At Iwagakure's last defensive line, the Third Raikage, wreathed in lightning, once again charged at the very front, fighting bare-handed.
Five Iwagakure Jonin were keeping him occupied, every one of them a true Jonin.
Even together, the five dared not face the Third Raikage head-on, instead using various ninjutsu to hold him off.
The entire battle was fraught with danger. The Third Raikage's explosive power was renowned throughout the Shinobi World. Once he found an opening, the result would be either death or grievous injury.
Thus, the five Iwagakure Jonin remained on high alert, afraid that a single mistake would get them killed by one punch from the Third Raikage.
Time ticked away, but the Third Raikage noticed nothing unusual, nor did he realize that the five were deliberately stalling him.
Just then, a voice rang out in his mind.
"Third Hokage, we have urgent intelligence. Please return to headquarters as soon as possible."
The Third Raikage, who had been about to attack again, paused. He recognized the voice. One of his subordinates was sending him a message through a mental communication jutsu.
This ninjutsu could transmit a voice to any target within a certain range.
Hearing that there was urgent intelligence, he had no time to think further. He decided to disengage and return first. He trusted this subordinate deeply; unless the intelligence was critical, they would never have contacted him at a time like this.
With that thought, the Third Raikage unleashed his power, drove the five back, then broke away from the fighting and hurried toward headquarters.
What he had not expected was that the moment he tried to retreat, the five seemed to become entirely different people, desperately blocking his path.
Only then did the Third Raikage sense that something was wrong. Earlier, these five had