Rock

Although Chen hadn't lifted a finger, his power of deterrence remained overwhelming. Konoha was constantly being defeated by Kumogakure, but even so, the Cloud ninjas didn't dare push too far.

Even when they had the advantage on the battlefield, they didn't dare attack Konoha's camp directly.

The battle lasted half an hour, and Konoha could no longer hold out, starting to retreat, exhausted and demoralized.

Watching silently as they withdrew, Chen had a cold look in his eyes. Finally, he stood up. "Retreat! Let's head back!"

He pulled Konan along decisively, moving forward without looking back while the Cloud ninjas watched them from a distance, their gazes filled with hatred and fear, unable to take a single step toward them. Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza hurriedly followed him.

"Chen, why do they fear you so much?" Shikaku asked, perplexed. He could see how the Cloud ninjas' eyes burned with the desire to fight, but still, they didn't dare approach.

Chen turned to him, a confident smile appearing on his face. "Because I am strong, Shikaku!"

"They know who I am. They know what I'm capable of. Strength isn't just something physical, it's the will that crushes your enemies before they even consider facing you."

Shortly after returning to his residence, Sakumo arrived, accompanied by the Hyuga clan patriarch. Their expressions were urgent, and there was no attempt to hide it.

The situation in Konoha was dire. The Cloud shinobi were numerous and extremely powerful, and Konoha's resistance was beginning to falter.

"Sakumo-san, Patriarch Hyuga... to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Chen asked calmly, but his eyes flashed with curiosity.

He could tell the situation was critical.

Sakumo spoke, his tone urgent. "Chen, you already know Konoha's situation. It's critical. We have no time; we need you to act now," he said bluntly, his gaze firm, almost pleading.

There was no room for diplomacy, not when the village was on the brink.

"Please, Chen!" the Hyuga patriarch intervened, showing more emotion than one would expect from someone of his stature.

"I ask you not only for Konoha but also for the Hyuga clan. We need your help!"

Chen remained silent, his gaze lost as he weighed every word.

Finally, he spoke in a grave tone. "For the sake of the Hyuga clan, I will take action."

If Sakumo had come alone, he would have ignored him without a second thought. But the presence of the Hyuga patriarch forced him to make a different decision.

Though his life in the Hyuga clan had been plagued with scorn and mockery, they had provided him with what he needed to survive the weakest moments of his childhood.

Gratitude is the most basic thing.

Now that the patriarch was here, Chen had to respond, but this favor would be a one-time thing.

Just once.

The Hyuga patriarch let out a sigh of relief. He knew the resentment Chen might have felt toward the clan for the way he'd been treated.

But this gesture from Chen, the willingness to help despite everything, filled him with respect and admiration. After talking a bit more, both the patriarch and Sakumo left.

Chen had promised to act, and that had made Sakumo able to breathe easily, at least for now. The battlefield was in a critical situation, and the main reason was that Sakumo simply wasn't a match for the Raikage. The Raikage was an unstoppable force, and Sakumo's sword skills couldn't pierce his defense.

The next day, Chen positioned himself at the head of Konoha's troops. The Raikage's eyes narrowed as he saw him across the field, his heart skipping a beat.

"Third Raikage! After all this time flaunting yourself as the strongest, it seems you've forgotten what it means to fear me! Let me remind you!" Chen roared, a dangerous smile appearing on his lips.

"Earth Style: Monkey Rock!" Bringing both hands together in a seal, he struck the ground with all his strength, his chakra flowing intensely.

The earth trembled violently. A massive arm of rock emerged from the ground, followed by a head, a sturdy torso, and finally colossal feet that planted firmly on the ground with a dull impact.

Boom!

A rock titan over 100 meters tall rose in the center of the battlefield, imposing and terrifying, rivaling Susanoo in power and size. As long as the giant was connected to the earth, it would be practically invincible—a symbol of absolute power.

Earth Style was a Kekkei Genkai that Chen had created out of boredom, a combination of Earth Style and Yang Element. Though this titan had similarities to the statue he'd summoned before, there were significant differences.

The previous statue could restore itself as long as Chen was alive, but the current rock giant couldn't regenerate if it was lifted from the ground and destroyed in the air.

However, as long as it maintained contact with the earth, it would be impossible to defeat. To some extent, this rock giant was even more powerful than Susanoo, as it didn't require constant chakra to regenerate; the earth itself was its source of life, making it a perpetual machine of destruction.

The Cloud ninjas watched the colossus with pale faces. "That monster is going to crush us like ants!"

"ROAAAAAR!"

The rock giant roared, its cry resonating like thunder. It lifted its massive foot and slammed it down with tremendous force, creating a deep fissure that extended at a rapid speed toward the Cloud ninjas.

"Evade, now!" the Raikage shouted urgently. His heart pounded as he saw the fissure advancing toward his men.

Although he reacted quickly, the fissure spread too fast, and many of the Cloud ninjas fell into it without a chance to escape.

The earth closed abruptly, sealing the fate of those who had fallen.

The Raikage gritted his teeth, his gaze filled with fury and helplessness.

"Damn Chen!" he muttered, his eyes glowing with determination. He couldn't afford to falter.

In Konoha's camp, the ninjas watched the scene in astonishment. The appearance of Chen's giant had ignited a fire in their hearts. Morale soared, and the fear that had oppressed them began to dissipate.

Chen frowned as he watched his creation. "The speed is too slow," he murmured. "This won't do against truly strong opponents. I need something faster, more efficient..." He shook his head, clearly frustrated with the limitation of his creation.

"I can't allow my Kekkei Genkai to be something so useless." This was the first time he was developing a Kekkei Genkai, and he wasn't willing to settle for something with flaws.

As he pondered, the Raikage lunged forward, his muscles tense and his chakra burning like lightning.

With a fierce roar, he gathered all his strength and struck with full power, destroying one of the giant's legs. But to his horror, he had barely managed to break the leg when the giant began to regenerate, the rock quickly reforming.

"What the hell?!" the Raikage exclaimed as he watched the giant restore itself with disconcerting ease.

However, its slowness was the only weakness that provided a small respite. "Stay away from it! I'll hold it back!" With those words, he lunged forward, his fist enveloped in electricity clashing with the rock giant's fist.

Boom!

The impact was brutal, the sound resonating like thunder, causing the Raikage to be pushed back while the giant also took a few steps back.

________

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