So This Is the Second Hokage?

That last strike had left Ringo Ameyuri both shocked and unsettled.

It was as if only now had she truly grasped what the once-distant words "First Hokage" and "Second Hokage" really meant.

Darui was just as horrified.

The true strength of Lightning Release Chakra Mode lay in its ability to combine offense and defense.

As far as defense alone went, Lightning Release Chakra Mode was not much stronger than Ringo Ameyuri's Lightning Armor. That was why the Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave had shattered his defenses in an instant.

Fortunately, Lightning Release Chakra Mode had greatly boosted his speed and agility. The moment his defenses broke, he dodged out of the Water Severing Wave's path and escaped with little more than a scare.

"Haah... haah..."

Panting heavily, Darui scanned his surroundings, still shaken.

If he took another attack like that, he might not get away unscathed.

"Hey! Are you still alive?"

Ringo Ameyuri's voice came from nearby.

Darui quickly replied, "I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm hurt." After a pause, Ringo Ameyuri asked, "What do you think we should do?"

Darui spoke frankly. "According to Kumogakure's records, Konoha's Second Hokage was exceptionally skilled at countering Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Even our Second Raikage was wary of him. If we stay in this battlefield he prepared, we don't stand a chance."

Ringo Ameyuri frowned. "Run?"

"We have no choice!" Darui stressed, "We split up and run. He can't stop both of us at once. At least one of us should make it out!"

By listening to each other's voices, they had a rough idea of where the other was. If they broke through in opposite directions, even Konoha's Second Hokage couldn't stop them both—or so they thought.

"Fine!"

Ringo Ameyuri readily agreed.

Darui shouted, "On three! One, two... three!"

The instant he