Golden Lightning

Although they met the enemy head-on, they relied primarily on combinations of Genjutsu and ninjutsu to establish a defensive line and hold back the Kumogakure Ninja. It seemed rather passive, but they had no choice. The Third Division was weaker than the enemy; if they fought them outright, the unit would surely collapse.

Combatants like Kazemori Masaki had no need to take defensive measures. For them, offense was the best defense. He, Danzo, Satomi, and the others received orders from Senju Toka to strike the Kumogakure Ninja from the flank.

Zhenghui and his group set out at once. Guided by Hyuga Qi, they headed toward the enemy's flank to inflict as many casualties as possible and ease the pressure on the Third Unit.

As they traveled, Kazemori Masaki told Satomi, "Once the fighting starts, don't stray too far from me. That way, we can back each other up if necessary."

Satomi nodded. Their rapport was beyond what most people could achieve, and fighting together sometimes brought out more than their usual strength.

Kazemori Masaki had great confidence in Satomi's strength and combat judgment, so he said little more, offering only one final reminder. "When we're fighting separate opponents, don't get distracted just because things look dangerous. If you really need help, remember to give a signal."

"I understand. If it's something we can handle ourselves, there's no need to signal, right?" Satomi asked.

"Right."

Just then, Danzo spoke up. "All right, Masaki. Stop fussing over your wife. We're about to encounter the enemy, so get ready to fight."

Kazemori Masaki heard this and gave Danzo an apologetic smile. To this man, his behavior probably seemed a little frivolous, unbecoming of a ninja.

Putting those thoughts aside, Masaki finished gathering his senjutsu chakra. Sage markings spread over the left half of his body, and he began seeking the sensory state he had experienced in the previous battle. Although it had nearly caused a problem, he thought that might have been because he had accidentally gathered too much senjutsu chakra.

After all, his opponent had been the Third Raikage. Kazemori Masaki had been nervous at the time, and he might simply have overreacted.

As he concentrated, Kazemori Masaki once again experienced that unique form of perception. The ripples rising from each person gave him a wealth of information. Sage Mode greatly enhanced his senses, but this form of perception proved even more effective than what he had used before.

Could this be a form of perception unique to my Sage Mode? Kazemori Masaki wondered. Everyone's Sage Art manifested differently, and nothing said their sensory abilities had to be the same.

The thought passed in an instant. His targets were still the Kumogakure Ninja ahead. Watching the ripples they produced, Kazemori Masaki mustered all his strength and pushed off with both feet, shooting forward in a blur.

When the Kumogakure Ninja at the front saw Kazemori Masaki, his opponent was already before him in the blink of an eye.

Startled, the Kumogakure Ninja hurriedly drew his long blade. Before he could attack, Kazemori Masaki swept past him, seemingly with no intention of engaging him. Yet in the next instant, blood erupted from his body in a thick spray.

—So... so fast...

The Kumogakure Ninja had never imagined his opponent could move so quickly, or strike with such speed. He had barely drawn his blade before cuts opened across his arm, waist, and shoulder.

He did not know this was only the beginning. As Kazemori Masaki left him behind, the others saw blood burst from his body and instinctively froze. That brief hesitation gave Kazemori Masaki his opening.

Kazemori Masaki raised his blade and severed another ninja's sword arm, then kicked him hard into the other Kumogakure Ninja. The tremendous force sent the ninja who caught him flying as well, slamming him into a tree. He had just caught his breath when he spotted a burning tag on the back of the Kumogakure Ninja kicked toward him—

Boom!

"Bastard!"

After three Kumogakure Ninja fell in succession, the others finally managed to retaliate. One activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode and swung his blade at Masaki. In Masaki's eyes, however, his Lightning Release Chakra Mode was far inferior to the Third Raikage's. This secret technique stimulated the body with powerful Lightning Release, and only someone with a powerful physique could unleash its true strength. Ordinary people could use it only for brief bursts, with limited power and endurance.

Kazemori Zhenghui met his blade without hesitation. Wind Release Chakra coated his Chakra Blade. Though the method was simple, his Nature Transformation was highly refined and used senjutsu chakra as its foundation. Even the Lightning Release chakra coating his opponent's blade could do nothing against it.

The enemy's blade was cut clean through, and Masaki's Chakra Blade continued across his body. Even his Lightning Release armor could not stop it. Not everyone was the Third Raikage, and Masaki could pierce even the Third Raikage's Lightning Release armor.

By the time Danzo, Satomi, and the others caught up, Kazemori Masaki had already killed four men. His speed astonished them. Both Danzo and Satomi wondered whether he was fighting so hard now because he had failed to secure any kills in that earlier battle.

Seeing the Kumogakure Ninja gathering ahead, Danzo chuckled. "How can we just stand here and let him show off?" His hands immediately formed hand seals. He drew a deep breath and spat out a barrage of invisible air bullets.

—Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.

Danzo's Vacuum Spheres could easily blast trees apart. Even Lightning Release Armor would fare poorly against a direct hit. More frightening still, the projectiles were not only numerous but incredibly fast.

The Kumogakure Ninja hurriedly scattered. Even those confident in their Lightning Release Armor would not normally choose to take Wind Release ninjutsu head-on. Some, of course, could not escape. They were either pierced outright by the Vacuum Spheres or endured them with their Lightning Release Armor.

Danzo's barrage of Vacuum Spheres immediately disrupted the Kumogakure Ninja's formation. The other Konoha ninja surged forward, and a chaotic battle erupted in the woods.

Satomi loved peace, but she would not shirk her duties as a ninja. Otherwise, she would never have set foot on the battlefield. She therefore struck without hesitation.

Kazemori Masaki saw this and relaxed slightly, then turned back to face his own enemies.

With Kazemori Masaki's speed of movement and attack, not one Kumogakure Ninja there could last three exchanges against him. Perhaps deciding that he could not be allowed to keep slaughtering them, someone formidable finally arrived.

Kazemori Masaki sensed a powerful ripple. As he turned to look, a dazzling streak of golden light rushed toward him at astonishing speed. He hurriedly raised his blade to block the incoming slash.

Once Kazemori Masaki saw his opponent's face clearly, he recognized the blonde woman he had nearly killed. For a moment, I thought the Yellow Flash had suddenly traveled through time. Isn't most people's Lightning Release blue?

"So it's you. Where's that other Kumogakure Ninja?" Kazemori Masaki asked as he lifted his blade to deflect her long sword, then slashed at her.

The earlier Kumogakure Ninja would not even have had time to react, but the blonde woman—Sora—calmly evaded Kazemori Masaki's slash, though she had to put some distance between them.

"I don't need my senior to deal with you!" Sora glared at the Konoha ninja who had humiliated her. "Lucky me, running into you here. This time, we'll settle who's stronger."

"Your senior?" Kazemori Masaki paused in surprise. In that moment of distraction, Sora had already charged at him. Her Lightning Release Armor gleamed gold, and as she moved, she truly resembled the Yellow Flash of the future.

(End of chapter)