Chapter 115: The Helpless Itachi

As Dragonite's electrified fist connected, the enormous clay giant abruptly halted in midair.

In the next moment, it shattered into dust, its remains scattered by the wind, vanishing completely.

"This… this is impossible!"

Deidara's eyes widened in shock, his pupils dilating.

For a moment, he even forgot his usual catchphrase.

Blocking an attack was one thing—but to counter it so effortlessly, with such ease, was beyond comprehension.

It wasn't just Deidara who was stunned. The other three members of Akatsuki also stared, eyes filled with disbelief.

They knew they could have defended against the attack as well, but not this easily.

It was simply too effortless—one casual punch, and Deidara's attack was reduced to mere debris?

"Heh."

Ryo chuckled coldly, shaking his head as he gazed at Deidara. "So much for your so-called 'art'."

"No! I don't believe it! My art is the strongest! I won't allow you to insult it!"

Deidara's voice rose in fury as he spat out two more clay figures from the mouths on his palms.

However, before he could continue, Itachi grabbed his wrist.

"Wait. This isn't something we can handle alone."

Sasori's expression was grim as he nodded. "I hate to admit it, but he's right."

Kisame, his eyes wary as he glanced at Dragonite and Gardevoir, muttered, "So what now? Do we continue the mission, or do we retreat?"

"No! I refuse! My art hasn't been fully displayed yet! There's no way I'm leaving before showing him what true explosive artistry means!"

Deidara shouted, glaring at Kisame in defiance.

Ryo had mocked his art—how could he just leave now?

If he backed down, wouldn't that mean his art really wasn't worth much?

"If we don't leave now, we may not get another chance. That creature in the sky… it's beyond Kage-level. Even if we all attack together, we might not stand a chance."

Itachi spoke calmly, but his words carried a heavy weight.

Sasori hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Then we retreat for now."

"Are you all deaf? I said we're not leaving! I haven't shown my art yet! Hmph!"

Deidara's protests fell on deaf ears as his teammates exchanged wary glances.

The way they looked at him now was as if he were a fool.

But before they could continue their discussion, Ryo's voice rang out:

"Oh? So you think you can just leave whenever you want? Do you take me for a joke? This place isn't somewhere you can just waltz in and out of at will."

His voice carried a chilling edge, and his gaze darkened with irritation.

These Akatsuki members… did they think they could come and go as they pleased?

Roar!

As if responding to Ryo's words, Dragonite let out a deep growl from above.

A powerful gust of wind followed as it swooped down, instantly cutting off the Akatsuki members' retreat.

Seeing this, their expressions tightened with unease.

"Haha! Look at that! Even the heavens approve of my art and want me to display it!"

Deidara laughed maniacally.

"Fine! I'll let you all witness a true masterpiece!"

He prepared to unleash another attack, the mouths on his palms opening wide, tongues flicking out as they chewed up more clay.

But before he could make a move, Itachi stepped forward.

His Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly as he locked eyes with Dragonite.

"Tsukuyomi!"

A drop of blood trickled down from his eye.

Dragonite froze for a brief moment—

Then, without any reaction, it let out a loud roar.

It was completely unaffected.

Silence.

Sasori and the others turned to look at Itachi, confusion written all over their faces.

Their expressions seemed to say, Are you joking right now?

Itachi, on the other hand, stared at Dragonite in horror, his body trembling slightly.

"It… it ignored my Genjutsu."

The others, initially skeptical, now widened their eyes in shock.

"Itachi… you're not joking, are you?"

Sasori's voice was unusually serious.

Kisame and Deidara, their usual smugness gone, turned their full attention to Itachi.

They knew exactly how powerful his Mangekyō Sharingan was.

And yet, he had just claimed that his ultimate Genjutsu—Tsukuyomi—had failed completely?

Itachi, still shaken, slowly nodded. "Yes. It ignored my Tsukuyomi."

"Did you finally realize it?"

Ryo's voice rang out once again. He took a step forward, his gaze playful yet condescending.

"Dragonite is completely immune to Genjutsu. Surprised?"

The Akatsuki members were stunned.

Ryo couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Dragonite's ability, Inner Focus, ensured that it wasn't affected by negative mental effects.

Even against something as formidable as the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Dragonite likely wouldn't be affected.

"This is impossible…"

Itachi muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

A being immune to all Genjutsu? That defied everything he knew.

Ryo simply shrugged. "There are plenty of 'impossible' things in this world. Whether you accept it or not doesn't change reality."

Itachi fell silent, his face visibly pale.

As a master of Genjutsu, this revelation shook him to his core.

If it were just some minor illusion, he might have accepted it—but this was his Mangekyō Sharingan's innate ability!

"…Now I see why our leader sent us here. Your creatures… they truly defy all logic."

Sasori let out a bitter chuckle, his tone filled with reluctant admiration.

Immune to Genjutsu.

Possessing overwhelming strength.

A nightmare for any shinobi.

Kisame exhaled deeply. "Well, it looks like we have no choice but to fight, then."

His eyes gleamed with excitement as he raised Samehada.

Deidara, despite his earlier caution, grinned.

"Hmph! Well, that just makes this more interesting! You may be immune to illusions, but let's see if you can ignore explosions! Hm~"

Ryo merely sighed and glanced at Dragonite.

"Dragonite, teach them a lesson."

Since they were still eager to fight, he saw no need to keep talking.

A real beating would make them understand.