"Bastard! Who said I was scared? If you want a fight, let's go! Forget the Four-Tails, I'll even take on the Nine-Tailed Fox!" Deidara shouted, anger and pride flaring in his voice.
Ashveil's lips curved upward slightly at Deidara's outburst.
The taunt had landed perfectly.
"Deidara-senpai is showing rare enthusiasm!" Tobi rolled his eyes.
"I'm telling you, Ashveil, the reason the Three-Tails was so weak is because it's in the wild, without a Jinchuriki to control it.
That idiot only knows brute force and has no control over his power!" Deidara continued, his voice dripping with frustration.
"So don't go thinking it was because of your strength, you arrogant brat!"
He muttered to Tobi beside him, but Tobi didn't respond, remaining motionless atop the Three-Tails.
Obito, meanwhile, was lost in his own recollections, saying nothing at all.
Deidara leapt in anger.
"You dare fall asleep, bastard!
Ashveil, just you wait.
Four-Tails isn't as weak as you think.
That guy has a Fire-style Bloodline Limit!
Be careful!"
Ashveil ignored him, focused entirely on the task ahead.
Defeating Four-Tails and refining his own strength were far more pressing than bickering with a hotheaded clay artist.
Soon, the trio arrived at Akatsuki's main base.
Nagato, controlling the organization, addressed everyone.
"I didn't expect such success from you all," he said in a grave tone.
A voice heavy with age and experience added, "I didn't expect this quiet young man to wield a Bloodline Limit capable of causing earthquakes."
"Indeed.
Much more reliable than Deidara-senpai!" Tobi chimed in enthusiastically.
Deidara's face turned red with fury.
Praise for Ashveil was acceptable, but why belittle him at the same time?
Ashveil merely chuckled, observing the duo's eternal rivalry with quiet amusement.
Everyone present was shocked; even Kage-level ninjas would struggle against such a destructive power.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit was a force of nature, and Ashveil had awakened it to terrifying perfection.
"Well done, Ashveil.
Next, the capture of Four-Tails will be entrusted to your team," Pain announced seriously.
Ashveil smiled slightly, accepting the mission.
"Understood.
Don't worry, Four-Tails, Son Goku, will be delivered soon."
Kisame's brow furrowed, clearly irritated.
"His audacity is infuriating.
Isn't this mission supposed to be ours, Itachi?"
Itachi's expression remained calm.
"It doesn't matter.
My eyes can no longer sustain prolonged combat.
If a newcomer wants to take on the Tailed Beasts, I have no objection."
Kisame pouted but said nothing; Itachi's reasoning was sound, and any chance for him to rest was welcome.
With the mission settled, the trio set off.
Using Deidara's abilities, they reached a secluded village near a dormant volcano in no time.
"It's right ahead.
I never thought the mighty Four-Tails Jinchuriki would live in seclusion here," Deidara remarked with awe.
As they approached a thatched hut, a middle-aged man with a reddish ape-like appearance emerged.
"Judging by your attire, you are members of Akatsuki.
I wondered why I've been restless lately.
So you've been observing me," the man said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"And you only sent four people, no Water-style ninja, yet you think you can take me on?
Arrogant, isn't it?" Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, said disdainfully.
He had honed his control over the Tailed Beast during his wanderings, elevating his combat power to near-Kage levels.
Tailed Beasts wield immense power, but without a skilled Jinchuriki, they are limited.
Roshi's mastery allowed him to fully utilize the Four-Tails' Chakra, and he had no intention of underestimating the newcomers.
"Watch this.
I'll take him down myself!" Tobi shouted, leaping toward Roshi.
Roshi remained calm, forming a hand sign in an instant.
A Magma fireball erupted from his palm, hurtling toward Tobi.
The surrounding air sizzled with intense heat.
Tobi's eyes widened.
"Holy crap, what a massive fireball!
If it hits me, I'll be incinerated!
I'm not ready to die yet!"
He rolled frantically across the ground, the Magma scorching his robe before dissipating.
Deidara's expression was one of exasperated disdain.
"Tobi, you're a disgrace to Akatsuki!"
Tobi scrambled upright.
"Deidara-senpai, you've said that a hundred times.
The real priority is figuring out how to deal with this terrifying opponent!"
Deidara sighed, resigning himself to handle things personally.
He unleashed multiple C2 clay bombs, aiming them at Roshi.
The bombs jumped and charged with precision, intent on overwhelming the Jinchuriki.
Roshi countered with Lava Release, sending a wave of Magma bombs surging toward Deidara's attacks.
Boom!
The collision created a colossal shockwave, a torrent of destructive energy spreading outward.
The clash of power between Akatsuki's genius and the Four-Tails Jinchuriki shook the very earth beneath them, heralding a battle that would test their limits.
____
Power stones please?