Third Raikage (Two-in-One)

One day, two days, three days.

As the agreed-upon breakout time drew nearer, the number of Hidden Cloud squads lingering around actually decreased. It seemed they hadn't found their tracks and had turned to search elsewhere.

Every member of the Konoha squad grew anxious and restless. They even expanded their original search area twofold, following Kime Kunou's suggestion.

But even so, they couldn't find any trace of the Third Raikage.

All signs pointed to a major problem with their intelligence. There was a high probability that their mission plan had been exposed, and the Third Raikage had likely already reached the front lines via a different route.

Their mission... might have failed.

Not until the afternoon of the third day, when the sun's dazzling noon light turned hazy and yellow, did everyone realize this.

Only Tsunade, in her heart, let out a long sigh of relief.

Grandfather, great-uncle, grandmother, elders of the Senju clan, father, mother, Nawaki...

Too many people had died on the battlefield. People around her were constantly, suddenly, at some point, disappearing forever.

This long-lasting pain usually lurked silently in the deepest parts of her heart, seemingly gone.

But at critical moments, it would suddenly erupt, turning into heavy pressure, weighing down her chest.

However, it was finally over.

"Now, does anyone have any other opinions?"

After returning to the base once more, Tsunade looked at the still reluctant group, took a slight breath, and seriously looked at the other teammates in the squad.

Everyone remained silent.

Even the most stubborn Ando Ooyama understood that this mission had completely failed.

"In that case, we'll follow the original plan. We'll rest for one night and begin breaking through the gap in the Hidden Cloud's encirclement that we scouted earlier, starting tomorrow morning," Tsunade ordered decisively when she saw they were all silent.

"Yes."

Based on their probing over the past few days, they had thoroughly mapped out the surrounding Hidden Cloud troop patrols.

Ninja warfare was different from that of ordinary people; it didn't require finding major roads for large-scale troops to pass through, nor did it require carrying large amounts of logistical military supplies. It was very difficult to block their movement by holding key points.

Therefore, almost all ninja villages moved in small squads as their basic unit, spreading out over a vast area in huge numbers. Through Perception ninjas, they monitored and reported on various sections, ultimately forming a defense pattern that was loose and scattered in waves, yet capable of gathering personnel with extreme flexibility.

However, this wave-like defense was naturally insignificant to an elite squad like the one formed by Tsunade and the others.

In these three days, they had already found multiple gaps that could be passed through quickly.

"It's just..."

As he was speaking, Kato Dan suddenly frowned and spoke.

He looked at the military map laid out before everyone, looking thoughtful, and asked in confusion, "Our actions have been so obvious these past few days. It should have been enough for the Hidden Cloud to figure out our general activity range."

"Why haven't they sent anyone of significant weight to surround and capture us until now?"

This illogical behavior made him uneasy.

"..."

Kato Dan wasn't the only one with this concern.

However, the Hidden Cloud was also in the midst of war.

Too many unexpected situations could occur on the battlefield; no one could say for sure.

Perhaps the Raikage was already surrounded by ten thousand Stone Village Ninja and had died in the battle formation?

"Don't worry so much, Kato," After confirming they were abandoning the mission, Kime Kunou's tone was clearly lighter than before, and he casually said, "Maybe the Stone Village Ninja and the Hidden Cloud are already fighting. The Raikage and the Tsuchikage are locked in a fierce battle and completely unable to spare any attention for us?"

Even Ando Ooyama no longer seemed as resolute as before.

A full month, plus the final three days of waiting and searching, had been enough to wear away his last bit of patience.

He picked up the ceramic bowl, sipped the hot water inside, and his voice was hoarse: "We have no way to exchange intelligence with the village right now. It's possible that many unknown things have happened on the front lines."

"After all, it's been a month."

In a national war, a month was enough time to change the strategic situation of an entire region.

"That's true."

Hearing his teammates say this, Kato Dan couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

Perhaps his worries were indeed unnecessary?

At the moment of making the decision, the entire narrow and warm underground base felt as if a heavy dark cloud had been lifted, and everyone felt a sense of relief from the inside out.

However, no one could say much more.

After returning to the village, they would still have to face other severe situations.

"Crackle—"

Suddenly, a muffled thunderclap sounded outside, followed by the patter of rain.

The low pressure carried water vapor, adding a barely perceptible dampness to the air, and a subtle coolness when breathing.

However, changes in the natural environment were not enough to affect a ninja's state of mind.

In the long war, everyone had long been mentally exhausted, tormented by the heavy pressure of missions and intense physical labor. Even to the sound of the rain, they could easily slip into a shallow state of rest.

Only...

Just as the four of them leaned against the stone wall, eyes closed, resting.

"Pop."

One of the warning runes placed in the center of the four suddenly exploded.

In an instant, everyone opened their eyes almost simultaneously, springing up and straightening abruptly.

"Whoosh!"

A red signal flare exploded in the sky far off, covered by dark clouds.

That was the secondary confirmation signal sent by the Anbu members on guard duty.

Enemy attack.

Tsunade immediately turned her head and commanded:

"Ando!"

Even before the captain gave the order, Ando Ooyama, who was in charge of Perception, had already bent down, pressing his hands flat against the ground. His Perception Chakra spread out in ripples in all directions, then reflected back into his mind.

However, the harder Ando tried to perceive, the more solemn his expression became.

"West four, south three, a total of seven squads."

"The nearest group is already within five kilometers."

"Total number unknown, at least thirty. Four Chakra signatures of Jonin level or higher within the Perception range."

His speaking speed grew faster and faster, until finally, he suddenly opened his eyes: "We've been exposed! These people are moving very fast, and their direction is clear."

Ando Ooyama's unspoken meaning was...

This base had probably been discovered long ago.

"Damn it!"

Kime Kunou slammed his fist on the ground.

It was obvious.

For the past few days, they had been played for fools.

At this time, only Tsunade remained calm.

Perhaps due to her extremely pessimistic assessment of the situation, she had prepared several escape plans even before the attack.

Now was the perfect time to use them.

"Ando, send a signal outside, tell them to withdraw on their own and regroup with us after breaking through." Tsunade said, turning to look at the other side. "Kime, use Earth Release to take us to the number four reserve exit three kilometers away, then prepare to force our way through the southern encirclement."

"They're trying to drive us northeast. Don't give them what they want."

"Yes, ma'am!"

After receiving the order, Kime Kunou didn't hesitate and immediately formed Hand Seals.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Concealment Technique!"

The next moment, the four people present were immediately swallowed by the soil beneath their feet.

The softened soil, like a mudslide, rapidly receded in the four people's vision. Even moving underground, their speed was no slower than a galloping horse.

However, for ninja, this speed was still far too slow.

Ando, who maintained his Perception Ninjutsu even underground, kept his eyes tightly shut.

Suddenly, he shouted, "They're right above us!"

"Boom—!"

Earth and stone flew back.

Four figures burst out from underground one after another.

The Hidden Cloud ninja, who were still in the stance of sprinting through the trees, seemed completely unprepared for this scene. Their bodies in mid-air even paused for a moment due to the brief shock.

That was enough.

"Monster Strength Fist!"

The Monster Strength Chakra, condensed with explosive power, maintained the appearance of ordinary Chakra glow until the fist was thrown.

However, almost the instant it touched a human body, it immediately transformed into an impact unimaginable to ordinary people, suddenly turning the strong body, trained for decades, into a burst of shredded meat in the blink of an eye with a terrifying one-way repulsion.

"Bang!"

The entire person exploded outwards like an imploding rag doll, wrapped in fine, dark red debris, scattering in all directions.

This incredibly impactful scene caused all the Hidden Cloud ninja present to let out cries of anger or sorrow.

However, the several figures who rushed out with her charged towards the surrounding people with equally swift movements, their blades flashing.

The dense sound of metal clashing echoed continuously in the spacious forest, with sparks of metal scattering in all directions.

Unfortunately, strong emotional fluctuations weren't enough to compensate for the lack of ability.

After just two or three moves, the two Hidden Cloud Chunin who charged at them were ruthlessly torn to shreds.

On the other hand, the strongest Hidden Cloud Jonin, almost the moment he saw them, turned and fled without hesitation, regrouping with his comrades further back.

"Don't chase, keep running!"

Noticing Kime Kunou looking a bit eager to move, Tsunade immediately barked a command and took the lead, rushing ahead.

The rain poured down, the pea-sized drops hitting them with a pat pat pat, making their cloth armor slightly heavy and the clothes underneath sticky against their skin.

The escape lasted a full twenty minutes.

Of the three Anbu who split up and fled from the base, only one blood-soaked Jonin managed to regroup with them.

The other two, clearly, wouldn't be coming back.

Everything about tonight felt so frustrating.

However, what frustrated Tsunade the most was the ominous feeling in her heart.

Their base had been discovered.

But when was it discovered?

Why, for the past three days, had the patrol teams they encountered coincidentally narrowed their search area, only to launch an operation tonight?

All these signs pointed the situation in the most worrisome direction.

That is—

Within this Hidden Cloud defense force, there was a major figure whose strength was enough to be the main event.

"Stop—!"

Suddenly, Ando Ooyama roared, his voice even becoming a bit sharp.

He closed his eyes, hands pressed against the ground, and said quickly:

"Abnormally huge Chakra reaction!"

"A Jinchuriki... no! Such fast movement speed!"

"Ten kilometers! Nine, eight, seven..."

Ando Ooyama, his face streaming with rain, suddenly turned his head to the east and yelled at everyone:

"It's the Third Raikage!"

At this moment, he wasn't the only one.

Everyone present had turned their heads towards the rain curtain to the east.

Damn it, how could this be?!

Tsunade's beautiful eyes widened.

The planned ambush had turned into a counter-ambush. Although the enemy was still only the target person, all the preparation, plans, and advantages had turned into a bubble.

The situation was extremely unfavorable.

In the distance, even this torrential rain couldn't stop the continuous sound of giant trees collapsing from afar. The incredibly high speed and almost inhuman physical strength made the Third Raikage resemble a Tailed Beast, moving in a sharp straight line, charging headfirst through the uneven terrain.

What rushed towards them was the man's imposing aura, like a peerless fierce beast.

That rough voice suddenly sounded from the extreme distance.

"Lightning Release—"

Almost the moment that violent sound penetrated the heavy curtain and entered their ears...

"Scatter!"

Tsunade's voice was incredibly urgent.

But the next second, the figure completely wrapped in thick lightning suddenly appeared in their vision, moving almost as if teleporting.

"—Lightning Release: Lariat!"

At that moment, the people who were still in a daze only had time to instinctively react to the attack and dodge under Tsunade's command.

During this process, the unlucky Anbu located on the easternmost side of the team had just managed to turn sideways when his central vision was completely swallowed by dazzling lightning.

"Hiss—!"

His ninja shoes scraped against the rain-soaked ground, making a grating, steaming sound like hot melt glue encountering water. He could even smell the distinct odor of burning rubber.

Two deep tracks were ploughed into the ground beneath his feet.

The severed head, its cut blackened.

"Thud."

The headless corpse fell to the ground.

In just one encounter.

That Anbu Jonin, who had considerable experience, was instantly killed by the enemy.

There wasn't even time to react.

The thick, tall, hairy man stood there, his body over two meters tall and strong as a brown bear, yet his speed was unbelievably fast. His cold gaze pierced through the rain like a knife, sweeping over these little Konoha bugs, a smile of disdain slowly curving at the corner of his mouth.

A massive pressure, even stronger than a Tailed Beast, instantly enveloped everyone's hearts, suffocating them.

"Just you few?"

Seeing this, Tsunade didn't waste another second thinking. As she charged forward, she revealed the trump card hidden beneath her forehead protector:

"Strength of a Hundred Seal: Release!"

Suddenly, complex markings rapidly extended from her forehead across her entire body.

Ando Ooyama was even more decisive. The moment the Third Raikage appeared in his sight, he immediately took out a sealing scroll from his ninja tool pouch, held it in his mouth, ready to bite it open at any moment, and held his swords in both hands.

On the seal of that scroll, the words "Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique" were written.

"Earth Release: Earth Movement Core!"

At the same time, Kime Kunou's eyes were already bloodshot. His life energy and mental energy were refined into Chakra to the maximum extent, aiming to instantly maximize the range of this technique.

Such a massive expenditure was solely to create a large enough area of complex terrain to impede the man's speed.

But...

"Too slow!"

Just as the terrain began to shift, the lightning surrounding the Third Raikage's body erupted again, and he charged forward at an even faster speed.

The ground within dozens of meters around his feet sank as if collapsing, but he moved with astonishing speed, stepping on the crumbling stones and sweeping across the air.

His extreme speed even left blurred, linear afterimages in their vision.

His target was Tsunade.

The man's roar, violent to the extreme, pierced through the rain:

"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"

This chapter is 4k3 characters, no less.

I won't split up similar battle chapters, it makes them feel disconnected.

Thanks to reader 20210725173827439 for the monthly pass~