Mission Failed!
Therefore, when A launched a faster Three-Finger Hell Stab, Shirō met it without the slightest panic.
The Hell Stab was terrifying—but it was not invincible.
In the future, Naruto would break this very technique. And once a ninjutsu's method of countering was known, it ceased to be truly frightening. Being unable to break it due to insufficient strength and having no way to break it at all were two entirely different things.
Of course, whatever improvements the Raikage later made to the technique had nothing to do with Shirō.
In the original timeline, Naruto had relied on exceptional reaction speed—sidestepping the thrust and smashing a Rasengan into A's elbow, forcibly altering the attack's trajectory.
Shirō didn't have the Rasengan.
But with his current physical strength, redirecting the blow was far from impossible. And with Mind's Eye enhancing his perception, his reaction time was no worse—if not better—than Naruto's.
So when A charged forward, lightning flickering around his body, Shirō slid sideways, narrowly evading the thrust. At the same time, his already-charged right hand slammed into A's elbow.
The moment of contact—
Magic Power Emission erupted.
The force exploded outward, ensuring the redirection succeeded.
Under Shirō's unrestrained output, A's own Hell Stab twisted violently—his right hand stabbing straight toward his own chest!
Before A could even process the shock, Shirō stepped in close.
Eight Extremities Fist: Mountain Lean
—Magic Power Emission!
The combined force not only amplified the redirected Hell Stab but also struck A squarely, sending him flying backward like a cannonball!
"Big Brother!"
"A—damn it!"
"Protect Lord A!"
"Do you think you'll get the chance?"
Konoha ninja surged forward, blocking the Kumogakure reinforcements and preventing them from interfering.
Shirō didn't hesitate.
The moment A was sent flying, Shirō rushed after him, intent on finishing the job while the opportunity still existed.
This was the Third Shinobi World War. Leaving A alive now meant endless trouble later.
As for "the plot"—ever since Shirō transmigrated and activated the system, the original course of events had already been shattered beyond recognition.
So he gathered every last shred of chakra, preparing a decisive strike.
But—
Mind's Eye screamed.
Shirō's pupils shrank as he turned toward the source of the warning.
A bolt of lightning was already upon him.
Third Raikage?! When did he arrive?!
There was no time to think.
The Third Raikage's speed was monstrous—so fast that by the time Shirō sensed him, the man was already within striking distance.
Looking at the incoming fist, despair flashed through Shirō's mind.
I'm going to die.
Then—
A blue figure burst forward and kicked the Third Raikage away with explosive force!
"Eight Gates—Seventh Gate of Shock! Open!
Konoha Hurricane!"
At this moment, only Might Dai, with the Gate of Shock opened, could have arrived in time.
The Raikage skidded back, clearly startled—but he instantly regained his footing and moved to stand directly in front of A, shielding him.
The battlefield fell silent.
Shirō's near-kill had already drawn everyone's attention, and it was precisely because of that chaos that Dai had managed to intervene in time.
The Kumogakure ninja were ecstatic upon seeing the Third Raikage, their morale surging.
On Konoha's side, however, the atmosphere turned heavy.
Many of them knew Shirō personally. Their relationship with him was good—and more importantly—
Shirō was the disciple of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake.
If Shirō died here, the consequences would be catastrophic.
This wasn't about personal vengeance. It was politics.
Dying at the hands of a peer was one thing. Dying at the hands of the Raikage of Kumogakure was another entirely. With such a clear cause, Konoha would have every justification to escalate matters.
Not exploiting such an opportunity would be foolish.
But none of that compared to the real shock.
Might Dai had blocked the Third Raikage.
The strongest Raikage in history.
And Dai?
A Genin. A man infamous for being a lifelong Genin.
As shock rippled through both sides, doubts about ninja ranks began to surface.
Even more shaken was Kumogakure's intelligence officer. Staring at Dai's freshly updated profile—his eyes locked onto the word Genin—he felt an inexplicable chill crawl up his spine.
Are Konoha's Genin monsters now…?
On the battlefield, Dai faced the Third Raikage calmly.
"I didn't expect Konoha to hide a warrior like you," the Raikage said coldly. "I miscalculated."
"There's a lot you don't know," Dai replied. "Shirō—step back."
"Ha… ha…" Shirō panted. Once his breathing stabilized, he bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, Uncle Dai."
He retreated immediately, leaving the battlefield to them.
At the same time, Kumogakure ninja rushed in and carried A away.
Shirō glanced at them and sighed inwardly.
A's right hand hadn't pierced his heart. With immediate treatment, survival was still possible.
Once both sides withdrew to safer distances, Dai and the Third Raikage exchanged blows—but after only two clashes, an unexpected development occurred.
The mission target had already been captured by Konoha ANBU.
Seeing this, the Third Raikage abandoned the idea of continuing the fight. Lightning surged around his body as he vanished in a flash.
Bang!
"Hmph!"
With a furious roar, the Raikage instantly killed one ANBU and rescued the target. The remaining ANBU, realizing the gap in power, retreated without hesitation.
They were no match for him.
The Third Raikage glanced at Dai one last time, then ordered his forces to withdraw.
Seeing this, the ANBU leader—commander of the operation—raised his hand.
The mission failed. Regroup and retreat.
Yet Shirō hadn't given up.
He didn't know why the target was so important—but that alone was reason enough.
If Konoha can't have him… then neither will you.
Shirō signaled to Dai, who was still maintaining the Seventh Gate, asking him to provide cover.
Dai's eyes narrowed. He casually adjusted his footing, placing himself between Shirō and the Raikage, drifting toward the regrouping forces as if by coincidence.
Shirō also sent a signal to Taiyi and the others, instructing them to prepare the giant bird for immediate extraction.
The ANBU's decision to regroup wasn't accidental—it aligned perfectly with Shirō's plan. Even if the mission failed, salvaging something was better than nothing.
The ANBU leader watched Shirō closely.
Strength. Intelligence. Methods.
From Shirō's signals, it was clear—he intended to kill the mission target even under the Raikage's protection.
That was no simple feat.
And yet… After everything he had witnessed today—even a "Genin" standing against the Raikage—he couldn't help but feel curious.
Behind his mask, his eyes gleamed.
Meanwhile, Shirō walked calmly, secretly circulating chakra as he dissolved the Myriad Scars Unbreakable Seal hidden within his sleeve.
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