On the Land of Wind's coast stood the Gourd's Mouth Base.
The night sky was clear, the paths of the stars distinct.
Deidara sat cross-legged on the back of a massive Clay Dragon. He took out a large chunk of Explosive Clay and began kneading it between his hands.
He was still chewing another piece to get the mixture right.
A row of finished bombs lay before him.
Though their shapes varied, they were all white and humanoid.
They were all C3 bombs, with different explosive yields depending on their mixtures.
Deidara would have to test them to find out which were stronger.
And tonight was the perfect chance.
He leaned over and glanced down.
"We're too high up, Sasori. I can't see a thing, even with the telescope."
He adjusted the miniature telescope fitted over his right eye. Its lens showed only darkness, without even a glimpse of a torch.
The Hidden Sand Village's defenses did not rely on lights. The Solar-Powered Seawater Desalination Devices did not need electricity in the first place.
Besides, they lived in a desert and had long been used to going without electricity. Compared to having no water, that hardship was nothing.
With no lights below, there was nothing to see by.
Even from high above, Deidara could not make out what lay beneath him.
Still chewing his clay, Deidara asked indistinctly:
"Sasori, what exactly are we trying to do this time? Just blow up the devices?"
Hiruko's tail flicked through the air. Sasori had a feeling he might not get a chance to fight.
Sasori's voice came from inside the puppet, carrying Hiruko's distinctive rasp. "This is a trial attack."
"Once we've bombed them and seen how the Hidden Sand Village responds, we can plan our next move."
The Hidden Sand Village had