Under the overwhelming force of Ashveil's strike, the Six-Tails lost an arm instantly. Yet relying on its unique physiology, it regenerated fully within moments.
A thunderous roar filled the sky.
The Six-Tails bellowed in agony and fury, then spewed a thick torrent of corrosive mucus toward Ashveil and the others.
Without hesitation, Ashveil moved forward from above Deidara and Tobi, directly confronting the approaching threat.
"Hey, hey, Ashveil," Deidara shouted from the sky, astonished, "why aren't you staying on my clay bird, what do you intend to do?"
Ashveil ignored the warning. He wasn't acting recklessly. He wanted to test his newly unlocked ability. Freezing powers were ideal for countering Tailed Beasts like this.
The toxic mucus struck Ashveil without delay.
Thanks to his Conqueror's Haki defensive barrier, most of the corrosive substance was halted at the edge of the field, kept at bay by the aura Ashveil projected.
Sizzle, pop, hiss…
The air around him crackled as the corrosive mucus burned at the barrier's edge, rising in twisting smoke.
Yet Ashveil remained completely unscathed, his Haki holding firm.
Even the enraged Six-Tails, now fully transformed, stared at Ashveil as if witnessing something unbelievable.
Ashveil offered a faint smile at the beast's reaction, then advanced without hesitation.
Deidara and Tobi watched from above, astonished.
"This Ashveil really is something else," Deidara murmured, voice edged with disbelief. "That corrosive attack is terrifying, yet he just walked through it, his defensive barrier is absurd."
"Yes," Tobi said with a giggle, "compared to Ashveil, you are definitely inferior, Deidara-san."
Deidara's eyes bulged with irritation. Ever since Ashveil joined Akatsuki, Tobi had never missed a chance to compare him to Ashveil. It infuriated Deidara to no end.
"You shut your mouth, Tobi!" Deidara snapped, veins bulging.
Tobi quickly feigned fright, though a flicker of genuine worry passed through his eyes. There was no denying it, Ashveil was a tremendous threat even to seasoned shinobi.
On the ground, the Six-Tails snarled in fury at Ashveil's advance.
Though an ordinary attack had been easily resisted, the insult of having its mucus dismissed so casually enraged it beyond measure.
The earth trembled violently beneath the beast's feet. Birds and beasts in the surrounding wilderness scattered in panic, fleeing from the disruption.
Ashveil's eyes narrowed slightly, a confident curve forming on his lips.
"Hmph, just a beast, yet acting like it can intimidate me," he said coldly.
High above, Deidara and Tobi exchanged dumbfounded glances.
"Truly, this Ashveil is relentless…" Deidara muttered, swallowing hard.
"But there's no denying it, his strength is real, Deidara-san!" Tobi pointed out, more amused than alarmed.
Deidara suppressed another irritated outburst, thinking only, Why do you always have to compare me?
A roar thundered out across the battlefield, filled with pure rage.
The Six-Tails' eyes blazed with fury as it gathered a massive sphere of Tailed Beast Ball energy between its jaws.
All at once, a colossal ball of brimming chakra condensed, glowing with destructive potential.
Its intent was clear: obliterate Ashveil with a single strike.
From above Deidara called out urgently.
"Tailed Beast Ball! Watch out and dodge, Tobi!"