Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou [176]

"Killer B!" From a distance, the future Fourth Raikage, A, roared in anger. After just killing a Sarutobi clan jonin, he saw Killer B being beaten mercilessly and charged over in fury.

Amid the deafening thunderclap, the future Fourth Raikage A widened his eyes in shock, his expression filled with disbelief.

"Impossible!"

The opponent's body was also flickering with arcs of lightning, his entire body enveloped in Lightning Release chakra, resembling the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of Kumogakure.

"Killer!"

After his attack was blocked in such a familiar way, the future Fourth Raikage A immediately turned around and dragged the bloodied Killer B to a safe area.

"Be careful, big brother. That's Uchiha Shirou! He's using our village's Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"

Killer B, despite his monstrous jinchūriki physique, was severely injured, yet still energetic. While speaking with A, the wounds on Killer B's body were visibly healing.

"Damn it! They steal our Kumogakure ninjutsu!"

The future Fourth Raikage A roared with rage. Though he appeared to be a brute, his sharp eyes noticed the three Kumogakure corpses scattered around.

Meanwhile, Shirou, seeing the combination of the future Fourth Raikage A and Killer B, smiled.

"No, you're wrong. I didn't steal it. I merely borrowed from the nin-taijutsu in the mind of some dead fool. Gotta say it's really useful."

As the three tomoe in Shirou's Sharingan spun, he appeared relaxed, but in truth, he was extremely cautious.

Killer B had long been chosen as the future Fourth Raikage's partner. Even before the previous Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Blue B, had passed, Killer B had been carrying out missions alongside A.

Now, with the Eight-Tails sealed inside him, Killer B might not yet fully control its power, but his strength had still reached a level above Jonin.

As for A, although he had not yet become the Fourth Raikage, his strength was formidable. He inherited his father's fighting style, and in the original story, when the Eight-Tails went berserk, he even managed to cut off one of its horns. This demonstrated his undeniable power.

"Killer B, let's go!"

"Oh yeah!"

On the battlefield, there was no time for hesitation. After rescuing Killer B, the future Fourth Raikage A shouted fiercely as the two launched a coordinated attack.

With Killer B's playful antics, the three of them clashed in an intense battle.

The three flashes of lightning left the future Fourth Raikage A stunned.

"Big brother, be careful! His style of Lightning Release nin-taijutsu has subtle differences from ours."

If the Lightning Release Armor used by A and Killer B protected their bodies with a blue, star-shaped Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Shirou's Lightning Release Armor was surrounded by arcs of lightning, with his blue chakra almost transparent. Only during combat, when friction with the air occurred, did flames condense into a visible form.

"Damn it! He's developed our Kumogakure's Lightning Release Armor to such a level!"

The rough face of the future Fourth Raikage A was filled with unprecedented seriousness as he continuously analyzed the opponent's ninjutsu.

"Tighter compression of the Lightning Release Armor requires stronger chakra control and increases chakra consumption. Maintaining it is far more challenging..."

In just a brief exchange, A had already deduced the differences in their techniques.

"Nin-taijutsu! The Uchiha clan excels in more than just that!"

Facing the combined assault of two opponents, Shirou felt the pressure. The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly, clearly tracking all their movements.

At that moment, a distant rumbling sound suddenly echoed.

"Haha! Damn, Konoha ninjas, our Kumogakure reinforcements are here!"

The future Fourth Raikage A shouted excitedly, and the suppressed Kumogakure forces roared in unison.

Although their morale soared, the Konoha ninjas they were facing this time were overwhelmingly strong.

"Damn it, how did Kumogakure's reinforcements arrive so quickly?"

A Sarutobi clan jonin said angrily, while a Hyuga clan join shouted urgently:

"Everyone, we must buy time for the Third Hokage! The Kumogakure reinforcements arrived quickly because they abandoned numerous positions!"

"Damn it! Third Hokage-sama, if you have any forbidden or S-rank jutsu, use them now!"

"Third Hokage-sama, stop holding back! Show these Kumogakure brutes that Konoha is the strongest!"

On Konoha's side, countless jonins were shouting in anger, especially the Sarutobi clan members, who refused to accept reality. They believed that the Third Hokage must have some terrifying forbidden or S-rank jutsu up his sleeve.

However, within the Four Violet Flames Formation barrier, the Third Hokage was in dire straits. His armor had been shattered, and he had no trump cards left.

The S-rank or forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals were indeed powerful, but all came with severe drawbacks.

Moreover, his strength, while formidable enough to counter most Jonin or even Kage-level opponents, relied on his mastery of all five elemental natures. Against most ninjutsu, he could easily counter with superior elemental techniques.

This led him to grow complacent, believing that after the deaths of the First and Second Hokage, he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the pinnacle of the shinobi world.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb

Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashed his terrifying Fire Style ninjutsu in a fit of rage, with flames so intense they turned white. At this moment, he displayed the culmination of his lifelong learning.

This single terrifying Fire Style ninjutsu reached a level rarely seen in the shinobi world. Even elite Jonin, using Water Style to counter, could not defend against it.

"Haha, Hiruzen Sarutobi! What a joke of a 'Shinobi Hero'! To me, it seems like Konoha just made up that title!"

The Third Raikage, having overcome his initial intimidation by Hiruzen's reputation, grew increasingly excited. He realized just how strong he had become — strong enough to overwhelm the Hokage.

Despite the fearsome flames of the enhanced Fire Style, it still couldn't break through the berserk Third Raikage's defense.

"How can this be possible?! There's no way the Third Raikage can maintain this state for long!"

Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall

Hiruzen Sarutobi's Earth Style technique created walls as solid as rock, yet they were pierced as easily as paper.

"Impossible!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his scalp tingle. His Fire and Earth Style techniques, which surpassed 99% of the shinobi world, were rendered useless. One was ineffective, and the other was destroyed. A ninja capable of such feats was unheard of.

For the first time, Hiruzen misjudged his opponent, confidently facing someone who could fight tailed beasts head-on — the Third Raikage.

The Third Raikage had perfected the Lightning Release Armor, becoming the first shinobi to reach such a level.

His Lightning Release Armor could withstand Tailed Beast Bombs and even survive direct hits from S-rank Wind Style techniques with only minor injuries.

Even when the Lightning Release Armor was breached, his body, honed through years of training, was monstrous.

For offense, he had the Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, capable of slicing through the Eight-Tails' horns. No Jutsu had yet been found that could fully defend against it.

The Third Raikage's mastery of Lightning Release nin-taijutsu reached the pinnacle of what a typical Kage-level ninja could achieve.

Currently, among the Five Kage, only Onoki's Dust Release could break through his defense.

"Hiruzen, this brute's Lightning Release Armor is absurd. My strongest Wind Style technique can barely tear through one layer, and in just an instant, it regenerates!"

Danzo Shimura, standing nearby, was equally frustrated. With him and Hiruzen working together, they should have been dominating the fight. Yet here they were, struggling against their opponent.

You have to understand, that he is a master of wind-style techniques, which should theoretically counter lightning-style techniques. However, the result was underwhelming, barely scratching the surface.

"Danzo!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was enraged. It wasn't that he had lost his composure, but the stakes of the Kumogakure Collapse Plan were far too high. He couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences of failure.

If they failed, the Kumogakure would fully join the war! At the same time, Konoha's decapitation plan, targeting the leaders of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, would cause widespread panic among the other villages. Iwagakure and Kirigakure wouldn't take long to join the fray, and Konoha would once again face a united assault from all four great villages.

What made things worse was that Sarutobi Hiruzen, despite unleashing everything he'd learned in his life, couldn't even break through the Third Raikage's defenses. This almost broke his spirit.

As the Strongest Hokage, Shinobi Hero, and Professor of Ninjutsu, he couldn't bear to imagine the shift in the countless admiring gazes of Konoha's people if he failed.

"Hiruzen! This isn't working! That brute is too fast, and now the barrier is restricting us instead!"

Shimura Danzo roared in frustration. The barrier, originally meant to trap the Third Raikage, had now become a hindrance to their movements.

"Hahaha, Sarutobi Hiruzen! And you, Shimura Danzo, you dark and scheming rat! I'm going to pierce you both!"

The Third Raikage roared excitedly, like a savage barbarian. Defeating the Third Hokage would be a victory on par with the Kumo defeating Konoha itself. Such glory made the Raikage even more frenzied.

He would become a legend in the shinobi world—a legend of defeating the Hokage of Konoha, the leader of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!

 The undisputed strongest Raikage in the history of the Kumogakure!

Amidst his endless excitement, there was also a deep-seated rage toward Shimura Danzo.

"You Konoha rats hiding in the shadows, sowing discord among our village—this time, I'll make you taste the full wrath of the Kumogakure!"

If defeating Sarutobi Hiruzen represented supreme honor, then killing Shimura Danzo was pure vengeance.

"Hiruzen, you must restrain him!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was feeling utterly stifled. His best ninjutsu and even his Adamantine Staff were being completely overpowered. Even his hidden explosive tag trick had no effect.

In battle, he had a knack for attaching explosive tags to opponents in a crafty way—a trick that had once troubled Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokage.

But against the Third Raikage's defenses, it was utterly useless.

"How is this possible?! My father is supposed to be the strongest Hokage!"

Behind his mask, Sarutobi Shinnosuke stared in shock at the scene before him. The battle was nothing like what he had imagined.

They had accounted for many possible scenarios in their tactical planning, and with Shimura Danzo's hidden killer move, they were confident that the two-on-one situation should allow them to dominate the fight. After all, they were facing an opponent whose lightning-style techniques were supposed to be countered by wind-style techniques!

"No! It's not that the Third Hokage is weak—the opponent is just too strong!"

Standing outside the barrier, Namikaze Minato wore a grave expression. Watching the battle unfold, he lowered his voice and said solemnly:

"The Third Raikage has taken the Lightning Release Armor to its absolute peak. This path is incredibly difficult to walk. Most jonin master at least a second elemental nature to avoid being countered.

But the Third Hokage's ninjutsu and taijutsu are all Kage-level. Against an opponent of similar strength, the Third Hokage's versatility usually allows him to suppress his opponent. However, when one aspect of the enemy's abilities is overwhelmingly superior, even fire can suppress water."

Namikaze Minato's grave expression deepened, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead. His palms grew damp with tension.

What worried him wasn't the Third Hokage, but the overall situation!

 The Kumogakure Collapse Plan had taken everything into account—everything except the possibility that even in a two-on-one fight, they would still be overpowered!

"Shinnosuke-san, be ready."

After observing the situation inside the barrier, Namikaze Minato took a deep breath and drew a three-pronged kunai from his waist. As wind-style chakra flowed from his mouth, a sharp wind chakra blade formed.

Outside the barrier, the battlefield raged on. While Konoha still held the upper hand overall, the scene inside the barrier weighed heavily on the hearts of Konoha's shinobi.

"Konoha scum!"

A thunderous roar echoed as the future Fourth Raikage, A, and Killer B unleashed their combined lightning-style taijutsu techniques. Their frenzied onslaught, aided by Shirou's strategic maneuvering, drew the battle into the heart of the Konoha forces.

Amidst the chaos, a Sarutobi clan jonin stared in shock and rage at the headless, blood-spurting corpse of one of their comrades.

Lightning Release: Liger Bomb!

"Lord Third!"

Suddenly, a commotion erupted inside the barrier. Many Kumo shinobi were furious, while Konoha's forces erupted in cheers of excitement.

Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!

A battered Shimura Danzo unleashed a massive-scale wind-style ninjutsu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen seized the opportunity to use the Shadow Clone Technique.

"Now, Sarutobi!"

Seeing Sarutobi capitalize on the opening, Shimura Danzo shouted in excitement. Five Sarutobi Hiruzen clones positioned themselves at the five corners of the barrier.

As the five Sarutobi Hiruzen clones formed different hand seals, a determined and furious expression appeared on their faces. They roared, "Third Raikage, this is my ultimate technique!"

"What is this?!"

The Third Raikage's pupils contracted as he seemed to realize what was coming.

Simultaneously, the five Sarutobi Hiruzen clones unleashed five different elemental ninjutsu. The scene was utterly shocking.

Five Release: Great Combo Technique!

Fire, lightning, water, earth, and wind—five devastating elemental techniques surged forth, exuding an aura of destruction.

But upon seeing this, the Third Raikage roared with wild laughter:

"Sarutobi! Today, I will use my Lightning Release Armor to shatter the legendary title of the Third Hokage!"

Lightning chakra erupted violently, and the Third Raikage's skin turned slightly red.

As the five-element ninjutsu erupted with earth-shattering force, the scene left shinobi on both sides in stunned silence.

"This! This is the battle of Kage-level shinobi!"

"Lord Raikage!"

Amidst the deafening explosions of the five-element technique, Sarutobi Hiruzen panted heavily, his heart racing as he gasped, "There's no way the Third Raikage can come out of this unscathed!"

As the four shadow clones dissipated, Sarutobi Hiruzen's brief smile froze on his face.

At the same time, the Kumo shinobi erupted in disbelief and excitement.

"Lord Raikage!"

From the smoke and dust, the Third Raikage's lightning-clad figure emerged. Though battered and with cracks in his Lightning Release Armor, he exuded an aura of unyielding dominance.

"Sarutobi! From this day forth, I am the legend of the shinobi world!"

The Third Raikage's thunderous declaration resounded across the battlefield—a bold proclamation of his supremacy over the shinobi world.

At that moment, the Third Raikage radiated an aura of invincibility, his eyes filled with exhilaration. He had won!

 His domineering announcement left Sarutobi Hiruzen staring in disbelief.

"How… how is this possible?!"

The Third Raikage's words weren't mere arrogance—defeating the strongest Hokage had filled him with boundless pride and confidence.

"Now's the chance!"

Suddenly, a golden flash appeared, and the tide of the battle shifted in an instant. Sarutobi Hiruzen's face lit up with excitement.

If they could kill the Raikage, he could still reclaim his title as the legendary Shinobi hero!

The golden flash was none other than Namikaze Minato. In the Third Raikage's wide-eyed disbelief, Minato's kunai, imbued with wind-style chakra, pierced toward his neck.

His Lightning Release Armor had just endured Danzo Shimura's Wind Release and Hiruzen Sarutobi's Five Release Great Bullet, leaving him at his weakest. This Wind Release chakra-infused strike visibly pierced through the Lightning Release Armor.

"Raikage-sama!"

"Minato!"

The Kumo Shinobi were shocked and furious—it was too sudden! Just a moment ago, their Raikage was dominating the battlefield, but in the next instant, he was facing a life-or-death crisis.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage and the Konoha ninjas erupted in excited cheers.