As Asuma and Shikamaru confirmed that Izumo and Kotetsu were unharmed, they both exhaled in relief. However, upon learning that their teammates were rendered powerless due to the overwhelming stench released in the explosion, the corners of their mouths twitched uncontrollably.
"What kind of ninjutsu even is this?" Asuma muttered incredulously. "Who invents a technique like that?"
"Ready to choke people to death with a scent?" Shikamaru added, his gaze falling on the sticky orange liquid left behind.
He crouched down to inspect it closely and blinked in disbelief. "Is this… tangerine juice?"
The realization left Shikamaru momentarily stunned. This couldn't be right. Was the mysterious white-haired ninja who had participated in the Hokage Battle—the one who joined Otogakure and the Akatsuki—really responsible for such a bizarre move?
They had assumed Satoru would use some unique, fearsome technique, but this… this was absurd.
For a moment, the Konoha ninja fell silent. Even the dark Akatsuki cloak worn by Satoru seemed to lose some of its menacing allure.
"Is this really the standard for Akatsuki members?" Asuma asked rhetorically, still trying to process the situation.
Deidara's Entrance
Deidara stepped out of the gold exchange house, carrying the air of someone who'd just finished a mundane errand. His expression turned slightly sour as he took in the aftermath.
"Hey, Satoru, this is your handiwork?" Deidara asked, gesturing at the mess.
The corners of his mouth twitched as he spoke. Part of him didn't even want to admit they were in the same organization.
"You went too easy on them," Deidara said, crossing his arms. "Let's wrap this up quickly."
A wave of killing intent rolled off Deidara, and the tension in the air thickened. Asuma and his team immediately tensed up, realizing this yellow-haired ninja wasn't one to be taken lightly.
Shikamaru's eyes darted between Deidara and Satoru. He had already signaled for backup, but it would take time for reinforcements to arrive. For now, they had to hold their ground.
A Dangerous Game
Satoru yawned, seemingly unfazed by the escalating tension. "Take it seriously? This isn't even a warm-up," he said lazily, but his tone carried a chilling indifference that made Shikamaru's gut tighten.
Deidara, however, ignored Asuma's team entirely, his gaze fixed on Satoru. "I still haven't forgotten our last match," he said. "You got the better of me with that explosion. But I wasn't going all out. Let's settle this now."
Satoru's pale blue eyes curved into an amused smile. "Oh? Back for more? Fine, let's pick up where we left off." His tone was playful, but there was an edge of danger to it. "What do you think, Deidara? How about we make things more interesting… use them as part of the game?" He gestured toward the Konoha ninja.
Deidara tilted his head, considering the suggestion. "Hmm, why not?" He turned to Asuma's group with a smirk. "Looks like you're all part of the entertainment now."
Asuma's jaw tightened. "Entertainment? Don't underestimate us!" He gripped his chakra blades, his stance ready for battle.
Shikamaru's mind worked furiously, assessing the situation. The enemy's arrogance might give them an opening, but it was clear these two were dangerous—even among the Akatsuki.
Chaos Unfolds
Deidara was the first to strike, molding a handful of clay into small explosive birds and hurling them toward the group. The projectiles soared through the air with deceptive grace before detonating in bursts of fire and smoke.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Asuma and Shikamaru narrowly dodged the blasts, sweat beading on their brows. "How is he so precise with these explosions?" Shikamaru muttered. "And he's skilled in both close and long-range combat…"
Meanwhile, Satoru evaded Deidara's attack effortlessly, leaning back casually as an explosive bird flew past him. He sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "Deidara, are we even on the same side? Why are you aiming at me too?"
Deidara smirked. "Come on, Satoru. You're an artist too, right? Let's make this fun."
A Deadly Strategy
Asuma took advantage of the chaos to launch a direct attack on Satoru. Chakra blades in hand, he charged forward with a ferocity born of necessity. If they couldn't take out one of these Akatsuki members soon, the situation would spiral out of control.
Satoru noticed Asuma's approach out of the corner of his eye. His pale blue eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Coming for me, huh? Do I look more harmless than Deidara?"
Asuma's determination only deepened Satoru's grin. "Alright, I'll give you something to remember."
With a sudden burst of speed, Satoru evaded Asuma's attack, slipping behind him in the blink of an eye. Before Asuma could react, Satoru flicked a shuriken attached to an explosive tag toward the group, forcing everyone to scatter.
Controlled Chaos
For the next few moments, the battlefield descended into chaos. Satoru danced between Deidara's attacks and Konoha's counterattacks, seemingly toying with both sides. His movements were unpredictable, and his actions kept everyone guessing.
Shikamaru attempted to ensnare him with the Shadow Possession Jutsu multiple times, but Satoru evaded each attempt with unnerving ease. "Is he just messing with us?" Shikamaru muttered, frustration mounting.
Deidara, meanwhile, was equally frustrated. "Hey, Satoru, stop dodging and fight me seriously!"
Satoru glanced at him with a grin. "I'm fighting. You're just not keeping up."
As the smoke and chaos thickened, one thing became clear to Asuma and his team: they were outmatched. Reinforcements couldn't arrive soon enough.
A Dangerous Smile
Satoru's smile widened as he observed the battlefield. "Deidara, Asuma… you both need to try harder if you want to make this fun for me."
The glint in his pale blue eyes sent a chill down Asuma's spine. This wasn't just a fight—it was a game to him, one where everyone else was just a piece on the board.
For now, Konoha's team could only hold on and hope their reinforcements arrived before the game ended in disaster.
This chapter balances humor, tension, and action while ensuring smooth readability. Let me know if further tweaks are needed!