Chapter 14: The Delayed Golden Finger

Chapter 14: The Delayed Golden Finger

Daidara crashed into a giant rock, while the clone had already vanished midway.

However, what crashed into the rock was a clay puppet, which had a large dent in its chest. If it had been a real person, they would have definitely lost their combat ability.

When was that clone made? No, this was the Body Replacement Technique; he used it the moment he was bound, allowing the clay clone to take the brunt of the attack while he was already hiding away.

As expected of Daidara, he was indeed impressive! Makiru thought to himself.

However, if Daidara wasn't here, then he must be underground. Makiru leaped high and struck down towards the ground, shattering it to expose whatever was hidden inside, potentially injuring or killing them.

A pool of red liquid seeped from the cracks, and Makiru felt joy rise within him. Did he manage to injure or even kill Daidara?

No way, what is that sour smell? Is that ketchup?!!

A figure emerged from the intact ground behind him, then slammed down with a thud. "Earth Release: Earth Pillar Explosion!"

Makiru reacted instantly and dodged, but the crack followed him. However, at that speed, it wouldn't be able to catch him.

"Hmph!" Daidara sneered when he saw this. "Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" This earth wall erupted from beneath Makiru's feet, disrupting his movements.

Then, the Earth Pillar Explosion reached him, causing a blast that sent Makiru flying into the air.

Daidara's voice came from below, "That technique of yours should have a time limit, right? From here on out, I'll just wait. The moment your enhancement runs out is when you lose."

"Earth Release: Earth Spike!" A greater number of earth spears sprouted beneath Makiru as he was falling, forcing him to step on the spear tips to adjust his landing.

However, he didn't seem in a hurry as he descended. "Your chakra is running low too, right? Daidara, I'm going to defeat you."

Daidara narrowed his eyes, a captivating light flashing from them. Makiru momentarily felt dazed, only to see Daidara rushing towards him, delivering a knife-hand strike to his neck. After that, everything went black.

After a while, Makiru awoke groggily. He got up without caring about his injuries and asked, "Daidara, was that daze just now caused by a genjutsu?"

Daidara had been receiving praise and complaints from Kurotsuchi about almost getting hurt, then turned to think for a moment before answering seriously, "Yes and no."

Makiru didn't delve deeper and nodded. "This time we lost."

However, Daidara picked up on the underlying sentiment in Makiru's statement—he hadn't given up yet. Daidara welcomed this, realizing that experience in battle could never be too much.

As for that moment of confusion Makiru experienced, Daidara understood it well. Logically, he shouldn't have had enough chakra to defeat all three of them.

However, it was true if he had only one chakra source. Unexpectedly, while Daidara was deepening the elevation of his clay sculpture arts, a second chakra source had suddenly appeared in his body.

This second chakra seemed indistinguishable from the first and wasn't very abundant, but Daidara felt a sense of inclusiveness and versatility from it.

He had tried it out, and he could currently only attach this chakra to his eyes, emitting a light so captivating that it caused those hit by it to momentarily lose their focus. He hadn't yet tested out other abilities he might develop, but he was certain that this chakra was the golden finger he had come with when he crossed over.

Although this golden finger was a bit late in arriving, Daidara was still working on mastering it, keeping it as part of his offensive capabilities.

Just like this time, defeating Makiru would have taken much more effort, but with his guard down, a single glance resolved the issue.

Onoki, the Tsuchikage, approached, first encouraging the three defeated children, before walking up to Daidara and saying, "You performed well today. Come to my house for dinner tonight."

Watching Onoki leave gracefully, Daidara wanted to refuse; while his wife's cooking was decent, it couldn't compare to the noodles from Ramen Dailei. But since it was the Tsuchikage's request, how could Daidara dare to decline?

Kurotsuchi seemed to think of something too, giving a reminder and instructing Daidara not to be late, before leaving.

Daidara found it strange; usually, Kurotsuchi would drag him off to celebrate with some food. Why did she leave today? Was she feeling unwell?

He secretly resolved that when he went to the Tsuchikage's house tonight, he would ask Kurotsuchi about it.

"Daidara-sama! You're awesome!" "Daidara, you're so strong!" "Daidara, take me as your disciple!" The enthusiasm of the crowd made Daidara feel somewhat embarrassed.

The last person even suggested he take them as a disciple. What was going on? He hadn't even secured a master for himself yet! It was incredibly disruptive!

Makiru walked down the street, feeling slightly dejected. He had already worked hard but ended up losing. Just now, in front of Daidara, he didn't want to show that expression—he was afraid Daidara would look down on him. Now he was wavering in his resolve; should he give up?

"Hey!" A plump hand patted him on the shoulder. Makiru looked up to see Akatsuchi, whose face was starting to take on the appearance of a pancake.

"What's the matter?" Makiru said weakly, brushing Akatsuchi's hand off. They weren't that close yet; he wasn't used to such intimate contact.

Akatsuchi didn't get angry. He continued, "Makiru, I didn't expect this to hit you so hard! I've been standing this close to you, and you didn't even notice. Your vigilance is completely gone!"

"Hmph! What qualifications do you, someone who's about to give up, have to talk about me?" Makiru replied with a hint of anger. "I've worked so hard but still can't match him. How can I be content? How can I keep my resolve? What am I supposed to do?!"

Akatsuchi ignored the first half of Makiru's outburst and said, "You only see your own effort and don't see Daidara's. Others stronger than you are working hard; what does it matter if you can't match him?"

Makiru looked up, his eyes flickering as he gazed at Akatsuchi, who continued, "Daidara is putting in so much effort. If you want to surpass him, you've got to work even harder! And it's not just about working hard; you also have to find the right methods!"

Makiru stopped walking and seriously said to Akatsuchi, "Sorry! I take back what I just said! I understand what you're saying, but I can't find that kind of direction!"

"There's always a method; you just haven't found it yet. Don't look at me; I don't know either, but as long as you're willing to put in the effort, you can definitely succeed!" Akatsuchi said.

"Alright then! But no matter what, thank you!" Makiru lifted his head, reinvigorated, and said, "Let's go! I'm treating you to dinner!"