The Kage-Level Shinobi Who Died

Since retreat was impossible, the Combat Ninja continued to kill the [Obsidian Dragon King]'s familiars, but their movements were hurried and chaotic.

"It seems you are quite confident as well."

Kakuzu's reply left the Platinum Armor speechless, and the platinum spear beside him thrust straight down.

"Combined Ninja Art: Flame Wind Chaos!"

The Fire Release mask and Wind Release mask formed by the Earth Grudge Fear simultaneously used Fire Release: Searing Migraine and Wind Release: Pressure Damage, creating a vast, scorching sea of fire.

The attack of the platinum spear was thwarted, and the platinum Greatsword, which had previously been blocked by the black lines, broke free of its restraints in the sea of fire and slashed towards Kakuzu.

With a bang, a puff of white smoke appeared.

(While Ninja's Shadow Clone Jutsu is indeed difficult to discern with the naked eye, the soul they carry cannot be faked!)

The Platinum Dragon Lord, who controlled the Platinum Armor, was not surprised by Kakuzu's disappearance; his tactics were merely a counter-strategy.

It was also during battle that they learned the bottom line of the strongest ninjas.

Watching from the shadows is never as effective as taking the field yourself.

The battle continued, and Kakuzu, who had unleashed several powerful Ninjutsu in succession, immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Given the opponent's strength, the pressure I felt was surprisingly weak.

(Is this all the ability they have, or are they investigating something?)

Subconsciously, Kakuzu confirmed the latter possibility, and a faint sense of joy welled up in his heart.

As long as the other party remains aloof, there is a possibility of breaking the deadlock!

The Platinum Dragon Lord's attention was not only focused on Kakuzu, but another suit of Platinum Armor also sought out the location of Karatachi Yagura's troops.

Kaguya, the Clan Head who preferred close combat, was quickly smashed into a bloody pulp by the giant hammer, a gruesome scene that gripped the hearts of everyone else.

Thick-skinned Tailed Beast blocked their way, and the Hozuki Clan Head unleashed two roaring water dragons.

Following closely behind, the Snow Clan Head waved his hand, and the water dragon transformed into an ice dragon, carrying countless ice shards as it slowed down the Platinum Armor Platinum Armor's movements while crashing into it.

With his attention divided, the Platinum Dragon Lord's control over the Platinum Armor weakened considerably. The three of them fought the Platinum Armor to a standstill, relieving some of the pressure on Kakuzu.

Two consecutive mid-level Origin Magic, along with the significant consumption of soul and Spiritual Power, prevented the Platinum Dragon Lord from using his powerful trump card to annihilate the three's exquisite teamwork in a short period of time.

Below the Seventh Tier, magic that can be cast instantly can only cause minor injuries to the Three-Tails, as most of it is blocked by its hard Three-Tails shell.

The three giant tails behind the Three-Tails possess the power of Seventh Tier magic with each swing.

Even the Platinum Armor is unwilling to take a direct hit, as all of the armor's skills consume its own durability.

If the durability is insufficient, this Platinum Armor will immediately malfunction and be captured by the enemy.

The battle remained deadlocked, Platinum Dragon Lord was gaining more and more information, revealing his own combat capabilities.

After a long wait, an opportunity finally came. At the cost of sacrificing a life and the dragon mask, he gathered the three Earth Grudge Fear Masks of Wind, Fire, and Lightning on his right arm, charged up his energy, and fired a terrifying Chakra Cannon at the Platinum Armor armor.

"Earth Grudge Fear - Final Shot!"

The energy attack, like an electric current, not only knocked away the katana blocking the Platinum Armor, but also pierced through the right shoulder of the Platinum Armor itself!

(This attack is even stronger than Low Tier Origin Magic!)

The older he got, the more Platinum Dragon Lord he saw, and looking at Kakuzu panting below, he was completely certain that the other was the real Kakuzu.

They were also 90% confident that if they continued their attack, the opponent would surely die at their hands.

only...

The Platinum Dragon Lord checked the durability of the Platinum Armor, coldly watched for a moment as eight black tentacles floated up behind him, assuming a Kakuzu of having plenty of strength left. He then glanced at the Kirigakure Combat Ninja force that had already approached, turned around, and flew away from the spot.

Relieved, Kakuzu discovered that the barrier had been lifted and immediately organized his men to retreat towards the Northwest Ninja Army's encampment. He decided to leave such a powerful enemy to Konoha and declined to deal with Kakuzu himself.

"Kakuzu, in the direction the Platinum Armor went..."

"I know!"

An Elite Jonin from Kirigakure was about to continue speaking when Kakuzu rudely interrupted him.

Do you really think we can outrun an enemy that flies through the air?

Kakuzu looked at the now-silent Combat Ninja and slowly said, "Too few people means certain death, too many means we can't catch up. What we can do now is to notify Karatachi Yagura to be on alert, and then seek help from the [Northwest Ninja Army]!"

"Of course, if you want to lead them to their deaths, I don't think I can stop you, can I?"

In normal times, Kakuzu believed his words carried weight, but in times of crisis, he was ultimately an outsider.

Interfering too much is a thankless task and may even earn you all sorts of bad reputation.

"... Kakuzu, I understand."

Having witnessed the entire battle, the power of the Platinum Armor was undeniable.

This Elite Jonin well aware that without Kakuzu's restraint, they would most likely be killed one by one before they could even launch a decent attack.

"Good, now whether we can save Karatachi Yagura and the others depends on what the [Northwest Ninja Army] can do."

Kakuzu began a strategic retreat, while on the other side, Karatachi Yagura Platinum Armor after the Platinum Dragon Lord made his move.

With his much more agile movements, he almost used the platinum Karatachi Yagura to pierce right through Yagura.

Damn it!

Karatachi Yagura cursed and urged the Three-Tails to suppress the Platinum Armor with its body at any cost, unleashing Tailed Beast Ball without restraint.

Various Water Release Ninjutsu have almost turned this mountainous area into a vast, watery land.

With their advantageous terrain, the Clan Head Clan Head the Hozuki and Snow Clan intensified their attacks, and the magnificent nine-headed ice dragon reflected a rainbow of light under the sunlight.

Suddenly, a hammer and a sword flew out from the water, attacking the Hozuki Clan Head and the Snow Clan Head who were standing on the ice dragon from behind. Just then, they saw Karatachi Yagura and shouted, "Watch out!"

The former escaped death using Water Transformation Secret Technique, while the latter used the secret technique "Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals" to teleport away through mirrors made of ice.

The two weapons, having failed to achieve their objective, flew back to the Platinum Armor that had emerged from the water. The three of them stared at the two identical Platinum Armor high in the sky, their faces darkening in unison.

More than twenty Combat Ninja with strength above Chunin formed a ninja squad and stood behind the three, ready to use Water Release Ninjutsu of rank B or higher, for both attack and defense.