Hiss!
The Six-Tails spewed an enormous amount of acidic mist, blanketing the battlefield as it drifted toward Deidara.
On the surface, it seemed like Obito was launching a powerful attack, but in reality, he was using the mist to obscure their vision and seize the opportunity to escape.
Of course, Deidara had anticipated this move.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, both the Flesh Colossus and the C3 Asura Path activated their explosive propulsion systems. The C3 Asura Path fired several missiles, using the shockwaves from the explosions to clear the acidic mist from its path.
Beep!
Below, the authentic Asura Path fired a laser beam while launching a barrage of missiles. However, their impact was minimal—against a massive clay construct like the Flesh Colossus, these attacks were akin to acupuncture: while they technically inflicted damage, they were essentially inconsequential.
The two remaining White Zetsu amalgamations unleashed Wood Release, while the Six-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Ball directly at Deidara.
Deidara responded by creating a new clay creature.
C3 Special Type: Gluttonous Toad!
A large, pot-bellied clay toad appeared. It swallowed the Six-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball whole and then spat it back out, redirecting it toward the White Zetsu amalgamations and the Six-Tails, effectively halting their advance.
This left Obito with only the Deva Path as a viable option.
The Preta Path and Naraka Path were completely ineffective in this situation.
The Deva Path quickly ascended into the air. After a brief moment of concentration, it unleashed its most powerful attack.
Super Almighty Push!
This attack was finally something formidable. Even the Flesh Colossus was pushed back, its forward momentum from its propulsion interrupted. Its bulky frame made it difficult to recover quickly.
Obito, who had been fleeing, was overjoyed. Through the Rinnegan of his Six Paths, he could clearly observe the situation. Although the Akatsuki's strength far exceeded his expectations, he realized he still had a chance.
If he could rendezvous with Orochimaru and obtain the Nine-Tails' chakra from Kinkaku and Ginkaku, or if he could wait for the Akatsuki to finish collecting the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he might have an opportunity to summon and seize it before they sealed it into Nagato.
"Dammit! Obito's going to escape!" Kakashi said anxiously.
Deidara smiled faintly. "Don't worry."
"Autobot—oh no, I mean Asura Path, transform!"
The C3 Asura Path began to shift and reconfigure itself. After a rapid transformation, it changed from a humanoid robot into a flying vehicle.
Its lower section, which had previously been its abdomen, now continuously expelled flames from its missile ports, providing enough thrust to keep it airborne.
Deidara signaled for Kakashi to hop on. The exhaust pipes at the back of the C3 Asura Path had now been repurposed into propulsion engines. As internal explosions further increased its thrust, flames erupted from the pipes as well.
With that, the flying C3 Asura Path carried Deidara and Kakashi as they rapidly pursued Obito.
Obito was stunned. "What the hell is this? I can't even comprehend it!"
Sitting atop the C3 Asura Path, Deidara and Kakashi watched as its original shoulder-mounted cannons shifted to its sides. Each cannon fired a massive missile directly at Obito.
Boom!
A powerful explosion erupted. Obito hastily retreated into the Kamui dimension. He had no other choice—his Super Almighty Push had been at maximum power earlier and was still on cooldown, with just a little time left before it could be used again.
Kamui!
Kakashi activated his own Kamui, creating a spiraling spatial distortion. The shockwaves from the explosion's core were absorbed into the Kamui dimension.
Obito emerged from the dimension, battered and disheveled. Fortunately, during this brief exchange, the cooldown for Almighty Push had finally ended.
Buzz!
An invisible repulsive force emanated, pushing the shockwaves away. Obito gritted his teeth and continued to flee.
But Deidara wasn't about to let him go.
Whoosh!
The C3 Asura Path, now in its flying form, unleashed a stream of flames from its mouth, which had shifted to the front of the vehicle. The flames surged toward Obito.
At the same time, Deidara extended both arms, releasing countless small clay insects. These insects moved at incredible speed, closing in on Obito's face in an instant.
"Damn it!"
Despair began to creep into Obito's heart. Was this the end of his dream for peace?
His mind raced, searching for any possible solution, but each idea was quickly dismissed. At this moment, he truly felt cornered.
"Perhaps this is it," he thought. "Rin, I suppose I'll see you in the afterlife."
Just as Obito was about to close his eyes and accept his fate, a sudden change occurred.
Golden dust appeared out of nowhere, swirling around Obito to form a protective barrier. The barrier blocked both the clay insects and the flames.
"Rasa!"
The golden dust was unmistakable. Coupled with the recent news of Rasa's disappearance, it was clear that this was the Fourth Kazekage.
But when had Rasa become involved with Obito?
No!
Deidara glanced at Obito's face and saw the same look of surprise. It was clear that even Obito hadn't expected Rasa's intervention.
"So, it's you, kid," Rasa said, looking up at Deidara in the sky. "It's time to settle the score from last time."
Deidara scratched his head. It wasn't that he underestimated Rasa—it was just that Rasa was genuinely unimpressive. For someone so weak to act so brazenly was almost laughable.
"Your confidence is rather misplaced," Deidara remarked.
Rasa sneered. "Do you think I'm still the same as before?"
"I've grown several times stronger since then."
More and more golden dust rose into the air, creating a scene that seemed to blot out the sun. Rasa stood on the ground with his arms outstretched, exuding an air of self-importance.
"Without a doubt, I am the strongest Kazekage!"
Obito, ever cautious, interjected, "Their strength is formidable, and they have several comrades still in the Hidden Cloud Village who could come to their aid at any moment. We should retreat for now."
Rasa shook his head. "A wielder of the Rinnegan, and this is the extent of your courage and power?"
"Don't worry. We have plenty of people on our side too."
As he spoke, numerous figures began to emerge. Some were remnants of the Sand Village, while others were familiar faces to Deidara.
Among them was Shimura Seito, along with his squad of guards.
"Shimura Seito," Deidara muttered. "I was wondering where you'd gone. So you've joined forces with Rasa?"
This was an unexpected twist.
When Deidara realized that Shimura Seito hadn't shown up to rendezvous as planned, he suspected betrayal.
At the time, even Sasori couldn't locate him using Memory-Concealing Manipulating Sand, indicating that the technique had somehow been nullified.
Subsequent search efforts yielded no results, and the matter was left unresolved.
Now, Shimura Seito had reappeared, and in such a bizarre manner—participating in this Akatsuki operation.
But how had they obtained this information? This was supposed to be a top-secret mission, completely unknown to outsiders.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~ The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong