"Magnet Release: Gold Sand!"
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
There was nothing more to say. From the moment Sasori brought out the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet, peaceful coexistence between him and Rasa had become impossible.
Massive quantities of Gold Sand and Iron Sand shot into the sky, colliding with one another.
It was impossible to know which side would claim the final victory.
Meanwhile!
Above Sunagakure!
"It seems that Hyuga Chiba's Tenseigan truly is impressive. He's reduced Sunagakure to this state, hmm."
Riding a Clay Bird, Deidara used his specially modified Micro Telescope to observe Sunagakure's current condition.
After the previous battle, the village was now filled with ruined walls, corpses, bloodstains, and more.
Quite a few Sand Ninja and civilians were cleaning up the wreckage.
Naturally, Deidara had no interest in such scenes. He was merely searching for Hyuga Chiba, though he could not help feeling puzzled. "Still, they left behind so many Sand Ninja. Even that guy who plays with Gold Sand wasn't seriously injured."
"Could it be that this Hyuga Chiba's strength is limited? Not only did he fail to become the new One-Tailed Jinchuriki, but he was captured by Sunagakure instead?"
"If that's the case, I'll just take his Tenseigan and the One-Tailed Jinchuriki back with me, hmm."
"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you." A voice suddenly rang out in front of Deidara. "I indeed didn't become the new One-Tailed Jinchuriki, but neither was I captured by Sunagakure."
"Your plan to take my Tenseigan and Gaara back to the Akatsuki will also fail."
"Also, Deidara, Sunagakure's S-Rank Rogue Ninja, I regret to inform you that Sunagakure is now the spoils of war of me, Hyuga Chiba."
"Your unauthorized entry into Sunagakure's airspace has been deemed an invasion of my territory."
"As punishment, you will become my spoils of war as well, or... die by my hand!"
"When did you appear?" Deidara looked at the blue-eyed youth who had appeared before him at some unknown time, surprise flashing across his face before he quickly calmed down. "You're Hyuga Chiba? Those blue eyes are the so-called Tenseigan?"
"No wonder they can stand alongside the Rinnegan. They can actually let you fly through the air?"
"And you seem to know me, as well as the Akatsuki?"
"Still, judging by your tone just now, you probably won't accept our invitation to join the Akatsuki."
"Perfect. Let me see what you're really capable of, hmm."
Before he had even finished speaking, Deidara pulled several Small Clay Birds from the pouch at his waist.
Like living creatures, the birds swiftly flew toward Hyuga Chiba.
"Deidara, don't bother bringing out such pathetic little tricks."
Hyuga Chiba did not even shift his gaze. The instant the Small Clay Birds entered within five meters of him, a force of Repulsion knocked them flying away.
"Just as Zetsu's intelligence said, you possess the same ability as the leader."
Deidara was not overly surprised, but his expression turned much more solemn.
Though he had only seen the leader act a few times, there was no questioning the latter's strength.
"C2 Dragon!"
Without hesitation, Deidara quickly created a Clay Flying Dragon several meters tall.
The Clay Flying Dragon spat out huge numbers of Small Clay Birds from its mouth while flapping its wings and flying toward Chiba.
"Too slow. Let me give you a hand."
"Universal Pull!"
Chiba raised a hand, and a powerful attractive force simultaneously acted upon the Small Clay Birds, the Clay Flying Dragon, and Deidara himself.
"Heh, I never thought the Tenseigan's owner would be such an idiot."
Seeing both himself and the Clay Flying Dragon being irresistibly dragged toward Hyuga Chiba, Deidara laughed instead of panicking.
After all, the closer his clay bombs got to their target, the more powerful they became.
Unless...
"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"
Just as the Small Clay Birds and Clay Flying Dragon drew closer and closer to Hyuga Chiba, and Deidara prepared at any moment to shout "Detonate" and set off the clay, massive currents of electricity rapidly spread outward in every direction from Hyuga Chiba.
As everyone knew, in the Ninja World, Lightning Release countered Earth Release.
It was hard to say whether Deidara's clay bombs counted as Earth Release, but they were likewise countered by Lightning Release.
Thus, the Small Clay Birds and Clay Flying Dragon instantly became a pile of duds under the effects of Lightning Release.
"Damn it!"
"How did he know Lightning Release could counter my clay bombs? Was it a coincidence?"
Deidara's face darkened, and he was deeply shocked.
Worse still, he was also within the attack range of Lightning Style: False Darkness.
And because Universal Pull was still in effect, he had no way to dodge at all.
At the critical moment, Deidara used the hand speed of a lifelong bachelor to create a Clay Clone in front of himself, barely avoiding being electrocuted.
This also rendered that Clay Clone useless.
Furthermore, all of Deidara's methods required sufficient Explosive Clay to carry out.
He had brought plenty of Explosive Clay this time, but he had an inexplicable feeling that it might not be enough.
"You've attacked twice already. Now it's my turn."
At that moment, the corner of Chiba's mouth curved up. He raised his hand and struck an empty palm toward Deidara:
"Lightning Style: Air Palm!"
A two-meter-long hand of lightning instantly took shape and slammed toward Deidara at incredible speed.
From a distance, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the Buddha Palm from the films Chiba had watched in his previous life.
"Not good!"
Deidara's expression changed again. Although the pull of Universal Pull had vanished, the lightning hand was incomparably fast.
Before he could do anything, the lightning hand struck him.
Bang!
Crackle!
At that instant, Deidara felt an immense force crash into him, while violent currents stimulated every part of his body, inside and out.
His body inevitably fell from dozens of meters in the air and crashed into the ground, smashing out a small human-shaped crater.
"Hyuga Chiba!"
"You've truly angered me. I'll show you my art."
The facts proved that although most ninja had high offense and low defense, Deidara had not completely lost his ability to fight because of this.
On the contrary, the enraged Deidara swiftly got to his feet and created a Clay Doll identical to himself.
Immediately afterward, the doll's body grew larger and larger, eventually becoming a Clay Giant dozens of meters tall.
"This C4 Karura was originally prepared for Itachi, but now... Hyuga Chiba, you can go die together with all of Sunagakure, hmm."
While explaining, Deidara created another Clay Bird and flew back into the sky.
Next, he would properly enjoy the sight of Hyuga Chiba being killed by his C4 Karura.
As for Sunagakure? It was merely collateral damage.
Before you continue