After Pain's response, the members gradually withdrew, leaving the battlefield quiet for a moment.
---
Meanwhile, Ashveil and his companions arrived at Taki Ninja Village.
The group quickly located the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
Upon seeing their arrival, the Jinchuriki did not show fear. Instead, her expression remained calm, as if she already knew what was coming.
In the Shinobi world, most Jinchuriki lived lives far harsher than ordinary citizens. Even during times of peace, they were often isolated, which made them easier targets for Akatsuki.
"Secret Art: Scale Powder Concealment Jutsu!" The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki immediately countered with an attack, spitting countless scale powders capable of paralyzing movement and obstructing vision.
It was an excellent method for escape.
Tobi's eyes widened as he cursed.
"Too sly! We haven't even spoken, and you attack first?"
Even Deidara, influenced by Tobi, swore under his breath.
"Bastard, you didn't even speak…"
"Wait…" Deidara murmured, unease in his voice.
Ashveil activated his Haki, moving through the dense scale powder as if entering empty space. He surged forward like the wind toward the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
Deidara, soon enveloped by the scale powder, could no longer track Ashveil.
"This…" Tobi, beside him, was stunned. Even with his Sharingan, Ashveil moved unhindered, as if the powder didn't exist.
A suspicion flickered in Tobi's eyes.
"Does this guy have a Sharingan like mine? That's a problem… I am a sinner of the Uchiha Clan."
But even Tobi could not figure it out. Apart from Itachi and Sasuke, all Uchiha should have been eliminated. How could someone with a Sharingan appear now?
He wanted to observe Ashveil's battle, to gather information.
"Deidara-senpai, shouldn't we follow? It's Ashveil's fight… Who knows what tricks the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki has?" Tobi suggested.
Deidara agreed and commanded his giant clay bird to fly toward Ashveil's location.
---
On the battlefield, Ashveil activated his Glint-Glint Fruit ability to catch up to the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
In an instant, Ashveil was in front of her.
The Jinchuriki, who had believed her flight would guarantee escape, was stunned.
"How is this possible? My speed should be unmatched… And yet he surpassed me… Even after releasing so much scale powder, he sees through it…"
She recalled hearing rumors of a powerful Akatsuki member with incredible insight.
"Could it be… Uchiha Itachi?" she wondered.
"You… Are you Uchiha Itachi?" the Jinchuriki murmured.
Ashveil, amused by the mistake, smiled faintly.
"I am a new member of Akatsuki, named Ashveil."
The Jinchuriki's eyes widened in surprise. She had never heard of Ashveil. When did such a powerful figure join Akatsuki?
Without hesitation, she activated her Tailed Beast cloak fully.
A massive fist slammed toward Ashveil.
Boom!
The power reverberated through the sky. Blood-streaked, the fist approached, but a Conqueror's Haki shield appeared around Ashveil. The attack could not penetrate.
"What…?" the Jinchuriki exclaimed in shock.
"This is a Conqueror's Haki shield," Ashveil said lightly. He channeled more of his Haki into a devastating blow.
"This is called Conqueror's Haki: Haki Fist," he added, forming an invisible giant fist.
The Jinchuriki, sensing the overwhelming power, tried to flee using her flight, but the invisible Haki slammed into the ground with tremendous force.
Boom!
The impact created a crater hundreds of meters deep. The Jinchuriki was dumbfounded; the strike could have caused severe injury.
Before she could recover, Ashveil's next attack struck again, accompanied by explosions that rocked her Tailed Beast cloak. Blood spattered as she was thrown backward.
Feeling Ashveil's strength for the first time, she realized the danger she faced. Without hesitation, she activated her full Tailed Beast Mode. Seven tails surged toward Ashveil.
"Bug Eater Bite!"
The massive physical assault barreled forward, but Ashveil remained calm.
By now, Deidara and Tobi had arrived in the sky.
"Be careful, Ashveil!" they called out.
Ashveil barely glanced at them. With his Conqueror's Haki shield, a mere Tailed Beast attack posed no threat.
The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, expecting to overwhelm Ashveil, realized with horror that her attack had no effect. Her strategy to defeat Ashveil seemed already failing.
She had underestimated Ashveil's incredible speed, Haki defense, and battle instinct.
Standing motionless under the assault, Ashveil's confidence only grew, while the Jinchuriki struggled to comprehend the invincible force before her.
---