The Happiness of Deidara in Naruto

Chapter 5: Arrangements

Deidara stayed at the Tsuchikage's residence until dinner. After enjoying the meal, he returned home alone. Although the Tsuchikage's house was well-furnished and came with the lively company of a little girl, nothing quite compared to the comfort of his own home.

There was something inherently soothing about being in his own space. Perhaps it was the influence of his predecessor; Deidara felt a deep emotional connection to his current home. Even though he had only arrived that morning, that feeling of comfort was hard to forget.

Throughout the afternoon, Deidara spent his time poring over the Tsuchikage's collection of books, while Kurotsuchi, the little loli, sat nearby, diligently pretending to read a few books as well.

Ōnoki had left immediately after dinner, after all, he was the Tsuchikage and had a busy schedule.

After an afternoon of "studying," Deidara gained new insights into the world around him. He learned that Akatsuki's future goal was the tailed beasts, but he remained unclear about their true purpose for wanting so many.

He discovered that there were nine tailed beasts in this world, each assigned to one of the five great nations. Interestingly, one of them, the Seven-Tails, was allocated to the Land of Water, which had been quite powerful during the era of the First Hokage.

Iwagakure, the village of the Land of Earth, housed two tailed beasts. One was the Four-Tails, Son Goku, whose jinchuriki was Rōshi, and the other was the Five-Tails, Mu, whose jinchuriki was Han.

As Deidara learned more about the jinchuriki, he felt deep sympathy for them. They were the hosts of the tailed beasts or their chakra, serving as vessels for sealing the beasts and using their chakra as unique means of attack.

Perhaps a jinchuriki's entire life was devoted to serving the village, yet they were often viewed as monsters—insulted with words and even subjected to physical attacks. Each jinchuriki carried the weight of their beast's notoriety, and the crimes committed by the tailed beasts were insidiously transferred to them.

Consequently, Deidara felt a profound curiosity about Naruto Uzumaki, the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Growing up in such circumstances, he had managed to be so optimistic, enthusiastic, and devoted to his friends who acknowledged him.

If circumstances allowed, he would very much like to befriend Naruto from Konohagakure.

He also considered visiting the two jinchuriki from his own village when he found the time.

The situation among nations was characterized by five great countries surrounded by countless smaller ones. These small nations remained independent because they often became battlegrounds for wars between the great powers. In fact, the greatest suffering from such conflicts fell not on the great nations that lost wars, but rather on these small countries.

Furthermore, in the Naruto world, all land was concentrated on the continent known as the Land of Fire; the rest was all ocean. This was somewhat reminiscent of ancient Earth, where all landmasses were connected and surrounded by water.

Yet, this world had largely ignored the development and utilization of the ocean. The ocean harbored oil and a plethora of marine products, yet coastal nations merely exploited the seafood, showing no knowledge of oil or similar resources.

Even if they knew, they likely wouldn't care since their technological development had diverged significantly. Besides, with so much land available, there was no pressing need to focus on the sea.

Moreover, this world was centered around martial prowess, making it impossible to operate in the same way as Earth, or perhaps there was no need to.

From the moment chakra was introduced, this world had undergone enormous changes.

Reflecting on this, Deidara recalled the Tsuchikage's words earlier.

"Deidara, you currently have no foundation. You're just a child who hasn't even begun to extract chakra. Therefore, everything I teach you will have to start from scratch," Ōnoki had explained. "But you can see for yourself! I'm quite busy, really busy."

"So, I've decided to let you attend the Ninja Academy. Once you become a genin, I will formally take you as a disciple." Ōnoki's expression was slightly coaxing. "What do you think? Plus, I've arranged for your younger sister to accompany you to school. Do you see how good your master is to you!"

Ultimately, Deidara agreed with Ōnoki's proposal; he understood and accepted what was said. However, he couldn't help but wonder what it meant for "younger sister" to accompany him!

At that moment, after getting a reluctant agreement from Kurotsuchi, Ōnoki was so excited he could almost jump for joy. Just like that, he had disposed of a nuisance and a burden, feeling light and free! His old back felt rejuvenated from the delight.

Kurotsuchi saw her grandfather's expression and felt a swell of irritation, but then she calmed down and said, "Don't worry, Grandpa! I won't forget you! Every day after school, I'll definitely come chat with you so you won't be lonely!"

Ōnoki's expression froze, his mood deflating like a balloon, as he waved his hand in resignation.

Deidara, meanwhile, held a lump of clay in his hands. He closed his eyes and silently whispered, "Begin." The clay began to take shape in his hands.

His technique was agile and precise, each movement executed perfectly. Before long, a clay figure resembling Kurotsuchi began to take form. While the details weren't perfect, it was already recognizable as her.

Picking up a toothpick, Deidara meticulously sculpted further, and Kurotsuchi's likeness emerged spectacularly. The figure smiled with slightly parted lips, as though saying something, and her hands were behind her back with her left foot slightly raised, exuding a lively and vibrant aura.

Now, he just needed to let the figure dry, and it would serve as a decorative piece.

Should he gift it to Kurotsuchi? Deidara briefly considered this before discarding the idea.

After collecting his thoughts, Deidara sat cross-legged on his bed, holding a scroll he had just perused. It contained the chakra refinement methods passed down through generations in the Tsuchikage's family.

Such a priceless resource shouldn't be given away easily, but it also indicated that Ōnoki genuinely viewed him as part of the family.

Deidara began following the scroll's instructions step by step to refine his chakra; however, he felt a twinge of frustration when, after meticulously following the steps, there was no response at all.

No warmth, no sensation of clear energy flowing in his mind—nothing.

Well! Refining chakra wasn't something that could be achieved in a day, and this was only his first attempt.

Encouraging himself, Deidara settled back into position and tried again, but once more, nothing occurred.

Deciding enough was enough, he realized it was nearly midnight. If he didn't get enough rest, he would surely be exhausted the following day.

With that in mind, Deidara tidied the scroll, set it aside, and removed his outer garments before lying down.

Not long after, soft snores began to escape him. However, as Deidara fell asleep, if anyone were to observe his chakra, they would notice a trace of deep blue chakra starting to form in his abdomen.

To be continued…