The Tailed Beast Bomb was blocked, causing the people of the Hidden Mist Village to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Oh? It seems there are still some talented individuals in the Hidden Mist Village," Obito remarked, expressionless as he watched the scene.
However, none of this really mattered to him. Tonight's events were nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment interest.
In the shadows, Deidara was stunned.
"So this is the power of a Tailed Beast? It's really something else. Even my Number 18 couldn't produce this kind of power."
Deidara had never seen a Tailed Beast Bomb before. Even when he later faced Gaara and the Three-Tails, they hadn't used it.
Since being defeated by Naruto, Gaara had always been cautious of the power of the One-Tail, fearing he might lose control and end up hurting those around him, just like before. So, during his battle with Deidara, he relied solely on his own strength.
Gaara had never used the two great abilities of a jinchūriki—transforming into a Tailed Beast or the Tailed Beast Bomb. As for the Three-Tails that Deidara took down in seconds, it goes without saying.
Witnessing the terrifying power of the Tailed Beast Bomb, Deidara didn't feel fear; instead, he felt excitement.
"This is true explosive art! If I can apply the principles to explosive clay, it'll definitely increase its power!"
Long ago, Minato Namikaze saw the Tailed Beast Bomb and developed the Rasengan. Now, Deidara sees it and gains inspiration for his own explosive creations.
Deidara's mind was filled with inspiration, and he couldn't wait to create something new. This trip to the Hidden Mist had been incredibly rewarding for him.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro, who was hiding in Ishida's shadow, wore a puzzled expression.
"Yagura has gone berserk? Could this be Obito's doing? Whatever, if not him, who else could it be? If that guy is planning something, why did he have Deidara and me come here? To be spectators?"
Kimimaro felt powerless to complain. Tonight's operation seemed to have turned into a joke. With the way things were going, there was no way he could take action against the Three-Tails' jinchūriki.
Not that he ever intended to take action in the first place. Kidnapping someone else's Kage alive in their own village? Ridiculous. It was practically the same as challenging an entire village single-handedly. Assassinating someone and taking them alive aren't even on the same level.
Only a ridiculous village like the Hidden Sand could let something like that happen. Kimimaro still couldn't understand the logic of the Hidden Sand's leadership.
Actually, he found much of the logic in this ninja world incomprehensible. The thoughts of these ninjas often went against human nature.
Seeing the current chaos, Kimimaro decided to leave. Let the Hidden Mist clean up their own mess.
He quietly left Ishida's shadow, without disturbing anyone. Then, activating his Byakugan, he searched for the locations of Obito and Deidara.
"These two really know how to enjoy the show," Kimimaro thought as he saw Obito overlooking the Hidden Mist from a high point, almost like a god surveying everything below. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the village.
After being toyed with by Obito for so many years, it was a miracle the Hidden Mist still stood.
Deidara, meanwhile, looked as if he had just had a revelation, making Kimimaro even more confused.
"Watching a Tailed Beast Bomb made him happier than celebrating the new year? This guy is definitely not normal."
Kimimaro thought sarcastically as he watched the battle between the Mist ninjas and the berserk Three-Tails reach a critical point.
"We can't keep this up. We have to calm Yagura down soon. If he uses the Tailed Beast Bomb a few more times, I won't be able to stop it," Mei Terumi said, her expression heavy as she looked at the rampaging Three-Tails.
Facing an out-of-control Tailed Beast, unless you had some means to counter it, there was no way to stop it. The only techniques capable of countering a Tailed Beast were Sealing Jutsu, the Sharingan, and Wood Release.
In the ninja world, these three were the key to defeating a Tailed Beast. Even the Third Raikage, a man capable of taking on ten thousand ninjas at once, could only manage to fight the Eight-Tails to a draw with his Lightning Release.
Mei Terumi was no Third Raikage, so she was troubled. The Hidden Mist wasn't skilled in Sealing Jutsu, so in order to re-seal the Three-Tails, they'd have to subdue it first.
However, Mei Terumi's techniques were all large-scale attacks, which obviously couldn't be used within the village. Otherwise, the villagers would suffer casualties even if the Three-Tails didn't.
"If only we still had the Ice Release of the Yuki Clan or the Shield Hat of the Hozuki Clan. These two abilities could help against the Three-Tails."
With that thought, Mei Terumi sighed. There was no use lamenting over people who were no longer there.
"Lady Mei, we can't continue like this. We have to find a way to wake Lord Yagura up. The Three-Tails is likely under genjutsu control," Ao said anxiously, activating his Byakugan to focus on the Three-Tails.
"Genjutsu again? Could it be that bastard who controlled Yagura before?" Mei's face darkened.
Time and again—what did that bastard see the Hidden Mist as? An amusement park?
"It's the same chakra. It should be the same person," Ao confirmed.
"Damn it," Mei cursed, biting her lip as she thought of what to do.
At that moment, the Three-Tails began forming another Tailed Beast Bomb!
"Again?"
The Hidden Mist ninjas felt their hearts tighten. Everything was happening too quickly, and they had no time to move the battlefield.
"We have to fight for our lives! No matter what, we have to drive the Three-Tails out of the Hidden Mist first!" Mei made up her mind, a resolute look in her eyes.
In this situation, the only choice was to fight to the death.
Just as the Mist ninjas were about to act, the Tailed Beast Bomb suddenly vanished! At the same time, the massive body of the Three-Tails also disappeared.
"What is..."
Everyone was shocked.
Mei Terumi quickened her pace and rushed to where the Three-Tails had disappeared.
High above, Obito's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"He actually managed to suppress the berserk chakra of the Three-Tails through sheer willpower. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, really is something. But how long can you keep this up? Heh."
In a flash, Mei had arrived at Yagura's location. He was lying on the ground in pain, looking like he could go berserk again at any moment.
"Yagura," Mei called out softly, and Yagura looked up at her.
By this time, Ao and Chōjūrō had also arrived.
"Lord Fourth!"
Ao looked at Yagura, his face full of worry.
"Quick! Kill me! I can't hold on much longer! If I go berserk again, the village will be destroyed! Ahh!"
Yagura cried out in pain.
As the Fourth Mizukage, he knew very well that the Hidden Mist couldn't seal the Three-Tails again in its current state. The only solution was to destroy both himself and the Three-Tails.
The Three-Tails could be reborn after death. If they could locate where it would reappear, the Hidden Mist still had a chance to reclaim it.
The decision had to be made. If they hesitated, not only would they lose the Three-Tails, but the entire Hidden Mist Village could be lost.
This was the last thing Yagura could do for his village.
(End of Chapter)