In the center of the beach, the Third Hokage, Nangō Kumoi, stood silently.
His Hokage Robe was damaged in many places, yet his breathing remained steady and deep.
What alarmed the three Kage even more was that there was not the slightest trace of fatigue or hesitation in his eyes—only an unfathomable stillness.
In his subconscious, Ray and Gaia's voices still echoed.
"Kumoi, that Purification power just now..." Ray's voice carried rare confusion. "Neither Gaia nor I sensed any external energy intervening.
"It seemed... to have naturally emerged from the deepest depths of your soul."
Gaia continued, "That's right.
"It wasn't chakra, ninjutsu, or even any form of energy we understand.
"It was more like... the manifestation of some kind of 'rule.'"
Kumoi replied inwardly, "I don't know what it was either.
"But now isn't the time to investigate it—the three Kage are getting serious."
"Be careful," Ray said gravely. "They may all be injured, but their experience fighting together far exceeds your estimate."
"Gaia, lend me your power."
"I've been ready!" Gaia's voice rumbled like the earth itself. "Go all out! Let that water-player taste the wrath of the earth!"
In the real world, only an instant had passed.
The Third Hokage, Nangō Kumoi, took a deep breath, and his aura suddenly soared!
It was not an eruption of chakra, but the strengthening of a more fundamental "sense of existence"—as though his entire body were merging with the earth beneath his feet, the sky above his head, and the air around him.
The Third Raikage, A, moved first.
"Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite!"
He transformed into a blue bolt of lightning that tore through space, charging straight ahead while tracing dozens of twisting paths through the air. Every trail left behind a paralyzing field of high-voltage Lightning Release!
This was