The bits that looked like shattered clay did not fall. Instead, they unfurled into tiny spiders and crawled up Ōnoki's arm toward his body.
Even Ōnoki froze for a moment. Every one of those spiders was a tiny bomb. If they all exploded at once, he would be in trouble.
Deidara stood across from Ōnoki, watching with obvious amusement. "Well, teacher? Not bad, right?"
Ōnoki snorted and used the Light-Weight Rock Technique, greatly reducing the spiders' weight. He jerked backward, and the wind from his movement blew them off.
Deidara saw what was happening and shouted. The little spiders exploded in midair, their small blasts joining into a display as pretty as fireworks.
Ōnoki mocked him without restraint. "Hmm, very nice. I never knew you liked fireworks so much!"
Deidara nearly choked on his frustration. Grimacing, he said, "Don't be impatient, teacher. The good part is still to come!"
He released another large white bird to fly at Ōnoki from one side while he rushed in from the other. He moved fast, hoping to finish Ōnoki before he could react.
But that was wishful thinking. With the Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique, Ōnoki was frighteningly fast. Neither bird could catch him.
After several passes, Deidara had burned through a great deal of Chakra. His bird was beginning to wobble, and he could barely control it.
At that point, Deidara had no energy left to keep looking for an opening. He sent both birds hurtling straight at Ōnoki at full speed. With the last of his Chakra, he shouted. Two thunderous booms rang out as the birds exploded in midair, sending thick clouds of dust drifting down. If one ignored how dangerous they had been moments earlier, the explosions were quite beautiful.
There was a reason Deidara called explosions art. After that final