Fourth Raikage

Baki's strength was not to be underestimated. If it had been a few months ago, before obtaining Kotoamatsukami and undergoing a series of body modifications, Uchiha Shūichi wouldn't have dared to claim he could definitely defeat his opponent.

The Sunagakure ninja who could operate alongside Baki, the Fourth Kazekage's trusted subordinate, would certainly not be weak either. At that point, it might well have turned into a hard-fought battle.

But now, Uchiha Shūichi's strength had far surpassed these ninja from the Land of Wind, not to mention that his group was in the shadows while the enemy was in the light. Even if their power were nearly equal, a single wave of ambush would be enough to cripple them.

"Keep watching these Land of Wind ninja. Our target isn't these Suna ninja. Let them test the waters for us—see just how many strong fighters have gathered in Amegakure now."

"Besides, the Rinnegan is said to be the Sage of Six Paths' eyes. Its power must not be underestimated. There's no need for us to charge to the front."

The next morning, the Sunagakure ninja rose early, left the town, and headed toward Amegakure.

The Land of Rain was only a small country, and ninja traveled quickly. Even with the need to conceal their identities, the Suna ninja held back their speed only slightly, reaching the vicinity of Amegakure by noon the following day.

At this point, further concealment was useless. Amegakure had already received intelligence and cut off all paths for outsiders to enter the village. Even pretending to be ordinary civilians would result in being treated as enemy spies.

Uchiha Shūichi also knew that the Rain Tiger Dependent Claws Technique existed in Amegakure. Any unfamiliar chakra that stepped into the village would be exposed under the endless drizzle.

"They've stopped advancing. Looks like they're waiting outside."

"Probably watching the situation too. With the intelligence spread across the entire shinobi world, they're likely afraid their actions will let other villages swoop in and reap the benefits."

Yūhi Kurenai analyzed carefully. Over this period, Uchiha Shūichi had come to recognize her strengths. While she couldn't match Yamanaka Fū or Hyuga Homura in ability, she was far better than both when it came to planning and strategizing.

Yamanaka Fū and Hyuga Homura—one was a Root member, the other from the Hyuga branch family. Even after becoming Special Jonin, neither had ever taken charge independently. They could only follow plans, and when it came to devising strategies, they were even inferior to an ordinary Chunin.

"Then let's give them something to keep busy..."

Before Uchiha Shūichi could finish his sentence, Hyuga Homura's voice suddenly turned urgent:

"Trouble! New enemies are coming!"

"Such powerful chakra! The intensity of this chakra is almost unbelievably strong!"

As Hyuga Homura spoke, Yamanaka Fū's expression shifted as well. The Yamanaka Clan, skilled in Yin Release, could be considered sensory-type ninja beyond their various mind techniques. Clearly, he too had sensed the enormous chakra.

Even Uchiha Shūichi, thanks to his transplanted Hashirama Cells and enhanced White Zetsu Cells, possessed a degree of sensory ability. Though it was beyond his normal range, the overwhelming chakra still made him vaguely feel a sense of threat.

Even without counting his Mangekyo, Uchiha Shūichi had already reached Kage-level. A ninja capable of making him feel threatened had undoubtedly stepped into the Kage level as well.

"This... this is... the Cloud Ninja's A and B combination! Why would they be here?!"

Hyuga Homura's face was full of shock. The appearance of the Fourth Raikage was a tremendous blow to him.

Any Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Villages was a figure who had left a fearsome reputation on the battlefield. To ordinary ninja, they were an absolute overwhelming force.

The A and B combination had pushed Konoha back step by step during the Third Great Ninja War. Only the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, could match them.

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

Yūhi Kurenai's face turned slightly pale. A Special Jonin like her, facing a combination of a Raikage and a Jinchuriki—wasn't that a bit too much out of her league?

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

"Let's go! Retreat now!"

Any ninja who could go on a mission with the Fourth Raikage would certainly be capable. Among them, there would definitely be a sensory-type ninja.

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was powerful, but its detection range was not its strong suit—only about one kilometer. In comparison, chakra-based sensory ninja might not have as clear perception, but their range was often greater.

Even without the Mind's Eye of the Kagura's ten-kilometer range, sensing two or three kilometers away was achievable.

In other words, the moment the Byakugan spotted them, the enemy's sensory ninja might have already detected their presence.

Uchiha Shūichi and the others prepared to leave, but just then, Hyuga Homura shouted:

"No, there's no time! They've split up! One group went after the Suna ninja, and another is charging straight at us!"

"The one charging at us is the Fourth Raikage! The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki went after the Suna ninja!"

Uchiha Shūichi sighed and waved his hand slightly:

"In that case, everyone, prepare for battle."

Ever since Namikaze Minato's death, the Fourth Raikage had been recognized as the fastest shinobi in the world. Uchiha Shūichi didn't think they could escape his pursuit.

Hearing Uchiha Shūichi's words, everyone immediately assumed a combat stance. Hyuga Homura widened his Byakugan, staring unblinkingly at the enemy's approach speed.

"He's coming! 500 meters, 400 meters, 300 meters... Nine o'clock direction! He'll be here any second!"

A flash of blue light burst forth. Even with Hyuga Homura's warning, Yamanaka Fū and Yūhi Kurenai could barely react. In that instant, a fist wreathed in blue light was about to take Yūhi Kurenai's life.

"Fire Style—Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

The Fire Style ninjutsu, already prepared, erupted at an unimaginable speed. With a thunderous roar, it slammed into the sudden blue light, sending the Fourth Raikage flying backward.

The violent explosion blast also sent Yūhi Kurenai tumbling. She rolled twice on the ground before the female ninja got to her feet, clutching her shoulder.

On her shoulder, faint scorch marks could be seen—burns left by the lightning power of the Lightning Release Armor.

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

Her face pale, Yūhi Kurenai's heart pounded wildly. If not for Uchiha Shūichi's pre-prepared Fire Style jutsu, she would have been torn apart by the Fourth Raikage's single blow, rather than just having a few burn marks on her shoulder.