Chapter 13: A Hidden Ace—Harvesting Sage Art Proficiency!

Liger Bomb!

This was the Fourth Raikage's killing move, his ultimate finisher, fueled by sheer rage and determination.

In the horrified eyes of the onlookers, Kazuya's body was smashed into the ground with devastating force.

But then—

The expected gruesome scene never materialized.

At the moment of impact, Kazuya's body exploded into flames and vanished.

"What?!"

The Raikage's eyes went wide in shock.

Was it… a shadow clone?!!

No way!

Boom!

Boom!

A tremendous explosion followed as a column of smoke shot skyward.

"Is that…"

"An A-rank jutsu!"

"Shadow Clone Explosion!"

Jiraiya, witnessing the scene from afar, exclaimed, "What incredible speed with hand seals! I didn't even see it!"

"Kazuya!"

Seeing the turn of events, Yūhi Kurenai felt a wave of relief wash over her.

But the expressions of the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist ninjas turned grim.

"Raikage-sama!"

"Boss!"

"Support him, quickly!"

Several of the elite Jonin from the Hidden Cloud tried to rush to their leader's aid, but the nearby Konoha Anbu intercepted them without hesitation.

"We cannot allow them to assist on that battlefield!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke blocked the path of a Hidden Cloud Jonin, his voice resolute.

"Yes, sir!"

Seeing Kazuya's stunning display of skill, the morale of the Konoha Anbu soared.

Moments later, as the smoke from the explosion cleared, the battered figure of the Fourth Raikage emerged from the dust. His body was smoldering, and despite the protection of his Lightning Release Armor, it was clear that the explosion had left him with numerous burns.

"Damn it…"

The Raikage's face twisted with rage, a murderous glare in his eyes.

That damned Anbu… he was infuriating! One dirty trick after another—was he too scared for a straightforward fight?!

"RAAAAH!!!"

The Raikage clenched his fists, letting out a furious roar like a caged beast. The lightning coursing over his body crackled even brighter.

"I have to kill you!"

"Otherwise…"

"You'll become a serious threat to the Hidden Cloud Village in the future!!!"

The Raikage's gaze locked onto Kazuya. He was determined—this troublesome Konoha Anbu needed to die today.

Earlier, he had held back somewhat, reserving strength for a potential retreat, using only about fifty percent of his power. Now, however, he intended to unleash his full might, aiming to take Kazuya's head.

"Leave this fight to me!"

In a flash, Jiraiya appeared beside Kazuya, his expression stern.

"Understood," Kazuya replied softly. "Jiraiya-senpai, I'll look for an opportunity to capture the Raikage alive. That way, Konoha will have the upper hand in any future peace talks."

Kazuya spoke with determination, exuding a fierce, selfless passion for the village—a true embodiment of the Will of Fire.

Not that he believed a word of it himself.

In reality, he was quite ready to step back now that Jiraiya had arrived, letting him take over the hard work. He had only jumped in earlier to test his skills against the younger Raikage. After all, fighting head-to-head paled in comparison to the thrill of hanging back and collecting valuable attributes.

"Ah, as expected of you..." Jiraiya's admiration for Kazuya deepened. Until recently, he had only heard of Kazuya's exploits but hadn't known him personally. Now, after this encounter, he understood why the Third Hokage held him in such high regard.

That unwavering love for the village—it was enough to stir Jiraiya's spirit.

"Don't worry!"

Jiraiya chuckled. "I, the mighty Toad Sage, am not known as one of the Legendary Sannin for nothing!"

With a clap of his hands, a powerful aura surged from Jiraiya's body.

"What the…"

Without hesitation, Kazuya used his Body Flicker Technique to retreat a hundred meters.

Sage Mode!

Jiraiya's ultimate form! It had finally made its appearance!

Behind his mask, a satisfied grin spread across Kazuya's face.

At last, the real battle was about to begin.

A furious Fourth Raikage, clashing with Jiraiya in Sage Mode—perfect.

Now, the fight would get serious, and Kazuya could enjoy the show while raking in those precious attribute drops.

In the battlefield's center, Jiraiya faced the raging Raikage, holding the line.

"RAAARGH!"

"Lightning Release: Lariat!!"

The Raikage roared as he unleashed his enhanced speed and power, his attacks now thirty percent faster than before. Kazuya's antics had pushed him past his limit, driving him to go all out.

"Sage Art: Rasengan!"

Jiraiya's right hand lit up with a spiraling sphere of chakra, meeting the Raikage's Lariat head-on.

BOOM!

The Rasengan and the Raikage's attack clashed, releasing a shockwave of energy.

CRASH!

The explosive impact sent both combatants flying back, their auras clashing in the air.

"He's… this strong?"

The Raikage's scowl deepened. He had thought that unleashing his full power would be enough to overpower Jiraiya, but the Toad Sage's counterattack was formidable. It was clear that Jiraiya had grown even stronger since their last encounter.

FZZT! FZZT!

Lightning crackled around the Raikage as fresh cuts appeared on his body, evidence of the fierce exchange.

"Jiraiya..."

"So, this is the power of Mount Myoboku?"

The Raikage's expression grew somber. The legends of the three great sage lands were well known, and Jiraiya's training at Mount Myoboku was no secret among the higher-ups of the ninja world.

"Raikage!"

"You're in the Land of Fire now!" Jiraiya declared boldly. "And I, the handsome Toad Sage, won't let you do as you please!"

Before the Raikage could respond, Jiraiya crouched low, taking on a strange stance.

"Sage Art: Needle Jizo!"

In an instant, his white hair hardened and shot out like a rain of needles, enveloping the area around the Raikage.

"What speed!"

The Raikage's face tightened as he resumed their clash, the intensity of their battle ratcheting up a notch.

Flames roared, lightning crackled, and the forest around them was shattered by their power.

This was a clash between top-tier Kage-level shinobi.

All around, the onlookers gasped in awe.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Kazuya maintained a calm expression.

Suddenly, several more golden lights surged toward him, merging with his body.

Ding!

[You have acquired 500 Sage Art Proficiency Points.]

[You have acquired 500 Sage Art Proficiency Points.]

[You have acquired 1000 Sage Energy Points.]

Finally, it was happening!

[Your Sage Art Proficiency has leveled up: Current Level: 2 (0/1000)]

[Your Sage Energy has leveled up: Current Level: 3 (500/5000)]

[You have acquired 200 Chakra Points.]

[You have acquired 100 Sage Energy Points.]

[You have acquired 100 Body Flicker Technique Proficiency Points.]

[You have acquired 200 Lightning Release Chakra Mode Proficiency Points.]

The drops kept coming in waves, and Kazuya's grin widened beneath his mask. The battlefield was yielding its rewards, and he intended to make the most of it.