Azure Dragon VS Raikage

Raikage Ay's pupils constricted sharply! The fist, imbued with destructive green light, rapidly enlarged in his perception, the shadow of death instantly engulfing his heart! Too fast! Too cunning! The timing was terrifyingly precise! The speed brought by his proud Lightning Release Chakra Mode had, at this moment, become a death knell, leaving him unable to fully dodge or defend as his previous strength waned and new strength had yet to arise!

"Roar!!!" At the critical moment, Ay erupted in a beast-like roar, pushing the Lightning Release Chakra within his body to its limit! Furious blue lightning exploded with unprecedented brilliance, forming an almost tangible Lightning Armor on his body's surface!

BOOM—!!!!

Duanmu Ci's Sage Art: Monster Strength Punch landed squarely on the hastily condensed Lightning Armor of Raikage Ay!

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

Then, a world-shattering, terrifying explosion! Blinding blue-green light erupted like a miniature sun, instantly swallowing the figures of the two battling! A visible, massive shockwave ring spread out from the impact point! Within a hundred-meter radius, all giant trees and rocks were uprooted and crushed into powder! The ground, as if forcefully scraped by an invisible giant plow, was left with a radiating deep crater dozens of meters in diameter!

Smoke and dust soared into the sky, obscuring the sun and sky!

"Ay!" Killer B let out a roar mixed with shock and fury, the dark red Tailed Beast Chakra on his body surging uncontrollably, two phantom tails made of Chakra wildly lashing behind him! He hadn't expected Ay to be forced into such a desperate situation!

The smoke and dust slowly dispersed, revealing the scene at the bottom of the crater.

Duanmu Ci maintained his punching posture, standing in the center of the deep crater, completely dust-free. Only wisps of residual lightning arcs and green light flickered before his fist. He frowned slightly, shaking his slightly numb fist—the defensive power of the Raikage's Lightning Armor was indeed astonishing.

More than ten meters in front of him, Raikage Ay knelt on one knee, one hand supporting the scorched ground, breathing heavily. The short shirt on his upper body, symbolizing the Raikage's status, had completely shattered, revealing his robust, cast-iron-like bronze muscles, which were covered in fine scorch marks and cracks. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. The violent lightning on his body had significantly dimmed; it was clear that taking this punch head-on had not been easy for him.

"Cough... cough cough!" Ay violently coughed out a mouthful of bloody foam, raising his head. His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Duanmu Ci, burning with humiliation, rage, and a hint of fear that he himself was unwilling to admit. "Wood Style... Sage Art... Good! Very good! Duanmu Ci! I'll remember you!" His voice was hoarse, like a wounded beast growling.

"Likewise, Lord Raikage's Lightning Armor is quite sturdy," Duanmu Ci said calmly, his gaze passing over Ay to lock onto Killer B behind him, whose Chakra was becoming increasingly unstable and almost out of control. "However, control your companion. If the Eight-Tails' Chakra goes berserk and harms innocents... you'll bear the consequences."

"Innocents?" Killer B let out a low, hoarse laugh, filled with beastly ferocity. "You Konoha ninjas... who's innocent? Ay! Let me! I'll use a Tailed Beast Bomb to blast this annoying place... to the heavens!" Reason was being devoured by violence in his eyes, dark red Chakra covering his entire body like thick blood, the phantom of a third tail faintly appearing!

"Killer B! Calm down!" Ay yelled sternly, but Killer B's state was clearly nearing the brink of losing control.

Duanmu Ci's eyes chilled, his invisible aura suddenly soaring, descending like a majestic mountain! He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing down, aiming at the surging Chakra of Killer B, his voice as cold as ice:

"It seems the negotiation is over. The rules of Taoyuan Village—trespassers will be expelled. Those who intend to cause destruction... will be killed without mercy!"

As his words fell, countless resilient vines erupted from beneath the scorched earth around them, like awakened giant pythons, their tips flashing with metallic cold light, carrying a majestic life aura and chilling killing intent, silently locking onto the poised Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B! The atmosphere of the entire battlefield instantly dropped to freezing point!

The morning mist had not yet completely dispersed when the golden sunlight impatiently pierced through the foliage, casting dappled shadows on the nascent land of Taoyuan Village. The air was filled with the scent of freshly turned earth, the unique fragrance of medicinal herbs, and a vitality called "hope." Hyuga Hizashi, with the young Hinata, walked on this vibrant land accompanied by Duanmu Ci.

Hinata tightly clutched Uncle Hizashi's clothes, her small head slightly lowered, a faint blush on her fair cheeks. Her pure, unblemished Byakugan cautiously and quickly glanced at Duanmu Ci walking ahead, then immediately lowered her eyelids like a startled fawn. This little girl, who had been questioned about "insufficient talent" within the clan, was now filled with an unprecedented emotion—an almost devout admiration.

"Lord Duanmu, this is the newly built herb garden," Duanmu Ci's voice was gentle and clear as he pointed to a meticulously divided area where tender green seedlings stretched out in the morning light. "I'm trying... well, a special Chakra catalysis method, hoping to shorten the growth cycle and improve efficacy."

Hyuga Hizashi looked at the medicinal seedlings, which were clearly more robust and had fuller leaves than their counterparts in the outside world, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. "Lord Duanmu's methods are truly extraordinary. This is no longer just within the scope of Medical Ninjutsu; it's akin to the work of creation." His tone was sincere; coming from the branch family, he could better appreciate the preciousness of this creativity.

Duanmu Ci merely smiled humbly, not elaborating on the effects of Wood Style. He noticed Hinata's curious and timid gaze, deliberately slowed his pace, walked to Hinata's side, and bent down slightly. "Miss Hinata, do you like the flowers here?"

Hinata froze as if struck, her small face instantly turning crimson. She stammered, "I... I like them! They're... very beautiful!" She was referring to a few clusters of unknown small flowers at the edge of the herb garden, which Duanmu Ci had specifically nurtured with a trace of Wood Style. They were pale purple, gently swaying in the breeze.

Duanmu Ci's smile softened further. He extended a finger, and an extremely faint, almost imperceptible pale green light (the life aura inherent to the Sage Body, not a deliberate technique) condensed on his fingertip, gently touching the petal of a small flower. The flower seemed to be infused with extra vitality, its petals unfurling further, its color appearing even more vibrant.

"Wow..." Hinata couldn't help but let out a soft gasp, her pure Byakugan widening, filled with incredible light. In her eyes, this simple scene was like a miracle. She saw the flow of Chakra, the surging vitality of the flower instantly bursting forth, and even more so, the gentleness and patience in Duanmu Ci's movements.

"Life is magical and fragile," Duanmu Ci's voice was very soft, as if speaking to Hinata, and also as if talking to himself. "Feel them with your heart, protect them, and they will repay you with unexpected beauty."

Hinata nodded as if she understood but didn't quite grasp it, but Duanmu Ci's words and the magical scene just now had been deeply imprinted on her young heart. She no longer hid behind Hizashi but mustered her courage, following Duanmu Ci at a slight distance, her small ears perked up, striving to capture every word he spoke.

Afterward, they arrived at the temporary learning area for the orphans. Several children slightly older than Hinata were gathered together, learning to identify basic herb diagrams from a young medical ninja genin. The children's faces were filled with curiosity and seriousness. Although the environment was simple, the atmosphere was peaceful and focused.

Duanmu Ci did not disturb them, merely watching quietly from a distance. Hinata's gaze was also drawn over. She saw the gentle encouragement in Duanmu Ci's eyes as his gaze swept over the children. One child accidentally broke his drawing charcoal stick and looked a bit dejected. Duanmu Ci walked over, squatted down, and as if by magic, pulled out a sharpened small wooden stick from his sleeve (actually a tiny Wood Style creation), handed it to him, patted his shoulder, and whispered something. The child immediately broke into a smile and nodded vigorously.

These scenes, like warm streams, silently nourished Hinata's heart. The harsh training in the clan, her father's disappointed gaze, the whispers of the clan members... those things that made her feel suppressed and inferior seemed to be dispelled like fog by the sun in this place called "Taoyuan Village," beside this person named "Duanmu Ci," becoming insignificant.

He's so strong... like a hero from a story.

He's so gentle... gentle with small flowers, small animals, and small children...

He... he can also use that magical power to make life better...

Hinata secretly watched Duanmu Ci's focused profile. The vague image of a "hero" in her heart was gradually replaced by the real, gentle, and powerful person before her, becoming incredibly clear and concrete. A feeling mixed with admiration, longing, and a faint dependence, like early spring vines, quietly sprouted and entwined in her heart. He was a ray of light that suddenly illuminated her dark world.

On the border of the Land of Fire, dark clouds loomed.

Amidst rolling thunderclouds, the Fourth Raikage Ay and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, stood side-by-side on the mountain peak, looking down at the outskirts of Taoyuan Village below.

"B, that's the lair of the Konoha Azure Dragon." Ay's Lightning Release Chakra crackled around his body, his muscle contours like cast iron in the lightning. "He dares to block the edge of my Cloud Village alone; I want to see how many lives he has."

Killer B raised his index finger with one hand, his rap-style tone carrying a rare solemnity. "Yo! Wood Style plus Sage Art, that guy's no simple dude, don't mess up, big brother!"

Taoyuan Village, an alarm suddenly blared.

Duanmu Ci stood atop the central watchtower. A barely perceptible sweep of his Rinnegan captured the two raging Lightning Release and Tailed Beast Chakras twenty miles away.

"The Raikage himself has come..." A smile tugged at his lips. "Perfect, I'll use you as a whetstone."

Tsunade placed a hand on his shoulder, her golden ponytail lifting in the wind. "Don't push yourself. The AB Combo isn't like those weaklings from the Mist Village."

"Don't worry." Duanmu Ci placed his hand back on her hand, a green light flashed, and Wood Style Chakra formed into a leaf-shaped charm. "Wait for my triumphant return."

The next moment, he transformed into a green afterimage and streaked towards the border.

[Chapter Fourteen]

Azure Dragon VS Raikage—Clash of Speed and Power! (Part 1)

Boom!

Lightning and green shadows collided violently in the center of the canyon, the shockwave overturning hundred-meter-tall ancient trees.

Ay's Lightning Armor took Duanmu Ci's Sage Body Monster Strength Punch head-on, only retreating half a step. He sneered, "A bit interesting!"

"Sage Art: Wood Style: Consecutive Pillar Houses!" Duanmu Ci slammed his hand on the ground, and ten wooden pillars, each two meters in diameter, burst from the earth. They moved like living creatures, interweaving to lock onto Ay's limbs.

"Thunder Cruel Water Level Thousand Dances!" Ay transformed into a blue lightning bolt and shattered the wooden pillars with a chop, the splintered wood turning to ash in the lightning.

Killer B seized the opportunity to circle behind him, his Eight-Tails tentacles surging, "Tailed Beast Eight Scrolls!"

Duanmu Ci didn't look back, his Rinnegan sharing vision—

"Wood Style: Wood Golem Wall: Triple Rashomon!"

Three massive wooden gates erupted from the ground, blocking the tentacles. Lightning snakes writhed on the gate panels, but they couldn't advance an inch.

"This is... Wood Style defense enhanced by Sage Art?" Ay's pupils constricted, his condescension vanishing for the first time.

[Chapter Fifteen]

Sage Art VS Tailed Beast! The Eight-Tails' Roar! (Part 2)

The Raikage's assault was proving ineffective. He grunted, "B! Half-Tailed Beast Transformation!"

Boom—

Crimson Tailed Beast Chakra surged into the sky. The Eight-Tails, Gyuki, manifested its bones and muscles on Killer B's body, its four tails thrashing wildly.

"Tailed Beast Bomb!"

A dark purple energy sphere compressed within Killer B's mouth, drawing the canyon air into a vacuum.

Duanmu Ci's eyes narrowed, the patterns of his Rinnegan flashing deep within his pupils:

"Sage Art: Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"

A hundred-meter-long wood dragon erupted from the ground, its maw clamping onto the Tailed Beast Bomb. Its body coiled around the Eight-Tails, furiously absorbing its Chakra.

"What?!" The wood dragon forcibly drew away thirty percent of Killer B's Tailed Beast Chakra.

BOOM!!

The Tailed Beast Bomb exploded within the dragon's mouth. The wood dragon and the shockwave annihilated each other. Amidst the sky filled with wood fragments and lightning, Duanmu Ci instantly appeared before Ay, green light flowing from his palm—

"Sage Art: Myojinmon!"

Two wooden shackles resembling torii gates descended from the sky, suppressing Ay's Lightning Armor and causing arcs of electricity to sputter.

"Raikage, this is as far as it goes," Duanmu Ci said, his robes fluttering. The ground beneath him had already transformed into a lush sea of trees. "If this continues, your Cloud Village elites will all be left here."

Ay broke free from the wooden shackles, his chest heaving. He stared intently at the other's calm Rinnegan, finally letting out a cold snort:

"Konoha Azure Dragon... Remember this, the Cloud Village will settle this score sooner or later!"

The lightning receded, and the Eight-Tails Chakra dissipated.

Duanmu Ci stood with his hands behind his back atop the sea of trees, gazing at the departing thunderclouds. He said softly:

"Next time you come, remember to bring enough for medical expenses."