The Strongest Artist in Naruto

"Deidara, you're a bit late." Kisame greeted, sipping sake leisurely as he sat across from Uchiha Itachi, who maintained his usual stoic demeanor.

"Kisame, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Oh? With that tone, I doubt it's a simple question." Kisame smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Do you have the bloodline of the Hozuki clan?" Deidara asked, his curiosity genuine. "I mean, those sharp teeth are a signature trait, aren't they?"

Kisame chuckled, pouring himself another cup of sake. He deliberately flashed his pointed teeth with a grin.

"Perhaps. Maybe one of my ancestors was a Hozuki ninja, and this is some kind of atavism. You know, the phenomenon where traits from ancient ancestors resurface. You're familiar with the concept, right?"

As always, Kisame's knowledge left the group a bit stunned.

"Of course," he continued, noticing their reactions. "Even though I'm just a brute ninja, I don't neglect my personal development! I read often—probably more than even Itachi-san here!" He glanced at Itachi, who showed no reaction.

"By the way, how many people are here now?" Kisame asked.

"I'll save you the trouble: only the Leader and Konan haven't arrived yet," Kisame answered himself, waving off further questioning.

"You're all so slow," he added with a teasing grin.

"It's not my fault!" Kurotsuchi complained, glaring at Deidara. "Deidara was busy with his clay and forgot the time. If I hadn't dragged him here, he'd still be at home!"

"Yo, Deidara!" Hidan's loud voice called from across the room. "Get over here and grab a seat!"

"That guy talks too much," Deidara muttered under his breath. "Can I sit here instead?" he asked Kisame, clearly avoiding Hidan's vicinity.

"Nope," Kisame denied flatly. "I'd prefer to stay next to Itachi-san."

"Alright, Kisame," Deidara leaned in, a sly grin on his face. "If you had to choose between Samehada and Itachi, who would it be?"

Kisame froze mid-sip. The room felt charged as Deidara's grin widened in triumph.

"Let's see you answer this one," his expression seemed to say.

Deidara eventually settled near Kakuzu and Hidan. No sooner had he sat down than Hidan shoved a cup of sake toward him.

"Deidara, drink up!"

Deidara downed it in one gulp. "No problem. I'll turn it into clay if I get drunk. Tonight, I'm the god of sake—unstoppable!"

"Kurotsuchi, want a drink?" he asked casually.

"No way! I don't touch that stuff," Kurotsuchi huffed, crossing her arms, though her eyes kept darting to the cup.

"Women," Deidara muttered, rolling his eyes. "So much trouble when they're being contrary."

"Kakuzu, how's the heart collection going?" Deidara asked, changing the subject.

Kakuzu let out an annoyed grunt. "Good hearts aren't that easy to find. I'm way weaker than I used to be."

"Ugh, back in the day, I even fought the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama himself!" Kakuzu boasted.

"Wait a second," Hidan interjected, leaning forward. "Didn't Hashirama say he doesn't remember that happening?"

Kakuzu's face turned slightly red beneath his wrappings. "Damn it," he thought. "This always slips out when I drink. I need to stop bringing it up!"

"Kakuzu, why are you so quiet?" Hidan pressed, but before Kakuzu could respond, the door opened. Pain and Konan walked in, immediately drawing attention and giving Kakuzu a reprieve.

"Leader, wearing the same robes today?" Kisame teased, eyeing their black cloaks adorned with red clouds. "Surely, we're not too poor for new clothes."

"Don't dwell on trivial things," Pain replied flatly, striding inside with Konan in tow.

"Leader, aren't you going to give a year-end speech or something?" Deidara joked. "Isn't that what leaders do?"

"Let Konan handle it," Pain replied, looking mildly irritated.

"No thanks," Konan said, dismissing the idea. "Let's just enjoy the meal."

The gathering continued with drinks and light chatter. There wasn't any particular excitement, but the camaraderie among them subtly deepened.

"Deidara, I'm going!" Suigetsu declared, clutching a bouquet of flowers. "I'll confess to Haku!"

Deidara suppressed a grin, feigning seriousness. "Good luck. You'll need it."

With the bouquet hidden behind him, Suigetsu approached the table where Zabuza and Haku sat.

"What do you want?" Zabuza growled, glaring at Suigetsu.

"Not your business. I'm here for Haku," Suigetsu shot back, equally defiant.

Haku, her face slightly flushed from sake, looked up curiously. "Suigetsu, is something wrong?"

For a moment, even Suigetsu, usually indifferent to girls, was struck by her gentle demeanor. In that instant, he decided—she would make the perfect wife, kind and nurturing. Together, they'd have children with both Hozuki and Yuki clan bloodlines.

"Haku! Let's have kids together!" Suigetsu declared boldly, thrusting the bouquet forward.

"Idiot!" Karin smacked Suigetsu's head, her punch turning it into a splash of water.

"Who starts with something like that?!"

"But Karin, you told me to get flowers and speak from the heart!" Suigetsu protested.

"I didn't mean that!" Karin shouted in exasperation.

"My heart was being honest!" Suigetsu insisted.

The sound of the Executioner's Blade slamming into the floor silenced the commotion.

"You brat! I'm going to kill you!" Zabuza roared, furious.

From the puddle his head had become, Suigetsu glared back. "What's it to you if I want to have kids with Haku?!"

"You've already stolen my blade—now you're after my woman?!"

The tension escalated, but the room buzzed with excitement.

"Now this feels like New Year's!" Kisame laughed, pouring another drink.

"Couldn't agree more," Deidara said, taking a better spot to watch the chaos.

Amid the heated exchange, Haku finally spoke, her voice calm but firm.

"Suigetsu, that's impossible."

"Huh? Why not?"

"I belong to Zabuza-sama," Haku replied. "And besides… I'm a man."

"What?!" Suigetsu staggered, disbelief etched across his face.

In that moment, Suigetsu stopped believing in love.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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