Naruto: Uchiha Youngjo's Konoha Spring

Chapter 169 The Actions of the Hidden Mist Rebels
Deidara, while recovering his chakra, pondered deeply but couldn't come up with anything. He then looked up and asked Uchiha Touko:
"Uncle Hokage, do you have any suggestions?" Deidara asked earnestly.

"I believe that the most important thing about art is to express the emotions that the artist wants to express. Although your performance was gorgeous, I didn't feel what you wanted to express in your performance, so it was somewhat empty."

"Is that so?" Deidara said, stroking his chin. "Then how do you suggest I express my emotions?"

“That depends on your own exploration. Everyone’s art carries their own unique soul imprint, and you can only understand it yourself,” Uchiha Touko said. “However, I have also heard a saying that great artists rely on daily accumulation and a flash of inspiration when the time comes. I believe that with your talent, you will definitely be able to wait for that opportunity to arrive. So, what you need to do now is to continue your daily accumulation.”

"I understand! Thank you so much, Uncle Hokage!" Deidara said confidently, slapping his palm.

“I’ll introduce you to someone later, and then he’ll take you to your daily training location,” Uchiha Touko said. “Before that, recover your chakra, and then practice a bit more.”

"Alright!" Upon hearing this, Deidara said no more and focused on restoring his chakra.

After Deidara recovered, Uchiha Touko took him to the area that hadn't been completely exploded. Deidara didn't say anything, but silently took out his clay. The sound of the explosion echoed in the sky above Konoha again.

After Deidara's chakra was exhausted, Uchiha Touko sent someone to summon Yamato.

When Yamato arrived at the scene, he looked at Deidara's masterpiece with an incredulous expression. Such a large construction site, even with his application for explosive tags, would have taken at least three days to complete according to his estimate. Yet, only one morning had passed and Uchiha Tokō had finished it.

“Deidara, this is an architectural artist from our Konoha. His architectural skills are so great that even I have to admit defeat,” said Uchiha Touko.

Yamato: Huh?

Yamato was somewhat bewildered by Uchiha Touko's words; he didn't understand what Uchiha Touko was up to.

"Architecture? Can that be called art? Only explosions can be called art!" Deidara was unimpressed by Uchiha Touko's claim of Yamato being an architectural artist.

“You can’t say that. There’s more than one form of art in this world.” Uchiha Touko gestured to Yamato to be quiet while trying to persuade Deidara. “You can’t reach the temple of art by working in isolation. Sometimes, being exposed to other art forms can inspire you and help you reach that flash of inspiration more quickly.”

“Alright.” Deidara thought Uchiha Touko made sense, and then extended his hand to Yamato. “My name is Deidara, nice to meet you.”

"My name is Yamato." Yamato understood Uchiha Touko's gaze, but since he was really not good at fooling people, he could only try to say as little as possible.

"Hehe, Yamato, don't underestimate our artist guest from Iwagakure," Uchiha Touko said with a chuckle. "See this? These are all his masterpieces."

When Deidara heard this, there was a trace of contentment on his face, and at the same time he was secretly happy. This feeling was something he had never experienced in Iwagakure. In Iwagakure, Onoki would not let him display his art. If he was caught secretly studying art, he would get a beating. Unlike Konoha, the Hokage would come to watch his art performance in person. The name he used when introducing him to others was still his favorite artist.

Although he has only been here for less than two days, he absolutely loves this place.

Yamato's expression changed after hearing what Uchiha Touko said. He had heard the explosion in the village. The Hokage meant that it would take three days of continuous exploding with explosive tags to create this crater, but this kid had done it in just one morning.

As Konoha develops, he will have more and more orders for projects that require deep foundations. So, wouldn't that mean that as long as he gets along well with this kid, he can even save on the cost of explosive tags? Now, Yamato finally understands why the Hokage went to such lengths to give himself the identity of an architectural artist.

"Ahem, Yamato, now that you've met some new like-minded people, why don't you show off your skills in front of your new friends?" Uchiha Touko coughed twice before reminding him.

"Yes!" Yamato nodded, then came to the huge pit, quickly formed hand seals, and slammed them heavily onto the floor.

"Wood Release! The Pillar Clan Technique!"

The bottom of the crater, which had just been blasted into a barren wasteland, suddenly came to life. Countless giant trees broke through the soil and joined together, forming the prototype of a huge building.

"Amazing!" Deidara couldn't help but exclaim. Although he might not be a positive character in the story of Iwagakure, he had heard of the legends of Hashirama Senju and Wood Release. However, this was the first time he had witnessed the wonders of Wood Release firsthand. Moreover, the giant commercial center that Yamato was currently building was a completely different building model from the current one in the ninja world. Although it was only a prototype, in Deidara's eyes, it solidified Yamato's status as an architectural artist.

"You two have a good chat, I'll go back to take care of my business first," Uchiha Touko said, nodding after handing Deidara over to Yamato.

……

After Deidara settled in Konoha, the village's construction speed increased to a new level. It's likely that Onoki didn't expect that his original plan to pass his troubles onto Konoha to annoy Uchiha Toko would backfire so spectacularly. Instead, under Toko's influence, Deidara became the chief demolition expert for the Yamato Group. Aside from the villagers hearing several loud explosions almost daily, it had virtually no impact on Konoha's development. On the contrary, Toko made a fortune through the Yamato Construction Group.

Meanwhile, life wasn't so easy in Tsuchigakure. The tense situation on the battlefield left Onoki and Uesugi Hidekoshi overwhelmed every day. Not only had they failed to achieve their goal of quickly conquering Takigakure, but they had also lost a tailed beast.

The people Onoki sent to negotiate with Akatsuki and Hanzo did not bring back any news. After Akatsuki got involved in the war, the Land of Rain went into a state of isolation.

The only good news is that Pain has not shown up on the battlefield since capturing the Five-Tails, and Roshi, who had left the village, returned after learning about the village's plight.

During this period, battle reports were being broadcast from all directions every day in the ninja world. However, these reports were somewhat chaotic, with both sides constantly announcing their own victories to the ninja world, as if there were no losers in this war.

Time passed day by day, and the fifty-eighth year of Konoha quietly arrived.

On the first day of the new year, after attending the village's celebration, Uchiha Touko had just sat down in his office when Black Zetsu and Tobi emerged from the office floor.

"Happy New Year, Ancestor, and Tobi too." Uchiha Touko greeted the two with a smile.

"Happy New Year to Lord Dou Guang! Loyal and Sincere!" Afei shouted with a standing salute, full of energy.

"Loyalty! Sincerity!" Uchiha Touko returned the greeting.

The act of saluting Uchiha Touko seems to have become an essential part of every meeting between Tobi and Uchiha Touko. Each time, Uchiha Touko patiently plays along with Tobi, and their relationship gets better and better.

"Stop playing around!" Black Zetsu said anxiously upon seeing this. "Ancestor, has something happened in Kirigakure?" Uchiha Touko asked.

“That’s right. The rebels in Kirigakure have already surrounded the entire area, and they plan to launch a general offensive against Kirigakure in three days,” Black Zetsu said.

"So fast?" Uchiha Touko asked in surprise.

“That woman, Mei Terumi, has learned from your actions in Konoha and has already built an army strong enough to fight against the Hidden Mist Anbu. Furthermore, they have also brought back Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki who was previously listed as a rogue ninja by the Hidden Mist. Yagura Karatachi, who is currently under our control and cannot fully unleash the power of the Three-Tails, is no match for him. It is only a matter of time before the Hidden Mist is defeated.”

"He even found the Six-Tails' Jinchuriki?" Uchiha Touko chuckled. "It seems my cheap disciple is quite capable after all."

"Aren't you worried at all?" Black Zetsu asked. "If they succeed, all our preparations will have been for nothing."

"What's the rush? There are still three days left," Uchiha Touko said unhurriedly. "However, as their good neighbor, we in Konoha should naturally lend a hand. Let's take this opportunity to get our hands on the Six-Tails as well."

"What do you plan to do?" Black Zetsu asked.

"Come pick me up in two hours. I have some things to arrange. This time, my main body will personally go to Kirigakure," Uchiha Touko said solemnly.

"Alright." Black Zetsu nodded and disappeared from the office with Tobi.

"Inahi, invite Kakashi over here." After the two left, Uchiha Touko called out loudly.

After a while, Kakashi arrived at the Hokage's office.

"Is there something you need to tell me at this time?" Kakashi asked after arriving at the Hokage's office.

"It seems like things are getting lively in Kirigakure lately," Uchiha Touko said with a smile.

"Hidden Mist Village?" Kakashi frowned. "Did you receive some news?"
Kakashi, who is currently in charge of the security force, is mainly responsible for affairs within the Land of Fire, so he is not very clear about information in the ninja world.

“Yes,” Uchiha Touko nodded, “A resistance organization has recently emerged in Kirigakure, planning to launch a coup within Kirigakure.”

"A coup?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while since I've heard that term. What are you planning to do?"

“I would like to do something, but we don’t have the right to get involved right now,” Uchiha Touko said. “However, in order to prevent their coup from affecting our Land of Fire, I plan to send you and Guy with a team of elite ANBU to support the border troops there.”

"I understand." Kakashi nodded.

"Of course, if a suitable opportunity arises, you can decide for yourself whether or not to cross the border. However, everything must be done in the best interests of Konoha. Do you understand?" Uchiha Touko said.

"An opportunity?" Kakashi glanced at Uchiha Touko and nodded. "I understand. When do we set off?"

"Let's hurry. Several important factories of our Land of Fire are located on the east coast. We can't afford to lose them." Uchiha Touko said with a smile, seeing that Kakashi understood his hint.

"Alright, I'll set off with my men in a bit." Kakashi nodded.

"Should we bring the Lightning Blade?" Uchiha Touko turned to look at the sword rack beside him and asked.

"No need." Kakashi shook his head. "Guy and I are both over there this time, so we don't need to use this sword to bluff."

“Moreover,” Kakashi’s exposed eye flashed with a sharp light, “if the opportunity you mentioned really comes, I would also prefer to personally take action and settle accounts with Kirigakure.”

“Alright,” Uchiha Touko nodded.

An hour later, Kakashi, along with Might Guy and a team of elite Jonin, left the village and headed towards the eastern border of the Land of Fire.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Touko was quietly waiting in his office for Tobi and Black Zetsu to arrive.

After a while, Black Zetsu and Tobi arrived at the Hokage's office again as promised.

"Let's go." Uchiha Touko nodded upon seeing the two, formed hand seals to leave a shadow clone in the office, and then let Tobi attach himself to him. The three of them then headed towards the Land of Water together.

Two hours later, Uchiha Touko arrived at the same room as before. Tobi had already helped him with his disguise. Uchiha Touko stood in front of the mirror, looked at his bald face, his lips twitched slightly, and then he said, "If there's another chance like this next time, could you please help me get a non-bald identity?"

Before Afei could reply, there was a knock on the door of the house.

"Jonin Satake, the leader has called a meeting!" a voice came from outside the door.

"Okay, I'll be there right away," Uchiha Touko replied casually.

After checking his disguise, Uchiha Touko went out and headed towards the underground base of the Kirigakure resistance.

Upon entering the base, Uchiha Touko quickly spotted several familiar figures: Zabuza Momochi, the demon carrying the Executioner's Blade, and Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying the Samehada sword. In a corner of the base, a long-haired man in loose robes was casually blowing bubbles. This man was none other than Utakata, the jinchūriki of the Six-Tails Saiken, who had previously been a rogue ninja from Kirigakure.

(End of this chapter)