The jet-black blade, shrouded in crackling dark lightning, had pierced through the Third Raikage's massive fist then cut through his thick forearm before embedding itself deep into his chest, mere inches from his heart.
Yet, the blade stopped short of its final destination.
Despite his weakened lightning aura, the Third Raikage's defense was still formidable.
The sheer density of his bones and muscular resilience had absorbed part of the impact.
As the blade traveled from fist to forearm, a fraction of its force was lost.
By the time it stabbed into his chest, it no longer had enough momentum to reach his heart.
But the damage was already fatal.
The Third Raikage's body went rigid, his face twisted with pain, and a stream of blood spilled from his lips.
Even though the blade had not pierced his heart, the deep wound left him critically injured.
His right arm was completely destroyed, his fist crushed. His bones shattered and protruding through his flesh, blood dripping into the water below. His left arm, once unscathed, was now run through by Ye Zi's blade.
For the first time in his life, the Third Raikage had been pushed to the very edge of death.
He was already halfway to the grave, clinging onto life by sheer willpower alone.
"Did I miss?"
Ye Zi's cold voice broke the heavy silence.
His strike had faltered, yet, the Third Raikage still showed resistance.
His grip on life refused to loosen.
"But this is where it ends." Ye Zi's gaze darkened, his expression as cold as death itself.
If he let this drag on, the remaining Kumogakure shinobi would begin to recover from their genjutsu-induced trauma.
His chakra reserves were already running low from unleashing Go Tenjin.
Even with Kui's support, he couldn't afford to waste time.
His large-scale genjutsu had drained too much chakra, more than he expected and using Go Tenjin in that way required massive reserves, which needed time to recharge.
He had to end this now.
Ye Zi tightened his grip on the sword, ready to drive it fully into the Third Raikage's heart, but A arrived just in time.
A's hand struck from the side, fingers spread like a blade, aiming straight for Ye Zi's ribs.
Ye Zi had no choice, he released the Raikage's wrist, his blade still lodged in his opponent's chest.
He twisted his body, raising his arm in defense.
Boom!
A's palm strike connected with Ye Zi's forearm, sending him skidding back several steps across the water.
The force of the impact dragged his blade free from the Third Raikage's chest, widening the wound.
Even as the sword tore through more flesh, the Third Raikage did not scream.
He merely let out a low grunt, then collapsed to one knee, his blood spreading into the water like a crimson tide.
His dark-skinned face paled, his breathing ragged.
"Father!" A's expression twisted with worry.
His desperation was clear.
Ye Zi had been forced back, unable to deliver the finishing blow, but the Third Raikage was already crippled.
Ye Zi had no intention of leaving him alive.
Just as he prepared to strike again two massive octopus tentacles suddenly lashed out, wrapping around both the Third Raikage and A, yanking them away from the battlefield.
At the same time, two more tentacles shot over their heads, slamming down toward Ye Zi.
Ye Zi's eyes narrowed.
From beneath the water, he sensed another tentacle rising, preparing to attack from below.
A coordinated ambush.
But, Ye Zi acted instantly.
He leapt into the air, dodging the tentacle from below.
At the same time...
Slash!
His blade arced through the night sky, leaving behind a black lightning trail.
The two descending tentacles were sliced cleanly apart.
Their severed ends splashed into the water below.
From beneath him, the third tentacle lashed upward, but Ye Zi twisted midair, bringing his blade down in a swift counterattack.
Slice!
The third tentacle was severed as well.
Despite their massive size, the tentacles were cut apart effortlessly, as if they were nothing but paper.
However, the real objective had been achieved.
Even though Ye Zi had destroyed three of Killer Bee's tentacles, the Third Raikage and A had been safely pulled back.
Now, Killer Bee, fully transformed into the Eight-Tails, stood between them and Ye Zi.
His massive, imposing form loomed over the battlefield, his remaining tentacles coiled and ready for battle.
"Take a breather. I'll handle Ye Zi for now."
For the first time, Killer Bee's voice was devoid of its usual rap-style rhythm.
His massive, bull-like eyes locked onto Ye Zi with pure, unfiltered hostility.
The remaining Kumogakure shinobi still struggled to recover, their bodies wracked with phantom pain from the genjutsu.
But as time passed, their strength would return.
The Third Raikage, though gravely injured, was still alive, thanks to his inhuman endurance.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, his expression twisted in unbridled rage.
A, standing beside him, clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
The once unstoppable legend of Kumogakure, now crippled, kneeling in his own blood.
The shock of this defeat left the entire battlefield in heavy silence.
Even those who had revered the Third Raikage as an invincible war god were now staring at him in horror and disbelief.
This shouldn't have been possible.
Yet, it had happened.
"Where are the medics…?" A frantically scanned the battlefield.
Among the remaining one thousand shinobi, there was, not a single medical ninja left.
"Damn it!"A's teeth gritted hard.
One genjutsu. One single illusion. And their entire army had been crippled.
The Third Raikage's hands clenched into trembling fists.
His breathing was heavy, his anger deep and burning.
But he forced himself to speak.
"No matter the cost…"
He slowly lifted his bloodied face, his gaze filled with seething hatred.
He stared directly at Ye Zi, who stood before Killer Bee, unmoved and unshaken, his sword still crackling with black lightning.
With a low, rumbling voice, the Third Raikage made his final decision, "Kill Ye Zi."
He shifted his gaze to A. His son. "The village is yours now, A."
"Father!" A's eyes widened in shock.
Because he could hear the finality in his father's voice.
"Even if my hands are useless… my remaining chakra is enough to make this broken body count for something. I will pave the way for you all to kill Ye Zi."
The Third Raikage's voice was heavy, his strength slowly slipping away with the constant loss of blood.
He had already made up his mind.
He would expend the last of his chakra, and if needed, even his very life, to ensure Ye Zi was wounded.
"Father—!" A opened his mouth to protest, but the Third Raikage cut him off.
"My decision is final."
This was the fate of a leader.
To entrust the future to the next generation, and to die gloriously in battle, carving a path forward with his final breath.
Since his earliest memories, at the age of three, his father had shaped him, forging him into a warrior.
From childhood, he had endured inhuman training, all for the sole purpose of becoming stronger.
For those born into the world of shinobi, life was meant for battle.
And death?
Death should come the same way.
A shinobi's life was spent fighting, carrying the burdens of their people...
For their families.
For their villages.
For their nations.
Until they fell in battle.
From the very first fight, the outcome had already been decided.
This was the destiny of a shinobi.
Killer Bee heard everything.
As he continued controlling his tentacles, trying to keep Ye Zi at bay, his heart grew heavier.
The "Tailed Beast Eight Twists" was his best option, but if he used it now, he might harm the unconscious Kumogakure shinobi still scattered throughout the gorge.
As for the Tailed Beast Bomb, it was heavily countered by Ye Zi's Wood Release.
If he used it repeatedly, it was uncertain how effective it would be.
If they truly wanted to harm Ye Zi, the Tailed Beast Eight Twists was their best chance.
But before that, A and the others needed to get their comrades out.
With the Third Raikage holding Ye Zi back, they might just have enough time.
"A! Get everyone out of here!" Killer Bee shouted his plan outright, knowing there was no time for subtlety.
A instantly understood.
The two were perfectly in sync, their bond stronger than words.
A glance was enough.
He knew what Killer Bee intended to do.
"Perfect."
The Third Raikage, covered in blood, his body broken, forced himself to stand once more.
Like a war god refusing to fall.
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Currently on Chapter 566 - The Enemy of the Shinobi World