Naruto: Deidara’s Struggle

Swoosh!

Faced with the surging tidal wave, Itachi Uchiha naturally wouldn't just stand his ground and take it head-on.

Admittedly, he was a genjutsu specialist, and his proficiency in Fire Release was also noteworthy. However, when it came to countering such a large-scale Water Release, his fire techniques were essentially useless.

If he were to resist directly, his only option would be Susano'o. But unlike his foolish little brother, Itachi knew better than to recklessly drain his ocular power, blinding himself in the process.

Instead, he leapt gracefully into the air, nimbly dodging the giant waves as he moved. Each jump was perfectly timed, allowing him to evade the onslaught with remarkable ease.

"Second Squad! Use Water Gun Jutsu!" commanded the blood mist faction's rear-line leader. Clearly, he hadn't expected a genjutsu specialist to possess such exceptional agility, effortlessly avoiding the waves without even getting wet.

"Water Release: Water Gun Technique!"

Countless water bullets were fired like cannonballs at Itachi, densely packed like raindrops, leaving no room for evasion.

"Got him!" one of the Kirigakure ninjas shouted excitedly.

But in the next instant, the Itachi they had hit dissolved into a flock of crows, scattering in all directions before reappearing elsewhere.

This wasn't a Body Flicker Technique or any form of space-time ninjutsu. Instead, Itachi had cast a genjutsu on the entire Second Squad the moment they aimed at him.

Deidara and his group, observing from the sidelines, saw the truth clearly.

In reality, the Second Squad's water bullets hadn't struck Itachi at all. Instead, they had been redirected toward their own allies in the First Squad, causing significant casualties.

"What?!" The blood mist faction's high-ranking member cried out in shock. This level of genjutsu was beyond his comprehension.

"It's the Sharingan!"

"It's him! The Clan-Slayer, Itachi Uchiha!" someone exclaimed, noticing that the genjutsu specialist's eyes had turned red. They immediately recognized his identity. While this level of genjutsu was terrifying, even Itachi had to rely on his Sharingan to achieve it.

No wonder there were so few true genjutsu specialists in the ninja world—reaching Kage-level proficiency in genjutsu was an incredibly difficult path.

Realizing that the opponent before them was Itachi Uchiha, and witnessing his otherworldly genjutsu, the blood mist faction had no choice but to change their target. They redirected their attacks toward Sasori and Deidara.

The chaotic battle had officially begun!

"C1 Special Type: Swarm of Serpents!"

Deidara pressed his hands to the ground, unleashing a makeshift version of the Myriad Snake Net Formation. Countless clay serpents slithered forward, surging toward the enemy.

"What the hell are these things?!"

The blood mist ninjas found themselves surrounded by the strange creatures. The writhing serpents were endless, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down for even a moment. If any of these creatures got too close, they would explode instantly.

"Use Lightning Release!" One of the ninjas soon discovered the clay creatures' weakness.

"Attack these things with Lightning Release! It'll neutralize them immediately!"

"Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!" "Lightning Release: False Darkness!" "Lightning Release: Charged Wave!"

In an instant, a barrage of Lightning Release techniques was unleashed, effectively neutralizing Deidara's clay creatures. The battlefield momentarily cleared.

Don't underestimate Kirigakure's proficiency in Lightning Release. Due to water's conductivity, Lightning Release had always been a natural complement to Water Release. Among the Five Great Shinobi Nations, Kirigakure's average level of Lightning Release mastery was second only to Kumogakure.

"Haha!" A blood mist jonin wielding a large blade laughed heartily.

Pointing his sword at Deidara in the distance, he taunted loudly, "What now, kid? Looks like you're out of tricks! Watch me cut you down!"

"C1 Standard Type: Spiders!"

A swarm of white clay spiders with purple-striped legs appeared on the battlefield. With a powerful leap, they lunged at the charging blood mist jonin.

"Useless!"

"Lightning Release: Purple Lightning Wave!" The jonin, with a smug expression, unleashed a long arc of purple lightning from his blade, enveloping a large area of the clay spiders.

But he failed to notice the subtle difference in the spiders' coloration this time. Predictably, he was reduced to ashes in a single explosion.

Boom!

Deidara took a few steps forward, his approach causing the blood mist ninjas to instinctively retreat in fear.

"Let me show you my lightning-resistant creations!" he declared, his voice slightly muffled as he chewed on clay.

"You'll be the first to witness them!"

"C2 Special Type: Spider Queen!"

Finally, Deidara unveiled his clay masterpiece, designed specifically for large-scale battlefield scenarios.

A few scattered Shock Value notifications appeared in his mind, but Deidara found it rather dull. Kirigakure had grown too weak; there were too few elite jonin to provide him with substantial Shock Value.

Meanwhile, Sasori stood off to the side, contributing minimally to the fight while silently critiquing Deidara.

"That brat really is resourceful. He's actually developed clay that can resist Lightning Release," Sasori thought.

He had no intention of exposing the secrets of his true body in front of so many people. After all, Deidara was better suited for this kind of situation. Not that Sasori would have been any less effective if he had stepped in.

Deidara mounted his clay bird and ascended into the sky, gazing toward the Mizukage Building at the center of Kirigakure.

Still no movement? Was Obito really planning to keep Yagura Karatachi hiding like a turtle?

Deidara considered going directly to Mei Terumī and storming the Mizukage Building. Even if he did nothing, Yagura's cowardly behavior tonight would likely cost him his position as Mizukage.

After tonight, the blood mist faction would be severely weakened, and their internal divisions would deepen. Meanwhile, Mei Terumī's reform faction would solidify their suspicions about Yagura.

But if possible, Deidara didn't want to give Obito or Black Zetsu any time to maneuver. As long as there was time, there was uncertainty. Who knew what schemes they might concoct?

At that moment, a surge of powerful chakra erupted from the Mizukage Building.

Deidara wasn't alarmed; instead, he was delighted. Having faced Tailed Beasts twice before, he was all too familiar with this sensation.

It was the chakra of the Three-Tails. Yagura Karatachi was finally making his move.

"It's the Mizukage!" the blood mist ninjas cheered. Their previously low morale surged as they found their backbone, erupting into spontaneous applause.

They had been utterly crushed earlier, unable to believe that their elite ninja forces had been so thoroughly overpowered by just three enemies—enemies who didn't even seem to be trying.

Had Kirigakure's isolation over the past few years left them so far behind the rest of the ninja world?

"Outsiders! You will pay for this!"

Yagura Karatachi, his body cloaked in the chakra of the Three-Tails, stepped forward. In his hands, he wielded a massive hook-like weapon resembling a long, unopened umbrella.

"Finally showing yourself. I've been waiting for you," Deidara said, his tone serious. He reached into the clay pouches at his sides, his hands beginning to knead.

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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Naruto: Deidara's Struggle

God-Tier Kazekage: Building the Ultimate Hidden Sand Village 

Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

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