Chapter 26: Time Loop?

From Amegakure to Konohagakure, this time, Deidara and his team moved faster than ever. Why?

Because Itachi, who was always calm and composed, was visibly anxious despite saying nothing. His unease was almost palpable to everyone around him.

There was good reason for his concern. Konoha was now under the rule of Danzo, a man infamous for his greed and malice. During the Uchiha coup attempt, even though Shisui had proposed using Kotoamatsukami to control Uchiha Fugaku and prevent disaster, Danzo had insisted on monopolizing that power instead.

The result? The annihilation of the Uchiha clan.

And now, Sasuke was in Danzo's hands. Could anything good come of that?

As the group approached the gates of Konoha, it was Deidara's second time visiting the village in such a short period. Unsurprisingly, the gatekeepers were still the same two familiar faces—Izumo and Kotetsu.

"Hey, look, is that the envoy from Amegakure?" Izumo squinted at the figures approaching through the morning mist.

"Must be," Kotetsu replied confidently. "They're the only large group reported to be passing through today."

Even though they were still bitter about the casualties caused by Amegakure in the past, the new Hokage's orders were absolute. They had no choice but to suppress their resentment.

Soon, Koharu Utatane, Shikaku Nara, and a group of Konoha shinobi arrived to receive the visitors. While Koharu still held the title of Minister of Foreign Affairs, her authority had diminished significantly compared to before.

"My apologies for the short notice. I hope you won't take offense," Koharu greeted with a faint smile of regret.

"Not at all. It's our impatience that led us to arrive ahead of schedule. The fault lies with us," Zabuza replied.

Deidara scratched his head at the familiarity of the situation. Was he stuck in some kind of time loop? Everything felt eerily similar to his last visit.

After a round of formalities, the group was once again escorted to the same inn as before. Deidara, feeling restless, expressed his desire to explore the village.

"Hey, Haku, want to come with me?" he asked the ever-polite Haku, who stood nearby.

Haku glanced at Zabuza, who remained unmoving, and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Deidara-sama. I am Zabuza-sama's tool, and a tool must stay by its master's side."

Deidara sighed and turned to Kisame. "What about you?"

Kisame smirked, rubbing his chin. "I was thinking of finding some entertainment not suited for minors. Based on your last outing, Deidara, you'd better find your own way to pass the time."

Damn it! Deidara's eye twitched. He seriously wanted to shove a clay bomb into Kisame's mouth.

"What about Itachi? Where's he?" Deidara asked, noticing Itachi's absence.

"Worried about his little brother. He left as soon as we got here," Kisame said with a grin.

"Honestly, he's always going on about how he wants to kill his 'foolish little brother,' but it's all a lie! He's been playing me this whole time!" Kisame complained, his tone tinged with mock betrayal.

"Fine, I'll go out alone," Deidara muttered, stepping out of the inn.

As he reached the entrance, a Konoha shinobi standing guard approached.

"Sir, do you need anything?"

What the hell? Still you?

"Nothing much. I just want to look around the village. As the greatest village in the shinobi world, Konoha must have its own unique charm," Deidara said casually.

"Of course!" The shinobi puffed out his chest with pride. "Would you like me to arrange a guide for you?"

A guide? This is getting way too familiar. Readers better not accuse me of recycling plot points.

"Sure," Deidara said. Then he added with a cheeky grin, "Preferably a cute girl, if you don't mind."

The shinobi's expression stiffened, and he laughed awkwardly. Unsure of what the envoy's intentions were, he decided it was safer to report the request to his superiors first.

A short while later, Koharu received the report and frowned slightly. After some thought, she assigned someone familiar for the task—Anko Mitarashi.

Soon, a woman clad in a fishnet top and trench coat approached.

"You're the one who needed a guide?" she asked. "I'm Anko Mitarashi. Nice to meet you."

Confirmed. This is 100% a time loop.

"Hey! It's rude to stare at people like that," Anko snapped when she noticed Deidara's gaze lingering on her.

"Ha, my bad!" Deidara chuckled. "By the way, haven't we met before? Don't you feel a sense of familiarity when you look at me?"

Anko rolled her eyes. "That's the lamest pick-up line I've ever heard. Try harder."

And besides, she wasn't even interested in men. No matter how hard this guy tried, it was like winking at a blind person.

"So, where do you want to go, envoy?" Anko asked impatiently.

"One Ramen, please!"

Anko groaned inwardly. Again with Ichiraku Ramen? Was it really that good? Had its fame spread beyond the borders of the Land of Fire?

"Fine. Follow me," she said, leading the way. Deidara followed leisurely, taking in the sights of Konoha.

Despite the change in leadership, the village looked much the same. Political upheavals at the top rarely affected the lives of ordinary villagers.

The only noticeable difference was the presence of shinobi wearing the insignia of the newly rebuilt Konoha Police Force, patrolling the streets.

"What's with those shinobi? Which department are they from?" Deidara asked, feigning curiosity.

Anko's displeasure was evident. "That's the Konoha Police Force—nothing but a bunch of busybodies. Instead of going on missions to earn money for the village, they sit around here harassing their own people."

She huffed in annoyance, her straightforwardness almost endearing. A more tactful person might have kept such criticisms to themselves, but not Anko.

Deidara observed the villagers' reactions to the patrolling shinobi. It was clear they weren't well-liked. No surprise there—if Danzo was behind this, it was bound to be a mess.

"Here we are—Ichiraku Ramen," Anko announced.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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