The Fourth Raikage slowly raised his head.
For once, a flicker of uncertainty appeared in eyes that had always been as resolute as steel.
Above him lay the sky.
The dark clouds had not moved, yet they seemed to have been torn apart by an invisible hand. Thunder surged like a roaring tsunami, deafening, as though the entire atmosphere were crying out in anguish.
The thick clouds had hung heavily over the earth, like an embodiment of suppressed emotion.
But in that instant-
BOOOOM!!!
The bank of dark clouds suddenly swelled, as though a thousand years of fury had finally found an outlet.
A moment later, more than ten enormous meteors formed within the clouds in a way that defied comprehension.
Each meteor was as massive as a mountain range, wreathed in scorching flames and waves of heat like molten lava. Trailing blazing tails, they slowly emerged high overhead.
It was as though the stars were falling, as though a furious god were pouring sin down upon the mortal world.
Terrifying pressure surged toward them like a tide, invading every breath. It felt as though ten thousand mountains had descended upon their chests, leaving the Allied Shinobi Forces below gasping for air.
Even their hearts seemed forcibly restrained, each beat demanding every last scrap of courage.
It was as though-the end of the world had arrived.
The earth fell silent, the battle flags lost their voices, and every sound was swallowed in that moment.
Then came the next instant.
Heaven and earth roared!!
The dozen-odd meteors began plummeting at tremendous speed, their friction against the air producing piercing roars. Fire tore across the heavens, like millions of flaming blades weaving a sea of murderous intent.
They ripped through storms and burned away rain clouds, bringing an irresistible weight of destruction.