Deidara immediately stopped using chakra.
But he had overlooked one crucial detail: the Bursting Bugs hadn't just parasitized him—they had also infected the clay bird beneath him.
Although the clay bird was made of clay, it was chakra that allowed it to fly as if it were a living creature.
Each flap of the clay bird's wings signified the circulation of chakra within it.
Therefore, before Deidara himself showed any signs, the abdomen of the clay bird already had a hideous, massive spider mark bulging out.
That was the Bursting Bug inside the clay bird.
Very quickly…
Boom!
The now-mature Bursting Bug exploded within the bird, instantly reducing it to dust.
With nothing beneath him, Deidara began plummeting toward the ground.
From such a height, while he wouldn't be reduced to a bloody pulp, there was no doubt that he would lose at least a few limbs.
Seeing this, Deidara quickly formed another clay bird to carry him back into the sky.
As soon as he did, Deidara could feel the creature inside his own body becoming more active.
He unbuttoned his Akatsuki robe, pulled his shirt aside, and looked down at his chest, where the grotesque outline of the Bursting Bug was already visible, with several spider legs protruding.
"No wonder those guys were so determined to chase me down. They had this kind of secret technique. Although self-destruction would be a fine way to go, I still have many art projects to complete. It's not time for me to sacrifice myself for art just yet! Hmm!"
Deidara glanced in the direction where Team Rockhead had already fled.
This was the second time he had been outwitted by someone, after Uchiha Itachi.
Although he wanted to take out those guys, he thought about it and decided that his life was more important. He withdrew his gaze and allowed the new clay bird to fly far away, hoping to avoid any further trouble.
Meanwhile, sitting on the back of his clay bird, Deidara carefully pondered how to deal with the Bursting Bug inside him.
"Their secret technique is somewhat similar to my C4: Karura."
Thinking back, Deidara was now certain that the bright flash unleashed by Team Rockhead was merely a distraction.
The real threat had been the microscopic Bursting Bug eggs that had entered his body while he was briefly stunned.
In a way, it was similar to how his C4: Karura worked.
When he activated C4, the large human-shaped clay bomb would explode, and although it seemed like the damage was limited, the truth was that it released microscopic clay spiders into the air. These tiny spiders would be inhaled by living creatures, planting countless tiny bombs inside their bodies.
Once detonated, the bombs would destroy the body from the inside out, leaving no chance of survival.
Because of this, Deidara had a lot of experience with the concept of microscopic bombs that could lurk inside the human body and explode.
Now that he reversed his thinking, although there were differences with the chakra-absorbing Bursting Bugs, over time, he began to figure it out.
After a while, Deidara lifted his head, surrounded by nothing but white clouds.
Confident that no one would disturb him, he wasted no time. Grabbing a large handful of clay from his ninja pouch, he opened his mouth wide and swallowed it all.
Gulp~ Gulp~
Deidara's mouth and throat swelled as he quickly formed hand seals. The clay inside his body instantly transformed into microscopic clay spiders, which hopped around rapidly, spreading throughout his body and converging near the Bursting Bug.
By this point, the Bursting Bug had already expanded again due to his recent use of chakra.
Unbothered, Deidara ordered the mass of clay spiders to swarm the Bursting Bug like ants, swiftly merging with it.
If the Bursting Bug was forcibly disturbed, it would immediately explode.
But the clay spiders from C4: Karura were so tiny that the Bursting Bug didn't react at first.
By the time it realized something was wrong and tried to self-destruct, Deidara's body was already filled with clay spiders, which had taken control of it, turning the tables.
It was a game of reflexes.
Fortunately for Deidara, he won this round.
But it wasn't over yet.
Deidara pulled out a kunai and slashed across his chest, blood flowing freely.
Without changing his expression, he reached into his body and extracted the Bursting Bug. Then he packed the wound with some clay to seal it up.
Only then did he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I almost messed up here. Hmm."
Though he said this, there wasn't a hint of regret on Deidara's face.
If he had to do it again, even knowing he'd run into Team Rockhead, he would still have blown up the Daimyo's mansion.
That was the professional integrity of a true artist.
Deidara examined the grotesque and ugly Bursting Bug in his hand, then casually tossed it aside.
Boom!
With the clay spiders no longer restraining it, the Bursting Bug finally exploded.
"Not bad, it's quite an interesting form of art."
And just like that, Deidara had cracked the secret technique of Team Rockhead, infamous throughout the ninja world.
As the saying goes, every profession has its specialists.
Deidara estimated that by now, Team Rockhead was likely far away, and if he pursued them, he probably wouldn't get any results.
Not wanting to waste more time, he controlled his clay bird, turning it in the direction of his original plan—to meet up with Sasori.
But he hadn't gone far.
Bang!
His clay bird suddenly slammed into something, its head denting inward as it plummeted toward the ground.
Deidara, nearly thrown off, steadied himself just in time, and with some effort, brought the clay bird back into the air.
Only then did he have the chance to inspect the bird's head, which looked as though it had been struck by a heavy hammer.
"What just happened?"
Deidara hadn't noticed what he had hit. His mind was preoccupied with how he was going to explain his lateness to Sasori.
Perplexed, Deidara scanned the sky around him. All he saw were blue skies and white clouds—nothing that could have blocked his way.
He tried sending the clay bird along the same path again.
Bang!
Once more, the clay bird's head caved in.
It felt as if there was an invisible wall blocking his path.
Deidara, experienced as he was, steadied the bird and stopped it in place.
He thought of something and reached out his hand, pressing forward.
Sure enough, an invisible barrier was preventing him from moving forward.
Deidara grinned and immediately recognized it.
"A barrier!"
As soon as he spoke, chakra flowed from his outstretched palm.
In the next instant, the scene before him changed dramatically.
It was as if the veil had been lifted.
A massive, magnificent airborne fortress appeared in front of him.
Deidara's mouth fell open in astonishment as he stared at the sight before him. He muttered to himself:
"If I could set off fireworks here, it would be the greatest masterpiece! Hmm!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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