Naruto: Shinobi Payday
Chapter 71: Dealing With Onoki

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Dealing With Onoki

Sasori and Uchiha Itachi snapped out of their thoughts the moment Zeldris spoke.

Sasori’s expression darkened as he turned toward Zeldris. "Zeldris... you do realize Orochimaru is as slippery as they come, right?! You’re not seriously trusting him just because he’s throwing money around?!"

The disbelief in his voice was obvious,almost like he was questioning Zeldris’ IQ level.

Even Itachi, normally as calm as a frozen lake, was staring at Zeldris with an expression that read: You can’t be serious.

Teaming up with Orochimaru to attack Konoha?

Yeah... that was a pretty major development to drop over tea.

He had barely joined this crew, and now he was sitting on intel that could reduce Konoha to rubble. Great.

No time, no specifics, just boom, betrayal and conspiracy.

Internally, Itachi was already plotting how he could sneak this information to the Third Hokage without raising suspicion. Because if Konoha wasn’t warned in time, this could turn catastrophic.

And then... there was Sasuke.

His chest tightened just thinking about his younger brother.

For once, even Itachi’s usually smooth breathing was uneven.

Meanwhile, Zeldris gave Sasori a calm, almost bored glance and said, "Relax. I know what I’m doing."

Sure, Orochimaru was a professional schemer, basically a walking snake in human skin, but Zeldris wasn’t new to this game. If anything, he was just in it for the money. Orochimaru’s intentions? Background noise.

Zeldris then turned toward Itachi with that same devil-may-care grin. "Let’s take care of the Iwagakure situation first. Then we’ll pay Konoha a visit... and flip it upside down."

The smile on his face was both unsettling and confident, like someone who knew a bit too much for everyone’s comfort.

Of course, Zeldris wasn’t blind.

Itachi’s poker face was decent, but it was still a face,and Zeldris could read it like an open book. This guy’s screaming internally.

He chuckled inwardly. Itachi hated war more than anyone. And with his precious little brother still tucked safely inside Konoha, Orochimaru’s plan must’ve hit him like a kunai to the chest.

But to his credit, Itachi didn’t flinch. He simply raised his eyes and gave the smallest nod, his expression unreadable.

Zeldris smirked. Guy’s good. Academy Award-worthy, even.

"Alright then," Zeldris said with a clap. "Pack your bags. We move out."

A few minutes later, after everyone had gathered their things, Zeldris asked with a grin, "You guys ready?"

Sasori and Itachi blinked at him. What kind of question was that?

They were standing there, packed and ready like two over-prepared tourists. Of course they were ready!

But before they could respond

Zeldris casually reached out and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

And then...

They lifted off the ground.

"What the hell?!" Sasori blurted out.

Even Itachi’s eyes widened slightly, which for him was the equivalent of a scream.

This guy wasn’t just flying,he was dragging them along too?!

What kind of hacks was he running?!

Sasori was already rethinking his life choices.

Zeldris, meanwhile, just smiled like this was the most normal Tuesday morning thing in the world. "Let’s go already. Don’t want to miss the view."

The next moment, the trio shot through the air like a trio of high-speed shuriken, cutting across the skies toward the Land of Earth.

What normally took three days on foot took only a few hours in the air.

Somewhere below, trees waved goodbye in blurred panic.

Later, at Iwagakure — Tsuchikage’s Office

Onoki was examining a small card with the intensity of a man decoding an ancient scroll.

After a beat, he narrowed his eyes and muttered, "So, the puppet brat, Sasori, didn’t refuse?"

A nearby Iwagakure ninja nodded with practiced politeness. "Yes, Lord Tsuchikage. He said he’d need to check with Zeldris, and... left you this card."

Onoki grunted, flipping the card like it owed him money.

He wasn’t surprised Sasori deferred to Zeldris. That guy had become quite the enigma over the years—a ghost you couldn’t pin down, but couldn’t ignore either.

And truth be told, Onoki wasn’t hiring him just for a mission. No, no—this was about Deidara too. And maybe a few other... long-term strategies.

Onoki let out a low chuckle. "He won’t say no."

After all, a commission worth 100 million wasn’t exactly pocket change—even for someone like Zeldris.

But just as he was enjoying his moment of confidence, another Iwagakure ninja burst into the room, panting like he’d sprinted up ten flights of stairs.

"Lord Tsuchikage!"

Onoki’s brow twitched. "This better be good."

The ninja saluted, still catching his breath. "Zeldris is here! And... uh... he brought two strangers with him!"

"Zeldris?!"

Onoki froze mid-chuckle.

For a man who had spent years trying to track down Zeldris, this was like summoning a storm and having it actually show up at your door—with snacks.

As for the "two strangers," Onoki honestly couldn’t care less.

Because when Zeldris shows up, you pay attention.

Then, a strange glint flickered in Onoki’s eyes.

He turned sharply to the ninja standing before him.

"You’re absolutely sure... it’s Zeldris? The guy with the 100 million bounty?"

"Y-Yes, sir!" the ninja stammered, straightening up like he’d been personally threatened by the bounty amount.

Onoki’s face shifted in a flash—recognition, then interest, then that sly grin old men get when something finally goes their way.

"Bring them to the conference room. Now. I’ll be there shortly."

The ninja didn’t dare delay. "Right away!" He practically vanished with how fast he ran off.

"...Zeldris, huh?" Onoki muttered, the grin still tugging at his lips. "So the rumors were true."

And with that, the old man casually lifted off the ground—yes, floated—like gravity had better things to do. He hovered toward the conference room with all the grace of someone who knew dramatic entrances were half the battle.

Meanwhile, Zeldris and his two companions were already seated in the Iwagakure conference room, waiting like they owned the place.

Sasori looked around, unimpressed but curious. "So... this is the inside of Iwagakure? Huh. Less rocky than I imagined."

Zeldris gave him a sideways smile. "What, never been here before?"

Sasori nodded and shrugged. "Nope. But I imagined more... stalactites."

Itachi, of course, remained silent—cool, composed, and so unreadable he could’ve been furniture.

Then, with a deep grumble-thunk, the heavy stone doors began to open slowly, like they were allergic to being fast. The three turned their heads.

And in floated a tiny, grumpy old man... arms crossed, beard bristling, and radiating ’I’ve seen things’ energy. He was flanked by two Iwagakure shinobi, clearly his personal guards—but also clearly just there for show.

Sasori blinked. "Wait... is he flying?"

Itachi tilted his head ever so slightly.

Zeldris leaned in and whispered with a smirk, "He’s been doing that for a while. Don’t ask how—ninja physics."

The old man finally arrived, made a small hand gesture, and his guards backed away.

"Welcome," he said in a gravelly but still authoritative voice. "I’m Onoki, Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure."

Zeldris smiled politely. "The pleasure’s ours, Lord Tsuchikage. I’m surprised a big shot like you would even consider hiring a small-time group like us."

That line made Sasori do a double-take. Small-time? Since when did this guy start being modest? He exchanged a glance with Itachi, who—as usual—reacted with pure silence.

Onoki chuckled. "Zeldris, I presume? You’re younger than I expected... and a lot smoother-talking."

Zeldris held that charming, relaxed expression. "Flattery won’t get you a discount, old man."

That earned a surprised laugh from Onoki. "I’ll keep that in mind."

"Let’s get to the point," Zeldris said, shifting slightly in his chair. "My teammate said the mission involves capturing a missing-nin from your village. Deidara, was it?"

"Ah, yes..." Onoki’s eyes narrowed, and he sighed. "Deidara. My... eccentric former student."

"He defected after going too far with his ’artistic’ explosions. Now he’s out there causing chaos. I’d like him brought back—ideally in one piece, but I’m realistic."

Zeldris raised a brow. "He sounds... fun."

"Depends on your definition of fun. Mine doesn’t involve buildings collapsing."

Onoki pulled out a folded portrait and handed it over. "He’s still in the Land of Earth. Close by, last we heard."

Zeldris glanced at the picture for all of two seconds, then passed it lazily to Sasori and Itachi. "Yeah, I’ve seen his work. Big on fireworks, low on subtlety."

But then he tilted his head and smirked slightly. "That raises a question. If you already have a rough location, why not send someone from your own forces?"

The atmosphere shifted subtly. Zeldris’ gaze locked on the old Tsuchikage, sharp and probing.

Onoki’s smile didn’t flinch. "You’re looking at the reason. I’m old. My back hurts. My knees are worse. And if I go after him myself, I might end up a casualty before the fight even starts."

He paused, then added with dry humor, "Also, Deidara’s got a talent for turning things into ’art’—and I’m not looking to become a museum exhibit."

Zeldris chuckled. "Fair enough. Point taken."

In truth, Onoki was quietly evaluating him. Hmm... no noticeable chakra flare... either he’s suppressing it, or he’s just good at bluffing.

Either way, he’s smart. Definitely not some meathead bounty hunter.

Onoki’s lips curled into a thoughtful smile. He might be useful after all.

Zeldris stood, stretching slightly. "Alright then, let’s go pay your former student a visit."

He turned to his companions. "Time to earn our paycheck."

Sasori stood without a word. Itachi followed, silent as a shadow.

As the three walked out, Onoki watched them closely.

Just as Zeldris turned to leave, he paused mid-step, as if something had clicked in his memory. Glancing over his shoulder at Ōnoki, he spoke in a calm, almost lazy tone.

"Ah, right. About the commission..."

"Two hundred million," Ōnoki cut in firmly before he could finish. "Complete the mission, and not a single ryō will be missing."

Zeldris chuckled lightly, seemingly satisfied. "Good," he said, nodding. With that, he turned and walked off with his two companions.

Watching the trio’s backs fade into the distance, Ōnoki murmured to himself with a smirk, "He really is an interesting little brat..."

Then his expression sharpened. "Let’s see how you handle Deidara."

Outside, Zeldris and his team moved swiftly, heading toward the location provided by Ōnoki. They avoided using any flashy techniques—no flying, no chakra surges. Drawing attention wasn’t part of the plan.

As they ran, Sasori suddenly spoke in a quiet, flat voice.

"You really trust that old man’s words?"

Zeldris glanced at him, slightly puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Sasori didn’t look over. "He doesn’t strike me as someone willing to drop two hundred million for a single job."

Zeldris gave a short laugh. "You can’t judge people by appearances, Sasori. That geezer’s loaded."

After all, in the original story, much of the Akatsuki’s funding came from Iwagakure. It made sense. The man had the money.

While they spoke, the group soon arrived at an abandoned building, just as marked in the intel.

Zeldris studied the structure, then gave a small nod. "This is the place."

He turned to the silent figure beside him. "Itachi. He’s yours."

Without a word, Itachi nodded and stepped forward, pushing open the door.

Inside, a blonde boy crouched on the ground, back turned to them. He didn’t react to their entrance, focused instead on shaping something with his hands.

A small orb of white clay was being molded delicately—slowly taking the form of a centipede.

Zeldris raised an eyebrow. A clay sculptor, huh? This had to be Deidara.

He spoke calmly. "You must be Deidara. Your village’s Tsuchikage asked us to bring you back. So let’s not make this harder than it needs to be."

Deidara’s hands paused briefly.

Then, without looking back, he scoffed. "You mean that decrepit old fossil?"

He turned his head, revealing sharp, annoyed eyes. "I’m not going back to that hellhole. Not when he refuses to acknowledge my art!"

With that, he returned to molding his clay, ignoring them completely.

Zeldris simply gave a small nod to Itachi.

No more words were needed.

Itachi stepped forward slowly, his voice low and steady. "Then let me see what you call art."

As the words left his mouth, his eyes glowed red—his Sharingan activating in a single, fluid motion.

Deidara’s expression shifted at once.

"You... What’s with that look?!"

"You looking down on my art?!"

His tone turned sharp, almost furious.

"Don’t underestimate me, red-eyes."

He gritted his teeth.

"You mock my art...then you’ll see it for yourself!"

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