This battle, as if treading on thin ice, cautious and fearful, even Hiruzen felt a bit annoyed.
Seeing Hiruzen make up his mind, the two advisors had no choice but to agree.
"Then let's settle it like this."
◎
The northern sea of the Land of Earth was already covered in the flames of war.
Shrouded in the impenetrable Lightning Armor, the Fourth Raikage transformed into a blue flash, racing across the sea.
In front, a figure blocked his path.
As his palm met the fist, in an instant, waves rolled across the sea, dispersing in all directions.
The Fourth Raikage tightened his fist, channeling all his strength, veins bulging on his arm, yet he couldn't move forward even a step.
"Damn woman!"
His lightning-gleaming eyes stared fiercely at the woman with the white eyes in front of him, gritting his teeth. Being stopped by her repeatedly, the anger in his heart was conceivable.
"You've gotten a lot stronger than before, but you're still a bit lacking, Lord Raikage."
Ayane taunted the Fourth Raikage.
This calm demeanor amidst intense combat made the Fourth Raikage even more furious.
But he couldn't do anything to Ayane.
His speed was indeed faster than Ayane's, but with the Byakugan's all-seeing insight, whether it was a frontal attack or a sneaky assault, Ayane would always be prepared in advance; his attacks were either blocked or hit nothing but air.
The Fourth Raikage had suffered many losses, so although furious, when an attack failed, he would immediately retreat, not giving Ayane the chance to use Gentle Fist against him.
Being hit by Gentle Fist was troublesome; not only would it injure internal organs but also block the Chakra flow.
Relying on Chakra to maintain the Lightning Armor's operation, the Fourth Raikage was essentially an incompatible ninja with Ayane.
No, it should be said that all ninjas relying on Chakra to perform Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Illusion Techniques really dislike the Hyuga's Gentle Fist. Once acupoints are hit, it's as good as a death sentence.
Ayane noticed that the Fourth Raikage had become more cautious.
This was the natural outcome.
Since last year, the two had been continuously fighting. Whether it was frontal battles or encounters, they had fought numerous times. Not entirely knowing each other inside out, but roughly guessing each other's abilities.
The Fourth Raikage, from initially charging recklessly, had also become cautious, evading without hesitation when necessary.
He had been psychologically shadowed by Ayane's Gentle Fist.
Wherever Ayane was, there was no place for him, the Raikage, to wield his power; he would undoubtedly be stopped by her.
Therefore, the battles with Hidden Rock could be said to have more losses than victories.
His battles against Ayane were even more dismal; up to now, there wasn't a single one-on-one victory.
This fight only ended when the sun sank into the western horizon.
Both sides withdrew from the sea area, returning to their respective camps.
"That Fourth Raikage is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with, his power growing rapidly."
After returning to the Hidden Rock's camp, Ayane found Onoki and said this to him.
"Of course, that Raikage kid is not yet thirty if calculated seriously, his body is still in a stable rising phase."
In Onoki's eyes, apart from his strength, the Fourth Raikage seemed inexperienced in other aspects.
But this also made Onoki feel very envious.
It wasn't the Fourth Raikage himself he'd envy, but the fact that the Hidden Cloud Village had successors.
Inexperience can be accumulated over time. However, a ninja's talent is hard to compensate for after birth; a person's potential is determined at birth. Ninjas who achieve great things through hard work are extremely rare.
In Onoki's view, the Fourth Raikage was a ninja naturally endowed with talent.
Possessing a Chakra Amount comparable to the Tailed Beast, perfectly inheriting his father, the Third Raikage's excellent aptitude.
He already had the qualifications to become a Raikage.
Reflecting on the current situation in Hidden Rock, it seemed to be thriving, but once he, the Tsuchikage, was gone, it was uncertain where they'd be headed.
"If you want to end the battle quickly, you'll need a decisive battle with a large force at once."
Ayane said this.
In Ayane's view, this kind of probing battle could only restrain Hidden Cloud's combat power but couldn't eliminate it.
"That's impossible, if that were the case, Hidden Rock would suffer immense casualties."
Onoki said expressionlessly, and it was unknown what he was thinking.
Moreover, engaging in an all-out battle with Hidden Cloud, even with Ayane's assistance, the outcome was uncertain.
He also vaguely felt that Ayane's purpose in helping Hidden Rock was not straightforward.
"Then I'm really at a loss. After all, the Fourth Raikage also has a brother, Killer Bee, who seems to be the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki of Hidden Cloud. If he enters the battlefield afterward, I can't handle both. Don't forget, they also have a Two-tailed Jinchuriki."
"Tch."
What Ayane said was also a worry for Onoki.
"Since you don't want to engage in a decisive battle with Hidden Cloud, handing over the Third Raikage's body and the Six Paths Ninja Tools isn't a bad idea. After all, that's the purpose of Hidden Cloud starting this war."
Ayane advised gently.
However, she had stolen the Six Paths Ninja Tools, and Hidden Rock couldn't provide them; the only thing left to give Hidden Cloud was the Third Raikage's body.
"Even if the Third Raikage's body is handed over, there's no guarantee that Hidden Cloud will withdraw. The signed peace treaty is worth less than a penny. Our Hidden Rock's strategy will be adjusted moving forward."