The potential devastation of Deidara's self-detonation, with a radius exceeding ten kilometers, loomed over the battlefield.
Teacher Might Guy and Rock Lee, with their mastery of the Eight Gates, could react swiftly and escape, but others like Tenten faced far greater danger.
Without any extraordinary Bloodline Limit, Tenten's chances of survival were slim, leaving her vulnerable to Deidara's overwhelming explosive power.
Even Tobi's face betrayed his unease.
Despite Deidara's loyalty to the Akatsuki and his usual obedience, Obito could sense the chaos unfolding.
He had never anticipated that Deidara, usually reliable, would now teeter on the brink of disaster.
Cursing silently, Obito realized there was nothing he could do to intervene.
Feigning fear, Tobi hurriedly called out, "Deidara-senpai, please… think carefully! Your power is immense, and I'm afraid even I could be caught in it. Don't act recklessly!"
Ashveil observed the scene quietly, showing only a trace of regret.
If Deidara were to die here, it would be… regrettable, even if it served the mission.
In response, a formidable pressure radiated from Ashveil.
His Conqueror's Haki surged outward, directly subduing Deidara.
The explosive shinobi struggled futilely against the overwhelming force, his face flushed with the effort of restrained breath, unable to act.
Deidara's confusion was palpable.
He had anticipated a challenge from Ashveil, but not to the extent of being physically restrained by a single opponent's Haki.
His self-detonation technique remained locked, completely neutralized by Ashveil's superior control.
Meanwhile, Might Guy, Lee, and the others exhaled in relief.
They had no desire to participate in a life-or-death gamble.
Capturing a few Akatsuki members didn't warrant risking their lives against such a formidable force.
Deidara's protests rang out.
"Stop restraining me, Night Feather! Art is an explosion! Don't you understand? I will obliterate them!"
Ashveil shook his head slightly, a faint, almost bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"Deidara, control yourself. Using self-detonation against a mere Konoha ninja squad is… excessive," he said calmly.
Tobi's excitement resurfaced.
Seeing Deidara spared, he knew the explosive expert would continue the mission.
Deidara, in turn, slowly regained his composure.
Facing these minor shinobi had forced him to reveal his ultimate art, a reality he hadn't expected.
Ashveil, ever composed, began stepping toward Might Guy's team, each movement deliberate.
"Watch closely, Deidara," he said faintly, his tone casual yet imbued with immense authority.
"Though it may be troublesome, I will delay them only briefly, so you may return to complete the extraction of the Eight-Tails… and the mission to capture the Nine-Tails."
Despite the unremarkable tone, his presence radiated an oppressive power that caused even seasoned shinobi to instinctively retreat.
For the first time, Might Guy felt fear emanating from a young man, an experience that left him unsettled.
"You must be cautious… this Ashveil seems unlike any opponent we've faced," Might Guy warned, voice heavy with awe.
Neji's eyes widened, voice firm.
"Yes, everyone must remain vigilant. His Chakra… it differs from any of ours."
The others took in his words with grave expressions.
"Deidara," Ashveil said, his voice calm yet commanding, "stand back and observe."
Tobi stepped forward, cautioning his ally.
"Deidara-senpai, now is not the time for words. We are no match for them…"
Deidara's frustration grew, but he had no choice but to comply, his pride stung by his inability to act.
Then, Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki manifested as a colossal fist above him.
Neji's eyes widened further.
"That Chakra… it's extraordinary. If it strikes us, we could die instantly," he murmured in shock.
Even without the Byakugan, Might Guy, Lee, and the others instinctively recognized the overwhelming pressure radiating from Ashveil.
They fell back as the massive Haki-infused fist descended.
Sparks ignited in the air as it met the ground with a deafening crash.
Boom!
The impact carved a pit hundreds of meters deep, the sheer power shaking the earth violently.
Deidara, Tobi, and the others stared in awe and terror.
Their seemingly insurmountable foe had just been reduced to helplessness with a single strike from Ashveil.
Might Guy, Lee, and their comrades also shared a mixture of shock and realization.
Their combat prowess, formidable in most situations, seemed vulnerable under Ashveil's presence.
Even Tenten, known for her strength among Konoha shinobi, was knocked unconscious.
"Tenten!" Lee shouted, but there was nothing he could do.
Ashveil's oppressive Haki had left her incapacitated.
Neji emerged cautiously from the pit, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
"I didn't expect Tenten to be so easily taken down," he remarked, concern etched into his features.
Might Guy scanned the battlefield, noting how Neji's evasive maneuvers and Lee's Eight Gates had allowed survival, but the sheer scale of Ashveil's power left injuries even among the strongest.
"Send Tenten behind us," Might Guy instructed seriously.
"We'll wait for Kakashi to arrive before engaging further."
His gaze lingered on Ashveil, measuring his overwhelming strength.
"Now… it might be time to activate my own move," Might Guy thought, determination shining in his eyes.
In front of such a powerful enemy, he would protect his most beloved students, even at the cost of his own life.
Lee, standing nearby, looked worried.
"Guy-Sensei… will you use that move too? Will you… lose?"
Might Guy's confident smile reassured him.
"Hahaha! Lee, don't worry!"
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