"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!" Kisame quickly used a defensive Water Release technique, unwilling to be burned for a third time.
Deidara, however, nodded in satisfaction. The Volcanic Eruption attack from the Flesh Colossus was essentially an upgraded version of the Dragon Breath technique. Due to the Colossus's thicker and larger body, it could withstand far greater explosive force than the Dragon Breath technique ever could.
That previous attack, while smaller in range than the Super Almighty Push, was significantly more destructive in power.
"This is bad! He's using that technique!"
Suddenly, Konan's cold voice echoed. Deidara looked up to see a small, dark sphere floating in the sky. In an instant, it eclipsed the sun.
Buzz.
An unprecedentedly powerful gravitational force surged forth. Even the Flesh Colossus, which had only been slightly affected by the Super Universal Pull, was now being slowly lifted into the air.
"They say the moon was created by the Sage of Six Paths using this very technique," Obito's confident voice rang out.
"Though I'm far from the level of the Sage of Six Paths, sealing the likes of you is more than sufficient."
Everyone was being pulled upward uncontrollably. Standing on a piece of debris, Itachi remained calm and asked, "Leader, you can use this move too, can't you?"
"Is there a way to counter it?"
Nagato's expression grew grim. Not long ago, he had used this very technique against others, but now the tables had turned, and he found himself on the receiving end.
"There are only two ways to counter this technique," Nagato replied.
"One, directly attack the caster's body, forcing them to stop the technique."
"Two, use an immensely powerful attack to destroy the core of the technique above. But this method is nearly impossible. With his current strength, even if three Tailed Beasts simultaneously fired their Tailed Beast Balls, it might not be enough to break it."
Should I withdraw the power I've allocated to the Deva Path?
If it were just for himself, sacrificing Yahiko's memory wouldn't matter. But with so many comrades here, making such a selfish decision would be unforgivable. If he did, even Yahiko wouldn't forgive him in the afterlife.
Just as Nagato was about to make this difficult decision, Deidara, slightly below him, chuckled softly.
"Leader, don't underestimate me."
"Explosions are my favorite and most proficient art. Leave this to me. All you need to do is protect yourselves."
Deidara reached into his clay pouch and pulled out a small white doll. Its design was simple, with a pointed top, rounded base, two tiny eyes, and a slightly larger mouth. It looked like a rudimentary clay figurine.
Poof!
The figurine expanded to the size of a two-story building and shot toward the core of the Planetary Devastation above.
"Isn't that the one you used against Yagura Karatachi? What was it called... Number 18, right?" Kisame recalled. The last time Deidara used this creation, he had simultaneously taken down the Three-Tails and Yagura. It was indeed a formidable attack.
"If it's that technique, it might actually work," Kisame said.
"No! That was just the standard version. This one is the enhanced version, with three times the power," Deidara corrected, raising his right hand to his chest, his index and middle fingers extended.
"Last time, you said it was ten times the power of a Tailed Beast Ball. Now it's thirty times stronger?!"
"Itachi-san, be careful!" Kisame shouted a warning to Itachi.
As the Enhanced Type: Number 18 approached the core of the Planetary Devastation, Deidara shouted:
"Art is an explosion!"
"Ha!"
Light! A blinding light of unimaginable heat erupted.
The world turned white in an instant, as if nothing else existed. Then came the rapid rise in temperature.
100 degrees... 1,000 degrees... 10,000 degrees... 100,000 degrees... 1,000,000 degrees!
The core of the Planetary Devastation was destroyed. The countless rocks attached to it didn't even have a chance to scatter—they were vaporized instantly.
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Shockwave!" Kisame erected three massive water barriers in succession, all of which evaporated within seconds.
Then came the shockwave. Fortunately, the gravitational pull of the Planetary Devastation absorbed part of the impact. Itachi quickly activated Susanoo, but even that was nearly shattered by the force.
Boom!
Finally, the deafening explosion reached their ears. The sheer volume of the blast caused everyone's eardrums to bleed, leaving them dazed as if struck by a spiritual attack.
The group fell to the ground, having exhausted all their options. Combined with the fact that they had been relatively far from the Planetary Devastation, they managed to survive.
Survive. It was a strange word to use, but that's exactly how they felt.
"Deidara, you're out of control!" Kisame shouted, supporting Itachi as he stood. His voice was unusually loud, filled with both frustration and concern.
"Sorry, I didn't expect it to be this powerful," Deidara said, scratching his head. He hadn't fully heard Kisame's complaints—his hearing had been damaged and would require a medical-nin to restore. But he could guess what everyone was saying. This was, after all, the first time he had used the Enhanced Type: Number 18, and he hadn't accurately gauged its power.
In the distance, Obito, who had retreated into Kamui's dimension, shuddered instinctively at the explosion. Stepping onto the scorched earth, he surveyed the blazing trees and grass around him. Everything combustible had been ignited by the intense heat, turning the world into a hellish landscape.
Even this technique didn't work!
It seems I'll have to retreat for now and return with better preparations for the next phase.
A swirling spatial rift appeared, and Obito vanished without a trace.
On another part of the battlefield, the Eight-Tails had taken control of Killer B's body and was preparing to fire a Tailed Beast Ball.
What was that blinding light and deafening explosion just now? Why does it feel so familiar?
No matter. The enemy's power is clearly weakening. As long as I continue working with the Raikage, we'll take them down.
The Eight-Tails retracted its neck slightly, preparing to launch the Tailed Beast Ball. Beside it, the Raikage gathered his strength, ready to strike as soon as the Deva Path used Almighty Push and entered its cooldown period.
Almighty Push!
The powerful repulsive force deflected the Tailed Beast Ball. The Raikage's lightning-fast assault followed immediately, leaving Nagato with a bitter smile.
In his current state, he couldn't protect Yahiko.
Previously, the cooldown between Almighty Push uses would have been short enough to recover before the Raikage's attack. But now, as his strength waned, the cooldown periods grew longer. This time, he wouldn't make it.
Damn it!
Just as Nagato was consumed by regret, a massive tree suddenly erupted from the ground, shielding the Deva Path.
The Raikage recoiled upon contact, his face filled with astonishment.
"Wood Release!"
The Eight-Tails was equally shocked, if not more so.
"Wood Release?!"
A figure clad in a black cloak with red clouds emerged from below, crouching on the ground with a metallic tail extending from his back.
It was Hiruko.
"Leader, your strength isn't impressive," Hiruko said in a hoarse, low voice.
"You talk big every day, but now you're in such a sorry state. Why not hand over the position of leader to me?"
From another direction, Hidan appeared, carrying his scythe.
"Or better yet, give it to me!"
Behind him stood Kakuzu, his green bean-like eyes glinting.
"Let me take over. That way, I can manage the organization's finances more efficiently."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong