The battle began nonetheless. No matter how cowardly the Raikage was, he couldn't possibly hand over his Jinchūriki in front of so many people.
Raikage pushed Lightning Release Chakra Mode to its limit and charged directly at Aoba. He knew that Aoba Kamikawa had a ninjutsu that used Lightning Release to shoot steel balls. Once it was used, even he wasn't confident he could avoid it.
Therefore, close-quarters combat is necessary to prevent the opponent from using that technique.
Minato instinctively wanted to step forward to help, but Kakashi stopped him.
"There's no need. Let's go capture the Jinchūriki."
Capturing Jinchūriki requires the assistance of advanced Sealing Jutsu. Kakashi is only so-so in this regard, but Minato is a top-notch Sealing Jutsu master.
Therefore, it's more suitable for the two of them to join forces.
As for the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, he faced off against the army of the Cloud Shinobi.
He hadn't experienced the feeling of fighting on the battlefield for a long time. Previously, his body was old and weak, and he died a shameful death at the hands of Orochimaru. It was a great regret in his heart.
Now, resurrected and back, he possesses a younger body and even greater chakra than before. He's eager to get moving.
"Ninja Art: Five Style Great Combo "
The Third Hokage's signature ninjutsu, the Five Style Great Combo. This technique is only moderately effective against top-tier ninjas. However, it is a devastating weapon against ninjas below the Kage Level.
Almost no ninja below the Kage Level can simultaneously withstand attacks from all five elemental attributes.
With a single strike, the vanguard of the Cloud Shinobi suffered dozens of casualties.
The Raikage heard his subordinates' screams and felt anxious and puzzled.
The two unfamiliar Konoha Ninja gave him an extremely familiar feeling.
Flying Thunder God, Five Style Great Combo. These signature abilities reminded him of two former rivals. But how could that be? Those two were long dead.
Most of them were successors secretly trained by Konoha. But even so, it still made him somewhat disheartened.
At Konoha's weakest moment, the prodigy Aoba Kamikawa appeared, causing Konoha to lose its best chance to defeat them.
In just a few short years, Konoha has risen again. Not only Aoba Kamikawa, but even those two secret successors are not necessarily someone I can defeat.
For a moment, even the indomitable Raikage felt somewhat disheartened.
However, his hands didn't stop moving. If he could fight to the death here, or perish together with Aoba Kamikawa, Konoha would be greatly weakened, and the Cloud Shinobi would still have a chance.
He also nurtured several outstanding young people in the Cloud Shinobi. Once they grow up, they might very well be able to surpass Konoha.
Aoba also noticed the Raikage's change in action. The opponent began to fight to the death, adopting a stance as if he wanted to take Aoba down with him.
Furthermore, because Aoba currently lacks the advantage of his eyes, the Raikage believes he has a good chance. Although he doesn't know what's wrong with Aoba Kamikawa's eyes, this might be his best opportunity.
Thinking of this, the Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode actually increased once again. In close combat, even Aoba, who had activated Sage Mode, began to feel the pressure.
The Raikage didn't use any special techniques like the One-Hit Punch or the Lightning Blade, because it would be pointless. Aoba could easily dodge those moves with his Flying Thunder God Technique.
In fact, he has already pushed his Lightning Release Chakra Mode to its limit. Every move he makes has the destructive power of at least a B-rank ninjutsu.
Even if Aoba Kamikawa is defeated, he will definitely suffer severe damage.
Trying to out-damage someone who knows the Flying Thunder God Technique is a foolish move. The Raikage is experienced and plans to trade basic attacks for skills, engaging in a war of attrition with Aoba.
With a clang, sparks flew as Aoba's longsword clashed with Raikage's metal bracers.
Amidst flashes of lightning, the lightning on Raikage intensified, engulfing Aoba.
The Raikage also underwent specialized training and developed new techniques. He incorporated this pure lightning attack into Nintaijutsu combat. His sudden attack actually succeeded.
Seeing that Aoba was struck by the lightning he had been planning, Raikage accelerated again, his right hand striking straight at Aoba's chest.
He knew it was impossible to kill Aoba Kamikawa in Sage Mode with a B-rank ninjutsu-level lightning technique.
Therefore, he had to deliver the final blow the moment the opponent was paralyzed. Moreover, he wanted to personally rip out Aoba Kamikawa's heart.
The Four-Finger Nukite strike landed squarely on Aoba's chest.
Something's not right. It feels like I'm not hitting anything.
In an instant, more than a dozen thoughts raced through Raikage's mind.
Genjutsu? Impossible, the other person's eyes were covered. How could I have fallen for Genjutsu?
Some kind of defensive ninjutsu?
No, I didn't feel any resistance at all.
From a visual perspective, the Raikage felt his fingers had touched Aoba's chest. However, in reality, he didn't feel like he had struck a physical object.
What exactly happened?
Raikage didn't dare to think too much and quickly withdrew his hand and retreated. At this moment, Aoba's right hand also slashed upwards with his sword.
The Raikage was faster; the longsword only left a tiny wound on his chest.
The Raikage looked down and saw no signs of poisoning. Aoba Kamikawa was indeed not a poison-using ninja.
He braced himself, ready to continue the fight.
But at that moment, Aoba suddenly stopped. He even sheathed his sword.
"What do you mean?" Raikage felt insulted. He hadn't lost yet, and this guy was looking down on him like that.
"No, it's over." Aoba said in a strange tone.
This gave Raikage a strange sense of unease. He didn't believe that Aoba Kamikawa would joke about something like this.
Although the opponent was domineering and aggressive, they weren't someone who liked to joke around. But I clearly hadn't lost.
Since the start of the battle, the only wound he had was on his chest. To him, it was hardly an injury.
Wait a minute, Raikage suddenly sensed something. He looked down at the wound on his chest. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt like the wound on his chest seemed to have gotten bigger.
The slight sting made him clearly aware that he was injured.
"I controlled my strength. As the village's shadow, I'm giving you ten minutes to give your last words."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I clearly..." Raikage roared in fury and was about to charge forward.
But the sharp, tearing pain in his chest was like a bucket of cold water poured over him, instantly calming him down.
I looked down at my chest. As expected, the wound had grown larger again.
The Raikage looked up at Aoba with an incredulous expression.
"What... what kind of technique is this?"
Aoba didn't answer, but reminded him again.
" Lord Raikage, you have nine minutes left."