While Hidan tangled with Darui, Kakuzu set his sights on C.
"I remember you're a Medical Ninja. Taking you out first will save a lot of trouble!"
"Hmph! You think I'll let you have your way?" Like a bolt of lightning, the Raikage appeared beside Kakuzu in an instant.
His fist was already swinging, aimed straight at Kakuzu's left arm.
Bang!
The Raikage had pushed his body's activation to its maximum. With one crushing punch, he smashed Kakuzu's left arm clean off.
"Hmm? This feeling...?"
The Raikage frowned. The sensation transmitted through his fist was completely different from the usual feeling of hitting someone.
The next moment, masses of black threads split off and spread from Kakuzu's shoulder. As though they had minds of their own, they connected to the threads in the severed arm on the ground and retracted, attaching Kakuzu's left arm to his body once more.
"What a bizarre technique! Interesting..."
The Raikage was not surprised. He knew Kakuzu was a rogue ninja from Takigakure.
Since ancient times, Takigakure had relied on powerful, mysterious Secret Techniques to compete with the Five Great Nations for a share in the Shinobi World. Kumogakure often sent ninja to secretly seize their Secret Techniques as well, though they rarely succeeded.
"It's not just you. That technique of yours... is staying with me too!"
After just a few brief exchanges, the Raikage was already confident about how the rest of the battle would play out.
Even if his opponent possessed immortality, he believed he would be the one to win this battle.
He would win through speed!
Hidan, too, was steadily losing ground.
Able to rely only on Taijutsu, he could not withstand Darui's repeated attacks with black lightning at all.
Both men were forced into a corner, standing back to back.