They had begun their move. Deidara dropped a mass of Explosive Clay from the sky. The white clay instantly took the shape of birds, circling overhead like a flock of migrating birds.
Some of the children below spotted them and beamed with innocent delight. They had no idea that the beautiful birds they were watching were harbingers of death.
Under Deidara's control, every bird made of Explosive Clay suddenly dived. One child thought the birds were coming down to play with him, unaware that they might be the last thing he ever saw.
Uchiha Itachi did not know the details of their plan. Watching from where he stood, his heart clenched. He feared that once the smoke cleared, bodies would be strewn everywhere.
In fact, Orochimaru and Deidara had worked out the rough outline of their plan while riding the Clay Bird into the sky. Orochimaru's expression was grave as he said quickly, "Drop the Explosive Clay first, but control the amount. We need a lot of smoke, not an explosion that actually kills anyone!"
Delight flashed across Deidara's face, followed at once by confusion. "But they'll still be up and moving around. Obito will definitely know something's wrong!"
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll make sure they can't move!" He gave Deidara's shoulder a light pat of encouragement.
Deidara had only recently met Orochimaru and did not know what he was capable of. Besides, Orochimaru had been here far longer than he had. With no other choice, Deidara followed his lead.
Orochimaru kept his eyes fixed on Deidara's Explosive Clay. As soon as the deafening blasts rang out, his face lit up with delight. Deidara had done exactly as he had asked, and thick smoke spread through the village.
Screams rose from the people below. Orochimaru chose that moment