The Raikage let out a low growl.
Lightning Release chakra surged violently through his body, stimulating every muscle fiber.
The Raikage moved like a streak of blue lightning, cutting through the raging sea of flames with sheer force of chakra, carving out a path amidst the inferno.
"Nani?!"
Obito barely caught sight of a blinding blue flash before he was sent flying.
"Ah! That hurts like hell!"
The Raikage's hand strike nearly shattered his ribs. If not for the Lava Release armor and his second-stage Hashirama cells, he'd likely be done for.
Kakashi rushed over, concern etched across his face.
"Obito, are you okay?!"
Obito coughed up blood but waved him off, grinning.
"Cough… Just help me up. I can still take on ten more of him!"
Kakashi: "…"
Of course. If he's still cracking jokes, he's fine.
The Raikage glanced at Obito, who was staggering to his feet. Cracking his knuckles, he sneered.
"Youngsters these days. You ought to show some respect for your elders."
Obito wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.
"What's the point of being young if you're not brash? Let's go another round!"
Still mouthing off?
The Raikage's voice turned cold.
"If you're so eager to die, I'll gladly oblige!"
"Swish!"
The Raikage moved in earnest, his speed nearly impossible to follow. In an instant, he was beside Obito again, landing another powerful blow.
"Aw, come on…"
Obito barely had time to register his surroundings before he found himself airborne once more.
Even more terrifying, the Raikage followed him midair, aiming to deliver a punishing kick.
No way. At this rate, he's going to beat me to death!
Time to play a trump card.
Obito closed his eyes, then reopened them, revealing golden-red irises with three tomoe spinning around a single vertical line.
The Raikage paused, visibly startled.
This brat's aura… It's completely changed.
Those eerie eyes, combined with the orange markings now adorning his face…
Even as his mind wandered, the Raikage didn't hesitate in his attack.
"Lightning Release!"
Obito crossed his arms and roared.
"Lava Release: Super Shield!"
Lava chakra surged forth, forming a shield in front of him.
The Raikage's kick shattered the shield, but it allowed Obito to evade with a nimble landing.
The Raikage narrowed his eyes.
What's going on?
This kid's Lava Release and reflexes… How have they improved so drastically?
…Could it be?!
Staring at Obito's face, the Raikage murmured in shock, "Sage Mode?!"
Obito smirked.
"As expected of the Raikage, sharp as ever. That's right—Sage Mode."
For a moment, the Raikage found himself at a loss. This brat… so young, yet already…
"Hmph…"
Taking a deep breath, the Raikage's expression grew uncharacteristically serious.
Only now did he start treating Obito as a true equal.
With a swift punch, the Raikage shouted:
"Lightning Release: Lightning Strike!"
Lightning-infused chakra surged like a roaring river, threatening to drown Obito.
But Obito remained unfazed.
"Lava Release: Twin Lances!"
He wielded two molten spears, thrusting them at the Raikage.
The spears clashed against the Raikage's iron-like arms, sparks flying in all directions.
The two exchanged blows at lightning speed, trading over a dozen moves in mere moments.
Despite the Raikage's impenetrable Lightning Release armor, the sheer pain of every strike was beginning to wear on him.
"Damn brat…"
With Sage Mode amplifying his abilities, Obito's ninjutsu and taijutsu had taken a qualitative leap forward. He could match the Raikage's speed and even deal painful, searing blows with his Lava Release.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Bomb!"
"Lava Release: Blazing Egg Roast!"
"Lightning Release: Lightning Destruction!"
"Lava Release: Fiery Monkey Smash!"
"I swear to—!!!"
"Ahahaha!"
After another exchange of techniques, they remained evenly matched.
The Raikage's expression turned complicated, his thoughts racing.
Konoha's depth is frightening. For a single member of their new generation to hold their own against me…
A bitter realization crept in: continuing this fight would only benefit Ōnoki, that old schemer.
But… maybe this kid's Sage Mode won't last long. If I can outlast him, I'll reclaim my honor.
However, he was doomed to disappointment.
Obito's perfect Sage Mode, combined with his vast chakra reserves, allowed him to maintain it for as long as he pleased.
Obito: I can do this all day.
Even as the battle raged on, Obito's mind was calculating.
Hmm… If I catch him off guard with Kamui, I might actually take him out here.
But that would reveal too much. And killing the Raikage would guarantee a war between Kumogakure and Konoha—something I can't afford right now.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
"Lava Release: Molten Surge!"
The two clashed once more, still at a stalemate.
Finally, the Raikage lowered his fists.
Despite their lengthy battle, Obito showed no signs of fatigue.
It was pointless to continue.
From a certain perspective, he'd already lost.
Glaring at the grinning Obito, the Raikage growled:
"Brat, I couldn't defeat you. Is this the outcome you wanted?"
Obito nodded cheerfully.
"As expected of the Raikage. You're a smart man—you know exactly what I was aiming for."
The Raikage stared at him, his expression dark.
"The fact that Minato has you as a student… it's clear Konoha's future is in capable hands."
He paused before making a surprising declaration.
"Ten years. For the next ten years, the Land of Lightning will not make an enemy of the Land of Fire."
Obito, satisfied, didn't press his luck.
"Good. I trust the Raikage's word, and I'm sure Sensei will too."
The Raikage waved over a subordinate.
"Escort this brat back to Konoha and deliver my words to their Hokage."
Reluctantly, the subordinate moved to Obito's side.
"…Yes, Raikage-sama."
As the Raikage and his forces departed, Darui couldn't hold back.
"Boss, are we really just going to…?"
The Raikage turned to his men, a faint smile on his lips.
"The moment Konoha saw through our plans, this mission was destined to fail."
"But don't think we've come out empty-handed. We've glimpsed one of Konoha's hidden cards, allowing us to adjust our strategy. That alone makes this trip worthwhile."
Darui hesitated. "But you…?"
The Raikage ruffled Darui's hair with a chuckle.
"Ah, your boss lost to a kid today. Guess my pride's taken a hit."
His gaze grew distant.
"I have a feeling… us old-timers don't have much time left. The future belongs to your generation now."
Turning to his men, his tone grew serious.
"So, I'm counting on all of you. Will you avenge your boss?"
Darui and the others nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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