Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 169: Unexpected Visitor

Deidara quickly stopped using chakra.

However, he overlooked one thing: it wasn't just himself that had been parasitized by the explosive insects but also the clay bird beneath him.

Although the clay bird was made of clay, what enabled it to fly like a living creature was the chakra infused within the clay.

Every flap of the clay bird's wings indicated the chakra inside was in motion.

Thus, while Deidara showed no immediate signs, the belly of the clay bird suddenly revealed a grotesque and enormous spider pattern.

This was the explosive insect residing inside the clay bird.

Soon.

With a "boom," the now mature explosive insect exploded within, shattering the clay bird into pieces.

Deidara found himself suddenly in free fall, rapidly plummeting towards the ground.

At such a height, though he wouldn't end up a bloody mess, losing a limb or two was almost certain.

Seeing this, Deidara quickly molded a new clay bird to carry him back into the sky.

By doing so, Deidara could feel the creatures within his body becoming active again.

He unbuttoned his Akatsuki robe, tore open his shirt, and looked down at his chest, where several grotesque spider legs were already protruding, and the outline of the explosive insect was becoming more visible on his chest.

"No wonder those guys were so relentless. It turns out they had this kind of secret technique. Though self-detonation is a beautiful way to die, I still have many artistic creations to complete. Now is not the time to die for art! Hm!"

Deidara glanced in the direction where the Nokizaru group had fled.

This was the second time he had suffered at the hands of someone, the first being Uchiha Itachi.

Although he wanted to kill those guys, he thought about it and decided that his own life was more important. He averted his gaze and directed the new clay bird to fly away, avoiding further trouble.

Meanwhile, he sat on the clay bird's back, contemplating a way to remove the explosive insect from his body.

"The secret technique those five used is somewhat similar to my C4 Karura."

Recalling it now, Deidara was sure that the light emitted by the Nokizaru group was just a distraction, with the real killer move being the tiny and barely noticeable explosive insect eggs.

In that moment of distraction, the eggs entered his body through his breath, completing the parasitism.

His C4 Karura worked similarly, with an explosive doll resembling himself. Upon detonation, it would release countless microscopic clay spiders into the air. These would be inhaled by living beings, effectively planting a series of bombs throughout their bodies.

When these bombs detonated, they would destroy the host from within.

Because of this, Deidara had considerable experience with such microscopic internal bombs.

After some time, he had a breakthrough.

Looking around at the clouds, he felt it was safe to proceed without interruption. He grabbed a large handful of clay from his ninja pouch and swallowed it all.

As his mouth and throat bulged, Deidara formed a hand seal, and the clay within his body transformed into microscopic clay spiders. These quickly spread throughout his body and approached the explosive insect.

The explosive insect, having absorbed some of his chakra, had grown.

Deidara, undeterred, ordered the clay spiders to swarm the explosive insect, integrating themselves into it.

If triggered forcibly, the explosive insect would detonate.

But the microscopic clay spiders, being extremely tiny, initially went unnoticed by the explosive insect.

By the time the explosive insect realized something was wrong, it was too late, as its body was filled with clay spiders, which took control.

It was a game of reaction, and Deidara won.

However, it wasn't over yet.

Deidara pulled out a kunai and made a deep cut across his chest, blood flowing freely.

With a grim expression, he reached into his body, extracted the explosive insect, and then used a ball of clay to seal his wound.

Only then did he finally relax:

"I almost fell for it. Hm."

Despite this, there was no regret on his face.

Given another chance, he would still blow up the Daimyo's mansion, even if it meant facing the Nokizaru group again.

Such was the dedication of a true artist.

Deidara examined the grotesque explosive insect in his hand and tossed it away.

With a "boom," the insect exploded as the clay spiders' control dissipated.

"Not bad, an interesting form of art."

Deidara had thus neutralized the Nokizaru group's secret technique.

However, he calculated that they must have fled far by now, and chasing them would likely be futile.

Not wasting any more time, he directed his clay bird to meet up with Sasori as planned.

But soon after taking off, the clay bird seemed to collide with something, its head dented with a loud "bang," and it plummeted down.

Barely managing to stay on, Deidara stabilized himself and made the bird rise again.

Then he checked the bird's badly dented head.

"What happened?"

Deidara hadn't noticed anything unusual and was pondering how to explain his delay to Sasori.

With a bewildered look, he scanned the surroundings, seeing only blue skies and white clouds, with nothing obstructing his path.

He tried flying the bird along the same path again.

Soon, the bird's head dented once more.

It was as if there was an invisible wall blocking the way.

Expertly stabilizing the bird, Deidara had it hover in place.

He extended his hand and pressed forward.

Indeed, an invisible barrier stopped him.

With a smirk, Deidara realized:

"A barrier!"

As he spoke, chakra flowed from his palm.

In an instant, it was as if a veil was lifted.

A magnificent airborne fortress appeared before his eyes.

Mouth agape, Deidara stared in awe, murmuring to himself:

"If fireworks were set off here, it would be the greatest piece of art! Hm!!!"

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