After Hinata Hyūga, Kurotsuchi, and Ino Yamanaka shared an afternoon tea, the three went their separate ways.
Kurotsuchi returned alone to her courtyard, while Hinata Hyuga accompanied Ino Yamanaka to help with the move.
Inside the flower shop, Ino Yamanaka had already used a Shadow Clone to pack everything up.
Since she only planned to bring some basic underclothes and a few ornamental dolls, there were just five suitcases in total.
Amidst the reluctant gazes of Inoichi Yamanaka and Mrs. Yamanaka, Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyuga loaded all the luggage and set off.
On the way, Ino spoke up: "Hinata Hyuga, I noticed Kurotsuchi seemed a bit unhappy earlier. Let's try to help her."
Hinata Hyuga asked, "Ino Yamanaka, do you have any good ideas?"
Ino Yamanaka smiled: "Let Kurotsuchi say she wants to visit Iwagakure again. We can just ask Mirai-sensei to keep an eye on her during the trip."
Hinata Hyuga hesitated slightly: "But... wouldn't that make our intentions too obvious?"
Ino Yamanaka huffed lightly, "Mirai-sensei already knows what we're thinking anyway. We just need to give him an excuse to work with."
"That's exactly how it is."
Seeing Ino Yamanaka acting like a seasoned expert, Hinata Hyuga nodded: "Then let's go with your plan."
As they talked, the two had already arrived at Mirai Uchiha's estate.
After bringing their luggage into her new room, satisfaction showed on Ino Yamanaka's face.
After so many years, her dream had finally come true.
While helping Ino Yamanaka unpack, Hinata Hyuga said: "Sakura and Hanabi live in this courtyard too. Let's chat together after dinner."
Ino Yamanaka gave a slight huff: "Living in the same courtyard as that girl Sakura? Definitely annoying..."
Hinata Hyuga knew well about Ino Yamanaka and Sakura's long-standing relationship as friendly rivals, so she could only respond with a helpless smile.
After finishing the unpacking, Ino Yamanaka had dinner in the estate for the first time.
Although she had already braced herself mentally, she was still shocked to see so many women seated on both sides of the massive banquet table.
With so many women living here, would Mirai-sensei even be able to handle it physically?
However, Ino Yamanaka's concerns soon disappeared completely.
For someone experiencing a team-building activity for the first time, she truly witnessed the power of Mirai Uchiha.
It could be simply summarized in four words—
[Truly terrifying!]
The following day,
Mirai Uchiha went directly to see Kurotsuchi.
Last night, Hinata Hyuga and Ino Yamanaka had told him that Kurotsuchi wanted him to accompany her back to Iwagakure.
He naturally wouldn't refuse such a request.
Girls always needed an excuse to do things—they were naturally reserved about their feelings.
He understood all too well.
The specific details won't be discussed here, but anyway, on the train heading to Iwagakure, Mirai Uchiha got to witness firsthand the legendary beauty known as the ultimate legs in the ninja world.
Calling it "legs you could admire all year long" wouldn't be an exaggeration at all.
To put it dramatically—
During just a few days of travel, Kurotsuchi's legs were practically rubbed raw from all the touching...
——
Iwagakure.
Onoki looked at Mirai Uchiha and Kurotsuchi, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Lord Emperor, it's been far too long."
Mirai smiled slightly. "Onoki, how have you been lately?"
Onoki quickly replied, "Lord Emperor, I've been eating well and sleeping soundly, feeling like I've turned ten years younger!"
"And all of this is thanks to your leadership over Iwagakure."
Mirai couldn't help shaking her head. "Onoki, you've even learned how to kiss up now."
"Hahaha…" Onoki chuckled before continuing, "Lord Emperor, I'm getting quite old, and my energy isn't what it used to be. Do you think it's time I step down and look for the next Tsuchikage?"
After hearing Onoki's words, Mirai nodded thoughtfully.
Come to think of it, Pakura, Mabui, and Mei had all mentioned wanting to retire as well.
Not everyone could handle being a Kage for as long as Minato Namikaze did—it was an exhausting burden that couldn't be fully described in just a few words.
Now even Onoki was thinking about stepping down. It seemed like the time had truly come for the new generation to rise.
Thinking this, Mirai asked, "Onoki, do you have anyone in mind?"
Onoki paused, then slowly said, "Lord Future, what do you think of Deidara?"
"Deidara?"
Mirai furrowed her brow slightly.
Deidara was obsessed with explosions.
In her previous life, he was essentially a terrorist.
Back then, when she and Kurotsuchi went to Konoha, he had even been disciplined by them.
Letting someone like him become Tsuchikage wasn't a laughing matter—it was outright dangerous.
As if sensing Mirai's thoughts, Onoki hurried to explain, "Lord Emperor, since his training period in Konoha, Deidara has changed a lot."
"He's not only matured, but he has also mastered the [Dust Release Kekkei Genkai]. He's the most suitable candidate."
Hearing Onoki's words, Mirai felt a flicker of curiosity inside.
"Then bring Deidara here. I want to see for myself."
"At once!"
Onoki worked fast. In no time at all, he returned with Deidara at his side, standing inside the Tsuchikage's office.
Looking at Deidara with his distinctive yellow hair, Mirai asked, "Deidara, are you still messing around with Explosive Clay?"
"Show me some of your so-called 'art' right now."
Hearing this, Deidara smiled slightly and spoke in a deep voice, "Lord Emperor, I still sculpt little pieces with Explosive Clay these days—it's just a way to pass the time."
"After seeing the true form of your art back then, I came to understand that no one could ever rival you on this path."
"Back then, I was too caught up in my own ideals. Without your guidance, I might have taken the wrong path."
Watching Deidara speak so earnestly, Mirai Uchiha's face was frozen in shock.
He had never imagined that Deidara could change so drastically.
From a troubled youth to a composed and refined man.
But nevertheless, this was a good thing.
In the original story, Deidara, as a rogue ninja from Iwagakure, met his end early at the hands of Sasuke Uchiha.
Mirai had once mourned the tragedy of Deidara's fate.
As the Tsuchikage's personal disciple, he was once seen as the clear heir to the title.
Yet eventually fell into such a situation.
Of all the Kage's disciples, Deidara suffered the most tragic end.
But now, thanks to his intervention, Deidara has taken a completely different path from the original story.
That turned out well enough.
After briefly assessing Deidara's ability in managing state matters, Mirai accepted Onoki's request.
From this moment on, Deidara officially became the Fourth Tsuchikage of Iwagakure!
And Onoki, who had dedicated his life to Iwagakure, could finally retire into a peaceful elderhood.
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