An invisible ripple swept past. The enormous C1 Clay Bird, along with Deidara and Kabuto Yakushi on its back, had no time to react.
As though an invisible hand had erased part of it from existence, the bird's wings snapped instantly. It lost its balance and began tumbling toward the sea!
Even the fiery glow of the explosion dimmed somewhat, as though the very concept of an "explosion" had been weakened!
"What?!"
Kabuto Yakushi and Deidara scrambled off the out-of-control clay bird, their faces filled with shock!
"My clay... it actually... actually broke down outright?!!"
Deidara stared at his hands in disbelief.
Kabuto Yakushi was even more horrified inwardly:
This attack... it isn't Chakra, nor is it a simple physical slash... just what kind of power is this?!
Kabuto Yakushi hesitated no longer. He formed hand seals, and the sea below suddenly erupted!
A giant snake several times larger than First Manda burst from the water, opened its gaping maw, and lunged straight at Ye Chuan in midair!
It was none other than Second Manda, which Kabuto Yakushi had created using Orochimaru's cells!
"Ye Chuanliu! Try this!"
"This is Second Manda, which I painstakingly raised! Its strength and defenses far surpass the first! Even you won't be able to easily..."
Before Kabuto Yakushi could finish boasting-
Ye Chuan calmly glanced at the menacing giant snake, his gaze utterly unruffled.
He slowly gripped Wado Ichimonji at his waist. Rather than drawing it immediately, he let the giant snake lunge closer with its maw wide open, bringing a gust of fetid wind.
"Now!"
A gleam of smugness flashed in Kabuto Yakushi's eyes, as though he believed Ye Chuan had been cowed by Second Manda's imposing presence.
Yet just as Second Manda was about to swallow him, Ye Chuan moved.
He did not