Chapter 169 The Actions of the Mist Village Rebels
Deidara, while recovering his chakra, pondered deeply but couldn't come up with anything. So he looked up and asked Uchiha Touko,
"Uncle Hokage, do you have any suggestions?" Deidara asked earnestly.
"I believe that the most important thing about art is to express the emotions the artist wants to express. Your performance just now was gorgeous, but I didn't feel what you wanted to express in it, so it felt somewhat empty."
"Is that so?" Deidara said, stroking his chin. "Then how do you tell me how I should express my emotions?"
"That's up to you to figure out. Everyone's art carries their own unique soul imprint, and you can only understand it yourself," Uchiha Touko said. "However, I've also heard a saying that great artists rely on daily accumulation and a flash of inspiration when the time is right. I believe that with your talent, you will definitely be able to wait for that opportunity to arrive. So what you need to do now is to continue your daily accumulation."
"I understand! Thank you so much, Hokage-san!" Deidara slapped his palm, speaking confidently.
"I'll introduce you to someone later, and he'll take you to the daily training grounds," Uchiha Touko said. "Before that, recover your chakra, and then practice a bit."
"Okay!" Deidara didn't say anything more and focused on recovering his chakra.
After Deidara finished recovering, Uchiha Touko took him to the area that hadn't been completely detonated. Deidara didn't say anything, but silently took out his clay. The sound of the explosion echoed again in the sky above Konoha.
After Deidara's chakra was exhausted, Uchiha Touko sent someone to summon Yamato.
When Yamato arrived at the scene, he looked at Deidara's masterpiece with an expression of disbelief. Such a large construction site, even with his own application for explosive tags, would have taken him at least three days to complete, according to his estimate. Yet, in just one morning, Uchiha Touko had it all done.
"Deidara, this is an architect from our Konoha. His architectural skills are so great that even I have to admit defeat," Uchiha Touko said.
Yamato: Huh?
Yamato was somewhat bewildered by Uchiha Touko's words. He didn't understand what Uchiha Touko was talking about.
"Architecture? Can that be called art? Only explosions can be called art!" Deidara scoffed at Uchiha Touko's claim of Yamato being an architect.
"You can't say that. There's more than one form of art in this world." Uchiha Touko gestured for Yamato to be quiet while trying to persuade Deidara. "You can't reach the temple of art by working in isolation. Sometimes, being exposed to other art forms can inspire you and help you reach that flash of inspiration faster."
"Okay." Deidara thought Uchiha Touko made sense and extended his hand to Yamato. "My name is Deidara. Nice to meet you."
"My name is Yamato." Yamato understood Uchiha Touko's look, but he wasn't good at persuading people, so he could only try to say as little as possible.
"Hehe, Yamato, don't underestimate our artist guest from Iwagakure." Uchiha Touko said with a smile, "See these? These are all his masterpieces."
迪達拉聞言,臉上也浮現出了一絲自得的表情,同時心中暗爽,這種感覺是他在岩隐從來沒有體驗過的,在岩隐大野木不讓他施展藝術也就罷了,偷偷鑽研藝術被那老頭逮到還會換來一頓臭揍,哪像木葉,火影親自來觀看他的藝術表演也就算了,對他人介紹他時的稱呼,還是他最愛聽的藝術家.
雖然才來這不到兩天,但他真是愛死這地方了.
而大和在聽到宇智波鬥光的話後,表情也變了,剛才這邊爆炸的動靜他在村子裏也聽到了,火影大人的意思是,這用起爆符日夜不停地炸也得炸三天才能炸出來的坑洞,這孩子一上午就搞定了?
As Konoha develops, he'll receive more and more orders for foundations requiring deep foundations. Doesn't that mean if he cultivates a good relationship with this kid, he can even save on the cost of explosive tags? Now, Yamato finally understands why the Hokage went to such lengths to give him the identity of an architect.
"Ahem, Yamato, now that you've made new friends, why not show off your skills?" Uchiha Touko coughed twice before reminding him.
"Yes!" Yamato nodded, then went to the huge pit, rapidly forming hand seals before slamming his hands heavily onto the ground.
"Wood Release! The Linked Pillars Technique!"
The bottom of the crater, recently reduced to a barren wasteland, suddenly burst into life. Countless giant trees sprouted from the earth and joined together, forming the prototype of a massive building.
"Impressive!" Deidara couldn't help but exclaim. Although he might not be a protagonist in the Iwagakure stories, he had heard of Hashirama Senju and the legend of Wood Release. However, this was the first time he had witnessed the wonders of Wood Release firsthand. Furthermore, the giant commercial center that Yamato was currently building was a completely unconventional architectural creation in the ninja world. Even though it was only a prototype, in Deidara's eyes, it solidified Yamato's status as an architectural artist.
"You two have a good chat. I'll go back to handle some official business," Uchiha Touko said, nodding as he handed Deidara over to Yamato.
...
After Deidara settled in Konoha, the village's construction speed reached a new level. Even Onoki probably didn't expect that his original plan to dump his problems on Konoha and thus disgust Uchiha Touko would backfire so spectacularly. Instead, under Touko's influence, Deidara became the chief demolition expert for the Yamato Group. Aside from the villagers hearing several loud explosions almost daily, it had virtually no impact on Konoha's development. Touko, on the contrary, made a fortune through the Yamato Construction Group.
Meanwhile, things weren't so good in Tsuchigakure. The tense situation on the battlefield left Onoki and Uesugi Hidekoshi constantly stressed. Not only had they failed to achieve their goal of quickly conquering the Land of Waterfalls, but they had also lost a tailed beast.
Onoki's messengers who went to negotiate with the Akatsuki and Hanzo returned empty-handed. After the Akatsuki's involvement in the war, the Land of Rain immediately went into isolation.
The only good news was that Pain, after capturing the Five-Tails, hadn't shown his face on the battlefield again, and Roshi, who had left the village, returned after learning of its plight.
During this time, battle reports circulated daily throughout the ninja world, though they were somewhat chaotic, with both sides constantly announcing their victories as if there were no losers in the war.
Time passed day by day, and the year 58 of Konoha quietly arrived.
On the first day of the new year, after attending the village's celebrations, Uchiha Touko had just sat down in his office when Black Zetsu and Tobi emerged from the floor.
"Happy New Year, Ancestor, and Tobi too," Uchiha Touko greeted them with a smile.
"Happy New Year, Lord Touko! Loyal! Be! Honest!" Tobi shouted, standing at attention and saluting.
"Loyal! Be! Honest!" Uchiha Touko returned the salute.
Saluting Uchiha Touko seemed to have become an essential part of every meeting between Tobi and Uchiha Touko, and each time, Uchiha Touko would patiently play along, their relationship growing stronger with each encounter.
"Stop playing!" Black Zetsu said anxiously.
"Ancestor, has something happened in Kirigakure?" Uchiha Touko asked.
"That's right, the rebels in Kirigakure have surrounded the entire village. They plan to launch a full-scale attack in three days," Black Zetsu said.
"So soon?" Uchiha Touko asked in surprise.
"That woman, Mei Terumi, following your example in Konoha, has already built an army strong enough to rival the Kirigakure Anbu. Furthermore, they've retrieved Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki previously listed as a rogue ninja by Kirigakure. Yagura Karatachi, currently under our control and unable to fully unleash the Three-Tails' power, is no match for him. It's only a matter of time before Kirigakure is defeated."
"He even retrieved the Six-Tails Jinchuriki?" Uchiha Touko chuckled. "Looks like my cheap disciple has some ability after all."
"Aren't you worried at all?" Black Zetsu asked. "If they succeed, all our preparations will have been for nothing."
"What's the rush? There are still three days left," Uchiha Touko said unhurriedly. "However, as their good neighbors, we in Konoha should naturally lend a hand. Let's take this opportunity to get our hands on the Six-Tails as well."
"What are you planning to do?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Come pick me up in two hours. I have some things to arrange. This time, my main body will personally go to Kirigakure," Uchiha Touko said seriously.
"Alright," Black Zetsu nodded and disappeared from the office with Tobi.
"Inahi, invite Kakashi over here," Uchiha Touko called out loudly after the two left.
A while later, Kakashi arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Why did you call me here at this time?" Kakashi asked after arriving at the Hokage's office.
"It seems like things are getting lively in Kirigakure lately," Uchiha Touko chuckled.
"Kirigakure?" Kakashi frowned. "Did you receive some news?"
Kakashi, who was currently in charge of the guard force, was mainly responsible for affairs within the Land of Fire, so he wasn't very clear about intelligence in the ninja world.
"Yes," Uchiha Touko nodded, "A resistance group has recently emerged in Kirigakure, planning a coup within the village."
"A coup?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while since I've heard that word. What do you plan to do?"
"I'd like to do something, but we're not in a position to get involved right now," Uchiha Touko said. "However, to prevent their coup from affecting our Land of Fire, I plan to send you and Kai with a team of elite Anbu to support the border troops there."
"I understand," Kakashi nodded.
"Of course, if a suitable opportunity arises, you can decide for yourself whether to cross the border, but everything must be in Konoha's best interest, understand?" Uchiha Touko said.
"An opportunity?" Kakashi glanced at Uchiha Touko and nodded. "I understand. When do we set off?"
"As soon as possible. Several important factories of our Land of Fire are located on the east coast; we cannot afford to lose them." Uchiha Touko smiled, seeing that Kakashi understood his hint.
"Alright, I'll set off with my men in a bit." Kakashi nodded.
"Should we bring Swift Lightning?" Uchiha Touko turned to look at the sword rack beside him and asked.
"No need," Kakashi shook his head. "Kai and I are both there this time, so there's no need to use this sword to bluff."
"Besides," a glint flashed in Kakashi's exposed eye, "if the opportunity you mentioned really comes, I'd prefer to personally settle a score with Kirigakure."
"Alright," Uchiha Touko nodded.
An hour later, Kakashi, along with Mite Kai and a team of elite Jonin, left the village and headed towards the eastern border of the Land of Fire.
Uchiha Touko, meanwhile, waited quietly in his office for Tobi and Black Zetsu to arrive.
After a while, Black Zetsu and Tobi arrived at the Hokage's office as promised.
"Let's go." Uchiha Touko nodded upon seeing the two, forming hand seals to create a shadow clone in the office. He then allowed Tobi to attach himself to the clone, and the three of them headed towards the Land of Water.
Two hours later, Uchiha Touko arrived at the same room as before. Tobi had already completed his disguise. Uchiha Touko stood in front of the mirror, looking at his bald face, his lips twitching slightly. He then said, "If there's another opportunity like this, could you please help me get a non-bald identity?"
Before Tobi could reply, there was a knock on the door.
"Jonin Satake, the leader has called a meeting!" a voice came from outside.
"I know, I'll be right there," Uchiha Touko replied casually.
After checking his disguise, Uchiha Touko left and headed towards the underground base of the Kirigakure resistance.
Upon entering the base, Touko quickly spotted several familiar figures: Zabuza Momochi, carrying the Executioner's Blade, and Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying the Samehada sword. In a corner of the base, a long-haired man in loose robes was casually blowing bubbles; this was Utakata, the jinchūriki of the Six-Tails Saiken, a former rogue ninja of Kirigakure.
(End of Chapter)