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A loud thud echoed through the battlefield as Darui's broadsword clashed against Jugo's left-handed blade, half-transformed by his Sage Transformation, sending sparks flying into the air.
At the same time, the Fourth Raikage's heavy fist collided with Suigetsu's Executioner's Blade. Suigetsu gritted his teeth, both hands gripping the hilt tightly. The sheer force of the Raikage's punch forced him to liquefy his arms to absorb the impact, but even then, the pressure transmitted through the blade, weighing down on his entire body. The stone beneath his feet cracked under the strain.
This was the power of the Raikage.
"AHHHH!" The Raikage bellowed, his rage uncontainable. Someone dared to stand in his way, to stop him from killing Sasuke!
With a furious roar, he pressed down with even greater force. The Executioner's Blade groaned under the strain, fractures spreading along its surface. Another resounding crack, and the legendary sword finally gave way—shattering and flying apart in pieces.
Realizing the danger, Suigetsu shouted, "Damn it, Sasuke! Retreat! Now!"
Sasuke didn't hesitate. He grabbed Suigetsu and Jugo, leaping back in an instant.
Raikage's fist slammed into the ground with earth-shattering force, sending stone and debris flying in all directions, a massive crater forming at the point of impact.
The trio landed at a safe distance. Suigetsu looked down at what remained of his Executioner's Blade—only the hilt was left. His expression darkened. "Damn it... my sword!"
Jugo glanced at it and muttered, "It was already damaged from the last battle with the Eight-Tails. This just pushed it past its limit."
From her hiding place above, Karin sighed in relief. "Sasuke's safe... Suigetsu, you really pulled through."
Sasuke, his expression cold, gripped his sword and faced the Raikage. "You people... should stop interfering."
Suigetsu scoffed, hands on his hips. "Seriously? We just saved your ass, and that's how you talk to us? Typical."
From behind a stone pillar, a samurai who had been observing the battle shook his head. "Ninja battles are absolute chaos. These guys are terrifying."
The Raikage growled, his muscles tensing. Seeing his leader's displeasure, Darui turned to C and said, "C, check if there are any more of their allies nearby. These interruptions are getting annoying."
C nodded. "There should be one more person. But if I focus too much on sensing, I won't be able to react in battle."
Darui frowned. "Doesn't matter. Boss and I can handle this."
Hearing this, Karin, who had been trying to suppress her chakra to avoid detection, curled up behind the wall, hugging her knees. "No... if I keep trying to sense Hokage's position, C might find me. I need to stay hidden."
Below, Suigetsu smirked. "Karin's probably hiding her chakra right now. It's her specialty, after all."
C remained focused, and after a moment, he confirmed, "The one hiding isn't a combatant—just a sensor type. No immediate threat."
Sasuke gripped his sword tightly, preparing to attack again. Jugo, seeing this, sighed. "Guess there's no choice but to go all out."
With that, his Sage Transformation spread further across his body. Fiery red markings twisted over his skin, his muscles expanding as his entire form changed. Darui and C tensed, clearly unsettled by the transformation.
War was about to erupt again.
Inside the Five Kage Summit Hall:
Mifune's subordinate, Okisuke, inspected White Zetsu's body carefully.
Watching as Tsunade and Jiraiya left, Temari turned to Gaara. "Gaara, what should we do? Should we still support Konoha in retrieving Sasuke?"
Gaara murmured, "Sasuke..."
In his mind, he saw Naruto's face. If Sasuke died here today, Naruto would be devastated.
No.
As the Kazekage, Gaara could not allow his benefactor to suffer such grief.
Without another word, he leaped from the balcony, heading toward the battle.
Kankuro groaned. "Oh, come on! You ran off alone without your bodyguards again?"
Temari sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I should've known better than to bring up Sasuke."
With no other choice, she followed after him.
Chojuro glanced at Mizukage. "Mizukage-sama, should we intervene?"
Mei Terumi thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No. With the Raikage, Hokage, and Kazekage all involved, that's more than enough."
Akatsuchi turned to Onoki. "Tsuchikage-sama, should we take action?"
Onoki tilted his head and scoffed. "What, and make my back pain worse?"
Kurotsuchi smirked. "Old man, I want to see the Uchiha brat who killed Deidara."
Onoki sighed, exasperated. "Do whatever you want. Just don't get in the Raikage's way, or you'll get yourself killed."
Grinning, Kurotsuchi dashed off. "Got it!"
Back at the Battle:
Jugo's Sage Transformation had fully taken hold.
His entire body was now gray, infused with nature chakra. His fingers had sharpened into talons, his fangs protruded, and his eyes gleamed with killing intent.
Six protrusions jutted from his back, chakra vents spewing blue flames, resembling a V6 engine roaring to life.
He let out a mad laugh. "Hahaha! I'm going to tear you apart!"
Darui frowned. "Forget his appearance—his personality's completely different now. This guy's gone feral."
C, still in his sensory mode, stiffened. "Darui! Focus! His chakra levels are skyrocketing! It's insane!"
Suigetsu took a step back, watching Jugo with amusement. "Well, there it is. He's completely unleashed."
Then, turning to Sasuke, he muttered, "You sure he still recognizes us as allies? What if he turns on us when he loses it?"
Jugo's crazed eyes flicked between his enemies. Raikage, Darui, and C. He saw nothing but prey before him.
"Now... who should I start with first?!"
He spread his arms wide and roared, his six chakra vents igniting like rockets. The explosive force sent violent gusts of wind ripping through the battlefield, forcing Sasuke and Suigetsu to shield their eyes.
Raikage gritted his teeth, rolling his shoulders as his muscles flexed. The air around him crackled with lightning.
He stomped forward, the ground beneath him shattering.
With lightning speed, he charged, his fist drawn back for a devastating blow.
"DON'T GET COCKY, BOY!!!"
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