With a loud "boom," a violent sound erupted, the ground trembled slightly, debris scattered, and dust flew everywhere.
"Lady Mizukage!" Chojuro and Ao shouted, trying to run over.
"Stay back!" Mei Terumi's voice came from the dust.
Chojuro and Ao immediately stopped, nervously watching the battle scene ahead.
As the dust cleared, the Raikage's muscular figure appeared, while Mei Terumi stood some distance away, panting lightly, sweat beading on her forehead.
Just in time, Mei Terumi had used a burst of chakra to leap away, evading the Raikage's strike. However, the exertion had significantly depleted her chakra, and her leg muscles were slightly strained. In contrast, the Raikage seemed hardly affected.
The Raikage's strength was clearly superior. Although Mei Terumi had two bloodline limit, breaking through the Raikage's high defense and thick skin, coupled with his chakra armor, was proving difficult.
"Hand over Killer Bee, and I'll let you go," the Raikage demanded, pointing at Mei Terumi.
"I told you, we didn't capture Killer Bee," Mei Terumi replied coldly, calming her breath.
"Stubborn fool."
With a stomp, the ground caved in, and using the momentum, the Raikage shot forward like an arrow.
In the clash with the Raikage, Mei Terumi was clearly at a disadvantage. The Raikage's exceptional defense made it hard for her to find an opening. The best strategy was to slowly deplete his chakra. When the Raikage's chakra was nearly exhausted, it would be his defeat.
However, the Raikage's speed was overwhelming, and his attacks were swift and precise, giving Mei Terumi no time to delay. Moreover, the forced chakra use had already injured her leg, reducing her speed.
Mei Terumi's eyes remained fixed on the Raikage, her hands forming seals rapidly.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique."
From Mei Terumi's mouth, a boiling mist was released, stronger than the previous Lava Release.
The mist hit the Raikage, covering his body, and his speed slowed down as the mist corroded his lightning chakra armor. Eventually, the outer layer of his chakra armor dissolved, and the mist reached his skin, causing it to start to erode.
Previously, the Lava Release had already partially dissolved the Raikage's chakra armor, leaving only a thin layer. Now, hit by the Boil Release, it disappeared completely.
The Raikage used his arms to shield himself from the Boil Release, narrowly avoiding disfigurement. However, his body was already severely burned, with large patches of skin charred, exposing the red muscle underneath.
"You think this can defeat me?" Before Mei Terumi could catch her breath, the Raikage roared. His chakra surged, lightning crackled around him, forming a sphere of lightning, his presence even more intimidating than before.
With a stomp, the ground shattered, sending debris flying.
The Raikage's figure vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already in front of Mei Terumi, his fist swinging down heavily.
"Lightning Release: Lariat."
"So fast," Mei Terumi's pupils contracted. She leaped back, her hands forming seals rapidly.
"Water Release: Water Wall."
A large volume of water surged up in front of Mei Terumi, forming a wall to block the Raikage.
Just then, water splashed wildly on the lake behind Mei Terumi. A massive creature emerged from the water, its back covered in a shell, resembling a turtle but with three tails—Three Tails.
Coincidentally, the place where the Raikage and Mei Terumi were fighting was the very location of the Three Tails.
Perhaps the intense battle had awakened it, making it feel threatened. The Three Tails roared, its mouth opening slightly as chakra gathered inside, then a powerful stream of water shot out.
The water stream struck the trees along its path, slicing them in half as if cut by a sharp blade. This was no ordinary water stream but a high-pressure jet infused with tremendous power, capable of slicing through steel like tofu.
With the Raikage in front and the Three Tails behind, Mei Terumi found herself in a dire situation. Her earlier evasive moves had left her legs sore, making it impossible to dodge again. She was trapped with no way out.
Mei Terumi's pupils contracted.
"Boom!"
An explosion erupted where Mei Terumi stood, sending water splashing everywhere and filling the air with mist. For tens of meters around, there was nothing but a white expanse.
When the mist cleared, Mei Terumi was nowhere to be seen. Only the Raikage remained, covered in wounds. The Three Tails' water stream could be deadly to others, but for someone with such strong defense and a robust physique, it was not enough to be fatal.
"Where did she go?" The Raikage looked around but did not see Mei Terumi.
"Up there."
Everyone looked up to see a silver-haired, beautiful girl floating in the air, holding Mei Terumi in her arms.
"What are you..." Mei Terumi hadn't recovered from her surprise and stared at Kaguya as if seeing her for the first time.
"Sorry, I deceived you," Kaguya said with an apologetic smile. She lightly tapped her toes and descended, setting Mei Terumi down. "I'll explain everything later."
Mei Terumi looked at her, expressionless, clearly angry.
"And you must be the Raikage," Kaguya said with a slight smile. "I suggest you stop wasting time here and look elsewhere. He might be performing a concert somewhere."
"Who are you? Move aside!" the Raikage shouted, swinging his large hand. "If I don't find Killer Bee today, I'll tear you all apart."
"What if we don't?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'll crush you too," the Raikage said, his eyes filled with menace.
"Then let's do this," Kaguya said, her lips curving into a smile as she walked forward.
Mei Terumi grabbed Kaguya's hand, her face serious. "You can't defeat him, don't go."
"Sorry, I'm Kaguya, the wanted rogue ninja," Kaguya said with a smile.
"You mean you're the..." Mei Terumi was stunned. The name had always seemed familiar, but she hadn't connected it. Now she realized this was Kaguya, the one who had repelled Orochimaru and defeated both the Third Hokage and Danzo.
Actually, her guard Ao had mentioned it before, but under the influence of the Tenseigan, she hadn't noticed.
As Mei Terumi was lost in thought, Kaguya had already engaged the Raikage. Mei Terumi gritted her teeth, wanting to help.
"Stay back," Kaguya suddenly turned and said, winking. "Or I'll be distracted."
"You arrogant little girl!"
With a roar from behind, the Raikage, surrounded by lightning, charged like a cannonball.
Kaguya activated her repulsive force, accelerating to dodge the Raikage's attack. The Raikage continued his charge, smashing a distant rock into powder with a single punch.
His immense physical strength and power were truly terrifying. Even without using ninjutsu, his prowess was formidable.
In his chakra mode, the Raikage's speed was astonishing, like the lightning on his body, making it seem as if he was using space-time ninjutsu.
Kaguya continued to dodge, using her highly perceptive Tenseigan to observe the Raikage's every move. Even the slightest muscle twitch was visible, allowing her to anticipate his actions and evade using her gravitational abilities.
Suddenly, the Raikage's lightning flared, and he vanished—using Lightning Instantaneous.
Kaguya's Tenseigan immediately detected his presence behind her.
"Guillotine Drop!"
The Raikage leapt high, powerful chakra gathering in his leg, which he then brought down with a heavy chop towards Kaguya.
Kaguya turned, raising her hand. Amidst her flowing hair, she activated her repulsive force.
"Boom!"