The Fourth Raikage

Maki was no weakling. If Uchiha Shūichi had faced him a few months ago, before gaining Kotoamatsukami and undergoing a series of Body Modifications, he wouldn't have dared claim he could definitely defeat him.

The Sunagakure ninja accompanying Maki, a trusted aide of the Fourth Kazekage, were sure to be capable as well. It might have turned into a tough fight.

But now, Uchiha Shūichi's strength far surpassed that of these Land of Wind ninja. And besides, they were in the shadows while their opponents were out in the open. Even if their strength had been evenly matched, one ambush would have been enough to cripple the enemy.

"Keep watching these Land of Wind ninja. They're not our target. We might as well let them help us test the waters and see how many powerful fighters have come to Amegakure."

"Besides, the Rinnegan is said to be the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, so its power must be immense. There's no need for us to rush to the front."

Early the next morning, the Sunagakure ninja got up and left the town, heading toward Amegakure.

The Land of Rain was a small country, and ninja traveled quickly. Although the Sunagakure ninja had slowed down a little to hide their identities, they had still reached the outskirts of Amegakure by noon.

At this point, there was no use trying to conceal themselves. Amegakure had received the intelligence too, and had already cut off all routes into the village for outsiders. Even if they disguised themselves as ordinary civilians, they would be treated as enemy spies.

Uchiha Shūichi also knew that Amegakure had the Rain Tiger Dependent Claws Technique. Any unfamiliar Chakra that entered the area would have its location exposed by the endless drizzle.

"The other side has stopped moving. Looks like they're planning to wait outside."

"They're probably watching and waiting, too. The intelligence has spread throughout the Shinobi World, after all. They must be afraid that their actions will let another village swoop in and reap the benefits."

Yūhi Kurenai analyzed the situation carefully. Over this period, Uchiha Shūichi had come to recognize her strengths. Though she wasn't as capable as Yamanaka Fū or Hyuga Homura, she was much better than either of them at making plans and offering advice.

Yamanaka Fū was a Root operative, while Hyuga Homura belonged to the Hyuga Branch Family. Even after becoming Special Jonin, neither had ever operated independently. They only knew how to follow orders; when it came to offering advice or making plans, they were worse than an ordinary Chunin.

"Then let's give them something to deal with..."

Uchiha Shūichi hadn't finished speaking when Hyuga Homura suddenly called out in alarm:

"This is bad! A new enemy is approaching!"

"That Chakra is incredibly powerful. Its intensity is almost unbelievable!"

At Hyuga Homura's words, Yamanaka Fū's expression changed as well. The Yamanaka Clan specialized in Yin Release, and besides its various Mind Secret Techniques, it could also be considered a clan of sensory ninja. Clearly, he had sensed the enormous Chakra too.

Even Uchiha Shūichi had a little Sensory Ability, thanks to his transplanted Hashirama Cells and enhanced White Zetsu Cells. The Chakra was beyond the range of his senses, but its overwhelming strength still gave him a faint sense of danger.

Even without counting his Mangekyo, Uchiha Shūichi had already reached Kage Level. Any ninja who could make him feel threatened had to be Kage-level.

"Th-this is... It's the Cloud's A and B combination! What are they doing here?!"

Hyuga Homura looked utterly stunned. The Fourth Raikage's arrival came as a tremendous shock.

The Kage of any of the Five Great Shinobi Villages were renowned figures who had made their names on the battlefield. To ordinary ninja, they were utterly overwhelming.

The A and B combination had once driven Konoha back again and again during the Third Great Ninja War. Only the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, could stand against them.

"What?! The Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki! They actually came to the Land of Rain in person!"

Yūhi Kurenai had gone a little pale. Facing a Raikage and a Jinchuriki as a Special Jonin seemed like too much to handle.

Uchiha Shūichi's expression shifted slightly as well. He spoke in a low voice:

"Move! We're pulling out now!"

Any ninja sent on a mission with the Fourth Raikage had to be highly capable. There was bound to be a sensory ninja among them.

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was powerful, but its range wasn't especially great—only about a kilometer. Sensory ninja who detected Chakra, on the other hand, might not be as precise, but their range was often much greater.

Even without the ten-kilometer range of the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, they could still sense people two or three kilometers away.

In other words, by the time the Byakugan spotted the enemy, their sensory ninja might already have detected them.

Uchiha Shūichi and the others rose to leave, but at that moment, Hyuga Homura shouted:

"No! There's no time! They've split up! One team went after the Sand ninja, and another is charging this way!"

"The one coming for us is the Fourth Raikage! The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki went after the Sand ninja!"

Uchiha Shūichi sighed and waved a hand.

"In that case, everyone, get ready to fight!"

Ever since Namikaze Minato's death, the Fourth Raikage had been considered the fastest ninja in the Shinobi World. Uchiha Shūichi didn't think they could escape his pursuit.

After hearing Uchiha Shūichi's words, everyone immediately took up a defensive stance. Hyuga Homura widened his Byakugan and watched the enemy's approach without blinking.

"Here they come! Five hundred meters away... four hundred... three hundred... Nine o'clock! They're almost here!"

A flash of blue light appeared. Even with Hyuga Homura's warning, Yamanaka Fū and Yūhi Kurenai could barely react. In an instant, the blue-glowing fist was about to take Yūhi Kurenai's life.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

The Fire Style jutsu, prepared in advance, erupted in an instant at an unimaginable speed. With a thunderous boom, it struck the sudden flash of blue light and sent the Fourth Raikage flying.

The force of the explosion sent Yūhi Kurenai flying too. She rolled twice across the ground before getting back to her feet, clutching her shoulder.

Faint burn marks showed on Yūhi Kurenai's shoulder—the scorch left by the lightning chakra cloaking the Fourth Raikage.

"So fast... Is this the strength of a village's Kage?"

Yūhi Kurenai's face was pale, her heart pounding. If Uchiha Shūichi hadn't prepared the Fire Style jutsu in advance, the Fourth Raikage would have struck her to pieces in one blow. Instead, all she had was a small burn from the lightning on her shoulder.