Might Guy's face instantly darkened with black marks appearing from the impact. The sheer force of Deidara's attack had suppressed him midair.
Rock Lee, Neji, and the others behind him reacted quickly, catching their teacher before he could fall.
"Guy-sensei, are you alright?" Rock Lee asked, worry etching his features.
Neji's expression mirrored his disbelief. "I say, Guy-sensei, you are supposed to guide us, not throw yourself recklessly into battle. Shouldn't you be the one keeping calm?"
Despite having powerful students at his side, Might Guy had charged first, leaving them to temper his impulsiveness. The younger shinobi couldn't help but marvel at his recklessness.
Might Guy scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry, hahaha!" His laughter carried both embarrassment and pride.
Deidara, observing from above, scowled. "Truly a brainless fool," he muttered.
Might Guy's ears caught the insult, and his face flushed with anger. "What did you say? Repeat that!" He surged forward, ready to strike.
Ashveil's lips curved slightly, a hint of amusement on his face. "Deidara, perhaps you should learn when to pause. That man, Might Guy, is not one to underestimate," he said calmly.
Deidara and Tobi froze in disbelief. Ashveil, the most formidable being they had faced, had just called someone else difficult to contend with?
Deidara's frustration deepened. Might Guy seemed like nothing more than a reckless brute, yet Ashveil acknowledged him as a genuine threat. The insult, unintentional as it was, stung Deidara's pride.
Seething, Deidara hurled a barrage of clay bombs toward Might Guy. "Do not underestimate me, Ashveil!" he yelled.
The explosions rained down on Might Guy's team. Neji activated his Eight Trigrams Revolving Heaven, channels of Chakra forming a protective barrier that neutralized Deidara's bombs. Dust and debris swirled as the blasts detonated harmlessly.
Tenten retaliated, launching shurikens that streaked toward Deidara. He watched with growing admiration as every member of Might Guy's team demonstrated formidable combat ability.
Realizing he had underestimated them, Deidara ascended higher, evading attacks while preparing a larger clay dragon bomb.
"This one appears stronger than the last. Blocking it may be impossible," TenTen muttered, concern furrowing her brow.
Neji's Chakra reserves were strained, making defense a taxing effort. Rock Lee, activating the Five Gates, surged forward with unparalleled speed and Taijutsu precision, launching himself at Deidara.
The impact of Lee's kick struck the flying clay dragon with tremendous force. It plummeted from the sky, creating a massive crater upon landing. Ashveil, observing, descended steadily, unaffected.
Tobi, however, was less fortunate. He tumbled headfirst, dirt splattering across his face.
Might Guy's eyes gleamed with pride. "Excellent, Rock Lee! Keep pressing them all at once!"
Rock Lee beamed, fueled by his teacher's praise. "Teacher Might Guy thinks I did well! I did well!"
Yet as he attempted to withdraw his leg from Deidara's clay construct, it refused to budge. Alarm spread through Might Guy and the others as they rushed to his aid.
Deidara, exploiting the moment, vanished and reappeared elsewhere with unnerving speed, his clone technique baffling the Leaf ninja.
"Be careful, Rock Lee!" Might Guy shouted. Neji activated his Byakugan, spotting numerous clay bombs surrounding Rock Lee, each primed to detonate.
With precise Chakra control, Neji unleashed his Revolving Heaven, blasting the bombs away and neutralizing the threat. The clay clone exploded violently upon hitting the ground.
Rock Lee, though unharmed, felt a lingering tension, aware of the danger around him.
Deidara, momentarily frustrated that his attacks had been so easily countered, grinned at the challenge. Ashveil, watching from the side, smiled faintly. "Deidara, it seems your battle is taking too long. I have little patience," he said, his tone detached.
Deidara's eyes widened in irritation. His strategies failed repeatedly, leaving him exasperated and without recourse.
Might Guy and his team sensed the contempt in Ashveil's words. To Ashveil, they seemed like mere obstacles to be delayed, insignificant in comparison to his power.
Might Guy clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "Do not let arrogance cloud your judgment."
____
Get 50% off
use promo code "HBD2ME".
The discount ends in the next tomorrow.
Benefits include advanced chapters ranging from 40, 70 and even 100 chapters ahead, depending on tier subscribed to.
Link: Patreon.com/Zphyr