Deidara's fanatical smile froze in midair. He stared in disbelief at the unharmed Arsenal below and the energy shield that treated his prized work of art like fireworks for viewing.
"This... this is blasphemy against art!"
After a brief moment of shock came towering rage. Deidara roared as he controlled the Giant Clay Bird to climb rapidly, trying to find a blind spot in the defense system.
But on the ground, more trainees poured out of the barracks. Under the command of a masked instructor, they swiftly formed an anti-air formation a hundred strong.
"Anti-Air Formation One! Lock onto the target!"
"Change ammunition, A-3 long-range high-explosive rounds!"
"Fire!"
The cold commands were issued.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The next second, hundreds of specially modified rounds, enhanced in both range and power, streaked into the sky with dark blue trails. They crisscrossed in the air, forming an inescapable net without a single blind spot, sealing off every route Deidara could take.
Deidara was horrified. He could even see the runes flashing on those rounds. Focusing with all his might, he desperately controlled the Giant Clay Bird as it weaved through the barrage.
But the attacks were simply too dense.
Pfft! Pfft!
Several bullets struck the Giant Clay Bird's wings and tail with precision.
"Not good!"
Deidara had only enough time to cry out before a violent explosion erupted beneath him.
He twisted awkwardly through the air as the wreckage of the Clay Bird fell trailing black smoke. Standing atop a hastily molded little bird, he barely managed to steady himself. Looking down, he saw that the Iron Fortress beneath the protection of its energy shield had not even lost a single brick.
Though it had caused some fluctuations in the shield, it clearly had not reached the critical threshold.
That dazzling