Might Guy's chest heaved as he processed the reality before him. Could it be… that Ashveil really possessed such terrifying defensive power?
Previously, his ordinary punches and kicks hadn't fazed Ashveil, and Guy hadn't paid it much mind. But now, after opening his Eighth Gate, his body had reached the peak of human potential. Not only had his strength surged qualitatively, but his techniques—amplified by the extreme state of the Eight Gates—were hundreds of times stronger than before. Under normal circumstances, anyone facing such attacks would be crushed instantly. For Ashveil to calmly withstand this, it seemed almost suicidal.
Yet, Ashveil's composed expression unsettled Might Guy. The aura he radiated was far beyond mere confidence; it was absolute intimidation. Even with the full might of the Eight Gates Formation, Guy's heart trembled slightly. Could his attacks truly pierce Ashveil's defenses? Doubt gnawed at him, but in the midst of battle, hesitation was a luxury he couldn't afford. He suppressed his uncertainty, pushing forward with relentless force.
From the sidelines, Deidara's eyes widened as he awoke slightly. He could hardly believe what he was witnessing. Even having seen Ashveil's power firsthand, the sheer ferocity and speed of Might Guy's Eight Gates attacks left him unsure who held the upper hand. The Eight-Tails fragment lying nearby no longer captured his attention; all his focus was on the duel unfolding before him.
Tobi, on the other hand, had other concerns. As the mastermind behind the Eye of the Moon Plan, he had expected control over every variable. Yet now, Ashveil's overwhelming power and Might Guy's relentless assault distracted even Deidara. "Senior Deidara, look at what you've done. The Eight-Tails fragment is lost. What if it escapes?" he barked, hoping to spur his subordinate into action.
Deidara shook his head, dismissing Tobi's panic. "Tobi, now is not the time to fret over the Tailed Beast. We're dealing with Might Guy. His strength surpasses even Kage-level foes. Chasing fragments now will only get us annihilated." Tobi realized further protest was futile and silently began retrieving the fragment himself, though his focus was scattered.
At that moment, the clash between the two titans began in earnest. Might Guy's ten successive attacks struck Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki-enhanced defenses without missing once. The impact caused the shield to ripple under the immense force, distorting the air around them. Shockwaves tore through the surrounding forest, toppling trees and sending debris flying.
Deidara's body jerked violently under the aftershocks, blood springing to his mouth as the internal damage threatened him even at a distance. If such destructive force barely affected him, what would it do to someone at the epicenter? The magnitude of the attack rivaled the power of the Eight-Tails itself.
Lee's eyes glimmered with excitement and reverence. This was his beloved Teacher demonstrating the true pinnacle of the Eight Gates Formation. Every movement was a lesson, every strike a masterclass in combat.
When the dust and ruin cleared, Ashveil remained standing, composed as ever. Might Guy's face twisted in disbelief. "How… how is this possible? How did you withstand my attack?"
Ashveil's calm eyes met his. "Listen carefully, Might Guy. I was able to remain unharmed because your attack never breached my defenses. On my planet, I have faced many like you, masters of Taijutsu. None have ever broken my shield," he explained coolly.
Guy's jaw tightened. Could this be true? Lee felt a chill run down his spine. The sheer scale of destruction that Might Guy had wrought moments ago was staggering, yet Ashveil had emerged untouched. Even the full might of the Eight Gates Formation had been ineffective.
Deidara, too, gaped in shock. Who—or what—was Ashveil? A monster, a living embodiment of unstoppable force, that was the only word that could describe him.