"Screech!"
With a sharp cry that tore through the air, the lightning blade howled down. With unstoppable force, it flashed like a bolt of thunder and plunged straight at the boy, who had already exhausted all his strength for everything he cherished. He had no strength left to dodge, no strength left to fight back. His limbs were charred black, his flesh split and curled, and he could no longer move! Yet the boy's eyes never closed. Within those unwilling eyes was reflected the arcing electric light of the lightning blade, like a thunderbolt flashing through a pitch-black night. Beneath his despairing gaze, there still lingered a final trace of hope.
He...
Had not given up! At that instant, the somewhat aged, burly man enveloped in the Lightning Release Chakra Cloak, who had gone from a standing combat stance into a crouch as he drove down the lightning blade, took in every subtle expression and movement of the boy through the glow of the lightning. Yet the man, who held an absolute advantage and had delivered this killing thrust, had eyes full of caution, wariness, vigilance, and utmost gravity.
Hmm? Then, in that instant, the burly man's eyes suddenly turned to the left, widening slightly.
"Tap!"
Then, amid the crackling of lightning, came the sound of a foot landing on the ground.
"Tap tap... tap tap tap... tap!"
Following that first landing, wave after wave of footsteps struck the ground.
This was...
The burly man's eyes gradually widened, reflecting one figure after another as they rushed in and stopped, rows upon rows of ninja forces settling into place, and the Kumogakure forehead protectors above their heads.
"Third Raikage, sir!"
At that moment, a loud cry rang out, carrying emotions that could not be identified as joy or worry.
At that