After calming Fugaku and the others, Yuzuru rose directly into the sky.
At this moment, Deidara's expression had already turned somewhat hysterical.
In his eyes, having his consecutive attacks blocked was the greatest insult to his art.
These people simply didn't recognize his art, which was why they kept trying to stop his explosions at all costs!
Thinking this, Deidara plunged both hands into his ninja pouch and stuffed all the explosive clay inside into his body.
"Hehehe… This time, there's no way you'll be able to block it."
"Looks like you've thought of something that excites you quite a bit?"
The voice that suddenly rang out by his ear made Deidara's pupils shrink.
He abruptly looked up, only to find that a man had appeared before him at some unknown moment.
After seeing the man's face clearly, the excitement on Deidara's face only grew stronger.
He exclaimed, "Uchiha Yuzuru!"
Looking at that familiar face, Yuzuru couldn't help but recall many things from the original story.
Deidara was a madman, yes—but he was also like a stubborn child.
After joining the Akatsuki, he had always harbored a grudge, treating Uchiha Itachi as a rival and training his eyes for years on end.
Even toward Sasori, who didn't acknowledge his art, he still showed respect in his words.
When paired with Tobi, he carried himself with the demeanor of a senior.
During his fight with Uchiha Sasuke, he even gave up detonating his clay when it might have harm Tobi.
Even at the moment of his self-destruction, his final thought had been an apology to Tobi…
In his previous life, Yuzuru had actually quite liked Deidara.
And now, Deidara still held some value to him.
Seeing Yuzuru staring silently at him, Deidara shouted, "Uchiha Yuzuru, did my art attract you here?"
"You recognize my art now, don't you?"
Yuzuru let out a snort. "Throwing explosive clay around and blowing things up everywhere—what kind of art is that?"
"It looks no different from a brat throwing firecrackers during New Year. The only difference is that your clay is a bit more powerful."
Deidara froze for a moment upon hearing this, then angrily retorted, "How can firecrackers possibly be compared to my art?"
He took out several clay spiders, birds, and centipedes from his chest and snapped, "Look at these—can firecrackers compare to this?"
Yuzuru showed a look of sudden realization and said, "Indeed, they're not the same."
Before Deidara could show a pleased expression, Yuzuru continued, "Yours is just combining a kid playing with clay and a kid throwing firecrackers."
Seeing the teasing look on Yuzuru's face, a smile appeared on Deidara's lips.
"So the legendary Uchiha Yuzuru is nothing special after all."
"Since you don't recognize my art, I'll let you die beneath it."
As his voice fell, several birds landed on Yuzuru's shoulders.
Deidara formed a hand seal, ready to detonate them immediately.
At that moment, Yuzuru's voice slowly sounded, "Why don't you take a closer look before acting?"
Deidara froze, and his vision suddenly blurred.
When he came back to his senses, he found himself standing on an empty stretch of land.
On his shoulders stood the very birds he had intended to detonate.
"A genjutsu?"
"W-When…"
Cold sweat trickled down Deidara's forehead.
If Yuzuru hadn't warned him just now, he would have blown himself up.
Meanwhile, Yuzuru stood on a high platform ahead, with the radiant sun behind him.
In Deidara's eyes, Yuzuru looked like a god. Those crimson Mangekyo Sharingan emitted an eerie aura, their brilliance so intense that he could barely keep his eyes open.
For someone who had always lived immersed in his own world, Deidara now felt his heart pounding uncontrollably.
This was art.
This—was true art!
A terrifying thought surfaced in his mind, startling him.
For the first time, he felt a sense of inferiority toward his own art.
"Deidara, follow me from now on. I can guide your art and help you go even further."
Hearing this, Deidara snapped back to reality.
He let out a cold laugh and created a massive clay bird, soaring into the sky. "Don't joke around. My art doesn't need anyone's guidance."
"Die beneath my art!"
As he spoke, a large amount of explosive clay began pouring out of his mouth.
Soon, a gigantic clay puppet—hundreds of meters tall—appeared within the Kamui Space.
"C4: Karura!"
As Deidara detonated the bomb, the giant puppet began to swell continuously.
Yet when it reached its limit, instead of exploding violently like before, it deflated like a leaking balloon and slowly dispersed in the air.
Looking at Yuzuru standing motionless, Deidara's lips curled into a smile.
"Disappear—Katsu!"
C4: Karura was a masterpiece he had developed. After the giant puppet exploded, it would release countless microscopic clay spiders invisible to the naked eye.
These spiders would float through the air and be inhaled by nearby organisms.
Once detonated, all the tiny spiders inside the body would explode simultaneously.
These explosions were nearly undetectable, yet they would destroy the body from within.
From the outside, the victim would crumble and scatter like sand.
But now… Yuzuru, who should have been obliterated, still stood there completely unharmed.
"How is this possible?!"
Seeing Deidara's shocked expression, Yuzuru spoke calmly.
"Deidara, there's no need to look so surprised."
"Turning explosive clay into microscopic bombs that can be inhaled is indeed a clever idea. Unfortunately…"
"Your little tricks are completely exposed before these eyes."
"Little tricks?"
"Don't get so full of yourself!"
Panting, Deidara descended from the sky, his face filled with anger and unwillingness.
The prolonged battle had already drained most of his chakra.
Even so, he couldn't allow anyone to insult his art.
With that thought, Deidara tore off his shirt, revealing a mouth on his chest.
He stuffed all his remaining explosive clay into it, his gaze locked firmly on Yuzuru.
"Now, I'll show you… my ultimate art!"