"Damn it, if this keeps up, I'm definitely going to lose."
Deidara was both shocked and helpless at the power of Pikachu's Lightning Release.
Lightning Release was a major counter to his explosive clay.
Whenever he faced a master of Lightning Release, his strength could only reach about seventy percent, sometimes even less.
He had long noticed this issue, but overcoming it was extremely difficult.
"Deidara-senpai, are you alright?"
Watching Deidara land steadily, Kimimaro asked with feigned concern.
"How did you know how to counter my explosive clay?"
"It's called explosive clay, so it must be an Earth Release technique. It's not going to be Lightning, Wind, Water, or Fire, right? And everyone knows Lightning Release counters Earth Release—even academy students know that, Deidara-senpai."
Deidara was momentarily speechless. That made sense.
"Lightning Release counters Earth Release, huh? I refuse to believe that your summoned beast's Lightning Release can completely counter all of my explosive clay!"
While speaking, Deidara sculpted another clay bird and sent it soaring into the sky.
This time, it flew higher than Pikachu's attack range.
"Higher, huh? Looks like you're planning a big move. If that's the case, little guy, come back for now. You've done great already."
At the command, Pikachu sheathed its twin blades and jumped onto Kimimaro's shoulder.
The twin-blade training session was over.
"Kimimaro, you can't expect to beat me with just one summoned beast! Try this and see if your Shikotsumyaku can leave a complete corpse after the explosion! Hahaha!"
Deidara was genuinely angry now.
It wasn't surprising—he was being countered at every turn, and it was driving him crazy.
His right hand reached into his ninja pouch, and his palm mouth quickly devoured some explosive clay, spitting out a humanoid figure.
"This is a puppet infused with my highest-grade chakra. I call it C3 Number 18! Regret in the face of my art!"
The puppet flew from Deidara's hand and rapidly descended.
As it fell, the puppet, initially the size of a person, quickly expanded into a massive figure over ten meters tall.
With such a large clay puppet, ordinary Lightning Release couldn't neutralize it instantly—it would only diminish its power somewhat.
Even after being weakened, the C3's explosive power was still terrifying.
In terms of sheer destructive force, Deidara's explosive clay was at least in the top three within the Akatsuki organization.
As soon as the puppet appeared, Kimimaro extended his right hand and aimed at it, chanting softly:
"Scatter the bones of beasts everywhere, spire! Crimson crystal! The steel wheels! The moving wind, the still heavens! The clash of spears resounds through the hollow city!
Hado Number 63: Raikoho!"
A golden flash of lightning shot from Kimimaro's palm in an instant.
Boom!
The sound of thunder!
"Now!"
Deidara shouted, trying to detonate the puppet, but it was already too late.
The golden lightning pierced through the enlarged C3 puppet instantly.
Lightning energy spread, filling every corner of the puppet.
In that moment, the gigantic puppet became a dud.
And more than that, the explosive effect of Raikoho blasted the clay puppet apart.
The bomber had been bombed!
Boom!
Fragments of explosive clay scattered, like the shattered pieces of Deidara's heart.
His mind was in shambles.
"No, no way. His Lightning Release spread through the entire C3 in an instant?"
Still in shock, Deidara noticed that Kimimaro had somehow already soared into the sky.
"Deidara-senpai, my explosions are pretty artistic too."
Before Deidara could react, Kimimaro tossed two round objects from his right hand.
Full-strength throw!
From the same hand, but thrown in different directions.
One went into the clay bird's mouth; the other landed beside Deidara.
At that moment, Deidara saw what they were.
They were purple insects, adorned with beautiful patterns resembling a galaxy.
Starburst Bugs!
Enhanced through the nourishment of Star Chakra, the Starburst Bugs had evolved again.
Both their power and reproductive capacity had greatly improved.
"Explode!"
With Kimimaro's low command, the Starburst Bugs detonated instantly!
"Damn!"
Deidara shouted, realizing the danger, but it was too late.
With two loud blasts, the two Starburst Bugs Kimimaro had thrown exploded simultaneously.
The clay bird shattered into pieces, and although Deidara avoided most of the explosion, losing his foothold caused him to fall from the sky.
"Was that too much?"
Kimimaro muttered quietly, though he showed no sign of guilt.
Deidara hadn't developed C4 Karura yet, making him one of the easier members of the Akatsuki to deal with.
Of course, that is, as long as you knew Lightning Release and didn't push him into a self-destruct.
With those conditions met, Kimimaro found it easy to handle Deidara.
Given time, even Pikachu could grow strong enough to take Deidara on solo.
Kakashi once said that a Jonin should at least master two types of chakra nature transformations.
The reason was simple—situations like Deidara's, where one would be completely countered.
With two chakra types, you could at least avoid being totally outmatched.
Kimimaro moved swiftly, appearing before Deidara in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, Deidara looked disheveled from the Starburst Bug explosion, his Akatsuki cloak half-destroyed, his face stained with dust.
Fortunately, he wasn't hurt—just caught in the blast.
"Deidara-senpai, how do you like my explosive art?"
"What was that technique you just used?"
Far from being angry about the Starburst Bugs, Deidara was actually intrigued.
Explosion!
It was an explosion!
Someone else was studying explosive arts just like him!
This was a true kindred spirit.
Seeing that Deidara was hooked, Kimimaro immediately pulled out the Starburst Bugs.
"These are Starburst Bugs. Just inject them with chakra and throw them, and they can unleash an explosive force comparable to explosive tags.
The most amazing thing is that they're alive, able to lock onto targets automatically. When multiple gather, their power compounds. If thousands of them gathered in one place, they could destroy an entire village."
Kimimaro spoke as if presenting his most prized artwork, an attitude that earned Deidara's approval.
This was the proper attitude of someone who pursued art.
"They explode upon chakra injection and can stack? They're quite similar to my explosive clay."
"Oh, there's a big difference. My Starburst Bugs aren't afraid of Lightning Release. When they want to explode, they explode—nothing can stop them!"
This statement left Deidara embarrassed, making him realize that his explosive art seemed inferior to Kimimaro's.
No!
He would never allow such a thing!
(End of Chapter)