Chapter 75: The Problematic Children of Each Village

Since using Deep Forest Emergence once was the masked man's limit, Onoki no longer felt as worried. However, considering that the masked man's goal seemed to be capturing Tailed Beasts, Onoki decided to play it safe and recalled the Jinchuriki.

"Send word to bring back both the Four-Tails and Five-Tails," Onoki ordered. "Cancel their missions and have them return to the village to lay low. We can't afford to let these mysterious individuals capture them."

Although the Four-Tails and Five-Tails didn't fully submit to Onoki's authority as the Tsuchikage, he still needed to make this precautionary move.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Deidara is blowing things up again!" shouted eight-year-old Kurotsuchi as she burst into the office.

As soon as she finished speaking, an explosion echoed through Iwagakure.

"What? Where's Akatsuchi? Why isn't he stopping Deidara?" Onoki demanded.

"Akatsuchi went off to train today," Kurotsuchi replied, trying to dodge Onoki's spittle.

Another explosion sounded, shaking the village.

"Deidara, you little brat!" Onoki fumed. "I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

With that, Onoki flew out of the office toward the explosions.

"Grandpa, wait for me!" Kurotsuchi called, running after him to watch the commotion.

"I am an artist, and my art is an explosion!" Deidara yelled dramatically, forming a seal with one hand and detonating another clay bomb, this time destroying the Third Tsuchikage’s statue in the village square.

"Deidara! You dare blow up my statue? You're asking for it!" Onoki shouted, his nose flaring in anger as he arrived just in time to see the destruction.

"Oh no, time to run!" Deidara quickly jumped onto a clay bird and took off.

"Let's see where you think you're going!" Onoki pursued him, flying after Deidara.

"Ugh, wait for me, you two!" Kurotsuchi huffed as she finally reached the square, stopping in frustration as she saw them disappearing into the distance. "Flying is so unfair!" she muttered, pouting.

In the Land of Wind

In the Kazekage’s office in Sunagakure, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa tossed the information report on his desk, seemingly unconcerned about the resurgence of Deep Forest Emergence in the ninja world.

The Land of Wind, being a desert country with harsh and dry climates, wasn't suitable for Wood Release. Rasa even thought it would be beneficial if someone used Deep Forest Emergence to create a new oasis.

"Lord Kazekage, there’s been another incident with Gaara. He injured someone again," reported an ANBU member, appearing in the office.

Rasa’s brow furrowed deeply at the news. Ever since Gaara's birth, which resulted in the death of Rasa’s wife, Karura, he had harbored resentment towards his son.

"Have Baki handle it," Rasa said with a wave of his hand, returning his attention to the information on his desk. While he wasn't particularly concerned about the return of Deep Forest Emergence, the masked man's intent to capture Tailed Beasts was something he couldn't ignore.

"Yes, sir," the ANBU member responded, disappearing as quickly as they had come.

In Sunagakure

Gaara walked alone through the village streets. Wherever he went, people fled in terror, treating him like a monster. This only made Gaara's gaze grow colder.

"Gaara, come back with us," Temari and Kankuro approached their younger brother, hoping to bring him back home.

Gaara ignored them, clutching his teddy bear tightly as he continued on his way.

"Gaara..." Temari’s heart sank, watching her brother walk away. Since their uncle Yashamaru's death, Gaara had only become more distant.

In Konohagakure

Shishou, Ino Yamanaka, and Hinata Hyuga had organized a picnic outing. Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji, being part of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, were naturally included. Choji was especially excited about the promise of barbecue, while Shikamaru, though reluctant, couldn't say no to Ino.

Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame, being Shishou’s close friends, were also invited. Finally, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno joined the group. Naruto, having a good relationship with Shishou, was an obvious choice. Sasuke agreed to come after Shishou promised to teach him some training techniques, eager to grow stronger. Sakura, invited by Ino and thrilled at the prospect of spending time with Sasuke, readily agreed.

As the group gathered, they divided the shopping tasks. The boys were in charge of buying meat, while the girls shopped for vegetables.

"Narutomaki, can we buy some Narutomaki?" Naruto pointed at a fish cake.

"Get whatever you like. I'm paying today," Shishou said, glancing at Naruto before continuing to select seafood. The seafood in Konoha was more expensive and less varied than in the Hidden Mist Village, but it couldn't be helped since Konoha was inland.

"Awesome!" Naruto cheered, grabbing several packages of fish cake.

Meanwhile, Choji, Sasuke, Kiba, and Shino each went to their assigned tasks, buying meat or other items.

"This is such a drag," Shikamaru muttered, plopping into the shop owner's chair as soon as they left to help the others. He had no special preference for food and left the shopping to Choji.