Chapter 187: The Secret Technique Acquired

"Ah~"

The Raikage let out a deafening roar, incited by Orochimaru's provocation. The blue lightning surrounding his body condensed further, darkening until it appeared black in Kawakaze's eyes.

"Lightning Release: Black Panther!"

The black lightning around the Raikage surged, taking the shape of a leaping leopard. It pounced directly toward Kawakaze with incredible speed, closing the distance in an instant.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Kawakaze's heart sank. He recognized this technique—it was a Ninjutsu developed by the Third Raikage. Being struck by the black lightning would result in excruciating pain and leave him paralyzed, rendering him defenseless.

Without hesitation, Kawakaze activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, dodging instantly. Only a fool would face such a technique head-on.

The black leopard struck empty air, exploding violently at Kawakaze's previous position. Black lightning crackled and spread outward from the impact crater, creating an intimidating display of destructive power.

The Raikage had anticipated this outcome. He never expected the technique to defeat Kawakaze outright. His true focus was on rescuing his subordinates from Orochimaru's slaughter.

Turning away from Kawakaze, the Raikage redirected the black lightning, tearing through the air toward Orochimaru.

"Be careful," Kawakaze warned, recognizing the danger.

Understanding the severity of the attack, Kawakaze activated the Flying Thunder God Technique again, appearing beside Orochimaru. The two vanished in an instant, disappearing from the Raikage's sight.

"Dodai," the Raikage called as he moved quickly to assist his fallen ally.

"Lord Raikage," Dodai responded weakly. The lingering effects of the White Rage Technique had left him drained, and he had yet to recover fully.

Meanwhile, Kawakaze and Orochimaru had no intention of engaging the Raikage further. He was proving exceedingly difficult to kill, his durability and resilience unparalleled.

Kawakaze had even attempted to exploit weak points, but it was futile. Whether it was the Raikage's unparalleled defense or some inexplicable force of fate, there was no opening for a critical strike.

"This appearance is quite unique," Kawakaze remarked, his curiosity piqued by Orochimaru's single horn.

Reaching out like an inquisitive child, he extended his hand to touch the horn.

"Get lost," Orochimaru said coldly, instantly blocking Kawakaze's hand. Deactivating Sage Mode, he returned to his normal appearance.

This guy had a habit of touching things, and Orochimaru had no intention of being treated like a pet.

"Stingy. What's the harm in touching it?" Kawakaze muttered, sulking as he withdrew his hand.

"The battle is almost over."

"The next transaction should go smoothly."

Orochimaru pretended not to hear Kawakaze, too lazy to argue with him. He's so annoying!

"Well, let's wait until he's calmed down a bit," Kawakaze said casually, putting an arm around Orochimaru's shoulder.

Orochimaru sighed helplessly. What sins did I commit in a past life to deserve this?

The Raikage's hatred for the two of them was palpable. If he had the strength, he would never have let them leave alive, let alone entertained the idea of a trade. But the situation forced his hand.

Kawakaze's strength was clearly on par with his own. The Raikage excelled in defense, while Kawakaze's self-healing abilities made him nearly unkillable. If the battle continued, it would devolve into a contest of stamina and Chakra reserves—a fight that could last for days without resolution.

Meanwhile, Dodai and the remaining Kumo Ninja couldn't hold out for even a fraction of that time under Orochimaru's relentless attacks. Had the Raikage arrived just a moment later, they would have all perished.

How long had it been? Of the fifteen he brought with him, only one remained alive. The Raikage's pride was in tatters.

The Raikage, Dodai, and the three surviving Kumo Ninja slowly regained their mobility, rising to their feet. The black lightning that once surrounded them had long since dissipated. Both sides maintained an unspoken truce for now.

"Raikage, do you want to continue?" Kawakaze called out loudly, his tone dripping with arrogance.

"Hmph, where's Jonah?" the Raikage retorted, ignoring Kawakaze's provocation. His burning gaze was fixed squarely on Orochimaru.

"Don't look at me like that," Orochimaru said coolly, his pale, handsome face adorned with a faint, mocking smile. "If you're so capable, keep fighting."

Unrelenting, Orochimaru seized on the Raikage's frustration and refused to let go.

"What a clever Orochimaru. I will remember you. The secret technique is here, so hand over Jonah," the Raikage said, pulling the Scroll of Secret Techniques from his chest. Suppressing his fury, he averted his gaze, though his emotions were impossible to conceal.

"Spit it out," Kawakaze said as he removed his arm from Orochimaru's shoulder, sensing it was time to get serious.

"Summoning Technique," Orochimaru muttered, placing one hand on the ground. After a puff of smoke, a giant snake appeared, opening its mouth to release Jonah.

Jonah was drenched in slime, his appearance utterly revolting. He remained unconscious.

"The person is here, so throw the secret technique over," Kawakaze said, extending his right hand toward the Raikage, motioning for him to comply.

"I don't trust you," the Raikage replied instantly. If he lost both the secret technique and the Jinchūriki, he wasn't confident he could recover them.

"You don't have a choice," Kawakaze said, his tone turning cold. His piercing gaze seemed to question whether the Raikage fully understood the situation. Moreover, there was no chance he wouldn't return the burden that was the Two-Tails.

The Raikage's anger flared, his left hand clenching into a tight fist as veins bulged. This level of humiliation was foreign to him; even Ōnoki had begged for peace after being defeated.

Glancing back at Dodai and the remaining Kumo Ninja, the Raikage gritted his teeth and made his decision.

"Here you go," he said begrudgingly, throwing the scroll toward Kawakaze. His tone carried a bitterness that betrayed his frustration.

"I practice this too, so don't even think about tricking me," Kawakaze said as he caught the scroll, his eyes fixed on the Raikage.

"You'll know once you read it," the Raikage responded curtly, leaving the possibility of deception unspoken but evident in his tone.

Kawakaze opened the scroll and began inspecting the contents carefully. Orochimaru leaned over to examine it as well, their expressions unreadable as they silently studied the secret technique.

"It should be real," Orochimaru said after thoroughly examining the scroll, offering his opinion first.

"Hmm, no problem," Kawakaze replied, verifying its contents against his own training experience.

Though his personal research had yielded results, it paled in comparison to generations of refinement by Kumogakure. Even after a brief look, he had already grasped several key points. This trip to Kumogakure was well worth it!

"What do you say? Done reading?" the Raikage asked, his patience wearing thin after waiting for what felt like half a day.

"What's the rush?" Kawakaze replied impatiently.

"I..." The Raikage began but stopped himself, suppressing the urge to smash Kawakaze's head.

"Fine, you can get it yourself. We're leaving," Kawakaze said, glancing at Jonah's slimy, unconscious body with clear disgust. He had no intention of touching it.

Without another word, Kawakaze grabbed Orochimaru and vanished, leaving the Raikage standing there.

The Raikage let out a long sigh of relief before striding over to Jonah's body. Picking him up in his arms, he stared at the spot where Kawakaze and Orochimaru had disappeared, lost in thought.

"Lord Raikage," Dodai and the surviving Kumo Ninja called out as they finished gathering the bodies of their fallen comrades.

"Yes, let's go back," the Raikage replied, leading the way with Jonah in his arms. Dodai and the others followed in silence.

The losses Kumogakure had suffered this time were immense, and the events of the battle on Crescent Moon Island had already begun to spread.