Night was the best disguise.
Riding atop a massive Clay Bird, Deidara looked down at the sparsely lit Sunagakure below, trembling with excitement.
"Finally, it begins! Let the mortals of Sunagakure witness my momentary art! Hmm!"
He pulled out a large handful of C1 Clay from his ninja tool pouch and expertly chewed it with the mouths in his palms. Before long, palm-sized Clay Spiders came to life one after another and crawled down the bird's wings.
Yet within Sunagakure, atop the Kazekage Building, Gaara stood with his eyes closed. His Sand Eye had already taken in everything beyond the village.
"They're here."
He spoke calmly, and his orders were swiftly relayed to every prearranged position in the village.
"All fire teams, enter Level One combat readiness. Proceed according to plan."
The instant the order was given, all of Sunagakure seemed to become a colossal beast awakening from slumber. Concealed doors atop buildings and in the shadows of street corners slid open one after another. Squads of well-equipped Sunagakure ninja rapidly took their positions, their black Bolter muzzles all aimed skyward.
"Art is an explosion! Drink!"
Deidara laughed wildly and hurled down Clay Spiders like raindrops.
But what greeted them was not screams and fire.
"Open fire!"
At the command, dozens of firing positions unleashed deadly volleys at once. Special tracer rounds wove an impenetrable web of death across the night sky.
Then, several Wind Release ninja formed hand seals at the same time.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A howling gale rose up, sweeping all the Clay Spider fragments that had yet to reach the ground high into the air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A chain of explosions blossomed hundreds of meters overhead, their brilliant flames flickering across Deidara's stunned face.
"What?!"
Meanwhile, at the village's main gate.
The yellow sand