"If Itachi and I teamed up, we could return that damn Four-Tails, Son Goku, to you tomorrow," Kisame Hoshigaki scoffed, mocking, "but as you can see, Ashveil is all talk.
If he ever were to actually capture a Tailed Beast, he wouldn't be able to pull it off.
It's still uncertain whether he's even found one yet!"
"Calm down, everyone," Nagato responded, his voice cool as he observed through the Akatsuki leader, "Ashveil's strength is not something simple."
At that moment, Ashveil's group suddenly appeared, a massive Clay Dragon dragging Roshi behind them.
With a rough throw, Roshi hit the ground with a thud.
"Four-Tails is yours," Deidara announced, "Our next target is the Five-Tails.
Let's go!"
With that, Ashveil's group immediately departed, racing toward their next goal.
Their efficiency was undeniably impressive, far more so than Kisame had expected.
Nagato, still connected to Pain, stared in disbelief.
"I'm not mistaken," he murmured, "It hasn't even been long, and Four-Tails, Son Goku, was captured so swiftly by their trio?"
Nagato's amazement was plain.
He had anticipated that Ashveil was powerful in battle, but he hadn't foreseen such speed in capturing a Tailed Beast.
Kisame, standing beside him, shut his mouth and exchanged a look with Itachi San.
"Itachi, you were right," Kisame admitted quietly, "Ashveil truly is not simple.
Look at this speed… even we can't dismiss him."
Itachi San's expression was unusually surprised.
Kisame had rarely seen him like this.
...
Meanwhile, Ashveil, Deidara, and Tobi continued on their way to locate the Five-Tails.
Their destination was the Hidden Stone Village, where they traveled under the guise of ordinary merchants.
"This time, finding the Five-Tails Jinchuriki is up to me," Deidara declared, pride swelling in his voice, "I know this place like the back of my hand."
"Yes, it's all on you, Deidara," Tobi echoed him.
Just as the pair started off toward the right hillside, Ashveil, expression calm, walked straight into the forest on the left.
It wasn't until several steps had passed that Deidara and Tobi realized Ashveil's chosen path.
"Hey, hey, hey, Ashveil, don't wander off!
Stick with Deidara San!" Tobi called out loudly.
Ashveil only smiled.
"There's no need to go that way.
The Five-Tails, Kukuo, is over here," he said with complete confidence.
???
Deidara and Tobi looked at each other, utterly bewildered.
Was Ashveil serious?
This was the Hidden Stone Village, Deidara's territory.
How could Ashveil claim to know it better?
Even Obito found it hard to believe.
Yet Ashveil ignored their disbelief entirely and continued down his chosen path.
With the Search-Search Fruit ability, there was nothing in the world he couldn't locate.
Because of that, Ashveil had no intention of listening to them and simply advanced forward.
Deidara's pride was burning.
"Hey, Ashveil, this is the Hidden Stone Village," Deidara snapped, "Without me, you won't find the Five-Tails, and you might even get caught.
The Tsuchikage, Onoki, here is not someone to be trifled with; he's terrifying."
Still, Ashveil didn't respond.
"I've already told you, the Five-Tails is in the direction I pointed out.
You can ignore it if you want," he said with a faint smile, "This mission is mainly up to me now.
You two can enjoy sightseeing in the Hidden Stone Village.
Once I find that Tailed Beast, I'll let you know."
Then he simply quickened his pace.
This left Deidara and Tobi staring after him, dumbfounded.
"Deidara, do you think we should follow Ashveil now?
He does seem confident…" Tobi asked, voice uncertain.
Deidara's hands trembled with fury.
"Tobi, Ashveil is clearly spouting nonsense.
Why would we go with him?"
"If you want to go, go on your own!" Deidara snapped.
With that, he marched off at speed, unwilling to be led by Ashveil in his own territory.
"Wait for me…" Tobi called after him, struggling to keep up.
Meanwhile, Ashveil had already activated the Search-Search Fruit ability.
He was glad Deidara and Tobi weren't following; he didn't want them interfering with his search anyway.
Alone and unbothered, Ashveil's movements became even more effortless.
As he advanced, a ninja suddenly appeared before him, flanked by two others.
The one in the center instantly caught Ashveil's eye, and a small smile formed on his lips.
The Five-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Stone Village was clad in unique steam-powered armor that amplified his strength through pressurized steam.
Known as the "Steam Ninja," he was one of the most formidable shinobi in the world.
To be honest, Ashveil hadn't paid much attention to this person before, but with the Search-Search Fruit ability, he could tell the ninja was powerful.
Wearing a straw hat and exuding composed strength, there was no doubt it was Han from the Earth Country.
Yet the fact that this Five-Tails Jinchuriki could intimidate opponents merely with his calm aura amused Ashveil.
Could this be a poor version of Conqueror's Haki?
The two ninjas beside Han immediately noticed Ashveil's presence.
Both drew their swords, eyes sharp with vigilance as they assessed the stranger before them.