Chapter 141: A Life-Threatening Blow!

"Ebizo, the village is in your hands!"

Blood stained the corner of Mukade's mouth as he addressed Ebizo. Despite his seemingly invincible attacks, Uzumaki Raiden's counterstrikes had taken their toll. Mukade's tone carried the weight of finality, as though he was issuing his last instructions.

With those words, Mukade's transformation stopped, his enlarged body now emanating raw killing intent as he focused his gaze on Raiden.

Boom!

Mukade disappeared in an instant. The ground where he had stood cracked open, a testament to the raw power he had just unleashed. For a brief moment, Mukade vanished from sight entirely.

"A taijutsu technique that amplifies physical strength?" Raiden mused, raising the Sakegari no Tachi defensively.

Suddenly, Mukade reappeared in front of him for less than a second, deftly dodging the blade and materializing beside Raiden.

"That speed!" Raiden barely had time to react. Relying on his battle instincts, he ducked, narrowly avoiding a silent fist aimed at his head.

Boom!

But Mukade's knee slammed into Raiden's waist, sending him flying despite the protection of his Lightning Armor. The pain was intense, and Raiden struggled to regain balance. Before he could recover, Mukade closed the distance and launched another relentless barrage of attacks.

"Boy, die!" Mukade roared, his fists raining down on Raiden. Raiden, unable to stabilize himself, could only deflect blows aimed at his vital points. The rest of Mukade's strikes landed on his body, each one delivering immense force.

After dozens of attacks, Mukade paused to catch his breath. Sensing the brief reprieve, Raiden thrust his blade forward, aiming for Mukade's heart. Mukade managed to dodge at the last moment, the blade slicing into his arm instead.

The pain made Mukade frown, but he quickly inhaled deeply, his attack speed surging once more. Raiden found himself on the defensive again, struggling to evade Mukade's unrelenting assault.

After another series of blows, Mukade's movements faltered, and Raiden finally spotted an opening. With a well-timed kick, Raiden sent Mukade flying and followed up with a wide, electrified slash. A massive thunder net spread across the battlefield, crackling menacingly.

"The old man's vitality is weakening. This must be the aftereffect of his technique!" Raiden noted, observing Mukade's labored breathing.

Though Raiden had endured Mukade's attacks, his Lightning Armor had minimized the damage. Despite being battered and bruised, Raiden's injuries were superficial, and his mobility remained unaffected.

Mukade, on the other hand, realized his strength was beginning to wane. He knew he had to end the fight quickly.

The thunder net closed in on Mukade, but a wall of Gold Dust rose just in time to block it. Rasa's interference bought Mukade the seconds he needed to recover. Mukade leaped through the wall, resuming his assault.

"Damn you, Rasa!" Raiden growled, locking blades with Mukade once more. This time, Mukade's speed was noticeably slower, and Raiden began to adapt to his attacks.

Mukade recognized the shift in momentum. "This ninja must not be allowed to leave alive," he thought, retreating to gain some distance.

Seizing the opportunity, the Sand Ninja puppet squad entered the fray. Dozens of puppets emerged, raining hidden weapons down on Raiden.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Raiden roared, his chakra flaring outward. A shockwave of lightning radiated from his body, scattering the puppets and incapacitating several puppet masters.

Though the puppet squad failed to harm Raiden, their interference bought Mukade enough time to prepare his ultimate move. Raiden's Kagura's Mind Eye detected Mukade's vitality spiking to an unprecedented level.

"This old man's next attack… it might rival the Eight Gates," Raiden thought, his body tensing.

Mukade roared, his body swelling as his chakra surged uncontrollably. Blood dripped from his mouth, but he ignored it, his eyes locked on Raiden.

"Four Shadow Clones!" Raiden formed seals rapidly, summoning clones to his side. Together, they erected a Four Purple Flame Formation around him. The barrier crackled with dark purple energy, its surface coated in lightning.

"Four Purple Flame Formation!" Raiden called out. "Thunder Release: Thunder Dragon!"

A massive thunder dragon materialized outside the barrier, roaring as it prepared to strike. Mukade charged forward, colliding with the barrier.

Boom!

The ground quaked as Mukade slammed into the Four Purple Flame Formation. The barrier distorted under the force of his assault, but it held. Mukade roared in frustration, his chakra flaring wildly.

Lightning surged from the barrier, engulfing Mukade. The thunder dragon followed, crashing into Mukade with devastating force.

"Elder Mukade!" Pakura and Ebizo cried out in alarm.

Mukade's form was enveloped by lightning, his body twisting under the immense power. As the barrier shattered, Mukade stumbled forward, his body smoking and his movements labored.

"I've broken through!" Mukade grinned, his voice hoarse from the pain.

Shing!

Raiden moved the moment the barrier fell, his Lightning Armor amplifying his speed. In a flash, he appeared before Mukade, the Sakegari no Tachi piercing through Mukade's chest and into his heart.

"Before, your speed made you untouchable," Raiden whispered in Mukade's ear. "But with the barrier slowing you down, this moment was inevitable."

Mukade's eyes widened in shock as blood poured from his mouth. His body began to deflate, the once-mighty muscles shrinking back to their original state.

Thud.

Mukade's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

"Your name is Mukade?" Raiden muttered, gazing down at the fallen elder. "I'll remember you."

Raiden exhaled deeply, feeling the aches across his battered body. He straightened, his voice quiet but resolute.

"This battle isn't over yet."

(End of this chapter)