After a simple afternoon tea, Hinata Hyuga, Kurotsuchi, and Ino Yamanaka parted ways for the time being.
Kurotsuchi returned to her own residence alone, while Hinata and Ino went together to help with the move.
Inside the flower shop, Ino had already used Shadow Clones to pack everything up.
Since she only planned to bring a few personal items and some stuffed animals, there were just five suitcases in total.
With the reluctant gazes of Inoichi Yamanaka and Rino Yamanaka watching them, Ino and Hinata carried the luggage out and set off.
On the way, Ino said, "Hinata, I think Kurotsuchi seemed a little down just now. Should we figure out a way to help her?"
Hinata asked softly, "Ino, do you have something in mind?"
Ino grinned. "We'll let Kurotsuchi say she wants to visit Iwagakure, and then we can ask Mirai-sensei to go with her."
Hinata looked hesitant. "But... wouldn't that make our intentions a little too obvious?"
Ino huffed. "Mirai-sensei already knows. We just need to give him an excuse."
"Trust me, this'll work."
Seeing Ino's confident, "I-know-how-this-works" expression, Hinata could only nod.
"Okay, let's go with your plan."
As they chatted, they arrived at Mirai's estate.
After moving the luggage into her new room, a satisfied smile spread across Ino's face.
After all these years, her dream had finally come true.
While helping Ino unpack, Hinata said,
"Sakura and Hanabi live in this estate too. After dinner, let's all get together and chat."
Ino snorted. "Living in the same estate as Sakura? Ugh, that's annoying..."
Hinata could only laugh helplessly, knowing Ino and Sakura were like a pair of lifelong frenemies.
After they finished unpacking, Ino had her first dinner at the estate.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Ino was still stunned when she saw the enormous long table filled with women seated on either side.
So many women... how is Mirai-sensei even surviving this?
But her worries quickly vanished.
Her first experience participating in one of Mirai's "team-building" gatherings left her truly awestruck.
If she had to sum it up in two words—
Terrifyingly powerful!
...
The next day.
Uchiha Mirai went directly to find Kurotsuchi.
Last night, Hinata and Ino had mentioned that Kurotsuchi wanted him to accompany her back to Iwagakure.
Of course, he had no reason to refuse.
Girls were shy by nature; they always needed an excuse to ask for help.
He understood.
No need to go into the details — what mattered was that during the train ride to Iwagakure, Uchiha Mirai finally got to experience firsthand the famous "best legs in the shinobi world."
Calling it "legs worth playing with for a whole year" wouldn't even be an exaggeration.
In fact—
After just a few days of travel, Kurotsuchi's legs were practically worn smooth from being touched...
...
Iwagakure.
Onoki looked at Mirai and Kurotsuchi, a kind smile on his face.
"Your Excellency, it's been a long time."
Mirai chuckled. "Onoki, how's life treating you?"
Onoki responded immediately, "Your Excellency, I've been eating well, sleeping well... I feel like I'm ten years younger!"
"Iwagakure owes everything we have today to you."
Mirai couldn't help shaking his head. "Onoki, since when did you learn how to flatter people?"
"Hahaha..." Onoki laughed, then added, "Your Excellency, I'm getting too old. I don't have the strength I used to. Don't you think it's about time we found a new Tsuchikage?"
After hearing that, Mirai nodded thoughtfully.
To be fair, Pakura, Mabui, and even Mei Terumi had also mentioned wanting to retire.
Not everyone was like Minato Namikaze — staying in office for too long wore you down in ways words couldn't explain.
Now that even Onoki was ready to step down, it was definitely time for a new generation to rise.
Thinking of this, Mirai asked, "Onoki, do you have someone in mind?"
Onoki thought for a moment and said, "Your Excellency, what about Deidara?"
"Deidara?"
Mirai frowned slightly.
Deidara was a die-hard explosion maniac — practically a walking terrorist in his past life.
When he'd gone to Konohagakure with Kurotsuchi, he'd even been taught a painful lesson by Mirai himself.
Putting a guy like that in charge? Was Onoki kidding?
Seeing the doubt on Mirai's face, Onoki hurried to explain,
"Your Excellency, ever since his time studying in Konohagakure, Deidara's personality has changed a lot."
"He's much more stable now, and he's even mastered Dust Release. He's more than qualified to be Tsuchikage."
Mirai raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Alright. Bring Deidara here. I'll judge for myself."
"Yes, sir!"
Onoki moved quickly. Within minutes, he returned with Deidara to the Tsuchikage's office.
Looking at Deidara's bright yellow hair, Mirai asked casually,
"Deidara, are you still playing with explosive clay?"
...
Deidara smiled faintly and answered,
"Your Excellency, I still make a few little things with explosive clay, but only as a way to pass the time."
"Ever since witnessing the art you showed me, I realized no one could ever match you on that path."
"Back then, I was just a foolish kid. Without your guidance, I probably would've gone down a dark road."
Hearing Deidara speak so calmly and sincerely, Mirai couldn't hide his shock.
He had never imagined that Deidara could change so much.
From a reckless, hotheaded boy to a composed and graceful young man.
But this was a good thing.
In the original story, Deidara, as a missing-nin from Iwagakure, had died young at the hands of Sasuke Uchiha.
Mirai had genuinely felt regret over Deidara's fate back then.
He was the Tsuchikage's personal disciple — a clear heir to the village.
And yet, he had fallen so tragically.
Of all the Kage's students, Deidara had probably had the worst end.
But now, thanks to Mirai's intervention, Deidara had taken a completely different path from the original story.
It wasn't bad at all.
After a brief assessment of Deidara's ability to handle political affairs, Uchiha Mirai agreed to Onoki's request.
From that moment on, Deidara officially became the Fourth Tsuchikage of Iwagakure!
And Onoki, who had spent his entire life working tirelessly for his village, could finally enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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