Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 172: Becoming an Undercover Agent

"Hmm, Deidara, now that you know you're part of the Hagoromo clan and everyone here is your blood relative, how do you feel about it?" Hagoromo Moteni asked Deidara, who was now standing among the clan members.

Without hesitation, Deidara responded, "Feelings? Of course, the surname Hagoromo has an artistic flair to it! Hmm!"

"Idiot!" Hagoromo Morinaga, looking exasperated, rushed over and knocked Deidara on the head. "At a time like this, you still talk about art! You should feel delighted to return to the Hagoromo clan!"

"Ah!!! Old man Morinaga! You knocked my head again! Since I left the village, I vowed no one would hit my... er..."

Deidara covered his head with one hand and pointed at Morinaga with the other, looking quite upset. But then he realized that Hagoromo Gengetsu had already knocked his head twice before, so his vow was already broken.

"Never mind, you're an old man, and I'm not going to fuss with you. Hmm." Deidara raised his head, ignoring Morinaga.

Morinaga's hands shook with the urge to hit him again, but Hagoromo Gengetsu intervened and signaled for him to step back.

Morinaga could only retreat with a worried look, unsure if Deidara understood his silent plea.

"Deidara." Hagoromo Gengetsu turned his gaze to Deidara.

The sound of his voice made Deidara stand still. Unlike when facing Morinaga or others, Deidara became unusually compliant in front of Gengetsu. It wasn't just because he had been beaten into submission but because Gengetsu, sitting calmly with one hand on the armrest and the other tapping it lightly, exuded a stifling aura without releasing any obvious pressure.

Deidara had seen many powerful individuals before, such as Onoki, Itachi Uchiha, and Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki. Even though they could defeat him, none had made him feel the way he did now. Not even all of them combined could give him this sensation.

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Hyperactive Deidara quieted down, and everyone else present also stood obediently, listening intently.

Gengetsu didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Are you interested in rejoining the Hagoromo clan?"

In this situation, Deidara wasn't foolish. It was just returning to his old home. Although it was a pity he couldn't blow up the floating fortress, thinking about all the artistic creations he still had to make, and since no one here disparaged his art, Deidara simply nodded and said, "Of course, the Hagoromo clan has an artistic... ahem, I mean, I am willing to rejoin. Hmm."

Deidara almost mentioned "art" again, but one look from Gengetsu made him stop and return to the main topic.

"Good." Gengetsu ordered, "From now on, you will be our clan's spy within the Akatsuki organization, relaying any relevant information back to us."

"Huh?"

Deidara was surprised. He had been prepared to take off his Akatsuki uniform and stay with the Hagoromo clan for a while. He didn't expect to have to go back to the Akatsuki as a spy.

He wasn't particularly loyal to the Akatsuki; he had joined initially because Itachi Uchiha had defeated him and disregarded his art. He joined to find an opportunity for revenge. However, after joining the Akatsuki, seeing the unique abilities of the other members, Deidara saw these powers as another form of art. Capturing tailed beasts was thrilling, fitting an artist's quest for excitement. Thus, Deidara considered the Akatsuki an "artist collective."

He liked the idea of continuing their artistic pursuits together. Deidara, looking glum, asked, "Can I not go?"

"Of course not," Gengetsu replied.

Deidara sighed. While he liked the Akatsuki as a group of artists, for the sake of his art, he would have to sacrifice others. Besides, being an undercover agent was an art in itself.

"Just think about it: when my true identity is revealed, the shock, disbelief, anger, disappointment, and murderous intent from the other Akatsuki members will be so intense in that instant. Isn't that a perfect expression of my art?"

Deidara rubbed his chin, pondering this. His eyes quickly lit up with excitement. Also, having the surname "Hagoromo" was another artistic touch.

Deidara quickly convinced himself and assured, "Being an undercover agent in the Akatsuki? I know the place well; I'll definitely complete the mission! Hmm!"

Seeing Deidara's enthusiastic declaration, Morinaga, who had been worried about his life, finally felt relieved. Gengetsu also nodded in satisfaction.

Unlike the original series, where unexpected events could happen at any time, Gengetsu wanted to keep tabs on the Akatsuki, who might suddenly come after the tailed beasts. Deidara, a Hagoromo clan member, was the perfect candidate for the job. Of course, if Deidara were entirely untrustworthy, he would have no choice but to deal with him. But fortunately, Deidara agreed.

However, to be cautious, Gengetsu had a backup plan.

"Since you're returning to the Hagoromo clan, you must bear the Hagoromo Mark."

With those words, Gengetsu disappeared from his seat and reappeared beside Deidara. Red flames flickered on his fingertips.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Deidara sensed something was wrong.

Morinaga explained, "Deidara, the clan leader is personally giving you the Hagoromo Mark. You should feel honored."

It was indeed an honor. Seeing the clan leader, who had only marked a few people during the Warring States period, prepare to mark someone again, everyone felt emotional. It was a symbol of honor, far more prestigious than those marked by elders or seniors.

Deidara didn't understand the significance yet. Soon, he felt a burning pain in his chest. Fortunately, the pain was intense but brief. When it was over, Deidara looked down and saw a red mark shaped like a hammer and sickle on his chest. He thought it looked quite artistic.

"This is the Hagoromo Mark," Morinaga, having fulfilled his long-held wish, happily explained its various functions to Deidara, such as sensing clan members, self-ignition, and tracking.

"Tracking?"

Deidara, who had been admiring the mark, suddenly trembled at the word.

"Damn it!"