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***
"No matter what, the mission must continue."
Haitsu nodded.
Deidara might have overestimated his own explosive clay, but given the current situation, their only chance of killing Kuroishi Lei under the protection of the Konoha team led by Shikaku was to rely on its destructive power.
"Then what should we do?"
Kurotsuchi glanced at Deidara and muttered, "We must kill the Land of Stone's representative before he completes his negotiations with the Land of the Forest."
While the Land of Earth's status and strength might allow it to overlook smaller nations like the Land of Stone and the Land of the Forest, assassinating within their borders was standard ninja duty.
However, once the trade negotiations between the Land of the Forest and the Land of Stone were concluded, the matter would shift to joint cooperation between the two nations.
If Iwagakure ninja assassinated Land of Stone representatives or destroyed their goods sold to the Land of the Forest, it would constitute interference in the internal affairs of both nations.
The Land of the Forest hadn't offended the Land of Earth, so such actions would lack a legitimate reason.
The five great ninja nations maintained checks and balances, and the Land of Earth and Iwagakure weren't the only powers.
Therefore, Iwagakure and the Land of Earth couldn't afford to be accused of interfering in another nation's affairs without justification.
Furthermore, the Fourth Hokage's acceptance of the Land of Stone's commission signaled Konoha's stance.
"A surprise attack was pointless now, and even if we request support from the village, it's almost too late."
Haitsu lowered his eyes.
He could tell that after their retreat, Shikaku would rush toward the Land of the Forest.
While this place was still far from the meeting point between the Land of the Forest and the Land of Stone, a ninja's speed allowed them to reach it in a day and a half at most.
Shikaku had slightly altered their route to the Land of Stone.
Aside from this valley, a necessary stop on their way to the Land of the Forest, the only place they would inevitably pass was the Sea of Trees Forest, on the Land of the Forest's border.
As the name suggests, the Land of the Forest is eighty percent covered in trees, and the Sea of Trees Forest is its largest forest, located on the border.
If they couldn't intercept Shikaku and the others at the Sea of Trees Forest's entrance and complete their mission, once they entered the vast woods, it would be over.
"Deidara, with the explosive clay you currently possess, what is the approximate range of your most destructive technique?"
Haitsu pondered for a moment, then looked at Deidara and asked.
Deidara smiled, raising his head with pride.
"What? Now you finally understand the importance of my art, don't you?"
He exclaimed confidently.
"Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll show those Konoha ninja what the art of the moment is, hmm!"
A frenzied, fiery glow shone in the young man's blue eyes.
Swish!
Shikaku's team, along with their client, Kuroishi Lei, a group of five, hurried on until darkness fell, resting in a cave within the borders of another small nation.
"Mr. Kuroishi, we'll enter the Land of the Forest tomorrow morning," Shikaku said.
He sat at the cave entrance, glancing at Kuroishi Lei, who leaned against the wall, fatigue on his face.
Kuroishi Lei wasn't a ninja, yet he had kept pace with Shikaku and the others.
Even with rests along the way, they had been sleeping outdoors.
For an average person, his ability to persevere was remarkable.
The Land of Stone's economy was so stretched that even he, a trade mission representative, couldn't afford a hotel.
Izumi and the others had offered to cover the cost, but Kuroishi Lei refused.
"Thank you! Once our foreign trade improves, we'll repay the mission fees owed to Konoha as soon as possible."
Kuroishi Lei nodded at Shikaku, then looked at Itachi, Izumi, and Aoki Yui, thanking them profusely.
"That's not necessary," Itachi said, looking at Kuroishi Lei.
"When the time comes, you can hand the remaining payment directly to Hokage-sama."
"The remaining payment for this Land of Stone mission was paid in advance by Hokage-sama himself."
"What? Hokage-sama paid for us?"
Kuroishi Lei exclaimed, his face showing surprise.
He was clearly unaware of this matter.
"According to village rules, missions without sufficient pay are unacceptable, even for the Hokage."
Izumi nodded, a flicker of reverence in her eyes.
"Hokage-sama is truly a gentle man."
"So that's how it is! The Hokage has helped the Land of Stone so much, and I had no idea!"
Kuroishi Lei's expression showed respect.
Shikaku glanced at Itachi.
The latter was quiet during the mission, yet mentioned that Minato had advanced the mission fee for the Land of Stone, clearly intending for Kuroishi Lei to hear.
If this mission succeeded and Kuroishi Lei returned to the Land of Stone after negotiations, the Land of Stone would remember Konoha's and the Fourth Hokage's help in their time of need.
While "overwhelmed with gratitude" might be exaggerated, the Land of Stone's citizens would be grateful.
This news would spread to other small nations near the Land of Stone and beyond.
Minato's choice to accept this seemingly unprofitable mission, despite offending the Land of Earth and Iwagakure, would spread Konoha's benevolent reputation worldwide.
This foresight was remarkable, and it was why Shikaku accepted the mission.
He was surprised to find that Itachi had also seen this, a perspective even Konoha's higher-ups might not have considered.
This wasn't just talent or intelligence but a broad perspective and exceptional political foresight.
If Itachi weren't Uchiha, he would undoubtedly be Konoha's most sought-after talent, valued by the village's top brass.
If the village's higher-ups knew of Itachi's abilities, they would pay him special attention.
This was why Itachi had concealed himself during his time at the ninja academy.
From the perspective of the village's higher-ups, Shikaku would have made the same choice.
Compared to the older generation like Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, Shikaku trusted what Minato had said before becoming Itachi's jōnin sensei:
"I am willing to give the current Uchiha the same trust that a Hokage of Konoha should have in all the village's major clans, starting with this child!"
...
"It seems Minato wasn't mistaken."
A hint of admiration emerged in Shikaku's eyes as he looked at Itachi.
Itachi's warning to Kuroishi Lei had benefited the Hokage and Konoha.
"Shikaku-sensei."
Itachi stood and walked to Shikaku's side.
Shikaku and his team hadn't lit a bonfire in the cave.
Being close to the Land of the Forest's border, they couldn't reveal their position.
Outside the cave entrance, moonlight streamed down like water.
"I think Deidara and his companions from Iwagakure have reached the Sea of Trees Forest, on the Land of the Forest's border."
Itachi looked at Shikaku.
He hadn't intended to hide his actions from Shikaku, as that would reveal flaws.
He wanted the man before him to understand his true thoughts.
As a Nara, Shikaku's situation was similar to Itachi's in some ways.
During the two months with Shikaku, Itachi learned he held no prejudice against the Uchiha.
Shikaku nodded.
Haitsu possessed the ability to fly, so his speed was much faster.
From a tactical perspective, the enemy's only chance was outside the Sea of Trees Forest.
Izumi and Aoki Yui approached.
Shikaku glanced at Itachi and said, "They've already tried a surprise attack, but after revealing their team's information, that method is meaningless."
"They have no choice but to attack us head-on," Izumi said.
Judging by the Konoha team's strength, while Deidara's explosive clay was destructive, with sufficient intelligence and protection, Iwagakure had little chance in a direct battle.
But Itachi's face was particularly solemn.
Itachi looked at Shikaku and the others and said, "Their last resort is Deidara's explosive clay."
"Creating a massive explosion we can't escape is their only way."
He didn't know how well nine-year-old Deidara had mastered explosive clay.
But with them protecting their client, even a blast slightly larger than today's in the valley would be a serious threat.
"It's possible Deidara prepared the explosives in advance," Shikaku frowned.
Deidara's ninjutsu was a challenge for him.
If his teammates were Akimichi Chōza or Yamanaka Inoichi, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, he might have handled it.
But with his current team, Haitsu's flight made Deidara's explosives hard to counter.
If Deidara prepared explosives and Haitsu hurled them from the air, they'd be blown to pieces.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had trained a troublesome disciple.
Just as Shikaku felt perplexed, Itachi spoke, "Shikaku-sensei, I have an idea to resolve this."
"What solution?"
Shikaku asked, surprised.
Itachi didn't answer immediately, instead forming hand seals rapidly.
Bang!
A summoned crow appeared on Itachi's forearm.
"Summoning jutsu?"
Shikaku murmured, looking at the crow.
"Is this a summoned beast you raised yourself?"
"Yes," Itachi nodded.
Aoki Yui raised an eyebrow, staring at the crow.
"This isn't just any summoned beast. It carries Itachi's chakra fluctuations."
"Chakra fluctuations," Shikaku said, looking at Itachi.
"Are these crows the medium for your ninjutsu?"
A smile crossed his tense face.
"This way, we have a way to deal with Deidara's explosive clay."
At the Land of the Forest's border, in the Sea of Trees Forest.
It was late autumn, and the endless sea of trees, a withered yellow hue, evoked grandeur.
At the forest's entrance, Haitsu's senses extended, capturing the movements of Shikaku's team.
Behind him, Deidara and Kurotsuchi leaned against the trees, waiting.
A new chakra pulse swept through Haitsu's perception.
"Move!"
Sensing Aoki Yui's chakra, he locked onto their position.
He appeared beside Deidara and Kurotsuchi, lifted them, and soared into the sky, darting toward their position.
*Swoosh!*
Shortly after he left, black shadows darted across the sky, converging toward Haitsu's direction.
On a hill near the Sea of Trees Forest, Aoki Yui, hands in seals, glanced at Shikaku and the others.
"They're coming!" she declared.
Shikaku and the others looked up sharply.
From the sky, Haitsu and his team approached swiftly.
Chi!
Itachi and Izumi's Sharingan flashed blood-red, their faces tense.
Aoki Yui, watching their expressions, exclaimed, "A terrifying, immense chakra surge is emanating from Deidara."
Itachi and Izumi, gazing with their Sharingan, saw Deidara, held by Haitsu's left hand.
He pulled a starfish-shaped explosive from his ninja tool pouch, similar to yesterday's in the valley.
The explosive was smaller, but even with Izumi's single-tomoe Sharingan, she could see the immense chakra within it.
Deidara released the explosive and gazed at Shikaku's team on the hills below.
His gaze settled on Itachi.
"Boy, today I'll show you the true power of this artist, hmm!"
"You and your companions, in this sublime art, will die in fear and despair!"
He muttered, raising his left hand to form a hand seal.
Just then, Itachi, on the hill below, had already formed one.
Ah, ah, ah!
Crows gathered around Deidara and the others in the sky, surrounding them.
"Something's wrong!"
Haitsu said, noticing subtle chakra fluctuations in each crow.
"That's... that boy from Konoha!"
His eyes shifted to Itachi, standing beside Shikaku, whose hand seals shifted slightly.
Swish, swish, swish!
As Itachi's seals landed, the crows surrounding Haitsu, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi transformed into pitch-black shurikens, spinning rapidly from all directions!
....
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