Chapter 16: Birthday Party

Chapter 16: Birthday Party

Deidara pushed open the door, and with a "bang! bang!" the lights turned on. Confetti flew toward him, and some scattered colorful stars enveloped him completely.

"Deidara brother, happy birthday!!" Kurotsuchi's cheerful voice rang out. Deidara saw that the girl had a flushed face but was smiling genuinely.

For a moment, Deidara was speechless. Oh, today is May 5th. So it's his birthday—his very own birthday! And he had been dragged here by Kurotsuchi to sit in front of a cake decorated with nine candles.

Deidara glanced around and saw that Magir, Hōka, Daishi, Akatsuchi, Heavy, and even the Tsuchikage Onoki were there, along with his wife, Kurosaki. However, Yōshi wasn't present; perhaps she was on a mission.

Seeing him looking around, everyone cheered, "Happy birthday!" Even the usually stern Tsuchikage Onoki had a smile on his face as he looked at Deidara.

Magir also wished him a happy birthday, tilting his head as if he had a stiff neck. At least that's what Deidara thought in his mind.

"Alright, stop dawdling. Hurry up and blow out the candles and make a wish!" Onoki spoke up, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Deidara obediently lowered his head, clasped his hands together to make a wish, then looked up and blew out the candles.

"Okay, Deidara brother, what did you wish for?" Kurotsuchi curiously leaned in closer, eager to know first.

Deidara gently tapped Kurotsuchi's forehead and said, "Isn't it a rule that you can't tell anyone your wish? Otherwise, it won't come true."

"Well…" Kurotsuchi rubbed her forehead but wasn't angry. Instead, she looked quite happy. This kind of affectionate gesture was something Deidara used to rarely do.

"Isn't it time to eat the cake?" Akatsuchi exclaimed, drooling over the cake. Kurotsuchi had ordered this cake, knowing that Deidara loved fruits, so it was topped with various fruits. Fruits were relatively expensive in Iwagakure, and Akatsuchi didn't have much pocket money, making him even more envious of the cake.

Swat! Kurotsuchi smacked away the many hands reaching for the knife, declaring, "Not yet! We haven't given gifts! No one can eat until Deidara brother gets his gifts!"

Onoki smacked his lips. That little girl Kurotsuchi had actually spent all her pocket money preparing this party. Onoki himself felt a bit hungry for the cake, as he usually didn't indulge in such sweets.

When Kurotsuchi looked at Onoki, he waved his hand and said, "I was originally going to wait until Deidara became a genin to give this to him, but I suppose it's okay to give it ahead of time."

Onoki then produced two scrolls. "Here are two ninjutsu techniques—one is Earth Release: Heavy Rock Technique, and the other is Earth Release: Light Rock Technique. Choose one!"

Earth Release: Heavy Rock Technique increases the mass of an object, while Earth Release: Light Rock Technique significantly reduces an object's weight, allowing it to increase speed and granting flight.

Both techniques are not offensive but rather supportive in nature, yet their effects are extremely powerful.

For instance, if one uses a technique like Rock Drop in the air and applies the Heavy Rock Technique while it's falling, the effect would be tremendous.

As for the Light Rock Technique, flying has always been a significant advantage. Throughout history, controlling the skies has been crucial, and few in the ninja world possess the ability to fly. If one could soar through the skies, they would hold an innate advantage.

However, as mentioned before, for Deidara, who primarily uses Earth Release techniques, flying wasn't the optimal choice.

Thus, Deidara chose the Earth Release: Heavy Rock Technique.

When he accepted the scroll from Onoki, the latter wore an expression of satisfaction, feeling that Deidara's choice reflected his expectations. After all, his future disciple was indeed admirable for resisting the temptation of flying.

Everyone gave their gifts one by one, even Yōshi sent a gift through Kurotsuchi.

Most of the gifts were ninja tools like shuriken, kunai, explosive tags, and smoke bombs. After all, they were ninjas, and these practical gifts appealed more than anything else. Besides, ninja tools could be quite costly; with these gifts, Deidara wouldn't need to worry about running out of them before becoming a chunin—as long as they were used normally without intense combat.

After Deidara expressed his gratitude for each gift, he noticed Kurotsuchi hadn't given him a gift yet. He teased, "Hey, little sister, everyone else has given a gift. Why haven't you? You were the one who suggested it!"

"Hmph, not me!" Kurotsuchi tossed a small box to Deidara, saying, "This is for you!"

Deidara smiled and opened the box to reveal a compact, high-tech mini telescope.

"What is this?" Deidara picked it up and held it to his left eye. It had a button on it, and when Deidara pressed it, a photo of Kurotsuchi appeared.

"It's a mini telescope with a photo function," Kurotsuchi explained. Deidara lowered it and said, "Kurotsuchi, this must have cost a lot!"

"Not at all, just a little!" Kurotsuchi waved her hand. But Onoki chimed in, "This whole party was organized by Kurotsuchi using her pocket money, and the gift too—she spent all her savings on it. So, is it expensive or not?"

"Grandpa, how could you say that!" Kurotsuchi panicked, trying to tug at Onoki's beard.

But Deidara grabbed her hand, saying, "Alright, when your birthday comes, I'll definitely give you something special. I promise you'll be super happy."

Seeing this, Onoki remarked, "Hmph! They say girls are more extroverted; it seems true. They can't see that I'm just helping that lad treat you better."

"Okay! Grandpa, I get it now. Please don't be mad!" Kurotsuchi's pleading worked surprisingly well, and Onoki fell silent.

In fact, Deidara felt quite touched. When someone gives you their best, it shows your importance in their heart.

Kurotsuchi truly cared for Deidara, and this party was merely an expression of her deeper feelings.

Deidara resolved in his heart to repay Kurotsuchi for her kindness.

After enjoying the cake, they also had some dishes, as merely cake wouldn't satisfy everyone.

Once the party concluded, everyone returned to their homes, while Deidara took Kurotsuchi to the riverside.