After the exploding clay from Deidara's clone lost its target, it detonated on the spot. Boom, boom, boom, boom.
One hundred spiders, equivalent to one hundred explosive tags, or even more. Onoki looked at the ground beneath his feet. The consecutive explosions made his scalp tingle. Deidara was quite formidable. Although the damage to Lightning Release users might be limited, what if there were no Lightning Release users? Or in the future, when Deidara had more chakra, and tens of thousands of spiders attacked simultaneously, what kind of scene would that be.
From a distance, Deidara himself seemed inspired by this sight. The corner of his mouth lifted, and he also released one hundred spiders. The sight made Jinin Akebino, who was facing him, feel his scalp go numb. He inwardly grumbled about Mizukage Yagura. Why create that water mirror clone of Deidara? Now this is great. These one hundred spiders were going to be enough trouble for him.
Jinin Akebino manipulated the explosive blade Kabutowari, throwing out fifty explosive tags before running out of chakra. In the next moment, Fuguki Suikazan appeared behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Instantly, a large amount of chakra poured into Jinin Akebino's body through Fuguki Suikazan's hand. Jinin Akebino was stunned. "Big brother."
"Enough talk. Hurry up and keep activating the explosive blade Kabutowari." Fuguki Suikazan's expression was serious. Jinin Akebino nodded and stopped talking, quickly activating Kabutowari again. Explosive tags flew out in groups of ten. Finally, he managed to gather one hundred tags, which collided with the spiders.
An even louder explosion erupted. Jinin Akebino covered his eyes, afraid of being burned by the heat of the blast. Meanwhile, Deidara laughed wildly. "Art is an explosion. Explosion, explosion. Ahahahahaha."
"What a lunatic." Juzo Biwa shook his head. Ringo Ameyuri came to his side and also shook her head. "No, he's not a lunatic. He's pure, excited for his own path of explosion."
Watching this explosion, Deidara suddenly had an inspiration. His eyes lit up. He thought of an incredibly powerful technique. Deidara's clone looked at his main body, his expression grave. He felt he was about to lose.
Deidara reached into his pocket, touched the exploding clay, instantly molded a doll, and then used a clay bird to take to the air. "C3, Number 18."
Deidara laughed heartily, throwing a doll towards the sky above the Kiri-nin and Suna-nin. In the next moment, the small doll suddenly grew larger, then began to descend, emitting a terrifying scream as it fell. "Aaaaaah."
"What kind of technique is this." Rasa's heart stirred with great unease. He had a premonition. He could not let this technique hit the ground. Otherwise, something terrible would happen.
Yagura gritted his teeth. His defensive technique was only the Water Prison Technique. But the range of the Water Prison Technique was limited. It was impossible to cover everyone within it. Moreover, he didn't believe the Water Prison Technique could block this move. Even he felt some fear towards this attack.
Sasori no longer hesitated. He took out a scroll marked with the character for three. The Third Kazekage puppet appeared. Ten chakra strings shot from his fingers. "Magnet Release, Iron Sand Barrier. Rise." The Third Kazekage puppet summoned iron sand, attempting to form an iron sand wall in the air.
Perhaps because Sasori acted too late, the iron sand wall was not fully formed when Number 18 fell, striking and breaking the iron sand wall before hitting the ground. Sasori's pupils contracted. He recalled the Third Kazekage puppet and immediately retreated.
Boom. An explosion sounded, engulfing the Kiri-nin and Suna-nin, along with Deidara's clone. It stirred up layers of smoke, blocking everyone's vision. When the dust settled, all the jonin and Anbu from Kirigakure and Sunagakure had perished. Scattered, broken corpses and a bloody mist lingered. A sweet, coppery smell spread with the wind, shocking everyone present.
Deidara suddenly knelt on the ground, laughing maniacally. "It succeeded. Ahahahah. It succeeded. My exploding clay. My Explosion Release is the strongest." A large crater appeared on the battlefield.
Deidara looked at all this, laughing uncontrollably. However, because his chakra was exhausted, he was powerless to fight further. This move shocked Onoki, shocked Mizukage Yagura, shocked Kazekage Rasa, shocked Sasori, shocked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, shocked Kitsuchi.
"This boy's talent is extraordinarily high. He absolutely cannot be allowed to live. Sasori. Kill him." Kazekage Rasa's voice cracked slightly. If Deidara was allowed to grow, how far would his Explosion Release develop in the future. Probably that move just now would be enough to destroy Sunagakure. He cannot be allowed to live.
Even Kazekage Rasa manipulated his human puppet to charge forward.
Mizukage Yagura reacted half a beat slower, but he also gave an order. "All members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who can move, move. We must keep this boy here."
Onoki seized the opportunity to dispel his own clone, then roared. "My son Kitsuchi, protect Deidara. Today, even if you and I die in battle, we must protect Deidara. From now on, Iwagakure will fully support Deidara in learning Explosion Release techniques. As long as he is here, Iwagakure will essentially have a life-saving talisman in the future. A life-saving talisman comparable to a tailed beast."
Onoki immediately flew in front of Deidara. Kitsuchi followed closely behind, looking at the enemies, ready to die for the cause. Today's battle made Onoki realize that perhaps Deidara's Explosion Release had a future. No, it definitely had a future, not inferior to Particle Release.
Whether it's Particle Release or Explosion Release, they are just methods to protect the village. As long as they have sufficient power, sufficient strength, then what does the type of release matter. Onoki could see that the move just now was not yet perfected. As long as it is perfected in the future, this single move alone would be enough to make Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure not dare to act recklessly.
This is Iwagakure's future. He has a great life ahead of him. Today, even if Onoki dies, he must protect Deidara's retreat. "My son Kitsuchi, immediately take Deidara and retreat. Today, if I die, return and install Deidara as Tsuchikage. You assist him. Understood."
Onoki now saw life and death as inconsequential. He only felt that Iwagakure had encountered an opportunity, a chance to rise. He must seize this opportunity. The previous Tōshi had already become a regret. This time's Deidara must be protected.
At this moment, everyone present was shocked once more. Looking at Onoki, who was handing the Third Tsuchikage's hat to Kitsuchi, they felt both respect and wariness. If Onoki went berserk, he might not be inferior to the Third Raikage.
Now, Onoki was resolved to die. He erupted with a mountain-like, thick chakra. His topknot came undone, his disheveled white hair flying in the wind. An indescribable majesty burst forth from his small stature.
Sasori's legs trembled slightly. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were the same. They hadn't expected this elderly man to have such a massive amount of chakra, such powerful imposing presence. Even Mizukage Yagura and Kazekage Rasa fell silent now.
Kitsuchi lifted Deidara, looked at his father, and said, "Take care." Then he prepared to leave.
Deidara now screamed. "Old man. You have to come back alive. Otherwise, I won't protect Iwagakure for you. Including your granddaughter Kurotsuchi, I'll bully her every day." Tears streamed from his eyes. He understood he was just a burden here. He was moved. Onoki's words just now directly touched his soul, making him understand what responsibility was.
"Brat, get the hell out of here now. If you delay me showing what I can do, it's just this bunch of trash. They can't stop me." Onoki laughed wildly and unrestrainedly, then slammed both hands on the ground, skipping the hand seals. "Mountain Sand Technique."
Everyone present except Onoki immediately scattered. However, they found the Mountain Sand Technique was not aimed at them. It was used to block the road leading to Iwagakure, preventing them from giving chase.
"This old thing." Yagura gritted his teeth. Although he understood Onoki's feelings, he also felt annoyed.
Rasa was somewhat unwilling to fight. He only had this one son. But seeing the Mizukage like this, he couldn't leave either. Otherwise, wouldn't he seem like a petty person.
Onoki saw Rasa's hesitation. He spoke, attempting to sway him. "The Kazekage seems to have only this one son. I heard he's a genius too, his brilliance not inferior to Chiyo's. Heh. If he dies here today, would your Sunagakure go mad."
Rasa was stunned. He looked at Onoki, showing wariness. "So what." He already had thoughts of retreating, but he lacked a reason. Because just as Onoki said, their Sunagakure's current hope was Sasori. If Sasori suffered any loss, it would be absolutely unacceptable for Sunagakure.
"If the Kazekage withdraws now, Iwagakure will let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, in a moment, I will definitely take good care of your son. I think if I fight with my life on the line, I still have a ninety percent chance of taking your son with me. When we go to the pure land, I'll take care of your son for you." Onoki now threatened without any concealment.
That's right, a blatant threat.
Hearing this, Rasa's face turned pale. Sasori took a deep breath. He had heard of Onoki's name, knew of Onoki's strength. However, he would not retreat. Most importantly, he would listen to his father.
Mizukage Yagura became anxious. "Rasa, don't be frightened by this old man's words. He himself is at the end of his strength. Where does he get the capability for precise strikes against your son. I am still here with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. We will help you protect your son properly."
Yagura's words were half true and half false. He simply did not want Rasa to withdraw, because this was a good opportunity to kill Onoki. If Rasa left, even if he and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist fought together, even if they could defeat Onoki, it would be a pyrrhic victory.
Rasa thought it over and finally sighed. "Mizukage-sama, I truly wish to fight side by side with you. But the Tsuchikage is right. Our village now only has Sasori as the one who can shoulder great responsibility in the future. So... I'm sorry. We withdraw from this battle."
Onoki laughed heartily. "Good. The Kazekage-sama is a sensible person. Then please leave." Onoki originally only had a thirty percent chance of winning against the two of them combined. Now he had seventy percent.
Even if he couldn't win, escaping this time would not be a problem.
Yagura's face turned livid, but he couldn't say much either. He nodded. "Since that's the case, I won't try to persuade you further. Take care." Yagura turned to look at Onoki, killing intent in his eyes. This guy's mouth was really something.
Rasa nodded and left the battlefield with Sasori.
Onoki now stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he faced Yagura and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, completely without pressure, fully displaying the demeanor of a grandmaster.
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