Th... Third Raikage-sama...
As darkness suddenly fell before their eyes, Dodai and the Kumogakure ninja slowly raised their heads, looking at the enormous water sphere hovering overhead and the burly man within it, nearly curled up under the crushing water pressure. They slowly took a step back.
He did it to save us...
Third Raikage-sama did it to save us...
At that moment, an indescribable emotion welled up in all their hearts.
It was not only Dodai. The other Kumogakure ninja could see it too—or rather, they could deduce it from the situation.
That Taki Chiba's Shadow Clone Jutsu had deliberately assumed a stance to attack them, luring the Third Raikage into using Black Spotted Vulture against him. This caused the Third Raikage's right-hand attack to pause, buying the other Taki Chiba enough time to perform a ninjutsu.
Otherwise, given the situation at the time and the Third Raikage's speed, before that other Taki Chiba could even form his hand seals, the suddenly erupting streams of water would likely have already struck Taki Chiba.
Moreover, with that Taki Chiba's speed, his Shadow Clone Jutsu did not need to assume an attacking posture at all. He could have moved over to their side without warning and launched an attack. In fact, he would not even have needed to use his full speed.
First, the Third Raikage, the only one who could keep up with him, was in midair and unable to move. He did not need to worry about the Third Raikage supporting or stopping them. Even if the Third Raikage attacked with ninjutsu, he could evade without disrupting his own attack.
Second, they were only a few meters apart. Even an ordinary ninja's Body Flicker Technique could cross that distance in an instant.
There was absolutely no need for him...