Aoba stared up at the massive form of the Three-Tails. Its still, unblinking eyes were locked onto him and Deidara. Swallowing hard, he muttered, "I guess Senpai Deidara is still the best one for this…"
The Three-Tails, Isobu, suddenly roared, "You look like a turtle. Your whole clan does. I'll turtle you to death!"
Deidara shrugged. "That wasn't my insult. What do you want from me?"
Isobu growled, "Then call that jerk out. My brothers and I will finish him off!"
The Tailed Beasts all chimed in, "We're sealed away… good luck!"
Isobu grumbled, "…Fine."
Ding! Question Incoming!
Ding! Who is the Masked Man in the video?Correct answer earns 8,000,000 gold coins.Wrong answer: unknown punishment.This is a live-timing question. Only names typed in chat count. Choose carefully.
Ding! Still haven't answered? How about eight million?
Obito blinked in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me. Two chances?"
Madara cursed the system's cruelty.
Ōnoki: They raised the price? Eight million for a single name?
Fourth Raikage: Are you serious? Stop messing with our wallets!
Kisame: If it were me, I'd answer ten million times over!
Karin: You'd resurrect yourself just to suffer here again? Really?
Kisame froze, cheeks flushing red.
Meanwhile, the Masked Man, Aoba, nearly burst into tears. "Obito, come on! We'll split the eight million!"
"Shut up!" Obito snapped.
Ding! Three…Two…One…
Ding! Continue watching the video!Coward! You think I'll stop the footage just because you didn't answer?
Obito clenched his fists. "This system is seriously vicious."
Kakashi: Aw, don't be mad, Obito. I got that nerfed Kamui yesterday! Lucky me!
Karin: Wow, Kakashi, you're unstoppable!
Obito: Kakashi, shut up!
Video resumes:
Up in the sky, Deidara called out as Aoba tried to sneak away. "You finally made it into the Akatsuki, right? This next mission's yours, hm!"
Obito (chat): So the answer is Aoba?
Aoba: Damn. Eight million gone. I could've bought so much… never mind.
Kakashi: Obito, what's with that look on your face?
Aoba looked as if he might cry. Eight million coins for a single name, and he missed it. Meanwhile, Kakashi was bragging and Karin was cheering him on. Obito fumed in silence.
Back in the sky, Deidara reversed his clay bird while Aoba stood stranded on the Three-Tails' massive tail. The beast flicked its tail, sending Aoba flying into the lake with a splash.
"Aaaaahhhh!" Aoba yelled, thrashing in the water. "Why me? A water monster like this should've been Kisame's job!"
A shadow flickered beneath the waves.
Aoba turned, only to be slapped back underwater by another tail strike. He tumbled in the current, utterly helpless.
"Pathetic," Deidara scoffed from above. Furious at Aoba's incompetence, he reached into his pouch and shaped a lump of clay into a fish. With a quick throw, the fish splashed into the lake.
Boom! The explosion sent the Three-Tails flipping onto its back. Aoba skidded across the creature's belly, coughing and flailing, then stood up triumphantly.
"We did it! Long live Akatsuki! Senpai, did you see my jutsu?"
Deidara glared at him. "That was my clay explosion. My art. Don't forget, I saved you. You're still the newbie here, so cool it, will ya?"
Aoba huffed. "You talk more than I do." Laughing, he struck a dramatic pose.
Deidara's grin vanished. His expression darkened as he licked his fingers ominously. Fixing Aoba with a chilling stare, he snapped, "Just kidding," then let out a dry laugh.
Scene change:
Two of Deidara's clay birds, connected by a long cord, dragged the unconscious Three-Tails through the sky like a captured trophy. Aoba lay flat on its shell, sulking as the wind whipped past him.
Deidara's voice echoed from above.
"Don't get too cocky, hm."
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