Killer Bee infused his blade with Lightning Release Chakra, using it to generate high-frequency vibration waves that gave his strike penetrating power even greater than Wind Release, dramatically increasing the strength behind his blow as he swung toward Ashveil.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.
Sparks erupted along Killer Bee's sword, but despite the blazing energy and intense force, there was no further progress against Ashveil's defenses.
Killer Bee's face fell in disbelief.
What kind of being was this young man before him?
How could he be so terrifying?
Ashveil did not give Killer Bee any time to dwell on his shock. In the next moment, his Shinra Tensei technique surged outward with overwhelming might.
Under that force, terrifying energy erupted around Ashveil with explosive intensity. The power seemed to devour everything in its path.
The environment changed instantly. Fierce winds whipped up around him, forming violent gales that felt nearly unstoppable.
Furthermore, the entire sky flickered with flashes of lightning, drawn out by the immense power radiating from Ashveil.
The energy rushed outward without restraint.
Wherever the force passed, ruins and debris were swept up and completely obliterated, not a single piece of dust left behind.
High above in the sky, Deidara wavered in place, his heart pounding with shock.
If that force had struck him directly, he would have been finished instantly.
What astonished Deidara even more was that he had always believed his self-detonation ability to be one of the most powerful techniques in the Shinobi World.
Yet as he watched Ashveil's Shinra Tensei, he completely abandoned that thought.
Even sacrificing himself, the energy gained from self-detonation was insignificant when compared to Ashveil's technique.
Tobi was similarly shocked.
If he possessed such overwhelming power, he could have completed his own plans long ago.
And if Nagato were present to witness this moment, even he would be stunned to the point of disbelief.
Yes, the technique was similar in name and method to his own, but in raw power, Ashveil's ability was on an entirely different level.
Boom!
Sensing the terrifying energy in advance, Killer Bee sped up his escape as best he could.
But his speed could not outpace the explosion of energy.
After running only ten meters, Killer Bee was caught by the force of Ashveil's technique.
The pressure of the energy made his body feel as though it was shattering.
Realizing he could not withstand it any longer, Killer Bee activated his Eight-Tails form.
Against such a fearsome enemy as Ashveil, he dared not conceal his strength any further. To hide it would be to invite death.
Even with the protection of the Tailed Beast Cloak, the force of Ashveil's energy blasted away two of Killer Bee's octopus tentacles.
"You scoundrel, you miscreant!" Killer Bee panted, breathing hard.
Against Ashveil's power, he had been pushed to an extent he had never before experienced.
The next moment, Killer Bee slammed his bull-like horns forward in a fierce attack.
Boom!
His powerful horns crashed into the air where Ashveil had just stood.
But Ashveil, moving at light speed thanks to his Glint-Glint Fruit ability, had already easily dodged the assault.
The impact was so great that the ground where Ashveil had been was shattered into a deep pit, the earth cracked from Killer Bee's massive strike, and debris scattered in every direction.
As everyone searched for Ashveil's position, he appeared behind the enormous Eight-Tails, speaking calmly to it.
"As expected of the Eight-Tails. Your strength is remarkable, much stronger than the Tailed Beasts I defeated before," Ashveil said with a faint grin.
Everyone stared in confusion.
They had not expected Ashveil's speed to be this astonishing.
Even Killer Bee's eyes widened in disbelief.
Killer Bee's sunglasses reflected a flash of white light as he spoke slowly.
"This warrior named Ashveil… his speed feels even quicker than the Yellow Flash."
Within Killer Bee's mind, the consciousness of the giant tailed beast spoke with narrowed eyes.
"Killer Bee, this opponent seems even more terrifying than Minato, whom we met before. You must be cautious. We should wait for reinforcements."
Killer Bee dared not underestimate the situation, but to hear his own beast comparing Ashveil to the Fourth Hokage was shocking.
"Do not encourage others, Eight-Tails. This young man only has strange abilities. How could he be stronger than the Fourth Hokage?" Killer Bee uttered in disbelief.
With a roar, he struck again, one tail after another slam-ing toward Ashveil.
"However," Killer Bee declared, "I will deal with this Ashveil carefully!"
Though battered, he still possessed the power of the Eight-Tails. As long as even a fragment of his form remained, he could survive.
The massive Eight-Tails spread its tails across the sky, darkening the horizon. One tail even swept in the direction of Deidara's clay bird.
The force shook the clay bird violently.
"Ashveil is actually contending with such a terrifying opponent?" Deidara's eyes widened in serious concern.
At the same time, he retrieved one of his bombs and hurled it at Eight-Tails' approaching tail.
Rumble!
After the explosion, a portion of the tail was severed, but new flesh rapidly grew in its place.
This spectacle made Deidara's scalp tingle with unease.
This regenerative ability was unlike anything he had seen before.
Tobi was equally shocked. He had not expected the Eight-Tails' power to be so formidable.
"By the way, Deidara senpai," Tobi said seriously, "Ashveil mentioned we should pay attention to any tails Eight-Tails sheds in battle. Should we keep an eye on the severed tail that fell?"
Deidara nodded gravely. If Ashveil said it was important, they needed to observe it carefully.
The battle on Ashveil's side raged on.
The enormous power of the Eight-Tails sought to envelop Ashveil completely.
Eight-Tails increased its force, attempting to crush Ashveil with overwhelming might.
However, no matter how hard the Eight-Tails pressed, Ashveil's defensive barrier powered by Conqueror's Haki did not falter.
"You scoundrel, you miscreant!" Killer Bee roared, voice echoing through the battlefield.
With a tremendous roar, Chakra gathered in the Eight-Tails' mouth.
Lightning and thunder crackled in the sky as he prepared a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Then with explosive force, he unleashed it toward Ashveil.
Wherever the powerful Tailed Beast Bomb passed, even the very air seemed to burn.
The energy was so intense that massive craters formed on the ground below.
Earth and debris were sucked upward as the bomb soared, leaving devastation in its wake.
Deidara and Tobi, still high in the sky, were affected by the shockwaves. They stared at the enraged Eight-Tails in awe.
"I heard that Eight-Tails draws its power from its own rage," Deidara murmured, narrowing his eyes. "So this one must have become even stronger than before."
Tobi's expression was one of profound shock.
Fortunately for them, he possessed the Rinnegan. Without that ability, facing Tailed Beasts like Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails would be impossible. Their power was truly immense.
This battle offered a rare chance to witness Ashveil's strength firsthand.
The massive attack slammed toward Ashveil, and he attempted to activate his Glint-Glint ability.
But he found his movement restricted somehow, unable to shift his form.
Ashveil's lips curved into a slight smile. He had not expected this rough-looking opponent to be so thoughtful in battle.
Now that his mobility had been restricted, a brute attack like a Tailed Beast Bomb could not defeat him.
That idea was sound, but ultimately meaningless against Ashveil.
With deliberate calm, Ashveil unleashed another technique.
A massive surge of magma power flowed from his body with molten intensity.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.
Under the influence of the magma, a smell of roasted octopus emanated from the Eight-Tails' body.
High in the sky, Tobi sniffed the air with wide eyes.
"Deidara senpai, why does it smell like takoyaki?"
"Could there be a restaurant nearby? Perhaps we should go have a drink together?" Tobi asked, oblivious to the seriousness of the fight below.