Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

"That guy… is Deidara, right?" Suigetsu spoke with a nervous expression.

As a fellow rogue ninja, Suigetsu was well aware of Deidara's power as an S-rank rogue ninja, someone to be truly feared.

When Suigetsu first entered the Land of Earth, he had promised himself he would avoid provoking Deidara at all costs.

"Why… Why is Deidara here?"

Earlier, when the system activated the evolution mission, Genzuki knew that Deidara wasn't far away. But he hadn't expected him to directly intrude into Charcoal Shinobi Village. What was his purpose?

『Ding! System mission issued: Defeat S-rank rogue ninja Deidara! Reward: Clay Clone Jutsu and 50,000 reputation points!』

Deidara raised his arms, summoning several giant clay birds in the air.

"Hahahaha! What a tiny shinobi village! Let's blow it to bits and turn it into a work of art!"

White clay was constantly chewed by the mouths on his hands. Before long, the sky was filled with countless clay birds.

Suddenly, a swift stream of water swept through the sky, slicing dozens of clay birds in half!

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

The destroyed birds exploded in midair, but none of the blasts hit the village.

"Who dares to interrupt my art?" Deidara's expression turned cold.

Genzuki stood on a floating piece of rock, steadily rising into the sky to meet Deidara face to face.

"This... is Light-Weight Rock Technique! How do you know Onoki's jutsu?"

Deidara, having trained under Onoki, recognized the technique instantly. It allowed the user to reduce an object's weight and float in the air.

"Deidara, have you already joined the Akatsuki? If so, Scorpion must be with you, right?"

Genzuki's face carried a faint smile, showing no hint of fear even when confronting the infamous rogue ninja.

If this had been before he reached Kage-level, he might have felt some trepidation.

But now that he had evolved, Deidara didn't seem so threatening.

"How do you know so much?" Deidara's expression grew serious. "If you don't start talking, I'll blow you to bits."

"There are too many people here. Let's take this elsewhere," Genzuki said, glancing at the village below. He knew that fighting Deidara here would cause heavy casualties.

Deidara grinned maliciously.

"Hah! Worried about these villagers? Then I'll make sure to fight right here!"

He swiftly summoned countless explosive clay locusts and scattered them over Charcoal Shinobi Village.

But countless Genzuki clones suddenly appeared in midair.

"Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls!"

The ground erupted as numerous earth walls rose, completely encasing the village. Even Deidara's explosives couldn't easily break through the defenses.

"Such large-scale Earth-Style Walls?"

Deidara's eyes widened. He had never seen anyone create so many barriers using shadow clones.

Still, he chuckled. "You must've used up a lot of chakra for that."

Genzuki smiled faintly without denying it.

To fully protect Charcoal Shinobi Village, he had indeed used up almost half of his chakra.

"But if you think this is enough to stop my art, you're sorely mistaken!"

"C2: Dragon!"

A massive white clay dragon emerged, far larger than the previous birds. It launched continuous explosive projectiles at the earth walls, causing cracks to appear.

"You're strong, Deidara… which is why we should really take this fight elsewhere," Genzuki said calmly.

"I told you, I'm not going anywhere!" Deidara sneered.

Genzuki crossed his arms and began gathering chakra.

"This isn't up for discussion."

"Eight Gates Release… Seventh Gate: Gate of Wonder, open!"

Boom!

Blue steam exploded from Genzuki's body, releasing an overwhelming surge of energy that shattered Deidara's clay bird.

"What?! Eight Gates?!" Deidara was genuinely shocked.

Before he could react, Genzuki had already struck him with blinding speed.

Deidara lost control of his body as Genzuki grabbed his head with one hand and hurled him several hundred meters away.

A streak of blue light shot across the night sky, carrying Deidara far from the village. After traveling several kilometers, Genzuki finally slowed down and threw him to the ground.

Deidara tumbled and rolled for dozens of meters before coming to a stop.

"Ugh… Damn it, that hurts!"

The clay armor covering Deidara's body had been peeled away during the attack.

It was one of his self-defense techniques, but Genzuki had easily broken through it.

"This barren land is perfect for our battle," Genzuki said, releasing the seventh gate.

He couldn't maintain the Gate of Wonder for too long without risking damage to his body.

But a few minutes were enough to move the fight away from the village without exhausting too much strength.

"Water Release, Earth Release, Taijutsu… Just how many abilities do you have?" Deidara grumbled as he struggled to his feet. His body felt like it had been smashed to pieces.

"Let's not waste each other's time. Tell me why you're here!" Genzuki demanded.

Deidara chuckled darkly.

"Hmph… Genzuki, I'll tell you. The shinobi from Iwagakure paid us to eliminate you and that pathetic village of yours."

"And the Akatsuki? We're mercenaries who'll kill anyone as long as the price is right—even a brat like you."

"Right, Scorpion?"

Genzuki's eyes narrowed as he leapt backward. The spot where he had just been standing was suddenly filled with hidden weapons.

A figure emerged from the shadows—Scorpion in his puppet form, Hiruko, with a long, menacing tail swaying behind him.

"Akatsuki members never work alone, Genzuki… your time is up," Scorpion said coldly.

"Even a Jinchūriki wouldn't survive against both of us," Deidara added with a sinister grin.

Genzuki chuckled, his eyes cold.

"You're too naïve. Did you really think I came here alone?"

A surge of water flowed from Genzuki's body, slowly taking the shape of a man.

Suigetsu appeared, grinning confidently.

"Hiding in your body using the Hydrification Technique?" Scorpion murmured.

"Suigetsu of the Hozuki Clan?" Deidara's eyes narrowed. "Why would a rogue ninja like you be with him?"

"If you want to touch Genzuki-sama, you'll have to get through me first!" Suigetsu sneered.

"Hahaha, I don't know what your game is, but… you're just a nuisance," Deidara said, tossing a clay bomb at Suigetsu.

Boom!

Suigetsu's water clone was blown apart.

"That was close… his clay bombs counter my abilities," Suigetsu muttered.

Genzuki pulled out a scroll and summoned the Kusanagi Sword.

"Suigetsu, borrow this for ten minutes. Scorpion is yours."

"Before I finish Deidara, don't get yourself killed," Genzuki said with a smirk.

Holding the Kusanagi Sword, Suigetsu immediately felt the power surging through it.

"This sword… its strength rivals that of the Seven Swords of the Mist!" Suigetsu exclaimed in awe.

Deidara's expression darkened.

"You think you can take me down in ten minutes?"

"Genzuki… I'll make sure you never forget the beauty of my art!"