It wasn't just Kitsuchi who was stunned; the entire battalion of Iwagakure ninja stood frozen. Facing a technique of such cataclysmic scale, despair took root in the hearts of many, and weapons fell clattering to the ground. Even Kakuzu, the one most familiar with Diarmuid, looked on with eyes full of astonishment and shock.
Tengai Shinsei?
This guy just dragged a literal meteorite out of the sky? How is this even possible?
Standing behind Diarmuid, the Third Raikage was equally dumbfounded. Rodriguez Diarmuid? Is there such a person in the shinobi world? What does he want with me? With this level of power, he'd be a strategic deterrent for any village.
A "strategic deterrent" referred to legends like Hashirama and Madara in the past, or those like Minato, Naruto, and Sasuke in the future. On a battlefield, the mere appearance of such a person meant mission failure was acceptable; you simply fled, and no one would punish you for it. Such a status usually meant that opposing forces had absolutely no answer for them.
In truth, Diarmuid's Tengai Shinsei differed from Madara's version. Madara's technique might not have been dragging a real celestial body from space; it was likely a construct created out of thin air through the specific formula of his Kekkei Genkai. Diarmuid, however, lacked the ability to create matter from nothing, unless he prepared a massive sphere beforehand in his Abyssal Space (Dark-Dark Fruit space) using a method like Planetary Devastation, only to open an Abyssal Curtain in the sky and spit it out when needed.
That method was tedious. Consequently, Diarmuid usually opted to drag meteorites directly from the vacuum of space. In the world of One Piece, he had mastered this to an art form. In the world of Naruto, however, it took a few breaths longer; since this was his first time using it here, he had to spend a moment locating a suitable rock.
Because of this difference from the original version, Diarmuid's Tengai Shinsei appeared even more ferocious. Madara's version didn't travel from a distance great enough for atmospheric friction to ignite it into a roaring fireball. Diarmuid's, however, came cloaked in flames. True "Heavenly Fire." It was as if an A-rank Fire Release had been layered onto the impact.
Kitsuchi snapped out of his daze and shot an incredulous look at Diarmuid. Seeing that the man had no intention of following up and was merely watching them with a faint smile, Kitsuchi didn't dare hesitate. His chakra surged violently. He dropped low to the ground and roared, "Earth Release: Great Moving Earth Core!"
The cliffs on the right side of the canyon seemed to come alive under Kitsuchi's technique. The already towering rock face groaned and surged upward. Kitsuchi intended to use the rising earth to intercept the Tengai Shinsei. He knew his limits; he knew he couldn't stop it alone.
"Don't just stand there! Combined technique, now!" he bellowed.
Iwagakure was famous for its abundance of Earth Release specialists. Kitsuchi's shout sparked a survival instinct in the men. Being elite ninja, once they adjusted their mindset, they moved with precision.
"First hundred-man squad, coordinate with my Moving Earth Core!" Kitsuchi shouted.
The disciplined squad dropped in unison, palms hitting the ground. Massive amounts of chakra flowed into the earth. The rising cliff face, already shifting violently, accelerated its growth, soaring into the air to meet the meteorite prematurely.
"Second squad, Super Multi-Layer Swamp of the Underworld, target the top of the cliff!"
Another hundred ninja formed signs with perfect synchronicity. "Earth Release: Super Swamp of the Underworld!"
The Swamp of the Underworld technique typically turned terrain into mud, but it possessed a space-time quality, linking to a literal underworld dimension that swallowed anything that fell into it. In the shinobi world, several Earth Release techniques shared this trait, like the Sticky Earth Drop used by the Anbu to restrain the Animal Path during Pain's invasion. While space-time ninjutsu was mysterious, it wasn't unheard of; it just required immense talent to master as a standalone art.
Is this enough? Kitsuchi thought, his heart racing. He didn't know if there was any other way. If his father, the Tsuchikage, were here, he might have used the Weighted Rock Technique to counteract the mass, but Kitsuchi hadn't mastered that particular art.
They were trapped. This canyon was a dead end, and they had sealed the exit themselves to trap the Cloud ninja. Now, they had effectively entombed themselves.
Under the trembling gaze of the Iwagakure ninja, the Tengai Shinsei slammed into the elevated cliff face. The Great Moving Earth Core and the Super Swamp of the Underworld actually did something. The colossal meteorite crushed the rising earth instantly, shattering the cliff, but the swamp absorbed a massive portion of the downward kinetic energy. The impact was dampened, and the speed of the descent slowed significantly.
However, it wasn't over. It was still enough to crush them all.
A flash of hope crossed Kitsuchi's face. He felt the momentum wane. He might just be able to withstand the rest. His hands blurred into a dizzying sequence of seals. After three seconds, he slammed his palms down.
"Secret Technique: Sandwiching Mountain!"
Though categorized as a B-rank Earth Release, it was a "Secret Technique" because so few could master it. It required a ninja with extreme physical strength and Earth Release proficiency. It was one of the highest-tier immobilization arts in existence. (In the original timeline, Kitsuchi used this to suppress the Gedo Mazo for a significant duration).
As the technique activated, the crumbling cliffs were forcibly knitted back together. Simultaneously, the cliff on the opposite side surged. Two gargantuan walls of earth rose from the left and right, meeting at an angle to "catch" the sliding meteorite in a vice grip. Kitsuchi let out a long cry, pouring chakra out as if it were worthless. Through sheer force of will, the Sandwiching Mountain held the Tengai Shinsei aloft.
The descent stopped, though the earth groaned under the pressure. Kitsuchi was already exhausted from three days of battle; he was at his limit. Sweat poured down his face, which had turned deathly pale.
Fortunately, the Iwagakure ninja weren't just spectators. Seeing Kitsuchi hold the line, thousands of them acted. Various reinforcement ninjutsu flew out. Soon, the space between the two cliffs was reinforced with a dense, spiderweb-like lattice of earth pillars. Together, the thousands of ninja finally halted Diarmuid's Tengai Shinsei.
Feeling the impact dissipate, Kitsuchi released the technique. His legs buckled, and he nearly fell face-first into the dirt.
"Is it... over?" Kitsuchi murmured. He looked at Diarmuid as if looking at a monster. He burned that face into his memory. Rodriguez Diarmuid.
Diarmuid didn't speak. He simply offered a small smile.
Kitsuchi took a deep breath, supporting his weak body, and turned to his subordinates. "Retreat!"
Clearly, this man was a freak of nature even more terrifying than the Third Raikage. If he could call down one meteorite, he could probably call down more. And looking at him, he hadn't even broken a sweat. This time, he had shown mercy. If they stayed, they would all be buried here.
Following Kitsuchi's order, the Iwagakure ninja gathered their fallen comrades and began a swift retreat. Diarmuid didn't stop them. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the Third Raikage.
"Now... it's your turn."
"I suppose I have been living under a rock," the Third Raikage said, his voice heavy. "I have been Raikage for many years, yet I have never heard your name. Who are you?"
"I've only recently started traveling," Diarmuid explained simply.
The Third Raikage narrowed his eyes. He assumed Diarmuid was being dismissive, but he wasn't foolish enough to press for details from such a dangerous man. He shifted his tone. "I thank you for helping repel the Iwagakure brats. Kumogakure will reward you handsomely."
The Raikage was no fool. With Iwagakure gone, he was no longer at death's door. He had no desire to clash with a powerhouse like Diarmuid. He acted as if the previous tension hadn't happened, treating Diarmuid like a savior.
Diarmuid felt a bit awkward. This old man is a sharp one. No "Kage" is ever simple.
"No need for thanks," Diarmuid said, cutting through the pleasantries. "I came here specifically for you, Raikage-sama."
The Raikage's expression darkened. "What is your meaning?"
"The Kumogakure secret arts, your Nintaijutsu. I want them," Diarmuid stated plainly.
"Impossible!" the Raikage barked without hesitation.
"Then I'm afraid I must apologize..." Diarmuid whispered.
The moment the words left his lips, an invisible weight of gravity pressed down on the Third Raikage. However, the Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, his lightning-stimulated cells, and his Herculean physique were legendary. The sudden gravity only caused him to stumble for a split second. With a flash of electricity, he used a Lightning Flicker to create distance.
He didn't engage. He turned and bolted.
He had stayed behind only to stop the Iwagakure pursuit. Now that they were gone, there was no reason to fight a deathmatch with Diarmuid.
Diarmuid blinked, then shook his head. "Tough exterior, but a very tactical mind, eh?"
As he spoke, Diarmuid extended his arm. A black vortex rapidly formed in his palm.
"Universal Pull!" Kakuzu suddenly shouted.
Diarmuid: "???"
You shouted the move? How am I supposed to look cool now? Is there something wrong with you?