Konoha Village.
The villagers walked through the streets as usual, the air filled with the warmth of everyday life.
Beneath their feet, a vast network of interconnected tunnels stretched in all directions.
These underground passages had been constructed years ago by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura to defend against surprise attacks from Yuzuru.
After eliminating them, Yuzuru did not abandon these structures. Instead, he invested time into improving them, transforming them into underground fortresses spread throughout Konoha.
At this moment, inside the largest chamber of one such fortress, hundreds of ninjas wore devices on their heads that enhanced their sensory abilities.
The devices were interconnected, forming a massive information network.
Through them, members of the Barrier Team could not only communicate in real time, but an astonishingly complete image of Konoha itself appeared within their minds.
As long as they wished, they could clearly "see" any location in Konoha that was not protected by a barrier.
Of course, to prevent invasions of privacy, houses in Konoha were built with simple barrier inscriptions, so the sensory team could not perceive what happened indoors.
Suddenly, a member of the Barrier Team frowned and said in a low voice, "A giant bird has entered Konoha's airspace from the northwest. Everyone, stay alert!"
As his words fell, the patrol ninjas stationed in the northwest immediately received the message.
"Daiyan, take a look."
"Yes!"
Hyuga Daiyan formed hand seals, and his pale eyes instantly sharpened.
"Byakugan!"
With the Byakugan's immense range and clarity, he quickly spotted the giant bird in the sky.
After just a glance, he pressed his earpiece and reported loudly, "Target confirmed. The giant bird is composed entirely of chakra. It should be a construct created through ninjutsu."
"There is also a ninja on its back."
"The bird and its rider are heading toward the center of the village."
After finishing his report, Inoichi Yamanaka from the Barrier Team immediately stood up.
"Shikaku, we have an intruder!"
"Assess the threat and initiate emergency measures."
"Yes!"
Orders were issued one after another. Konoha's ninja squads began moving in an orderly fashion toward their designated zones.
At the same time, inside the Hokage's office, Fugaku had already received the report.
He picked up the phone on his desk and said in a deep voice, "Inform Lord Yuzuru. Also notify Orochimaru—have him send Sasori to probe the enemy's strength."
"Understood!"
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"So this is Konoha… it's really prosperous."
"There are strange things everywhere. The people living here must be very open-minded, huh?"
"Heh heh heh… they'll definitely be amazed by my art."
Deidara controlled the giant bird as it swiftly approached the center of Konoha.
His target was the Hokage Building.
If he could blow it sky-high, that would be perfect.
Just as Deidara was lost in his thoughts, sharp iron spears suddenly shot up from below.
He controlled the giant bird to dodge, halting abruptly in midair.
In front of him, a winged puppet was already poised to attack.
"Ugly."
Deidara looked at the puppet with obvious disdain.
Hearing that, Sasori, who was controlling the Third Kazekage puppet, let out a cold snort, clearly displeased.
"Who are you? What are you doing in Konoha?"
At the question, Deidara's face lit up with excitement.
"My name is Deidara! I came to Konoha to show you my art."
"Trust me—you're going to love it."
"Deidara?" Sasori frowned slightly in thought before replying coldly, "The rumored disciple of Onoki, the Tsuchikage?"
"Is Iwagakure declaring war on Konoha?"
Deidara dug at his ear impatiently. "Are you deaf? I came here to show you my art. What does that old man Onoki have to do with it?"
Hearing Deidara mention "art" again, Sasori asked, "What exactly is this 'art' you speak of?"
Without hesitation, Deidara replied, "Explosions, of course! Art is explosion!"
"Releasing the most brilliant light in the shortest moment—can you imagine that?"
Unlike Deidara's excitement, Sasori's tone remained calm. "I have no interest in things that are fleeting. But since we've met, I can teach you something."
"True art is eternal… just like my puppets."
"Huh?!" Deidara exaggerated his expression. "Do you even understand art?"
"Take a look at this."
He tossed out a small spider made of explosive clay.
"Detonate!"
Boom!
The spider exploded instantly between him and the Third Kazekage puppet, producing a loud blast.
Deidara laughed excitedly. "Well? Do you feel the charm of my art?"
Sasori did not answer. He simply said coldly, "So you came to Konoha… to detonate bombs?"
Seeing Sasori's indifference, Deidara snapped angrily, "Not bombs—it's art!"
Sasori stopped wasting words. After briefly relaying the information, he immediately controlled the Third Kazekage puppet to attack.
"Thousand Hands Manipulation!"
With a low shout, countless poisoned kunai shot out from the puppet's arms.
Deidara quickly maneuvered the giant bird to evade.
"You don't understand art! Call out Yuzuru!"
"How dare you speak Lord Yuzuru's name so casually. Die."
The Third Kazekage puppet opened its mouth, unleashing a storm of senbon toward Deidara.
Deidara formed a giant white bird, blocking all incoming attacks.
Taking advantage of the moment, he created over a dozen white birds and sent them flying toward the puppet.
"Detonate!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the white birds approached the puppet, Deidara triggered the explosions.
A series of blasts echoed across the sky.
On the ground, people were drawn by the sound and looked up.
"What's going on? Why are there explosions in broad daylight?"
"Look! Someone's fighting in the sky!"
"A spar? Doesn't look like it…"
"Could it be an attack on Konoha? No way… right?"
Perhaps because they had not experienced war in a long time, the villagers did not immediately seek shelter. Instead, they stood there like spectators, watching the battle unfold.
They even made casual remarks from time to time, completely at ease.
"Hahahaha! See that? Even the people below are captivated by my art!"
"I suggest you give up those ugly puppets. Your art doesn't even come close to mine!"
Magnets spread out before the Third Kazekage puppet as Sasori's voice rang out again.
"You've already gone astray. I'll turn you into a human puppet and let you experience what true eternal art is."
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"