After all, the Raikage was already considered the most formidable existence among them; no one had ever encountered a ninja more terrifying.
Large numbers of elite shinobi troops, each with a grave expression, accelerated their pace across the battlefield.
Killer Bee's expression grew even more serious. He had never faced anyone as terrifying as Ashveil. The Eight-Tails also displayed a stunned look.
"You're not serious… this guy wasn't exaggerating earlier?" Killer Bee muttered, incredulous. "His combat power far surpasses my expectations."
"To unleash a force stronger than my Tailed Beast Bomb… I'm afraid we're outmatched," the Eight-Tails admitted, concern etched across its massive face.
Both showed unmistakable unease.
"I think… Killer Bee, maybe we should consider retreating," the Eight-Tails suggested.
Killer Bee's sunglasses reflected a sharp white light as his expression grew solemn. He exhaled heavily. There was no other option. The enemy was far too powerful; fleeing was their only chance.
Just as they came to this grim conclusion, Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki-infused magma fist continued to surge through the air, heading straight toward the Eight-Tails.
This time, the beast did not dodge. Its special immortal ability ensured that as long as a fragment of its flesh survived, it could recover—even if its massive body were obliterated.
Boom!
The fist slammed into the Eight-Tails with unstoppable force, blasting parts of its body apart as if struck by some incomprehensible energy. Tail fragments scattered across the battlefield, but the Eight-Tails remained fearless. Its regeneration could restore it completely.
The shockwave made the world tremble.
Deidara swallowed hard, eyes wide in disbelief. "Ashveil… he defeated the Eight-Tails so easily?"
Tobi muttered beside him, equally stunned. "After all, We've seen something similar already. I shouldn't be surprised, but still…"
Suddenly, Tobi slapped his forehead. "Oh no! Ashveil said to watch the Eight-Tails' tail fragments!"
Deidara's eyes widened in realization. They immediately activated their ninjutsu, desperately scanning the sea for the scattered tails. But there were far too many, and chaos ensued.
Ashveil shook his head slightly, amused. Things weren't going according to plan, but it didn't matter. He had already unlocked his fusion Conqueror's Haki. Combined with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, his attack could annihilate everything if unleashed fully.
"Ashveil-senpai, we've tried our best… truly!" Tobi panted, exhausted.
Deidara, equally troubled, considered self-detonation but hesitated, unwilling to sacrifice himself so recklessly.
"Move aside, both of you," Ashveil said calmly from the sky. Energy vibrated along his body, gathering rapidly. The sky dimmed under his immense power, bolts of lightning dancing across the horizon. Winds roared violently, filling everyone with a deep sense of dread.
Deidara's helpless expression deepened. "What new technique has Ashveil come up with now? I thought I understood him, but…"
Tobi's jaw dropped. "He can't still have ultimate moves hidden, can he?" Anxiety gnawed at him. The full extent of Ashveil's combat power was beyond comprehension.
As Ashveil prepared his Conqueror's Haki-infused Tremor-Tremor Fruit fist, two blue lightning streaks suddenly appeared in the sky.
The Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee had arrived, using their signature Lightning Release techniques.
"Lightning Release: Lariat!" the Raikage roared. Killer Bee mirrored the attack.
The two forces slammed toward Ashveil's neck with terrifying precision and destructive potential, designed to multiply their power when executed together. The surrounding air trembled violently.
Deidara and Tobi, witnessing this, realized the magnitude of reinforcements arriving.
"I didn't expect the Fourth Raikage to show up… so fast!" Deidara exclaimed.
Even with his eyes, Tobi barely caught a glimpse of the Raikage's approach. He knew the destructive potential of the combined attack—it was fearsome.
A flowing current of lightning surged toward them, sizzling as it approached. Tobi burrowed underground with Earth Release, while Deidara maneuvered his clay bird, narrowly avoiding the strike. The current broke the bird's head, but Deidara sent out another clay dragon to escape.
Darui, the Raikage's right-hand, appeared amid the chaos. "Not bad, you two managed to dodge my Storm Release. Akatsuki aren't entirely pushovers," he said casually.
Ten elite ninjas from the Land of Lightning followed swiftly.
"You ignorant fools, do you know you're in the Land of Lightning?" they shouted in unison.
Deidara grinned, releasing a barrage of clay bombs. The other ninjas dodged expertly as explosions sent earth flying.
Darui, calm and collected, countered. "Just Akatsuki, don't get arrogant. Lightning Release: Gratitude Wave!"
A powerful stream of water rose from the ground, amplifying the strike with lightning.
Tobi, underground, was blasted out by the electric current, losing consciousness. Deidara, watching, muttered in frustration. "Still as pathetic as ever, Tobi."
He urged his clay flying dragon skyward, narrowly avoiding the current. Deidara glanced at Ashveil. "I didn't expect the Land of Lightning's support to be this terrifying," he said, eyes narrowing.
Meanwhile, Darui, his body crackling with black lightning, readied his next attack.
"Lightning Release: Black Panther!" he roared, charging forward like a living bolt of destruction.