Anyway, Ashveil had already gained the experience he needed.
As for whether the Akatsuki could successfully capture the Nine Tailed Beasts, he honestly did not care in the slightest. His concern lay elsewhere, driven by motives far more selfish and far more dangerous.
What he truly wanted was for this world to eventually ignite the Third Great Ninja War.
Only in a war of that scale would all the truly powerful individuals emerge. Only then would he be able to temper himself through constant battle and regain his former strength more quickly.
That was precisely why he had already helped the Akatsuki capture so many Tailed Beasts.
From here on, all he needed to do was guide the Shinobi world to develop exactly as it had in the anime. As long as events followed that familiar trajectory, he would gain far more opportunities to grow.
Obito quietly turned his Sharingan toward Ashveil.
In Obito's eyes, someone capable of joining the Akatsuki with such overwhelming strength could not possibly have shallow ambitions. That was also the reason he had not interfered with Ashveil's actions so far. Ashveil had been diligently assisting in the capture of Tailed Beasts, and his usefulness was undeniable.
However, today's events made Obito pause.
Might Guy had clearly attacked Tobi, yet the only person present who could have stopped Guy, Ashveil, had chosen not to intervene at all.
This made Obito wonder whether Ashveil was already approaching his own objective.
For now, though, there was still a way to test him.
The Nine Tails.
If Ashveil truly went all out to help capture the Nine Tails, then he could still be fully utilized. With that thought, Obito narrowed his eyes.
In the future, he would need to keep a much closer watch on Ashveil.
"What should we do?"
Deidara was clearly at a loss and instinctively turned to Ashveil for guidance.
Ashveil smiled faintly, his tone calm. "I do not know either. But if the Eight Tails truly wants to escape, tracking him will be extremely difficult."
"Since that is the case, we should return and report first," he added indifferently.
Deidara nodded in agreement.
If they returned now, the Land of Lightning would most likely strengthen its defenses. Deidara was not afraid of fighting, especially with someone as powerful as Ashveil present.
What he feared most was the Eight Tails refusing to fight altogether and choosing to flee instead. If that happened, capturing him would be harder than ascending to the heavens.
For now, retreating was the only reasonable choice.
The group prepared to head back to the Akatsuki hideout to report.
But at that very moment, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
It was Sasuke.
Ashveil raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
Sasuke?
Was this the prelude to Deidara's self destruction?
Unfortunately for him, with Ashveil present, Sasuke would not be allowed to act so recklessly.
"You are members of the Akatsuki, aren't you?" Sasuke demanded coldly. "Tell me where Uchiha Itachi is, and I might spare your lives."
Deidara's expression instantly darkened.
The psychological scars Itachi had left on him were still fresh, and now even Itachi's younger brother dared to act arrogantly in front of him.
"Hey, hey, hey," Tobi spoke first, sounding casual. "I do know where Uchiha Itachi is, but sorry, I cannot tell you."
Deidara finally cast Tobi an approving glance. "That's right, Tobi. Just a mere Uchiha, daring to act arrogant in front of us. We definitely will not let him off."
A sharp glint flashed through Sasuke's eyes.
In the next instant, he lunged forward, blade in hand, his target clear.
Tobi.
"So fast," Deidara thought in shock.
Sasuke's sword pierced straight through Tobi's body. Sasuke straightened, confidence returning to his face.
"One down," he said smugly.
However, reality crushed that confidence almost immediately.
Tobi stood back up as if nothing had happened.
"Hey, hey, hey, sorry about that. I'm back on my feet."
Sasuke's eyes widened before turning cold.
"What terrifying eyes," Tobi said theatrically before leaping onto a nearby tree.
Deidara's expression turned serious. "Do not underestimate that guy, Tobi."
Throughout all of this, Ashveil had not moved an inch. He stood where he was, as if the entire situation had nothing to do with him.
Sasuke noticed.
"You are very arrogant, aren't you?" Sasuke snapped. "Fine. Then my next target is you."
In the next moment, he accelerated sharply, charging straight at Ashveil with shuriken in hand.
High above, Deidara rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Damn Uchiha brat. I was planning to have some fun with him myself."
"Who would have thought he would choose the one target he absolutely should not have chosen."
In Deidara's eyes, this arrogant Uchiha was already doomed.
The only regret was that Deidara hated the Uchiha so much that he had wanted to deal with Sasuke personally.
But provoking Ashveil?
That was nothing short of courting death.
Sasuke, however, thought none of that.
Seeing Ashveil standing motionless, he assumed the man was frozen in fear. Without hesitation, Sasuke swung his sword down.
"Die, Akatsuki scum. Being killed by me is the fate of you people," Sasuke muttered.
But when his blade drew close to Ashveil's body, something felt wrong.
No matter how much strength he poured into the strike, once the blade reached within a meter of Ashveil, it simply would not move forward.
Not even an inch.
Sasuke froze, utterly dumbfounded.
How was this possible?
He stared in disbelief, unable to understand why his attack was completely ineffective.
At last, Sasuke leapt back, retreating several meters away. Even so, his arrogance did not fade. He pointed his sword directly at Ashveil.
"I did not expect you to have some tricks," Sasuke admitted coldly. "But I have seen this kind of defense before."
"That man was called Gaara. This is Absolute Defense, isn't it?"
"When I was a child, I could already break through such defenses. Now I am far stronger than before. Dealing with this will be no problem at all."
Ashveil merely smiled faintly, his eyes filled with clear disdain.
"Arrogant dog," he said calmly. "If you think you can do it, then come."
Sasuke stiffened.
Never in his life had he been looked down upon so openly.
Even Deidara, watching from above, looked surprised.
Is this really Ashveil?
What Deidara did not know was that Ashveil had always despised Sasuke's arrogant, self righteous nature. Having read the story before, he felt no obligation to show Sasuke any courtesy.
You want to show off in front of me? Then you should know your place.
"Hahaha," Deidara laughed loudly. "Damn Uchiha brat, you finally got put in your place."
"You could have picked anyone else, but you just had to pick Ashveil. This time, he is definitely going to beat you until you beg."
Tobi also mocked him silently in his heart.
Back then, if Itachi had not begged me, you would already be dead. And now you still think you can challenge us?
Even I cannot easily shake Ashveil.
What do you amount to?
Sasuke's face darkened as he formed hand seals.
"Fire Style, Great Fireball Annihilation."
A massive surge of chakra erupted from his body as a blazing inferno rushed toward Ashveil. The intense heat scorched the surroundings, plants and trees withering under the pressure.
Sasuke straightened, confidence surging once more.
He believed he had the upper hand again.
But Ashveil had not even moved.