha back then…
Its devastating explosion and 'artistic' presentation created a butterfly effect that far exceeded expectations.
"In that case..."
Menma had just begun speaking, attempting to steer the conversation toward the formal recruitment process. However, in the next moment, something unexpected happened!
Without warning, Deidara hurled the white clay spider he had sculpted at Menma!
"drink!"
Almost the instant the clay spider left his hand, Deidara had already completed the final hand seal with one hand, letting out a short, sharp shout!
The clay spider that flew in front of Menma instantly expanded, and the chakra contained within it was instantly detonated!
"boom--!!!"
A violent explosion rang out! The scorching air, mixed with dirt and bits of grass, spread violently in all directions, and the thick smoke and dust instantly engulfed the spot where Menma had just been standing, and also briefly obscured Deidara's vision.
However, when the smoke and dust quickly dissipated, the epicenter of the explosion was completely empty. Not only had Menma's figure vanished, but the two [Grim Reapers] and [Celestial Maidens] who had been standing beside him had also disappeared without a trace.
"You're really energetic." The voice came from behind Deidara again without warning.
Deidara turned around abruptly, only to find that Menma had silently appeared a few meters behind him, his black robe spotless and without a speck of dust.
"Very good. It seems that your art pursues that kind of fleeting, extreme splendor, full of explosive tension and... tragic beauty."
As expected... these guys with special talents are all unruly and not so easy to obey. In the end, we'll have to 'communicate' with them first.
Mianma sighed helplessly to himself, already preparing for a "recruitment assessment".
But to his surprise, Deidara did not continue his attack. Instead, he quickly raised his hands and made a slightly exaggerated "pause" gesture, explaining with an anxious expression on his face.
"Wait, wait, wait! You've misunderstood! I don't want to fight you! Hmm!"
He stared intently at Mianma, his tone becoming unusually serious. "I just want to use the simplest and most direct method to verify whether the guy in front of me is the real leader of the [Jin] organization, and not some boring imposter!"
Menma paused slightly upon hearing this, then stood silently in place, waiting for Deidara to continue.
Before Deidara could even act, he excitedly stated his conditions. "Joining me into your organization is very simple! Just fulfill two conditions!"
"First! Let me witness with my own eyes that legendary ultimate art—the perfect explosion you displayed above Konoha, capable of reducing everything to nothingness!"
"Second! Promise me! Teach me that ninjutsu!"
"If you can do these two things, I'll join your [Ember] organization immediately! Hmm!"