Mastermind of the Akatsuki

As the battle between Deidara and Konan reached a fever pitch, both began using explosive tags and explosive clay without holding back, hoping to determine the ultimate winner through mutual bombardment. 

The synergy between the two caused the surrounding landscape to be riddled with craters, as if it had endured a war of the Shinobi World. 

Faced with such a scale of combat, Byakuya remained unfazed, having grown accustomed to such spectacles. Moreover, he already knew the outcome of the battle. 

Although Konan and Deidara currently appeared evenly matched, the reality was that Konan was merely feigning weakness to mislead her opponent. How could she have only a few hundred explosive tags? Carrying tens of thousands of them was standard for her. 

If Konan truly became intent on killing, Deidara wouldn't last even a minute. 

Standing nearby, Kabuto and Nonō couldn't read Byakuya's thoughts; they were already deeply shaken by the scene of the battle. 

The way Konan and Deidara fought exceeded their imagination and understanding. 

Shouldn't battles between shinobi involve casting a few ninjutsu techniques, then engaging in taijutsu to find a flaw in the opponent's defenses and end the fight? 

In their perception, the scale of the battle between Konan and Deidara was approaching that of the Night of the Nine-Tails. 

After more than ten minutes without a conclusive result, Kabuto cautiously approached Byakuya and asked, "Lord Byakuya, shouldn't we provide support to Lady Konan?" 

"Why should we support Konan?" 

Byakuya glanced at Kabuto, chuckling lightly. "Don't you see that Konan is just playing with Deidara? Deidara is still a child. How could an adult go all out against a child?" 

Kabuto fell silent. His suggestion seemed to have been unnecessary. 

But Byakuya's words were utterly exasperating. What did he mean by an adult wouldn't go all out against a child? Byakuya wasn't that much older himself, and he clearly hadn't considered Deidara's feelings. 

After all, Kabuto had been with Root for five years and still wasn't as strong as Deidara was now. 

Sensing Kabuto's thoughts, Byakuya spoke earnestly: "Don't be discouraged. I believe you'll surpass Deidara in the future. I trust your talent—you're the kind of shinobi who grows steadily over time." 

Kabuto nodded, falling into the trap of Byakuya's motivational speech. 

At that moment, Byakuya suddenly sensed something. Glancing first in the direction of Iwagakure, then at Deidara, who was still fighting Konan, before he turned to Kabuto and Nonō, "Kabuto, Nonō, Iwagakure's reinforcements are coming. You two should find a place to hide. The upcoming battle isn't something you can participate in." 

Kabuto and Nonō looked toward Iwagakure and solemnly nodded. 

Considering the scale of the fight between Konan and Deidara, it made sense that Iwagakure would notice. But for Byakuya to stay behind while they fled—did he really intend to take on the entirety of Iwagakure? 

After Kabuto and Nonō left, Byakuya's figure flickered, heading toward Iwagakure. 

Landing atop a massive boulder, he waited patiently for a few minutes before spotting an elderly figure flying through the sky, scanning the ravaged terrain nervously. 

The old man was none other than Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, and one of the shinobi Byakuya respected most in the Shinobi World. 

As Byakuya observed Ōnoki, the latter noticed him as well. Slowing his flight, Ōnoki hovered in mid-air, fixing his gaze on Byakuya. 

Though Ōnoki could confirm that this person wasn't from Iwagakure, he couldn't immediately identify him. 

One thing was certain: anyone appearing outside Iwagakure's borders likely had ill intentions. 

Descending near Byakuya, Ōnoki narrowed his eyes, "Unknown shinobi, state your purpose for appearing near Iwagakure. Otherwise, I'll make you regret ever becoming a ninja." 

Raising his hands, Byakuya waved them lightly and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, don't be so irritable. I'm just touring the Land of Earth. I came here because I thought the scenery was nice." 

Ōnoki's expression turned peculiar, his face darkening as he replied, 

"Do you take me for a fool? You're touring the Land of Earth and ended up near Iwagakure? And those explosions just now—weren't they your doing? Who are you, and what is your mission?" 

With an innocent expression, Byakuya explained, 

"Lord Tsuchikage, I didn't cause any damage but there was a blond kid riding a big bird who flew past just now, bombing indiscriminately with something or other." 

Ōnoki's face twitched, and his lips curled slightly. 

A blond kid, bombing indiscriminately—these traits immediately brought to mind his apprentice, Deidara. Hadn't Deidara just been confined? How had he escaped again? 

This time, once Deidara was caught, Ōnoki resolved to discipline him thoroughly and suppress those troublesome artistic tendencies. 

Having decided how to deal with Deidara in his mind, Ōnoki turned his attention back to Byakuya. Flying toward him, Ōnoki said sternly, "Stop dodging my question. You still haven't clearly explained your identity." 

"You want to know my identity? Why not just ask directly..." 

Byakuya stood up from the boulder and said calmly, "I'm Byakuya, the leader of the Akatsuki, the second-in-command of Amegakure, and a disciple of Hanzō. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way." 

He added with a faint smile, "You wouldn't want to provoke a conflict between Iwagakure and Amegakure by acting against me, would you?"

As he spoke, Byakuya patted the dust off his clothing, looking ready to leave at any moment. 

Ōnoki's expression fluctuated as he processed Byakuya's words. Flying to block Byakuya's path, he suddenly recalled who Byakuya was. 

Aside from being a disciple of Hanzō and a high-ranking figure in Amegakure, Byakuya had also clashed directly with the Fourth Raikage during the war between Konoha and Kumogakure. 

Ōnoki was well aware of the Fourth Raikage's strength—undeniably one of the top-tier powerhouses in the shinobi world. For Byakuya to hold his own against the Fourth Raikage, even briefly, his power couldn't be underestimated. 

For such a formidable figure to appear near Iwagakure without prior notice, it was highly suspicious. Perhaps he was here to gather intelligence or even lay the groundwork for undermining Iwagakure in the future. 

After blocking Byakuya, Ōnoki narrowed his eyes and said, "Byakuya, I already told you—don't think you can just brush off my questions. The explosions might not have been your doing, but your presence here still raises too many questions. I need answers." 

Byakuya furrowed his brows and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I've already told you the commotion had nothing to do with me. Why are you so persistent?" 

"Do you actually want to fight me?" he asked, his tone laced with playful defiance. "I'm someone who respects the elderly and cherishes the young. I don't make a habit of bullying old men. If I accidentally hurt you, Lord Tsuchikage, it might trigger a war between Iwagakure and Amegakure. That would undo the hard-earned peace we've achieved." 

"Respect the elderly? Not bully old men?" 

Hearing Byakuya's words, Ōnoki's face turned red with anger. He was the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and among the most powerful and influential shinobi in the world. 

Sure, he was advanced in age—but being outright referred to as an old man was infuriating! 

This, he could not tolerate.