Aoba vs. the Raikage

"Is he Aoba Kamikawa?"

"I heard he's the greatest swordsman since Lord White Fang of Konoha."

"What did he mean? The Raikage's right pinky was cut off by him?"

"Looks like it. And his right eye was probably injured by the Raikage."

"Seriously? I know this guy. He used to be a Chunin."

"That was three years ago. He spent three years stationed at the Land of Fire's border and reportedly fought dozens of bloody battles against Kumogakure. His swordsmanship was terrifying—he even survived after being injured while facing the Raikage."

"Why hasn't there been any news about someone this incredible in the village? I only learned who he was today."

"I don't know either. I heard he was promoted to Jonin not long ago."

The Raikage's impression of Aoba could not have been clearer. Back then, he had underestimated his opponent and been locked onto by that bizarre ninjutsu, nearly suffering grave injuries.

Fortunately, his experience had allowed him to avoid most of the damage. Even so, he had still lost the pinky on his right hand.

Losing a pinky did not have much of an impact on him. But the Raikage knew very well that for a top-tier taijutsu expert, any missing limb would inevitably have consequences.

The effect might be exceedingly subtle. It might not show itself in ordinary battles. But in clashes between top experts, such tiny flaws could become fatal weaknesses.

For that reason, the Raikage hated Aoba to the bone.

That was right. Even though he had illegally crossed the border, and Aoba had merely defended himself and fought back. Even though he had also gouged out Aoba's right eye.

Still, in the Raikage's heart, he hated Aoba with every fiber of his being.

Yes, I illegally crossed the border. Yes, I killed Konoha shinobi. Yes, I gouged out your eye. But setting all that aside, was Aoba Kamikawa completely without fault?

"You brat, you still dare stand before me?" The mere sight of Aoba's face nearly made the Raikage lose control.

Aoba, on the other hand, wore an entirely different expression. He looked relaxed. He had not even assumed a defensive stance, simply standing there loosely before the Raikage.

"I remember standing before you like this last time, too. And what happened? That left quite an impression."

Aoba lightly adjusted the eyepatch over his right eye. Unlike Kakashi, there was no Sharingan beneath it.

Moreover, losing his right eye had left a weakness in his actual combat ability. That was why he had developed a technique that mixed chakra into the wind to sense his surroundings, compensating for the disadvantage of having only one eye.

"Is that so? Then this time, I'll take your other eye and stuff it into your mouth. Think that'll leave a deeper impression?"

"I have no objection at all. But how many fingers does Lord Raikage plan to use to accomplish that this time?"

The two traded barbs without yielding an inch. The smell of gunpowder in the air grew thicker and thicker.

In terms of injuries, Aoba was unquestionably at a disadvantage. A pinky and an eye were naturally not comparable.

Yet the Konoha shinobi present were all fired up. After all, Aoba was just an ordinary Jonin with little reputation in Konoha.

One of Konoha's obscure Jonin had been able to injure the Raikage. The legendary Kage did not seem like much after all.

The Raikage might have been brash, but he was not truly stupid. Once things reached this point, he realized Aoba had led him around by the nose.

In truth, given his status, there had been no need for him to waste words on Aoba. Soldiers faced soldiers, kings faced kings.

Among those present on Konoha's side, the only one qualified to speak with him was Shimura Danzō.

But the moment he saw Aoba, he had been unable to restrain his temper. He had immediately started trading insults with Aoba. By doing so, he had effectively lowered his status to Aoba's level.

In fact, most people could not see through such things. The Ninja Academy did not teach them. But that did not stop the Konoha shinobi from feeling immensely satisfied by what Aoba had done.

On the other side, having realized something was wrong, the Raikage finally stopped wasting time with Aoba. Lightning flared around his body as Lightning Release Chakra Mode activated.

This was the strongest Nintaijutsu in the Shinobi World during this era. Even later on, the Raikage had used this move to break Madara Uchiha's Susanoo.

That showed just how terrifying this technique's potential was.

The instant the Raikage made his move, Shimura Danzō used the Body Flicker Technique and returned to the crowd.

The sight nearly made Aoba laugh out loud.

Konoha was a military organization. The leader of this military organization was not like the command- and strategy-oriented leaders of the real world. Or rather, not entirely. He also had to be the strongest combat force in the entire organization.

When faced with an enemy ordinary forces could not overcome, he had to be able to step forward, stand before his people, and withstand the pressure.

How could someone who ran behind his own people once battle began ever become a Kage recognized by others?

The Raikage's intelligence was only barely above that of an idiot. But whenever battle came, he charged at the forefront. And he was always victorious, unstoppable.

With that being the case, his intelligence was not a problem at all. Those brutes from Cloud Shinobi liked exactly this kind of leader, one who could lead them to victory.

They did not bother with schemes or tricks. If they wanted the Nine-Tails, they sent people straight to Konoha to steal it. If they wanted the Byakugan, they went to the Hyuga family to steal it. If they were discovered, they simply fought to the death. The entire plan was blunt and straightforward, without the slightest bit of finesse. Yet it left the Third Hokage completely helpless.

Because the aging Third Hokage feared this kind of brute most of all.

Danzo retreated, but Aoba did not. Instead, he drew the Kusanagi Sword and charged forward.

The moment he drew his sword, he entered Sage Mode. At the same time, Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, changed expression and hurriedly warned the Raikage beside him.

"Careful. The Eight-Tails says that kid carries the aura of Natural Energy."

"Natural Energy? Senjutsu like the Fourth Hokage's?"

"Not sure. Normally, Senjutsu should cause physical changes. But that kid has none. It may be a weakened form of Senjutsu. Konoha has more than one Senjutsu lineage, so it's best to be careful."

"I understand." Though the Raikage was brash, he took Killer B's advice very seriously.

The contempt in his eyes as he looked at Aoba was gone.

This was Aoba's first time fighting someone in Sage Mode. Senjutsu Chakra multiplied his combat strength severalfold.

With the acceleration effect of Wind Release Nintaijutsu, Aoba actually managed to barely keep up with the Raikage's speed. This made the Raikage's expression turn slightly grave.

During their last clash, I had not gone all out, and this brat could barely keep up. This time, I was serious, yet he could follow me instead. It seemed Killer B's concerns were not unfounded.

Konoha was truly too favored by the heavens. This was most likely another genius like the Fourth Hokage or White Fang.

A genius like this absolutely could not be allowed to leave here alive.