Chapter 64: Thunderclap!
Chapter 64: Thunderclap!
At the northern border of the Land of Fire, dozens of shinobi wearing Kumogakure headbands stood at the edge of a cliff.
Leading them was none other than the Third Raikage.
The group consisted of Kumogakure's absolute elites. The weakest among them were special jōnin with unique abilities, and the group included the renowned AB Combo.
The Eight-Tails had revived faster than anticipated, reappearing at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning in the Land of Lightning.
After successfully subduing it, Killer B had volunteered to become its Jinchūriki, choosing to inherit the burden his mentor had once borne.
Killer B was a prodigy unlike any Kumogakure had seen before.
He had achieved what was previously thought to be merely theoretical—a perfect Jinchūriki!
A clenched fist, glowing with electricity, rested on the railing as A, the Third Raikage's son, stared intently at the distant Konoha encampment.
"Father, Uchiha Kagami has returned, and the Konoha forces are amassing at the Kannabi Bridge. Can we trust the one who gave us this information?"
The Third Raikage kept his gaze steady, arms folded.
"Ōnoki received the same intelligence. Few individuals could orchestrate such a scheme."
"It's likely the same shadowy figure who leaked information to us years ago—a meddler stirring chaos from the shadows."
---
As they spoke, the sound of rushing wind echoed from above the clouds.
Ōnoki appeared, flying with two shinobi by his side.
They were Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, and Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki.
Two Kages, three Jinchūriki, and dozens of elite shinobi.
This formation was more formidable than even the force that had once hunted the Second Hokage.
"All this just to kill a kid. Is such a sacrifice really necessary?" Roshi's tone was sharp, his expression uneasy.
He didn't agree with Ōnoki's decision. If it weren't for the Four-Tails raging in his mind, he would have preferred to stay on the front lines.
"It's worth it," Ōnoki replied firmly. "I'm certain this boy will grow to match Uchiha Madara. Paying a small price now to kill him is a bargain."
"We may not even lose the battle at the bridge. If the Nine-Tails runs wild, it could wipe out Konoha's forces first."
"Besides, I've already instructed Gari to retreat if the losses become too great."
---
"You sneaky bastard~ A pound of eggs, two and a half coins, and yet you throw away~ Your comrades~"
"Yo, yeah!" Killer B rapped, grinning widely.
---
Ōnoki's face darkened as he glared at Killer B, his gaze then shifting to the Third Raikage.
"What were you thinking, making this fool the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki?"
"My comrade's worth isn't up for your judgment," the Third Raikage snapped. "If Gyūki says this boy can handle it, then he can. Unlike you, I don't resort to petty schemes."
"Raikage-sama, Gyūki said we should call him 'Lord Eight-Tails.' Isn't that a hoot?"
"Hey, that didn't rhyme! You fool! You—"
"Shut up!"
The Third Raikage's fist smashed into Killer B, sending him crashing into the ground.
A sighed, helping his younger brother out of the crater.
"Keep it down, B."
---
The hostility between the two villages was palpable.
Despite their mutual goal, the alliance between Iwagakure and Kumogakure was tenuous at best.
"Let's discuss the strategy," Ōnoki suggested, sighing deeply. If not for his childhood trauma, he would never have agreed to work with these brutes.
"Strategy? Do we need one?" the Third Raikage scoffed, his brow furrowed.
"With this much firepower, even the First Hokage would fall before us!"
---
There it was—ignorance on full display.
Ōnoki barely restrained a sneer. Unlike this musclehead, he had seen the terrifying power of Hashirama Senju firsthand.
"I'm not arguing about whether we can win," Ōnoki said, careful to keep his tone measured.
"But we need to ensure he doesn't escape."
"My investigations suggest that this boy is as ruthless as Madara himself. Threats against comrades won't work."
"We must strike decisively, leaving him no chance to flee."
"Konoha has a shinobi who can use the Flying Thunder God technique. If he arrives and rescues Uchiha Kagami, we may never get another opportunity like this."
"The boy's growth rate is unprecedented. Letting him live would be a disaster!"
---
"Fine. What's your plan? Let's hear it before I decide whether to go along."
At least admit you're a brute with no strategic insight.
"I suggest we strike first, drawing him out. I'll wait in reserve to unleash my Dust Release once he's engaged."
"Two seconds. That's all I need."
"If we can distract him for just two seconds, my Dust Release will obliterate him."
---
The Third Raikage's eyes narrowed. He stared at Ōnoki for a moment before nodding.
"I don't trust you, but I'll agree. Let's move."
With that, the Third Raikage surged forward, shrouded in crackling lightning.
The sheer force of his leap caused the cliffside to tremble.
---
In the Konoha camp, Uchiha Kagami sat under the dim glow of a candle, engrossed in a book.
Ancient texts often held inspiration, revealing the foundation of chakra application and the evolution of techniques.
These works bore traces of the old Ninja Creed, passed down through millennia.
Kagami smirked to himself.
The Uchiha had accumulated more records than even the Senju clan, their history interwoven with the origins of ninjutsu.
He sighed, recalling his visit to Uchiha Madara's lair.
I should've copied some of those scrolls.
No matter. When the time comes, I'll take them from Obito instead.
Just as he was mulling over plans, something entered his sensory range.
---
Crackling lightning illuminated the night sky as an urgent alarm sounded through the camp.
A streak of blue lightning streaked toward them.
Uchiha Kagami tore through his tent, landing gracefully on its roof.
The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun as a smile played on his lips.
"Finally."
---
"You brat!" the Third Raikage roared. "You're mine!"
Electricity crackled along his fingers, coalescing into a sharp spear.
"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"
Kagami remained silent, his fist glowing with black-red energy.
Black Flash!
---
Blue and black-red lightning collided.
For a moment, all was silent.
---
BOOM!
A shockwave tore through the camp, as though a typhoon had descended.
To be continued...
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