Hiss!
The Six-Tails spewed out an enormous cloud of acidic mist, spreading like a tidal wave toward Deidara's position.
On the surface, Obito appeared to be launching a powerful attack, but in reality, he was using this as cover to obscure vision and escape.
Of course, Deidara had anticipated this move from the start.
Whoosh!
Explosions erupted behind the clay behemoth and C3 Asura Path simultaneously. At the same time, several missiles fired from C3 Asura Path, using the shockwaves to clear a path through the acidic mist.
Beep!
Below, the real Asura Path fired a laser beam, launching a series of missiles. The power of these attacks wasn't weak—but against a massive clay construct like the behemoth, they were about as effective as acupuncture. While they technically dealt damage, they were ultimately insignificant.
The two remaining White Zetsu fusion monsters used Wood Release, while the Six-Tails directly fired a Tailed Beast Bomb.
In response, Deidara immediately created a new clay construct.
C3: Special Variant – Devouring Frog!
A large, potbellied frog appeared and swallowed the Six-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb in one gulp—then spat it back out, blocking the White Zetsu fusion monsters and the Six-Tails.
With that, Obito was left with only the Deva Path as his last option.
The Preta Path and Naraka Path were completely useless in this situation.
From high above, the Deva Path swiftly ascended, gathering power before unleashing an all-out attack.
Super Shinra Tensei!
This attack finally packed a punch. Even the clay behemoth was forced back, its forward momentum disrupted by the shockwave. Its massive, bloated body made it difficult to get back up quickly.
Obito, who was desperately fleeing, was relieved. With his Rinnegan, he could clearly observe the battlefield. Although the Akatsuki's strength had far exceeded his expectations, he still had a chance.
He just needed to wait for Orochimaru to find him and extract the Nine-Tails' chakra from Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
Alternatively, if the Akatsuki gathered the Gedo Statue but delayed sealing it within Nagato, he could seize the opportunity to summon the statue himself and claim victory.
"Damn it! Obito's going to escape!" Kakashi said anxiously.
Deidara smirked. "Relax."
"Autobots! No… Asura Path! Transform!"
C3 Asura Path's body began shifting rapidly. Within moments, its robotic form morphed into an aircraft.
Now, its lower half—once its abdomen—was equipped with jet propulsion, with flames constantly spewing out of its former cannon ports, keeping it airborne.
Deidara gestured for Kakashi to hop on. The exhaust pipes at the back of C3 Asura Path had transformed into thrusters. As its internal explosive reactions intensified, flames surged out of the exhaust ports.
With that, Deidara and Kakashi shot toward Obito at high speed.
Obito was utterly bewildered. What the hell is this?!
Seated atop C3 Asura Path, Deidara and Kakashi watched as the construct's former shoulder-mounted cannons repositioned to its sides. These cannons simultaneously fired two massive shells at Obito.
"Hah!"
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted. Obito had no choice but to phase into the Kamui dimension. Unfortunately, his Super Shinra Tensei had been at maximum power earlier, meaning its cooldown wasn't quite over yet.
Kamui!
Kakashi activated his own Kamui. A vortex-like spatial distortion appeared, absorbing the shockwave from the explosion into the Kamui dimension.
Obito reappeared from the distortion, looking disheveled. Thankfully, the cooldown of his Shinra Tensei had finally ended.
Buzz!
A powerful repulsive force pushed the shockwave away. Gritting his teeth, Obito continued his escape.
But Deidara wasn't about to let him go.
Whoosh!
The mouth of C3 Asura Path—now positioned at the front of the aircraft—spewed a stream of flames toward Obito.
Simultaneously, Deidara extended both hands, releasing countless small clay insects that swarmed toward Obito at incredible speed, about to attach to his face.
Damn it!
A sense of despair crept into Obito's mind. Is this where my dream of peace ends?
His thoughts raced, frantically searching for a solution, but he kept rejecting every possibility. In this situation, he was truly cornered.
Maybe… this is fine. Rin, I should be able to see you in the afterlife, right?
Just as Obito resigned himself to fate, an unexpected change occurred.
Golden sand suddenly appeared, swirling around him, forming a powerful protective barrier that blocked the clay insects and flames.
"Rasa?!"
The golden sand was unmistakable. Given Rasa's recent disappearance, it had to be him.
But why was he siding with Obito?
No…
Deidara glanced at Obito's expression and saw his own confusion reflected there. Even Obito hadn't anticipated Rasa's arrival.
"So, it's you, brat. Time to settle our old score." Rasa gazed up at Deidara, utterly unfazed.
Deidara scratched his head. It wasn't that he underestimated Rasa—it was just that Rasa was truly unimpressive. Weak as hell, yet here he was, acting all high and mighty.
"Where does this confidence even come from?" Deidara asked.
Rasa sneered. "Do you really think I'm still the same as before?"
"I've grown several times stronger."
More and more gold sand rose into the air, gradually blotting out the sky. Rasa stood on the ground, spreading his arms wide, as if declaring his greatness.
"Without a doubt, I am the strongest Kazekage!"
Obito remained cautious. He turned to Rasa and said, "Our enemies are powerful, and they have several allies in Kumogakure who could arrive at any moment. We should retreat for now."
Rasa shook his head. "A wielder of the Rinnegan… is this all the courage and strength you have?"
"Don't worry—we have plenty of people on our side too."
As soon as he finished speaking, a large number of figures emerged—remnants of Sunagakure's forces, along with some familiar faces to Deidara.
Shimura Kiyoto, along with his personal guard unit.
"Shimura Kiyoto… So this is where you've been? Teaming up with Rasa?"
This was an unexpected twist.
When Deidara realized Shimura Kiyoto hadn't shown up at their scheduled rendezvous, he knew the man had defected.
Subsequent searches had turned up nothing, and the matter was left unresolved.
Now, here he was, surfacing in the middle of an Akatsuki operation—a highly classified one at that.
So the question was…
Where had they gotten their intel?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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