"Just explain the situation as it is. Do not try to excuse me, otherwise… you will also be suspected," Ashveil instructed coldly.
"Understood, Deidara. In that case, we'll meet again," Deidara replied, still processing everything.
Without another word, Ashveil activated his Overlord Color Haki and vanished instantly from Deidara's sight.
"Ashveil!" Deidara called out in surprise, but it was already too late. Ashveil had disappeared.
Deidara turned back to the weakened Nine-Tails lying on the ground. Should I step in and finish the mission? he wondered. That would count as completing the task.
But the gazes of Tsunade and the other Leaf Village shinobi froze him in place. Their medical ninjutsu would heal Naruto swiftly. Better to leave now and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Helpless, Deidara reluctantly departed, frustration evident in his movements.
Meanwhile, Ashveil soared freely through the sky, feeling as unrestrained as a bird.
"With Golden Conqueror's Haki, even the Otsutsuki Clan would not faze me," he said, a confident smirk crossing his face. "Next, I just need to face some renowned ninjas, preferably those with Six Paths-level power… then my Overlord Color Domain and Ope-Ope no Mi will be fully unleashed."
He stretched his fingers slightly, enjoying the thought of reaching his peak power once again. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he allowed himself a moment of relaxation, savoring some local snacks.
Elsewhere, Deidara, mounted on his clay bird, quickly returned to the Akatsuki hideout.
Inside, when Tobi learned of Ashveil's actions, rage almost consumed him, revealing a glimpse of Obito's true persona. Yet at that moment, he still relied on Nagato's puppet to speak.
"In that case," Tobi said, voice calm but menacing, "issue a kill order for Ashveil. However, personnel are stretched thin right now. I will personally lead the pursuit."
Deidara could only nod, powerless in the face of events spiraling out of his control.
But something puzzled him.
"Why isn't Itachi here?" he asked in surprise.
Before Akatsuki could respond, Tobi spoke first.
"Itachi has other priorities. He's seeking one of his relatives. Deidara Senpai, Itachi is… too boring sometimes, isn't he?"
Relative? Deidara recalled the Uchiha brat who had tried to impress Ashveil before. Is he still alive? he wondered, a flicker of curiosity crossing his mind.
Undeterred, Akatsuki deployed Tendou and other puppets, preparing to pursue Ashveil relentlessly.
Two days later, Ashveil's location was traced to the Land of Wind.
He merely smiled faintly at Akatsuki's approach. These people couldn't even handle the Nine-Tails, so how could they challenge him?
Yet now that he had left Akatsuki, Ashveil did not pretend ignorance.
"They've come…" he murmured, eyes narrowing.
"Nagato!" Ashveil's voice carried across the distance, sharp and unyielding.
In a distant cave, Nagato stiffened at the sound of his name, startled by the unexpected presence of Ashveil.