Kisame Hoshigaki fought ferociously, his attacks sweeping wide.
Facing his onslaught, Corpse Bearer and Bullfighting Master...
...were like men facing towering waves, their bodies swaying on the verge of collapse.
But their stubborn resolve kept them from falling.
Even with few chances to strike back, they kept struggling with all their might.
The Vanguard Squad followed close behind and finally fought their way over.
An unusual spirit bird circled and hovered above the Vanguard Squad.
A young man sat on its back.
It was none other than Raijin.
Ever since obtaining the rare summoning beast Azure Bird: Thunderclap, Raijin's strength had risen along with it, and he was already showing signs of breaking through to Jonin.
Below, One Sword Opens Heaven led the charge straight toward the battlefield.
The Vanguard Squad had been selected entirely from reliable fighters.
Once they joined the battle, even if they could not suppress Kisame Hoshigaki, they could at least slow his advance.
Of course, that depended on the Grass Ninja experts behind Kisame Hoshigaki staying out of the fight.
And Kisame Hoshigaki's pride naturally would not allow him to agree to let those Grass Ninja experts help.
Raijin swung a war hammer through the air.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Strike!"
Crack!
Thunder suddenly boomed!
A pillar of lightning struck the war hammer in Raijin's hand.
Arcs scattered everywhere, and electric currents surged down beneath Raijin.
The lightning pillar should originally have been deflected toward a particular position after the collision.
This time, however, it acted directly on Azure Bird: Thunderclap, whom Raijin was riding.
Screech!
Azure Bird: Thunderclap let out a joyful cry.
The terrifying pillar of lightning coursed over Azure Bird: Thunderclap, but rather than causing any harm, it made the bird's purple-and-red plumage even more vivid.
Azure Bird: Thunderclap beat both wings fiercely,