"Lightning Release: Lightning Cutter!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sword!"
The chaotic crackle of lightning and the piercing sound of howling wind flashed past Sakura, heading directly toward the towering, fierce black-skinned Raikage.
"Die!"
Furious beyond reason, the Raikage faced the incoming Kakashi and Shiranui Genma without dodging or flinching. His body crackled with lightning as he roared, seizing both of their wrists with his massive hands. With a simple twist of his body, he flung them away simultaneously!
Even the combined strike of Kakashi, who had maximized his speed with Lightning Release stimulation, and Shiranui Genma, who had enhanced his speed using Wind Release, was utterly ineffective!
Boom!
Two powerful jutsu exploded across the snowy landscape!
At this moment, the Monkey King also charged at Darui, forcing him back and reaching Sakura's side.
"Sakura, are you alright?"
The Monkey King looked at the dust- and snow-covered girl before him with concern.
"I'm fine. You came just in time."
Sakura shook her head and turned her gaze back to the Raikage, whose expression was so dark it seemed water might drip from it.
"Oh, what's this?"
"Want to fight?"
She raised a delicate brow, her emerald green eyes gleaming with undisguised provocation.
If earlier she had deliberately provoked the Raikage to agitate him, now she was genuinely fearless.
With the Monkey King by her side and Kakashi and Shiranui Genma in front of her, what was a mere Raikage?
He had to get through Kakashi first!
Sakura even had a bold idea—
Why not kill the Raikage right here and now?
Her emerald eyes glinted with malice, like a tiger lurking in the jungle at night, eyes fixed on its prey.
The Raikage's eyes were dark and deep as he glared at the brazenly provocative Sakura.
"Our previous agreement still stands—keep a hundred meters' distance. Once you reach the Leaf forces' territory, release Cee and Yugito."
Sakura almost laughed in disbelief.
What was supposed to be just about Cee had somehow now included Yugito as well?
"That's some plan you've got there."
"Should I praise you or scold you?"
"In the face of absolute power, everything else is meaningless. Who said that again?"
The Raikage's temple throbbed with veins; he was barely suppressing his rage!
"Boss!"
"Calm down!"
Darui's face was just as grim. Not only had Yugito been captured, but even Cee had fallen into the enemy's hands.
However, rash actions were not an option now. They had to feign compliance until they got closer to the main Cloud forces, where they could secretly mobilize troops to encircle the enemy and rescue both Cee and Yugito.
Kakashi, ever vigilant, approached Sakura and whispered in her ear,
"Don't go too far—Sasuke and the others haven't left the Cloud's territory yet."
Sakura maintained her composure but couldn't help feeling a bit speechless.
So you two came here without even checking on Sasuke and the others, huh?
"Have Shiranui Genma lead Sasuke and the others to leave quickly. Kakashi, you keep an eye on Darui."
"I'll hold off the Raikage with the Monkey King."
Without hesitation, Sakura swiftly devised a response strategy.
If it was just Sakura versus the Raikage, it would be a fifty-fifty match. But with the Monkey King's assistance, the odds shifted to sixty-forty in Sakura's favor.
Without a second thought, Shiranui Genma turned and left.
This disciple of the Hokage had already proven her strength and resolve.
Not only had she captured Yugito, but she was also willing to face the Raikage alone to buy time for her comrades to escape.
This earned Shiranui Genma's admiration for Sakura.
Watching Genma's swift departure, the Raikage's face darkened as he spoke up:
"Haruno Sakura, tell me—"
"What will it take for you to release them?"
The Raikage had never felt so humiliated in his entire life. Not even against the Fourth Hokage had he felt this frustrated.
"Another fifty meters back!"
Sakura responded without hesitation.
"You!"
The Raikage was about to curse Sakura for her shamelessness.
A hundred and fifty meters was more than enough for Cee to die three times over!
"What, you think you have the right to be righteous after breaking your promise?"
"Don't forget I haven't even settled the score for your ambush yet."
Sakura's cold gaze bore into the tall man before her as she tightened her grip on Cee's shoulder, causing him to wince in pain.
"One hundred and twenty meters!"
"No more than that!"
Darui interjected, his tone serious.
"Fine, one hundred and twenty it is!"
"But you two must stay within my sight!"
Sakura glanced at Kakashi, then grabbed Cee and began retreating.
In truth, she could have killed Cee right now, but she had to consider Sasuke and the others. Cee's survival was necessary for now.
Step by step, Sakura led Cee backward, not moving too quickly to buy time for Sasuke and the others to leave.
After some distance, Kakashi subtly glanced at the area where Sasuke and Kurenai had been.
It was already deserted.
Kakashi saw it, and Darui naturally noticed it too.
Both whispered something to the Raikage and Sakura, respectively. Immediately, Sakura picked up speed, dragging Cee as she sprinted toward the Cloud's border.
The Raikage and Darui followed closely behind.
Sakura glanced back at the Raikage, who was clinging to them like a persistent shadow, and without a second thought, increased her speed again with Kakashi.
Cee, whose arms and jaw had been dislocated, winced in agony.
The wind howled past their ears, snowflakes stung their faces, and Sakura maintained a calm expression as she dragged Cee along at high speed.
Along the way, they encountered several Cloud patrol teams, who stared in shock at Sakura and Kakashi.
What's going on?
Why were Leaf shinobi swaggering around their territory like this?
Were they being treated like clay figurines?
Just as they were about to attack, a familiar yet rough voice roared:
"Stand down!"
"Do not attack!"
The Raikage's eyes were dark as he watched the two fleeing figures, staying hot on their heels.
Although he ordered his men not to attack, he didn't let them leave either.
With a covert hand signal from the Raikage, one of his subordinates quickly left to report to the main Cloud forces.
This gave the Raikage a slight sense of relief.
In contrast, Darui's expression was grim.
He had initially intended to secretly coordinate with the main Cloud forces for an ambush.
But now, the enemy was moving in a straight line toward the Leaf forces.
So many people had witnessed the Raikage's reluctance to act because of one hostage.
If this had been peacetime, it wouldn't matter. But this was war, and war was no child's play.
The Raikage's hesitation over a single hostage would undoubtedly raise questions.
Would he act the same way if one of them were captured?
At this moment, Cee...
Had no choice but to die!
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