Time was pressing, and there was no room for delay. Minato decisively grabbed Deidara and instantly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
He sped like lightning to a location close to the target.
It turned out that while retreating earlier, Minato had prepared for the worst and left several Flying Thunder God markers nearby. Returning now was naturally as fast as lightning.
Upon reaching their destination, Minato directly entered Sage Fox Mode. Then, carrying Deidara, he shot into the sky like an arrow loosed from a bow, racing toward the heavens shrouded in blazing flames.
Not only that, Minato carefully covered Deidara with a layer of the Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak. Like an indestructible shield, it effectively warded off the unbearable heat outside.
At the same time, Deidara did not dare waste a moment. He swiftly reached into his waist pouch and pulled out a large lump of Exploding Clay.
Then, he skillfully opened the small pouch on top and poured out all the Stardust within, blending it perfectly with the clay.
Next, Deidara chewed some clay in his mouth while his hands, as if performing magic, continuously kneaded the clay and Stardust together, mixing them thoroughly as quickly as possible.
Then, Deidara opened his mouth and carefully spat out the clay that had already been proportioned inside, swiftly catching it with both hands and beginning a second round of mixing.
His movements were skilled and precise, as though this were not a simple task, but an artistic performance demanding his complete concentration.
As Deidara continued working, the clay in his hands gradually gathered into a sphere the size of a basketball.
There seemed to be nothing special about this sphere. It was merely an ordinary ball.
Yet a grave expression appeared on Deidara's face. His eyes were fixed on the