I’m Not Naruto, But I Got a Better Bloodline

Konohagakure and Kumogakure—two of the most prominent shinobi villages in the entire world.

For reasons unknown, the two villages had suddenly conducted a secret meeting in the Land of Hot Water. No one knew what sort of agreement had been reached, but shortly afterward, both sides simply left.

Such a development was already cause for widespread concern. But what truly shocked everyone was that someone had spotted both the Fourth Raikage and the Third Hokage among the envoys involved!

This revelation instantly sent ripples across the shinobi world. Speculation ran wild—what kind of deal could these two villages have made?

"Ebizō, what do you think they're up to?"

Inside the Kazekage's office in Sunagakure.

Rasa, scanning the documents in his hand, asked with a puzzled look. But Ebizō could only shake his head.

"Kazekage-sama, I'm not entirely sure either. You know we've been focusing on investigating Sasori's situation recently."

"I see."

Rasa nodded. Ever since Ebizō and Chiyo had returned from Konoha, part of their resources had been redirected.

The matter of Sasori had to be resolved—after all, it concerned Sunagakure's honor.

"Any updates?"

"Nothing for now. Konoha didn't provide much intel."

Ebizō looked troubled. Konoha didn't have much confirmed information to begin with, so their own investigation was proving even more difficult.

"The biggest problem is, we still can't pin down Sasori's or that organization's movements."

"Understood."

Rasa gave a helpless nod, then after a moment of thought, finally spoke.

"Can we spare some personnel? We need to find out what exactly happened between Konoha and Kumogakure."

"…"

Ebizō hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. After a pause, he finally said: "Kazekage-sama, we don't have the funds…"

"Make it work. I'll figure something out. This matter is too important."

"I understand, Kazekage-sama."

Ebizō could only nod, his face full of helplessness. With things having reached this point, he had no choice.

Sunagakure was just too poor. So poor, in fact, that the Kazekage himself had to personally go out and use Magnet Release to search for gold sand.

Even the shinobi forces were being downsized.

They called it an "elite-focused policy," but the truth was, they were broke—they simply couldn't afford to operate on a larger scale.

"And what about Rōran?"

"Rōran, huh…"

Ebizō sighed again. He knew there was a Dragon Vein in Rōran, but that had already been sealed off by Namikaze Minato.

Still, he had to admit—the power of the Dragon Vein could be a great asset to Sunagakure.

"There's been some news. After the Queen's recent passing, it seems the remaining people are planning to leave their homeland."

"Good. Keep a close eye on them. That power is of great importance to us."

"I understand. I'll make the arrangements right away. If you'll excuse me, Kazekage-sama."

Ebizō nodded, then stood up and took his leave without delay. He dared not stay any longer.

In the blink of an eye, his workload had somehow doubled.

Sasori, Rōran, and now this mysterious Konoha–Kumogakure meeting—he had to look into them all.

Intelligence work was his specialty, sure. But with no manpower and no funding? It was becoming a nightmare.

"…Sigh. One step at a time."

Ebizō let out a frustrated sigh. Truth be told, he was curious too.

"What exactly are Konoha and Kumogakure up to?"

He wasn't the only one with that question—Sunagakure certainly wasn't alone. Over in Iwagakure, Ōnoki was just as puzzled.

The difference, however, was that Iwagakure had far more resources than Sunagakure. Their number of shinobi alone was something Suna couldn't even hope to match.

"Hey, old man. Here."

Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Deidara tossed a scroll over with an annoyed look on his face.

"It's the report you asked for—from the Anbu. I brought it for you."

"You little brat, would it kill you to show some respect? I'm not just your sensei—I'm the Tsuchikage!"

Ōnoki glared at Deidara, snapping at him in irritation.

"Tch."

Deidara scoffed dismissively, but his curiosity quickly got the better of him as he leaned in closer.

"Hurry up and take a look! It's news from Konoha—anything in there about Kitagawa Gen?"

"…"

"Well? What are you spacing out for, old man? Come on already. Kitagawa Gen might be a bastard, but at least he shares my artistic vision. And I will surpass him. Hmph!"

"…"

For a moment, Ōnoki honestly wondered if Konoha had brainwashed this kid.

But the thought was too absurd. They had run all the necessary checks—everything about Deidara was normal.

Which could only mean one thing: 'That brat Kitagawa Gen has had way too much of an influence on him…'

In truth, Ōnoki wasn't even sure how to assess that influence. But ever since Deidara had returned, he really did seem different.

He still loved things that go boom, but he had become noticeably more restrained.

You were only in Konoha for what—how long? And already you've changed this much?

Annoyed, Ōnoki opened the scroll and began skimming through it.

But as he read, a deep silence fell over him.

The report wasn't especially detailed, but it contained several critical pieces of information.

"Sugi Village. Small town destroyed. The Fourth Raikage engaged in battle with a shinobi who used purple lightning—suspected defeat?"

Ōnoki's expression darkened. He knew of only one shinobi who used purple lightning: the very same Kitagawa Gen that Deidara kept going on about.

And more than that—he knew something else.

Kitagawa Gen wasn't just proficient with purple lightning. He had also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique…

That detail had come from Deidara himself. Ōnoki still couldn't believe that someone who had triggered Deidara so badly… was just a kid around the same age.

He couldn't help but sigh.

Why is it that Konoha keeps producing talent after talent?

And now—yet another one had emerged, one so dangerous he made Ōnoki's heart tighten just reading about him.

"Hey, old man—what's in it?"

While Ōnoki was lost in thought, Deidara couldn't hold back anymore and blurted out his question.

"Well? Come on! Anything in there about Gen? Not even a single letter from him—seriously?! Next time I find him, I'm gonna beat him to a pulp. Hmph!"

"…"

Looking at Deidara's face, Ōnoki felt a fresh wave of headache wash over him.

You?

Beat him?

With the way you let your guard down around him, he'd probably kill you in an instant with that Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Idiot!"

Ōnoki snapped, but quickly fell silent.

Because deep down, he realized… he actually owed Kitagawa Gen some gratitude. If not for that kid, would Deidara have returned like a different person?

Would he have started seriously studying Dust Release?

The problem was...

'Why is it that when I talk to you, you treat it like crap—but when he says something, suddenly Dust Release becomes 'art' to you?'

Sure, Deidara had begun following his own path. But Ōnoki couldn't shake the feeling that the boy had been shaped into a miniature version of Kitagawa Gen.

...

"Raikage-sama, are you all right?"

On the road from the Land of Hot Water back to the Land of Lightning, Dodai glanced at the Fourth Raikage's now-empty left sleeve and couldn't help but ask in concern.

"I'm fine. Losing my left arm doesn't slow me down."

The Fourth Raikage's voice was low and gravelly, but his eyes blazed with fury.

This time, he'd really lost hard.

He left the village to steal a secret technique—and ended up with his entire team wiped out, his own arm severed, and was even forced to make a humiliating detour to the Land of Fire.

That shame would stay with him for life.

Even though the secret technique was technically in his hands now…

'This isn't over. I won't forget this grudge.'

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Gritting his teeth, he muttered to Dodai at his side.

"We need to hit back. Come up with a plan—no matter what, we can't let Konoha off easy."

"Understood, Raikage-sama."

Dodai nodded firmly. As the closest thing Kumogakure had to a "Nara Shikaku," he knew exactly what was expected of him.

This wasn't just a personal disgrace for the Fourth Raikage—it had stained the pride of all Kumogakure. One way or another, he'd make sure they paid for it.

"By the way, they seem to be investigating some kind of organization."

The Fourth Raikage suddenly recalled something—his memory of that encounter at Takigakure still vivid.

"There were a bunch of rogue shinobi. They claimed they were after my life—but I don't buy it. Have someone dig into them. Find out who they really are."

"Understood. I'll begin the investigation as soon as we're back."

Dodai caught the implication immediately and gave a sharp nod.

"Then, Raikage-sama, let's pick up the pace. You need medical treatment."

"Mm. Let's speed up."

The Fourth Raikage agreed—but the very next words out of Dodai's mouth made his face twist in alarm.

"I know a shortcut. If we take that path, we'll arrive much faster—"

"No! We're not taking the shortcut!"

"…Huh?"

"Those two-faced, scheming Konoha bastards—we cannot trust them!"

"…"

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