Seeing Ōnoki's calm gaze, Deidara felt a chill in his heart.
"Maliciously destroying the village... it seems even now, you haven't changed much, Deidara."
Ōnoki carefully examined Deidara and shook his head gently.
"Hmph, if an artist doesn't pursue stronger stimulation, they'll become dull!"
Deidara let out a cold snort and retorted without hesitation.
Hearing Deidara's words, a trace of regret and disappointment flashed in Ōnoki's eyes.
Deidara could be said to be the most talented ninja in all of Iwagakure. Initially, Ōnoki had even planned to train Deidara as a candidate for Tsuchikage.
"In that case, let this old man see your growth!"
As soon as Ōnoki spoke, an Earth Clone quickly emerged from his body.
The moment this Earth Clone appeared, Ōnoki grabbed its neck and squeezed hard, and the clone instantly turned into mud.
In that instant, Ōnoki's hands rapidly formed hand seals.
Earth Style—Rock Column Spear!
Under Ōnoki's chakra concentration, the mud from the Earth Clone quickly gathered together.
It continuously grew larger, forming sharp spear-shaped spikes that shot rapidly toward Deidara.
Deidara hurriedly manipulated the giant bird beneath his feet to dodge to the side while forming hand seals.
"It's not over yet!"
Seeing Deidara's evasive movement, Ōnoki quickly formed a single hand seal.
Earth Style—Earth Dragon Bullet!
The spear flying toward Deidara rapidly expanded and exploded in mid-air.
The mud splashing from the explosion transformed into countless spears, raining down like a storm toward Deidara and White Zetsu.
At this point, even if Deidara wanted to dodge, it was already too late—the range was simply too vast.
"So strong, worthy of being the Tsuchikage!"
White Zetsu widened his eyes, his voice filled with amazement.
Unlike on the ground, normally at such high altitudes in the sky, Earth Style ninjutsu would be suppressed to its limit.
Yet Ōnoki before them, using only the mud from a clone, effortlessly executed two consecutive powerful Earth Style ninjutsu.
"I'm not as weak as you imagine, old man!"
Deidara shouted, and the giant bird beneath his feet rapidly flapped its wings.
Feather-like pieces of clay shot from the bird's wings, rapidly exploding.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A series of explosions rang out, and thick black smoke filled the surroundings, blocking Ōnoki's vision.
Ōnoki frowned at this sight and quickly charged into the black smoke toward Deidara's previous position.
"Gone?"
"Deidara, what exactly are you planning?"
Ōnoki's eyes flickered, and his face showed a thoughtful expression.
After a moment of contemplation, Ōnoki unhesitatingly pursued in the direction Deidara had fled.
Regardless of what Deidara intended to do, Ōnoki had always been confident in his own strength.
In the night sky, two black shadows streaked across above Iwagakure, one chasing the other.
"As expected, he followed."
"Such a stubborn personality."
Deidara glanced backward briefly before returning his gaze forward.
However, White Zetsu, sitting behind Deidara, could see Deidara's shoulders trembling slightly.
Excitement? Agitation?
Or something else?
White Zetsu touched his chin, holding back the urge to ask—he was afraid Deidara might throw him off the giant bird.
Both parties flew quickly, so it didn't take long before Deidara and Ōnoki had flown beyond Iwagakure's boundaries.
At this point, Deidara's speed gradually slowed, and he even turned in mid-air to confront Ōnoki again.
"Finally stopped running? What did you and your companion want to lure this old man out of Iwagakure for?"
Looking at Deidara and White Zetsu across from him, a cold smile appeared on Ōnoki's face.
"Knowing you were being lured out and still following without hesitation—old man, your personality really is annoying."
Deidara jumped from the giant bird, glaring at Ōnoki with an annoyed expression.
After speaking, Deidara grabbed White Zetsu behind him and jumped toward the ground below.
Meanwhile, the giant bird beneath Deidara's feet lunged toward Ōnoki.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted in front of Ōnoki—clearly, this attack was just to buy Deidara time.
During his descent, Deidara wore an excited expression and laughed loudly, his hands rapidly forming seals.
Explosive Clay—Small Flying Birds!
Explosive Clay—Twin-Winged Birds!
Large amounts of clay bombs were continuously released by Deidara, transforming into flying creatures that surrounded Ōnoki in the air.
At the same time, to be safe, Deidara puffed out his cheeks, and clay continuously poured from his mouth.
C2—Dragon!
A giant dragon made entirely of explosive clay quickly circled behind Ōnoki, blocking his retreat.
After completing all this, Deidara and White Zetsu landed on the ground—clearly, Deidara had been preparing from the very beginning.
Only after finishing everything did Deidara breathe a sigh of relief.
Facing Ōnoki, Deidara wasn't as relaxed as he appeared on the surface.
Ōnoki glanced at the massive amount of clay bombs surrounding him, showing no tension on his face.
"So many clay bombs, truly ruthless."
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes slightly. Though his eyes were fixed on Deidara, his peripheral vision continuously scanned the surroundings.
"Ruthless? Art is born from ruthless emotions—a moment of passionate explosion!"
Deidara laughed loudly, his gaze fixed on Ōnoki, and his voice carried rare seriousness:
"Old man, your era should end! You've lived long enough!"
"End? Who gave you the courage—your companions hidden around?"
Ōnoki raised his head slightly, revealing a disdainful expression.
As Ōnoki spoke, the surroundings suddenly went quiet.
"Can't be helped, it seems we've been discovered."
White Zetsu standing beside Deidara muttered quietly.
Rustle! Rustle!
Sounds of leaves rustling echoed from the surrounding forest.
Three figures stepped on leaves, slowly emerging from the shadows of large trees.
Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu!
"Deidara, you made us wait too long. From the looks of it, you didn't find the Four-Tails jinchūriki."
Sasori's voice carried dissatisfaction as he spoke with clear annoyance.
Hearing Sasori's voice, Deidara pouted.
"It's not that we didn't find him—the Four-Tails jinchūriki simply isn't in Iwagakure."
White Zetsu shrugged and spoke helplessly.
Four-Tails jinchūriki?
Hearing the conversation between them, Ōnoki clearly understood Deidara and the others' purpose.
"So it's about the jinchūriki... Deidara, it seems you've completely betrayed the village!"
Ōnoki stared coldly at Deidara, and with the conversation, the last trace of hope in his heart completely vanished.
A powerful aura and killing intent rose from Ōnoki's body.
[
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