In just an instant, the battle intensified even more.
The Navy continued firing cannons from their warships, trying to stop the massive wooden ship from landing on the Sabaody Archipelago. At the same time, numerous figures aboard the warships leaped toward the giant wooden vessel, launching attacks on the ninja world warriors aboard.
Facing the Navy's ferocious assault, the shinobi powerhouses unleashed their unique jutsu. Some stood firm on the wooden ship to block the attacks, while others couldn't wait to leap into battle.
At the edge of the ship, a young man in a black cloak with red clouds fluttering in the wind stood. His golden hair was tied into a ponytail, and he observed the incoming Navy with a calm and condescending gaze.
This man was none other than Deidara from the Akatsuki!
He wore a cocky grin, and his uncovered eye showed clear disdain as he watched the explosions caused by Navy fire.
"Trash. Absolutely pathetic," he scoffed.
His expression was seen by several approaching Navy soldiers, instantly igniting a surge of anger within them.
"Look over there! That blond bastard is mocking us!"
"Damn it, that arrogant punk! I'll be the first to take him down!"
"How dare he look down on us Marines? Let's teach him a lesson!"
Enraged, a group of Marines charged toward Deidara, some raising their rifles and pulling the triggers.
"Fire!" ordered a commanding officer.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dozens of bullets flew toward Deidara and struck him—yet before they could rejoice, a puff of white smoke erupted, and his body exploded into a cloud of smoke.
Suddenly, a strange white bird swooped down from the sky, with Deidara standing atop it—completely unharmed.
As the Marines stared in shock, Deidara's palm-mouth chewed quickly and spat out several white clay birds that flew straight toward them.
"What are those?" some asked, puzzled by the small flying birds.
Seeing them raise their swords to slash at the clay creatures, Deidara smirked.
"Let me show you what real explosion art looks like. Hmm!"
Boom!
The small birds rapidly expanded and exploded violently, blasting the Marines into the air. Some died instantly, while others were severely injured and plunged into the sea.
The deafening blast drew the attention of many on the battlefield, including Sengoku, who turned toward the explosion just in time to see his men flying through the air. His brow furrowed deeply.
Meanwhile, Felicks and the news crew focused their Den Den Mushi cameras on the scene, capturing the entire explosion.
Viewers watching the live battle broadcast around the world were both shocked and fascinated by Deidara and his strange white bird that didn't seem alive.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Reputation +99,999!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Reputation +99,999!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Reputation +99,999!"
As the system notifications rolled in, Lin Xuan couldn't help but grin.
"As expected of the Akatsuki. They never disappoint—already helping me gain reputation so quickly."
To Lin Xuan, the Akatsuki were a group of maniacs hiding behind a facade of world peace, causing chaos wherever they went. And Deidara? One of the craziest—obsessed with his so-called 'art' of explosions, even going so far as to blow himself up in pursuit of it.
But madness didn't matter anymore. In fact, the crazier they were, the more reputation points they generated for him!
"Explosions, huh… Could that be his real ability?" asked a Vice Admiral aboard a large Marine warship, narrowing his eyes before leaping directly toward Deidara.
Deidara attacked again—flinging several clumps of clay that landed near a group of Marines.
"C3 – Art is an Explosion!"
With a hand sign, the clay morphed into humanoid figures and began engaging the Marines in melee combat.
"Worms… you're all worms!"
Just as Deidara prepared to detonate the clay dolls, a thunderous shout rang out from the side.
A massive figure, at least seven or eight meters tall, charged toward him, slamming a giant fist straight into Deidara midair.
BOOM!
Deidara was sent crashing down with his bird, hitting the sea hard. The force of the blow stirred up fierce winds in the surrounding area.
Nearby Marines quickly recognized the attacker.
"It's Vice Admiral John Giant!"
"Amazing! Vice Admiral Giant took him down with one punch!"
"As expected from the giant race. That punch felt like it could shake the world!"
The soldiers cheered and looked at John Giant with admiration and respect.
John Giant landed back on the deck and glanced at the spot where Deidara had fallen into the sea. He snorted in contempt.
"A bug dares to act up in front of me? That punch was already merciful."
In his eyes, Deidara was a Devil Fruit user. Now that he had fallen into the sea, he was powerless and soon to drown.
Turning around, John Giant began walking away to fight others.
Suddenly, several white figures burst out of the sea and crashed into his body, causing a deep gash to appear on his shoulder, blood gushing down his arm.
"What? He's still alive?!"
"Impossible! Isn't he a Devil Fruit user? Why didn't he lose his strength in the sea?"
"What kind of monsters are these people?!"
Nearby Marines stared at the water in disbelief, then looked up—only to see Deidara once again standing on the surface of the sea.
This completely shattered their understanding of Devil Fruit users.
They had previously thought the ninja could walk on water thanks to some ability, like how Aokiji freezes the sea surface. But now they realized—they were dead wrong.
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T/N:
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