Hatake Sakumo's gaze sharpened as the White Fang Dagger flowed forward like drifting clouds and running water, aimed directly at the Third Raikage's eyes. The Light Release chakra on the blade compressed into one point, faintly condensing into something almost tangible.
In an instant, the two crossed paths.
A tear split open beneath Hatake Sakumo's ribs, exposing the hard ceramic fiber plate sewn into his shinobi uniform. With a crack, the entire plate shattered completely.
This kind of ceramic fiber plate was light, tough, and far stronger than ordinary steel. It was a defensive insert found only in the uniforms issued to Jōnin. Yet it had merely been grazed by the Third Raikage and had already broken into several pieces.
The Third Raikage's golden hair fluttered in the wind. A strand of gold drifted down, stained with blood.
A seven- or eight-centimeter gash had been cut into his scalp. Blood streamed down, dyeing half of his golden hair red.
During that clash, the Third Raikage ultimately did not dare test Hatake Sakumo's Light Release with his eyes to see whether it could break through his Strongest Shield, so he had lowered his head slightly at the last moment.
That also prevented his Hell Stab from being executed perfectly. Hatake Sakumo had avoided the main attack and was only lightly grazed beneath the ribs.
Still, it was fortunate that he had not stubbornly taken Hatake Sakumo's White Fang Dagger head-on. If he had, then with luck, he might only have been blinded. With worse luck, his brains would probably have burst from his eye sockets by now.
Of course, Hatake Sakumo would likely have died beneath his One-Finger Nukite as well. Then this exchange would have ended with one dead and one crippled, or perhaps both dead together.
After that move,