Returning to the Hidden Rain Village, Deidara finally opened the system after what felt like ages.
"Strongest Artist System
Host: Deidara
Shock Value: 24,000/26,000
Skill Points: 1
Unlocked Skills:
Pyrotechnics: Explosion Mastery Level 3, C2 Enhanced Great Dragon, Super High Temperature, Greater Detonation Range, Timed Bomb, C3 Enhanced Number 18
Morphology Optimization: Morphology Optimization Level 2, Insect Form Mastery, Insect Form Activation, Human Form Mastery, Human Form Activation, Animal Form Mastery, Animal Form Activation
Material Science (Clay): Improved Clay, Lightning-Resistant Clay, Advanced Clay, Durable Clay
Ninja Arts: Chakra Enhancement, Ninjutsu Enhancement, Genjutsu Resistance Level 2, Clayification"
Just from glancing at the system interface, it was clear that he had grown significantly stronger.
First, the Durable Clay had already been researched by Orochimaru. One had to admit, it was truly impressive. Despite juggling so many research projects simultaneously and even squeezing in time for the Konoha Crush Plan, Orochimaru still managed to complete this breakthrough.
However, the next step—researching the ultimate Perfect Clay—was going to be much more challenging. Not only did it require extensive research, but it also demanded the sacrifice of a White Zetsu. And White Zetsu wasn't exactly easy to capture.
Secondly, Deidara had obtained another pair of Sharingan from Orochimaru, which he used to upgrade his Genjutsu Resistance to Level 2. Though he hadn't encountered a genjutsu-type enemy in a long time, he considered it a persistent weakness. With an extra skill point available, he figured, why not eliminate this vulnerability?
However, advancing Genjutsu Resistance to Level 3 would require sacrificing a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, which was a far more daunting task.
Then there was Morphology Optimization. Deidara, being on excellent terms with Sasori, naturally acquired the Human Puppet Technique Guide, successfully unlocking Morphology Optimization Level 2.
The next skill in the Morphology Optimization tree was something intriguingly named Modern Armaments.
Heh, perhaps unlocking it would allow him to create Clay Planes and Clay Tanks?
Of course, the most important aspect remained Pyrotechnics. Deidara had already unlocked Explosion Mastery Level 3, but the next skill, C4 Enhanced Type: Sun, had extremely stringent requirements. It needed both Durable Clay and something called Light Wheel Gale Black Arrow Zero Style.
Durable Clay was already unlocked, so that wasn't an issue.
But what on earth was this "Light Wheel Gale Black Arrow Zero Style"?
Deidara pondered for a long time before finally recalling that it was the combined technique of Naruto's Rasenshuriken and Sasuke's Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi.
Naruto and Sasuke were still so young—how long would it take for them to master this technique?
After a meal spent brooding over the issue, Deidara suddenly had an epiphany. Since he understood the principle behind the technique, why wait for Naruto and Sasuke? Couldn't he just develop it himself? After all, it was essentially just Rasenshuriken combined with Amaterasu. Itachi's Amaterasu was readily available in abundance.
With this realization, Deidara turned to Black Zetsu, who was watching him with a resentful gaze. Gently, he pried off Zetsu's arm.
Black Zetsu stomped his foot in frustration.
"Deidara-nii, you might as well not come back if you're going to behave like this!"
"Ahem, ahem! I think I'll just send a Clay Clone instead," Deidara replied sheepishly.
At a tavern, he found Kisame and Itachi, both leisurely sipping sake.
"Itachi, looks like your health has really improved—you're even hanging out in places like this," Deidara said as he pushed aside the curtain and casually greeted them.
"Yo, Deidara!" Kisame raised his head, revealing his shark-like teeth in a grin. Sometimes Deidara couldn't help but wonder about something.
"Kisame, with teeth as sharp as yours, doesn't food or drink leak out when you eat?"
"And you, with a body that can turn into clay—doesn't it, you know, soften up when you're with your little girlfriend?" Kisame retorted with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hahaha, Kisame, you're hilarious."
"Hahaha, Deidara, you're just as funny."
Deidara sat down comfortably beside Kisame. As he grew older, he found himself increasingly drawn to alcohol, especially low-alcohol sake like this.
"Deidara, what brings you here?" Kisame finally asked after they had clinked glasses a few times.
"Well, I've hit a bit of a snag in my artistic research and need Itachi's help," Deidara replied, swirling the sake in his cup.
"What do you need?" Itachi, usually reserved, finally spoke his first words. Deidara often wondered how Itachi spent his time. Did he just sit around all day with that brooding expression? That wasn't cool—that was early-onset dementia.
"I need to borrow your Amaterasu," Deidara said directly.
"No problem," Itachi nodded. Ever since he had transplanted perfect Hashirama cells, his body felt amazing. His back didn't ache, his legs didn't hurt, and he could climb seven flights of stairs in one go. Lending a bit of Amaterasu was no big deal—he could even use it to cook dinner every night if he wanted to. The only downside was that sleeping at night felt a bit eerie, as if a man was lying in his arms.
"But that's only part of what I need. I also require a Wind Release jutsu," Deidara added, his expression growing more serious.
"Itachi, do you have wind chakra?" Deidara asked hopefully.
If Itachi had a wind chakra nature, it would be easy for someone of his talent to master the Rasenshuriken.
Unfortunately, Itachi shook his head. "I only have my innate fire chakra. I haven't trained in a second or third chakra nature."
Generally speaking, ninjas were born with only one chakra nature. Those who were born with two could possess a kekkei genkai, like Kurotsuchi's Lava Release or the Yuki clan's Ice Release.
Of course, there were exceptional individuals born with three chakra natures, like Mei Terumī, who had two kekkei genkai. But that wasn't the focus here.
The point was that most ninjas, upon reaching the rank of jōnin, would train in a second or even third chakra nature. This allowed them to release more powerful jutsu and adapt to different combat situations.
For example, a fire-natured ninja might train in wind chakra. Combining wind and fire would create a devastating combo, and the wind chakra could also counter water-natured enemies.
However, this applied to ordinary ninjas. The exceptional ones had their own strengths and didn't necessarily need a second chakra nature.
For instance, Itachi relied on genjutsu and his Mangekyō Sharingan to dominate battles.
Or Kisame, whom Deidara turned to next.
"Kisame, do you have wind chakra?"
"Sorry, can't help you there. I only know Water Release and later focused on kenjutsu and taijutsu," Kisame shrugged, expressing his helplessness.
Deidara frowned in frustration. While there were wind-natured ninjas in the Hidden Rain Village, none of them had the talent to master the Rasenshuriken. Among the Akatsuki's core members, only two had wind chakra: Nagato and Kakuzu.
So, who should he approach?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~ The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong