"Coming in broad daylight was the right call!" Deidara adjusted the miniature telescope over his right eye, his voice bright with excitement.
"We've got a clear target and a brilliantly lit stage! I'll make everyone in the Hidden Sand Village see my art, yeah!"
Sasori gave no reply from inside Hiruko. He was carefully watching the activity below.
The Hidden Sand Village patrols had already spotted the Clay Dragon in the sky. They shouted for squad after squad to assemble.
One Jōnin led a group toward the equipment area, while another squad began evacuating the villagers, herding them into the underground shelters they had just dug.
"Don't get careless. They've spotted us."
Deidara tossed his hair, unconcerned.
"Isn't that even better? Now they can get a proper look at my art!"
As he spoke, he emptied all the clay from his tool pouch and expertly fed it into his mouth to prepare the mixture.
His words came out a little muffled. "This time... I brought plenty of Explosive Clay..."
His fingers flew. Soon, C3 doll bombs of different sizes stood in a neat row on the dragon's back.
On the ground, at the Sea Mountain Cliff base.
Aikawa stood on a raised platform in front of the equipment area, holding a thirty-centimeter black rod.
He was an elite Jōnin who had survived the previous Gold Mine Battle in Bear Country, and a friend of Kinoshita's.
After Pakura rescued him, he had remained in the Hidden Sand Village to oversee defensive training.
When Iwagakure posted a job on the Black Market, Aikawa volunteered to come to Sea Mountain Cliff. The village had begun building Seawater Desalination Devices here and at Gourd Mouth.
Akatsuki was bound to come eventually.
They had chosen Gourd Mouth first, but today he had finally caught