The Strongest Artist in Naruto

What a close call. Deidara couldn't help but want to complain.

How did someone like Kurosuki Raiga, an elite rogue ninja, end up getting taken down by a bunch of Genin? Are Konoha's Genin just monsters in disguise?

"What are you planning to do with this little girl?" Hiruko's raspy, sinister voice cut through the air. His menacing face, coupled with his unnerving tone, made him a walking nightmare for kids. Karin, standing nearby, trembled, her eyes welling up with tears, though she didn't dare cry out. To her, being taken by these strange and scary people seemed even worse than staying in Kusagakure as a glorified medical tool.

"We'll take her back to the organization, of course. Pure-blooded Uzumaki clan members like this are incredibly rare nowadays. Plus, this girl seems to have some extraordinary innate abilities. She's practically a treasure," Deidara replied. Surely Nagato wouldn't refuse to take in a fellow Uzumaki orphan.

So this is my fate after all? Still destined to be nothing more than a tool? Karin thought, horrified.

Being captured by this group of notorious rogue ninja only seemed like a step down from her previous existence. Overwhelmed, she collapsed onto the ground in fear.

"Oi, what's with the tears? We're the good guys here!" Deidara frowned at Karin.

Aren't main characters supposed to show gratitude after being saved? Why is this her reaction to me?

"Forget it. Let me show you a little magic trick! Watch closely!" Deidara clapped his hands together, successfully diverting Karin's attention. He smirked.

Now for my secret technique—Triple Tongue Terror!

"Ahhh! He really is a demon!" Karin couldn't hold back her sobs any longer. Seeing three mouths sprout three writhing tongues was more horrifying than any ghost story her parents used to tell her as a child.

Deidara's face darkened as he awkwardly retracted his tongues. "What an ungrateful little brat!"

Suddenly, the air shifted.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

From the shadows, several figures emerged silently. Clad in gray flak jackets and wearing animal masks, Konoha's ANBU had been drawn to the commotion.

"Captain, what should we do?" A female ANBU with long purple hair stepped forward, seeking guidance from her white-haired leader.

"We should pull back. This isn't our mission, and there's no need to complicate things," another ANBU suggested.

From their vantage point, the scene before them appeared to be a skirmish between two rogue ninja and Kusagakure shinobi. The sobbing red-haired girl was likely the target. While her presence piqued their interest, Konoha's larger policies often meant they couldn't afford to overstep boundaries. Even if they saved the girl, she'd likely be returned to Kusagakure later, rendering their efforts pointless.

"No."

The white-haired captain's voice was firm as he continued to stare at the red-haired girl, his gaze lingering as if lost in thought.

The other ANBU members were visibly surprised. Their captain wasn't the type to go out of his way to play the hero, especially when it came to unassigned tasks. His role in the ANBU meant handling the shadows of Konoha—not altruism.

Despite their surprise, the ANBU members prepared for battle. Adherence to orders was paramount, especially within a unit as disciplined as the ANBU. They checked their weapons, measured their chakra levels, and began analyzing the battlefield.

"Grey Fox, Sanrin, follow my shadow clone for a frontal assault."

"Tenzō, Raiken, your task is to provide suppression and distractions."

"My main body will seize an opening for a decisive strike. We'll target the blond one first—he has flight capabilities and seems drained from the previous fight."

"Yes, sir!"

Deidara, who had been struggling to entertain Karin, snapped to attention when Sasori spoke.

"Deidara, are you handling this one?" Sasori asked dryly, his meaning clear.

Deidara froze before sighing in exasperation. Of course their earlier commotion had drawn company. And after two consecutive battles, his chakra reserves were near empty, and his clay stockpile was depleted.

"Sasori-danna, it's just a little fun! No need to get so worked up, hmm!"

"Well, here's your chance," Sasori retorted, his tone laced with sarcastic amusement.

Before Deidara could reply, a volley of shuriken, coated in flames, hurtled toward them from the distance. Their precision and speed demonstrated the thrower's mastery of basic shinobi techniques.

Clang!

Hiruko's tail lashed out, effortlessly deflecting the incoming projectiles. Meanwhile, Deidara's remaining clay bird emerged, gripping Karin as he prepared to take to the skies.

"Not so fast!"

"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"

The purple-haired ANBU launched herself into the air, her blade spinning so quickly it left a crescent-shaped afterimage as she closed in on Deidara.

"Sasori-danna, help!" Deidara shouted. He wasn't out of options yet, but the closer the ANBU got, the more his instincts screamed danger. As her target came into focus, Deidara's suspicions were confirmed. The masked white-haired captain, no matter how he disguised himself, was unmistakable. It was Kakashi Hatake.

"Kakashi! Of course, it had to be him!" Deidara groaned. Even at full strength, Kakashi would've been a challenging opponent. Now? Things looked grim.

"Your art seems to be failing you, Deidara," Sasori quipped, enjoying his teammate's plight. Despite his mocking tone, Sasori moved quickly, positioning Hiruko between the incoming Kakashi and Deidara.

"Wood-Style: Thorn Binding Jutsu!"

From below, Tenzō acted. Thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around Hiruko, halting its movements.

"Wood-Style!" Sasori's eyes widened in surprise. The legend of Wood-Style's power was enough to give anyone pause.

Still, Sasori wasn't one to panic. Hiruko's arms extended unnaturally, breaking free and transforming into massive claws that blocked Kakashi's advance.

"It's a puppet?"

"Don't let your guard down!" The purple-haired ANBU pressed forward, confident in her swordsmanship.

Shhhk!

The severed arm of the puppet released a thick, purple haze, instantly filling the area.

"Poison! Fall back!" Kakashi ordered, his voice sharp.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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