When Kizaru launched his attack on Kumogakure, the village elders had already sent a subordinate to notify the Third Raikage, who had left the village.
Just as Konoha used Ninja Hawks to deliver messages, Kumogakure had its own flying ninja beasts.
About ten minutes after Kizaru began his attack, the Third Raikage received word that the village had been attacked.
Although the Third Raikage knew he had been tricked, he wasn't too worried about the village.
It had plenty of ninja, the rising powerhouse Dodai, and an elder stationed there.
In the Raikage's estimation, even if the enemy was Kage Level, he couldn't cause much damage against so many strong fighters.
Still, though he had great confidence in the village's strength, the Raikage didn't waste any time. As soon as he received the message, he hurried back.
While the Third Raikage raced toward the village, Kizaru stood atop the ruins, pointing his glowing index finger at the Kumogakure ninja below. He had successfully found a reasonable way to make them quiet down.
Your Kumogakure tried to assassinate me twice because I'm a genius from Konoha, and then you put my friend's younger brother on your hit list.
Now, in response, I've killed your genius, taken out several hundred ninja, and destroyed a few buildings. That's perfectly reasonable, right?
Kizaru really wanted to say all that to the people below, but remembering Sarutobi Shinnosuke's warning, he kept quiet so they couldn't use his words against him.
But let's be honest: throughout the entire Shinobi World, no one besides Kizaru could use a ninjutsu that fired lasers.
There wasn't much point in hiding his identity.
Unless he planned to stop going to battle and taking on missions for good.
Judging by the time, the Third Raikage should be on his way back.
On top of that, Observation Haki sensed the Kumogakure ninja forces gathering in the distance and closing in to surround him.
Kizaru decided to retreat.
With his ability to fly at high speed, Kizaru had no intention of fighting thousands—or even tens of thousands—of ninja for three days and nights like some reckless fool, then dying of exhaustion.
"How scary!"
As he spoke, he turned into a beam of golden light and shot into the sky. Hovering there for the moment, Kizaru looked down at the ninja gathering below and called out his farewell.
"Thanks for the hospitality. I'm very satisfied. I'll visit again!"
Without waiting for Kumogakure's response, he flew straight off into the distance.
As the ninja forces gathered and watched Kizaru fly away, their leaders all turned to the elder in charge.
"Don't pursue him. Clear the battlefield and tend to the wounded."
"Elder!" One Jonin objected, displeased with the decision. "Are we really just going to let the enemy leave?"
"Then you go after him!" The elder spoke with the authority of a raging lion.
"I..." The Jonin knew full well how large the gap was between their strength and the enemy's. He obediently fell silent and lowered his head, unwilling to accept it.
"Damn it, this is so frustrating!" someone muttered, his eyes reddened with grief.
"If only Lord Raikage were here," someone said bitterly.
"Yeah! Once Lord Raikage gets back, he won't let that bastard get away with this!"
Many agreed, all saying that if Lord Raikage had been there, he would never have let the enemy run wild like that.
Listening to the talk around him and looking at the ninja from his village, the elder quietly closed his eyes.
How tragic! How shameful! How hateful!
Thinking of Dodai's sacrifice made the elder's heart ache!
Losing a talent like him was the heaviest blow the village could suffer.
"Quiet!" The elder opened his eyes, shouted, and swept his gaze over the ninja around him.
"Clear the battlefield! Tend to the wounded!" His expression stern, the elder put extra emphasis on his orders.
Hearing the instructions again, the ninja around him didn't dare say another word. They scattered, clearing the battlefield and tending to the wounded.
After leaving Kumogakure, Kizaru flew back to the mountain where he had first kept the Raikage under surveillance.
He used a concealment technique to hide himself, then sat cross-legged, recovering his strength as he waited for the Third Raikage to return.
Kizaru had no intention of fighting the Third Raikage to the death. Before leaving, he only meant to give a gift to the Raikage who had sent people to assassinate him twice.
After waiting about five minutes, Kizaru spotted the Third Raikage racing toward the village.
He stood up again and watched as the Raikage drew closer to the area around his mountain. A smile appeared on his face.
With a flash, Kizaru appeared in front of the Third Raikage, who was focused on making his way back.
Faced with the intense light radiating from Kizaru, the Third Raikage suffered the same fate as all of Kizaru's previous opponents: his eyes were injured, and he was blinded.
Against a master like the Third Raikage, Kizaru didn't waste words. He attacked with all his strength, his right foot wrapped in golden light as he kicked hard.
Caught by surprise, the Third Raikage had little time to react. He hadn't even fully activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, which covered only part of his body.
The Third Raikage stood 205 centimeters tall. Kizaru's side kick struck him squarely in the waist and sent him flying.
Kizaru kept up the assault. A thick laser shot from his right foot and struck the Third Raikage as he flew through the air.
By then, however, the Third Raikage had activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, forming his strongest defense, Lightning Armor, which deflected the pursuing laser.
Forcing his body back into position, the injured Third Raikage landed on his feet and faced Kizaru.
His abdomen had taken a heavy blow, damaging his internal organs. Blood spilled from his mouth as he stared solemnly at his attacker.
"Who are you people, really?" Beneath his Lightning Armor, the Third Raikage's hair stood on end as he glared at Kizaru and demanded an answer.
Seeing that the Third Raikage could still fight after taking Kizaru's strongest opening combination, Kizaru couldn't help but admire the man's exceptional physique.
"What a monster!"
Hearing Kizaru's comment, the Third Raikage didn't waste any more words. He charged straight at him.
Faced with the Third Raikage's sudden attack, Kizaru didn't stay put and turn intangible to dodge. Instead, he became a streak of golden light and shifted position.
After dodging the Raikage's first attack, Kizaru said, "That was close!"
Seeing Kizaru's incredible speed, the Third Raikage's expression grew grave.
He shaped his right hand like a blade, tucking his thumb against his palm. With no idea what was happening in the village, the Third Raikage decided to end the fight quickly and defeat his enemy as soon as possible.
He went straight for his signature move, Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite. The Third Raikage became a blur as he shot directly toward Kizaru.
Rather than retreat from the Third Raikage's attack, Kizaru advanced and presented his gift.
He raised his right hand, concentrating Armament Haki on his index finger. His body turned into golden light as he charged head-on at the Third Raikage.
Combining the Six Powers' Finger Pistol with Armament Haki and the Glint-Glint Fruit's abilities, Kizaru performed an otherworldly version of Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite.
Kizaru, transformed into light, moved faster despite starting later and reached the Third Raikage first. Both men raised their right hands and thrust at each other.
As the Third Raikage drove his right hand hard toward Kizaru's left side, he was shocked to see that half of the man's body had turned into light.
Kizaru's index finger pierced the Third Raikage's chest. Smiling, he said, "What a pity!"
With that, Kizaru's entire body turned to light and vanished from before the Third Raikage.
Looking down at the bloody hole in his chest, just half an inch from his heart, the Third Raikage instantly understood what Kizaru had meant.