The mountainous region between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire has transformed into a battlefield during the clash between Rock Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi.
In stark contrast to the robust 10,000-strong army of Rock Shinobi. Cloud Shinobi, continuously assaulted by sneak attacks, now dwindles to merely a few thousand.
Even the Third Raikage being at the pinnacle of Kage-level strength, couldn't help but feel the chill of sweat on his side face under such intense pressure. Especially as he observed the figure of the old man with the red nose hovering in the air right before him. The Third Raikage gritted his teeth in sheer hatred.
"I never expected Onoki to take matters into his own hands at such a crucial moment," remarked Dodai, his face reflecting extreme displeasure.
The surrounding pathways were completely sealed off by Rock Shinobi's ninjas. With a nearly tenfold difference in combat power, the remaining 1,000 Cloud Shinobi teetered on the brink of despair.
"Listen up, everyone!" Dodai suddenly waved and shouted. "Spread out! Clear a path for Raikage-sama!"
In such a dire situation, concentrating the remaining combat power to break through seemed the most crucial course of action. However, Onoki's dust release technique posed a considerable challenge.
If the Raikage faced Onoki at this point, they would only fall into Onoki's trap. The only viable option now was to disperse and create opportunities for the Third Raikage to escape.
Mid-sentence, Dodai turned to the Third Raikage, repeating the same plea as before: "Lord Raikage! Even if you retreat alone, please escape!"
"What are you talking about Dodai? Am I the kind of person who clings to life and fears death?" responded the Third Raikage indignantly.
The recent Raikages are widely regarded as effective leaders. Although their tactics toward other villages have included cunning and deceit—such as the attempted kidnapping of Uzumaki Kushina a few years ago or their later demand for Hyuga Hizashi's body from Konoha—these actions were directed at rival villages. Importantly, they have not taken hostile actions against their own ninjas within the village like done in Kiri, Suna, and Konoha.
Even the Third Raikage could inspire a sense of loyalty among them.
"Master Raikage! Your life alone is more important than a thousand of us!" Dodai roared. "Now that Master A is gone, there's an opening for the next lead in the village. If something happens to you, no one can predict what will become of the village! The village needs you more than us."
The Third Raikage, hearing Dodai's words was silent.
At that moment, Onoki floated to the front with a sneer, "Don't waste your time thinking about it; none of you are leaving."
The Third Raikage's anger, which had been momentarily subdued, erupted once more as he shouted, "Damn it, you scheming old bastard!"
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!" Onoki shot suddenly. The fingertips of his ten fingers touched, forming a triangular shape, and Chakra condensed in the center and transformed into a transparent ball of light. In the next instant, it turned into a massive beam of light, rushing toward the Third Raikage.
"Slow as always!" The Third Raikage snarled disdainfully. The Lightning release Chakra armour exploded and he swiftly avoided Onoki's attack.
Even if he had the [Strong Shield], he dared not take dust release head-on.
"Hell Spike·Four-Finger Nukite!" The Lightning Style Chakra Armored Third Raikage flashed behind Onoki and his right hand shaped like a sword slammed into Onoki's back.
It was evident that he was genuinely aiming to destroy his opponent. As soon as the confrontation began, he unleashed one of his most powerful moves.
"Heh~" Onoki sneered coldly.
Many Rock Shinobi, led by Kitsuchi simultaneously unleashed their jutsu.
"Earth Release: Earth Spears!"
At least fifty Rock Shinobi performed seals in unison, patting their hands on the ground. In an instant, the earth beneath the Third Raikage's feet burst open and countless soil-grown spears shot out of the crack that covered half of the battlefield.
The Third Raikage was undeniably fast, arguably one of the fastest in the current entire Ninja World. However, when the attack range of a technique exceeds the speed of evasion. Even his impressive speed becomes meaningless.
The Third Raikage's expression changed abruptly.
This level of Earth jutsu wasn't strong enough to breach his Lightning Style Chakra armor. But the Rock Shinobi's army had shifted their focus to attacking the over 1,000 Cloud Shinobi!
In contrast to Danzo's cold calculations ready to sacrifice shinobi for Konoha's future. The Third Raikage, known for his loyalty to Cloud Shinobi couldn't bear to witness their demise. Seeing Cloud Shinobi dying under the siege of countless Rock Shinobi, his face twisted in pain and anguish, fueled his rage. He disregarded the pursuit of Onoki and turned to rescue the Cloud Shinobi in distress.
"Master Raikage, what are you doing? I told you to leave us alone; hurry up and find a chance to escape!" Dodai shouted in panic as he witnessed the Third Raikage rushing towards them.
"He is a simple-minded idiot, so let him save you and die," Onoki said, flashing a sly smile. Rock Shinobi's jutsu aimed at the Third Raikage's left leg. After all, his goal was to incapacitate the Third Raikage ensuring his capture without causing lethal harm.
The life of the Third Raikage must be protected. To prevent him from escaping, they opted to immobilize him by breaking a leg first.
"Be careful Tsuchikage-sama!"
Suddenly, Kitsuchi's urgent shout reached Onoki's ears, prompting an abrupt change in his expression. Simultaneously, a sense of danger washed over him.
Turning swiftly, he beheld a streak of blue, remarkably similar to the Third Raikage hurtling toward him. Who could it be?
The speed rivaled that of the Third Raikage!
"Raikiri!"
Hatake Sakumo brandished the White Fang, piercing through Onoki's form. Yet, in the next moment, it was revealed that what appeared to be Onoki was merely a clump of mud mimicking his body. "Earth-style clone such swift execution but..."
Suspended in midair, Hatake Sakumo maintained the sword in a coiled current state and flung it abruptly towards the lower right. It cleaved through the low-flying Onoki. "There!"
"Uh!?" Onoki hadn't anticipated that even after evading with the Earth-style clone. The opponent would still discern his escape route.
With no time for hand seals, he had to sidestep.
A white blade crackling with electric current swept across his side, inducing searing pain and causing Onoki to plummet to the ground.
"Get out of the way."
The sun-like flames engulfed the bodies and souls of both Cloud Shinobi and Rock Shinobi increasing the corpses upon contact.
Tatsuya, wielding the flame blade, presented a stark contrast to Hatake Sakumo with his white hair and a black scorched blade.
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