After their brief exchange, Deidara prepared to attack.
His specialty, using explosive clay as his weapon, was long-range attacks from the air on his clay bird.
In a confined space like this, his advantage was even greater.
Mounting his clay bird, Deidara confidently said to Itachi, "I know you're strong, but you can't beat me here. My attacks are uncontrollable. I advise you to surrender now!"
Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan activated. He said calmly, "That won't be necessary. The fight will be over very soon."
The moment Itachi finished speaking, Deidara thudded onto his clay bird and began snoring.
It was instantaneous, but Itachi didn't use ordinary genjutsu. It was his strongest genjutsu, Tsukuyomi.
Itachi used Tsukuyomi to inflict mental torture on his hated enemies, but that wasn't its only use.
He could also create other genjutsu within Tsukuyomi to affect emotions. Against Deidara, he used a highly hypnotic version.
"Damn it! Deidara ignored our pre-battle intel. Uchiha Itachi has incredibly powerful dōjutsu that can instantly subdue enemies.
You absolutely cannot make eye contact with him during a fight!" Dodai exclaimed gravely from the stands.
Ōnoki, hearing this, rubbed his temples in frustration.
Three matches, three losses. Their situation was extremely dire.
They had misjudged Deidara, however.
While seemingly immature, Deidara was a meticulous ninja. He had read and memorized the intel on Itachi.
He underestimated Itachi, though, believing his own genjutsu resistance and the dōjutsu-blocking goggles he wore would protect him.
Deidara's defeat proved that the ninja world is one where the eyes can be a decisive factor.
After Itachi tossed Deidara out of the arena, Mifune announced the result, looking quite astonished.
As the neutral referee, Mifune knew Konoha wasn't easy to defeat, but he'd expected a more even match against the combined might of the three villages.
He hadn't anticipated such a one-sided affair. Konoha held a decisive advantage; it seemed incredibly difficult for the alliance to win even a single round.
Without further contemplation, Mifune proceeded to announce the combatants for the next match.
"The fourth match: Kabuto Yakushi of Konoha versus Darui of Kumogakure."
Darui, upon hearing his name called, removed the Raikage's hat.
Mei Terumī turned to Darui and said, "Raikage, Kabuto Yakushi is the vice-director of Konoha's Research Institute; he's a research-type ninja.
Rumor has it he's the only one of Uchiha Yusuke's disciples who isn't skilled in combat. You absolutely must win this one!"
Darui nodded, and with a flash of lightning, he appeared via Raijin in the center of the arena.
After Darui took his place, Ōnoki frowned, speaking in a questioning tone,
"Judging by Konoha's deployment strategy, it seems they've placed their strongest fighters at the front, aiming for a swift victory."
"If this Yakushi Kabuto is truly as unskilled in combat as the rumors suggest, then Konoha's decision to position him at this point in the lineup seems rather illogical," he added.
Upon hearing this, the tension among the onlookers from the three villages' alliance on the viewing platform rose once more, their hearts filled with a fervent hope that Yakushi Kabuto would indeed prove to be as weak as the rumors suggested.
Kabuto, however, maintained a relaxed demeanor, strolling into the arena with his summoning, Ichikishimahime, in tow, resembling a brother casually taking his younger sister out for a stroll.
"Kabuto-sama," Mifune cautioned, "this is a one-on-one match; outside assistance is strictly prohibited."
Although Ichikishimahime appeared to be merely a young girl, no one present dared to underestimate her, for she was currently levitating in mid-air.
Those ninjas with particularly keen eyesight could discern that she wasn't employing the same method as Ōnoki, manipulating her own gravity through Earth Release techniques to achieve levitation; rather, she was utilizing some form of unique and currently unidentified energy.
"Mifune-sama," Kabuto replied with a smile, "while she may appear to be a young girl, she is, in fact, my summon."
With these words, Kabuto proceeded to perform the necessary hand seals and execute a summoning jutsu, instantaneously teleporting Ichikishimahime from his left side to his right.
Ichikishimahime, momentarily taken aback by Kabuto's almost playful execution of the summoning jutsu, displayed a surge of anger, instantly revealing her reptilian features and unleashing a series of furious hisses directed at Kabuto, prompting him to offer profuse apologies.
Upon witnessing the snake-like features manifested upon Ichikishimahime's face, the assembled ninjas expressed their astonishment, with many engaging in hushed whispers, speculating about the precise nature of Ichikishimahime's classification as a summoning.
"It would appear to be a monster capable of assuming human form, exhibiting distinct reptilian characteristics…
Could it possibly originate from Ryūchi Cave, one of the three legendary sacred lands?" Ōnoki inquired, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
Mei Terumī, upon hearing Ōnoki's observation, likewise adopted a grave expression, remarking, "It has been said that the legendary Sannin of Konohagakure were all recognized by the three sacred lands.
Could it be that this Yakushi Kabuto is a ninja of comparable skill to the Sannin?"
Ōnoki shook his head, responding, "I confess that I am uncertain. Let us simply observe the unfolding of the match between Raikage-sama and his opponent before drawing any conclusions."
Upon hearing Ōnoki's assessment, the ninjas representing the alliance of the three villages on the viewing platform ceased their discussion and redirected their attention to the arena, holding their breath in anticipation of the commencement of the battle.
At this juncture, Ichikishimahime, having finally calmed down after her earlier outburst directed at Kabuto, turned her gaze towards Darui, who stood opposite her and Kabuto.
This seemingly innocuous action had an unforeseen consequence; upon setting her eyes upon Darui, Ichikishimahime was taken aback.
"Oh my," she exclaimed, "that person is so incredibly strong!"
Upon laying eyes on Darui, with his dark complexion and stark white hair, Ichikishimahime initially recoiled in fright, taking a couple of steps backward before adopting an expression of curious fascination.
She propped her chin up in her hand and proceeded to look Darui from head to toe with intense interest.
The previously somewhat boisterous atmosphere within the arena fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into a cacophony of laughter.
Every Kumogakure ninja present with dark skin, including Darui himself, experienced a sudden darkening of their already dark complexions, to the point where their facial features were almost entirely obscured.
Observing that Darui's facial muscles were subtly twitching, Kabuto promptly offered an embarrassed apology to his opponent.
Darui, however, was not one to harbor petty grievances, particularly given that the source of the offense was a seemingly adorable young girl.
Making a concerted effort to regain his composure, Darui focused his attention on the task at hand, preparing himself for the impending battle.
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