Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

Hōzuki Suigetsu drew the large sword from his back, combining it with the Kusanagi Sword to form a dual-wielding stance.

With his Hydrification Technique, Suigetsu wasn't at a disadvantage when facing Sasori, whose attacks primarily relied on physical strikes.

Genzuki knew that after acquiring the Kusanagi Sword, Suigetsu could at least hold off Sasori for a while.

That meant Genzuki could focus all his attention on Deidara and end the fight as quickly as possible.

"I'll kill you in an instant!" Deidara sneered. "C4: Karura!"

Deidara swallowed a large piece of explosive clay and spat out a humanoid-shaped figure.

The clay figure began to expand rapidly, releasing countless microscopic explosive particles around it, making it impossible for Genzuki to get close.

C4: Karura was one of Deidara's signature techniques, and almost no one had ever survived it.

Not taking any chances, Genzuki quickly performed hand seals.

A row of Earth Clones surrounded Deidara and the expanding figure.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Fortress!"

The ground beneath Deidara and the clay figure rose into the air, lifting them high above.

"Trying to send me into the sky to avoid the blast?" Deidara sneered and pressed his hand on the ground. "Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"

The raised ground created by Genzuki was instantly transformed into a swamp by Deidara's jutsu, causing both him and the clay figure to fall back down.

But by now, C4: Karura was on the verge of detonating. When it did, everything within several kilometers would be reduced to dust.

"Hmph. You truly are a master of Earth Release and Explosion Release, Deidara," Genzuki remarked. "But your Karura… in my eyes, it's nothing more than a toy."

Genzuki summoned a large number of Water Clones and swiftly formed seals.

"Water Release: Water Prison Shark Dance!"

A vast ocean suddenly appeared, enveloping Deidara and the humanoid figure in a massive spherical water prison.

This was one of Kisame's signature techniques, far more powerful than any of Deidara's explosions.

With the additional strength of Genzuki's numerous Water Clones, this jutsu became almost unbreakable.

"What is this Water Release?!" Deidara was caught in the water prison, struggling to breathe.

The spherical prison created an underwater world, trapping Deidara and C4: Karura inside.

Then, C4: Karura detonated. The shockwave was dampened by the surrounding water prison, greatly reducing its impact.

Huff… "That technique really drained my chakra," Genzuki muttered as he began to recover his energy.

Trapped in the water, Deidara seemed to have no way out. Genzuki couldn't help but smirk.

Suddenly, the ground behind Genzuki trembled.

A soaking-wet Deidara burst out from the earth, coughing up water.

"Cough… Cough…" Although he looked miserable, he was still alive.

"Earth Dragon Concealment… You used that to escape my water prison," Genzuki chuckled.

"Enough! Let me show you my ultimate art!" Deidara roared in fury, no longer caring that his partner Sasori was nearby.

He was ready to detonate himself.

"You think I don't know this is just a clone?" Genzuki smirked.

He had seen through Deidara's trick—using a clone to self-detonate and confuse his enemies.

Shocked that Genzuki had seen through his plan, Deidara hesitated. He couldn't understand how this young shinobi anticipated his every move.

At that moment, Deidara's real body slowly emerged from the trees, staring intently at Genzuki.

"You've witnessed my art. Now, it's time to show you my final masterpiece!"

Genzuki's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Deidara was truly ready to sacrifice himself.

"Suigetsu! The Kusanagi Sword!"

Suigetsu immediately tossed the Kusanagi Sword toward Genzuki.

Genzuki caught it with one hand, preparing to draw it in a single fluid motion.

"Foolish brat… What can a sword do against my self-destruction?" Deidara sneered.

"C5: Ultimate Art!"

Deidara swallowed another lump of explosive clay. Once it reached his heart, the explosion would be unstoppable.

But Genzuki saw his chance.

In an instant, he opened the Seventh Gate! Blue steam burst from his body as his speed and strength soared to their peak.

The Swordmaster talent activated.

"Sword Art Ultimate Technique: One Flash!"

In the blink of an eye, Genzuki moved like a flash of light. The Kusanagi Sword cut through the darkness, and Genzuki's body appeared behind Deidara.

Deidara staggered, blood spilling from his mouth.

"H-How… How are you this fast?"

Before he could finish his sentence, his head slipped off his shoulders, and the clay in his body never reached his heart. The explosion never happened.

『Ding! Defeated Deidara. Mission complete! Reward: Clay Clone Jutsu and 50,000 reputation points!』

Genzuki glanced at Deidara's lifeless body, feeling a twinge of pity.

But in the world of shinobi, it was either kill or be killed.

『Ding! Clay Clone obtained! Hyakuki Link activated. Clay Clone has evolved to Kage-level!』

[Clone: Clay Clone]

[Rank: Kage-level]

[Talent: Explosion Release Master]

[Abilities: All Explosion Release techniques]

Genzuki was very satisfied with his latest gain.

With Deidara's Explosion Release abilities, his destructive power had reached new heights. Now, no opponent could intimidate him.

"Genzuki-sama, help me!" Suigetsu called out.

Without the Kusanagi Sword, Suigetsu was being chased around by Sasori, who bombarded him with fire and lightning attacks. His Hydrification Technique wasn't enough to counter them.

"C2: Dragon!"

Genzuki didn't hesitate. He immediately used one of Deidara's signature techniques.

The clay clone he summoned had mouths on its hands and chest, just like Deidara's, allowing it to create explosive clay.

"Explosion Release?!"

Sasori was caught off guard as the clay dragon's explosion engulfed him. Half of his body was blown away, leaving him heavily damaged.

"Deidara, your so-called 'momentary art' failed… How pathetic."

"True art… is eternal," Sasori sneered, even as he struggled.

He turned his gaze to Genzuki.

"You've taken Deidara's abilities… That's something even the Sharingan can't do. Who… or what are you?"

Genzuki smiled calmly.

"Sasori, why don't you tell me who ordered my assassination first?"

Sasori nodded.

"Why not? It was the Daimyō of the Land of Earth—not just Katō. Every one of them wants you and Charcoal Shinobi Village dead."

"If you think the Tsuchikage controls everything, you're far too naïve."

After hearing this, Genzuki said nothing, raising the Kusanagi Sword.

"Sasori, it's time you stop holding back."

"Hmph… Genzuki, a man like you is a threat to the Akatsuki."

"Why not join us? Take Deidara's place," Sasori offered.