Chapter 154: The Battle Between the Kid and the Old Guy!

Roshi's body began to undergo drastic changes. Seeing this, Raiden dared not take him lightly. He wasn't sure how much control Roshi had over the Tailed Beast's power. If Roshi's mastery was anything like it was during the Fourth World War, Raiden knew he was in for serious trouble.

To play it safe, Raiden decided to strike first.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

With the Sakegari no Tachi slung across his back, Raiden formed seals with both hands. Hundreds of shadow clones appeared, surrounding Roshi in the center. Some of the clones kept an eye on Roshi's movements, while others began secretly preparing a large-scale sealing technique.

Raiden quickly blended into the crowd of clones, casting a glance at the group of Rock ninjas still working to suppress Kokuō. Over 200 of them had survived, now pooling their strength to keep Kokuō contained. The severely injured had been abandoned in the chaos.

Rock Shinobi had no extra hands to spare.

Observing this, Raiden started forming a strategy. He slowly retreated among the clones, planning to target the isolated members of the Rock forces first. But just as the idea formed in his mind, Roshi made his move. Lava dripped from his body, pooling on the ground before expanding rapidly.

Even from a distance, Raiden could feel the scorching heat radiating toward him. The shadow clones reacted swiftly, retreating from their positions. The clones that had been preparing the sealing technique had to abandon it, focusing on evasion instead.

The lava spread quickly, covering a 30-meter radius around Roshi.

"Thunder Arrow!"

Raiden's whisper prompted all the shadow clones to raise their hands. The dark sky suddenly brightened as thunder-shaped arrows filled the night. In an instant, the battlefield was illuminated. But the arrows weren't aimed at Roshi—they were aimed at the Rock forces suppressing Kokuō.

The dazzling display of ninjutsu startled the Rock ninjas. Even the Konoha ninjas stationed far from the battlefield could see the spectacle clearly.

"Defend against enemy attacks! Build a barrier!"

A loud shout echoed among the Rock ninjas. A dozen shinobi stepped forward, performing seals and erecting a massive stone wall to block the incoming thunder arrows.

For a moment, the roaring explosions consumed the battlefield. The Rock forces thought they had successfully fended off Raiden's attack. But before they could celebrate, one thunder arrow pierced through the wall, creating a massive hole. The continuous barrage widened the gap, and several arrows blasted through, striking the ground near the Rock ninjas.

"It's too strong! We can't hold it any longer!"

The ninja maintaining the earth wall shouted in panic. Despite their efforts to restore the barrier, Raiden's attacks were too relentless. The wall was quickly reduced to rubble.

The commotion caught Roshi's attention. While his initial move had been to create a molten domain around himself, he now realized he couldn't afford to waste time. With a swift motion, he rushed into the crowd of Raiden's shadow clones.

The intense heat radiating from Roshi melted the nearest clones instantly. His punches shattered others, dispersing them into plumes of white smoke. As Roshi moved, the lava on the ground expanded further, his molten domain spreading.

The information from the destroyed clones returned to Raiden, who had retreated to the edge of the battlefield to process it.

"The temperature from this guy is terrifying," Raiden muttered. "Even with the Lightning Armor, I can't get close to him."

"It'll have to be long-range attacks or strikes with the Sakegari no Tachi to deal any damage. But regular Lightning Style ninjutsu won't be effective against him. What a troublesome opponent."

Raiden quickly retrieved a scroll, forming seals with practiced speed.

"Reverse Summoning Technique!"

A shadow clone appeared before Raiden. The sudden movement drew Roshi's attention. Leaping out of the clone's encirclement, Roshi charged straight toward Raiden.

"Boom!"

The newly summoned clone disappeared as quickly as it arrived. Raiden closed his eyes momentarily to focus on his Sage Mode. When he reopened them, Roshi had reached him, delivering a powerful kick aimed at Raiden's head.

Raiden ducked, avoiding the blow. Using Roshi's mid-air position to his advantage, Raiden thrust the Sakegari no Tachi upward. Just as the blade neared its target, a red glow flashed around Roshi's body. His molten tail swept across the blade, deflecting the attack.

Using the momentum from his tail, Roshi spun in mid-air and clasped his fists together, aiming a devastating strike at Raiden's head.

"Die, boy!"

Roshi's eyes glinted with fierce determination. But before his fists could connect, nine golden chakra chains emerged from Raiden's back, forming a barrier above him.

"Boom!!!"

The impact reverberated through the battlefield as Roshi's punch collided with the chakra wall. The backlash sent Roshi flying backward. Seizing the opportunity, Raiden redirected his blade, slashing toward Roshi's waist.

"In Sage Mode, my Kagura Mind's Eye can pinpoint the focus of his chakra flow," Raiden murmured. "He can't catch me off guard."

The Sakegari no Tachi shimmered with violent lightning chakra as Raiden swung it.

"Lava Style: Scorching River!"

Roshi opened his mouth, unleashing a barrage of molten chakra spheres. The close distance left Raiden no room to dodge.

"This guy!"

Raiden gritted his teeth as the lightning around him intensified. The Sakegari no Tachi struck Roshi's waist, cutting him clean in two. At the same time, the molten spheres collided with Raiden.

"Clone? When?"

Lava dripped from Raiden's figure, revealing his intact body. Golden chakra chains floated around him, dispersing the attack. The Roshi Raiden had cut vanished into a pool of molten lava.

From the river of lava nearby, Roshi's figure emerged, his expression grim as he locked eyes with Raiden.

"This kid is tough to handle," Roshi muttered.

"This old guy… is even tougher than I thought," Raiden murmured in return.

The two stood at a distance, their gazes heavy with mutual respect and tension. In their brief exchange, both had glimpsed the depths of the other's strength. The battle was far from over.

(End of Chapter)