Accompanied by Deidara's slightly crazed laughter, five or six palm-sized clay birds with rapidly flapping wings flew from the white giant bird in the sky as if it were laying eggs.
Under Deidara's control, they seemed even more agile than real birds. After tracing sharp arcs through the air, they successfully approached the Green-Eyed Golden Eagles circling up and down outside their nest.
"Ha ha, have a taste of my little darlings! Drink!"
Unable to suppress his excitement any longer, Deidara rose to his feet atop the Clay Bird and excitedly formed a one-handed seal.
Boom!
The clay birds that had approached within three meters of the Green-Eyed Golden Eagles exploded. Flames and smoke engulfed all five eagles, while shattered chunks of clay shot wildly in every direction like bullets, propelled by the blast.
"Caw!"
"Hoot!"
"Squawk!"
Caught off guard by the attack, the Green-Eyed Golden Eagles fell into chaos, crying out as they scattered in every direction. Countless feathers drifted through the air.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Konan knew she could not hesitate any longer. These Iwagakure ninja had powerful offensive abilities; those few eagles would not be able to hold them back for long.
And if they got the token first, taking it back would become troublesome.
With that thought, she rapidly formed hand seals. "Dance of the Shikigami!"
Whoosh~
Countless sheets of paper fluttered gracefully around her, quickly gathering behind her back and forming two broad, snow-white wings.
With a flap of her wings, Konan shot out from behind the tree trunk where she had been hiding and blocked the path of the giant bird Deidara's group was riding.
"Hm?"
Having blown away an entire nest of Green-Eyed Golden Eagles in a single exchange, Deidara had been preparing to descend and collect the token. When he saw