The Strongest Artist in Naruto

"Hey! Hey!"

"What are these two idiots babbling about? We're the ones with the numbers advantage here!" A ronin wielding a katana sneered, laughing as though he'd just heard the most absurd joke. His comrades erupted in mocking laughter alongside him.

"You fools really. Since when do ninja battles get decided by numbers?"

Deidara smirked. "Let me treat you to a few little surprises, then."

A handful of white clay grasshoppers sprang from Deidara's palms, hopping toward the group of ronin encircling them.

"What are you, some kind of street performer? Like those candy sculptors kids watch on festival days? Ha!" The lead ronin laughed loudly again, though his instincts weren't entirely dulled.

"Ninja tricks, huh? Watch me cut that thing down!" he declared, swinging his blade at one of the clay grasshoppers. But his speed was laughable—it easily dodged and leaped onto his shoulder.

"Wha—?!"

Before he could react further, the explosive grasshopper detonated. The man crumpled to the ground, and the world grew momentarily quieter.

The surviving ronin and mercenaries instinctively stepped back. Only their leader had the courage—or perhaps just enough skill—to stand firm, albeit shakily.

"Don't panic! We've got ninja too! Everyone, together—"

A tail from Sasori's puppet, Hiruko, pierced his chest mid-sentence. He didn't even have time to finish before collapsing lifelessly.

"Boring."

"You can't kill us! We're Zoey-sama's men! He'll never forgive you!" one of the remaining mercenaries cried out, trembling in fear.

"Tch. You guys started this," Deidara muttered.

A few more explosions later, it was over. The enemy's strength was so pitifully weak that Deidara couldn't even harvest any thrill from the battle.

For a moment, an eerie silence hung in the air. The rapid turn of events left the merchants they had saved completely stunned. Just moments ago, they had braced themselves for death, only to find they were now safe.

"Thank you both so much! We owe you our lives!" The merchant leader, a man with spiky brown hair, stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Yeah, yeah. No need to thank us." Deidara waved a hand dismissively, already eager to move on. He longed for a hot spring soak, a hearty meal, and a good night's sleep to wash away this annoyance.

"Wait! Please!"

Instead of stepping aside, the merchant leader, Maruta, dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the ground, his voice cracking with desperation.

"Honored sirs! I beg you—please save this city!"

"What's going on with the city?" Deidara paused, intrigued by the mention of the place they were heading toward.

What followed was a rushed, jumbled explanation: The previous lord of Matsuzaka City had died under mysterious circumstances. A man named Zoey, the head of a criminal syndicate, had seized control of the city and was ruthlessly oppressing its people. A small resistance, led by the late lord's daughter, Junko, was preparing to overthrow him and restore order.

"A textbook melodrama," Deidara scoffed, rubbing his chin. "Unfortunately, we can't help you. You see, we're also interested in taking control of this city."

"What?!" Maruta looked horrified, at a loss for words.

"Maruta, stop groveling!" A tall, skinny young man emerged from the group, his tone sharp and accusatory. "Even if they beat some of Zoey's henchmen, they'll run like cowards once they see the real power of Zoey-asma! You can't just hand the city over to random strangers!"

"Zoey is unbeatable! The only way to defeat him is with our plan!" the youth continued, clearly scarred by past encounters.

Sasori, unmoved by the outburst, simply guided Hiruko up the mountain path. Deidara pressed his temples, clearly annoyed, and followed suit.

"Wait!"

"If you help me avenge my father, I'll give you the city," a soft voice cut through the tension. One of the merchant women stepped forward, dispelling a Transformation Jutsu to reveal her true self.

She was a refined beauty with long, flowing black hair and a white kimono. Her every gesture radiated elegance, the mark of noble upbringing. There was no doubt—she was Junko, the former lord's daughter.

"Lady Junko!" Maruta cried, shocked by her words. He had believed in her kindness and integrity, that she would lead them to freedom. Handing the city over to outsiders went against everything they had fought for.

"Maruta, I'm sorry." Junko knelt to help him up, her expression filled with regret. "But I don't think we stand a chance against Zoey. Your plan will fail, and I can't let you all die for nothing."

"But they won't win either! Even Jonin from Sunagakure failed to defeat Zoey. Unless one of the Kage intervenes, no one can take him down!" the skinny young man argued, his voice dripping with hopelessness.

Deidara snorted. "Enough whining. You," he pointed at Junko, "come with us." A clay bird emerged from his pouch, expanding with a few quick bites.

"What about the rest of us?" Maruta asked hesitantly.

"Follow if you want. I don't care," Deidara replied bluntly. He was curious to see just how strong this Zoey character was. Plus, having a puppet leader like Junko could work in their favor—peace through subtle control.

Junko hesitated, clenching her fists and biting her lip. Trusting strangers with her life and her city felt like walking into a trap.

"Lady Junko, I'll come with you!" Maruta declared suddenly.

"Maruta, you've done enough. I won't let you risk your life any further." Junko's voice softened, showing a rare warmth.

"No! I said I'd give everything for you, even my life!" Maruta's impassioned words left no doubt about his feelings.

Deidara, unimpressed, used the bird's wings to swat Maruta aside.

"Let's get this straight—who comes or stays is my decision."

Maruta: "…"

Junko: "…"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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