"This is impossible!?"
The young Kumogakure's Shinobi's eyes widened in disbelief.
He was a rare genius in Kumogakure, having combined Lightning Release Nin-Taijutsu with Iaijutsu to create the sword technique 'Extreme Lightning Slash', surpassing human neural reaction limits. Against unprepared opponents, it was a guaranteed first-encounter kill.
Unexpectedly, using it against an unfamiliar peer this time felt like charging onto a blade tip, getting his heart pierced by the enemy.
And his own sword had missed entirely.
He naturally understood that a meticulously honed sword technique couldn't just miss; it was dodged.
But precisely because of that, he was so shocked.
Because he hadn't seen how the opponent dodged, nor when they raised their blade. Then he foolishly charged right onto it.
The gap was simply too vast.
"This world is quite broad."
Ryuji withdrew the blade, kicked away the not-yet-dead youth, and swung his sword at others.
If battle was unavoidable, then kill.
Before coming, he vaguely considered weakening the enemy's strength before the major war.
But due to risks, hadn't decided.
Now, there was no need to hesitate.
Hundreds, even thousands, of Kumogakure's Shinobi surrounded him, yet none could last even one exchange.
Ryuji wielded twin blades seized from enemies, like a high-speed rotating wheel of light harvesting lives amidst the crowd, painting a scene of a general unleashing carnage on the battlefield.
"Bzzzzt!!!"
Suddenly, a harsh electric crackle filled the air.
Ryuji's internal alarm blared; instinctively, he backhanded a slash behind him.
Clang!
Amidst metallic clashing, a short sword wreathed in electricity was knocked flying back.
From the crowd, a thick arm with the character 'Iron' tattooed on the shoulder lifted, catching the short sword.
Following the arm downward... dark skin, light yellow hair, black sunglasses, carrying seven swords, 'Iron' character on the right shoulder, bull horn mark on the left cheek.
—Killer B!
"You bastard, who are you? Why cause trouble?"
Killer B caught the short sword, body swaying left and right, hopping while rapping his question. "No matter who, causing trouble, all get taken down!"
Ryuji couldn't help but sneer.
"That depends on whether you have the ability!"
"Then open your eyes and watch closely!"
Finished speaking, he shook his body. The six short swords on his back leaped out from their sheaths, finally grasped by his hands, armpits, kneecap hollows, mouth... This burly man utilized all body joints to hold seven short swords, charging like a hurricane.
'Can't engage directly!'
Ryuji instantly concluded.
Seven swords distributed across all joints. As long as the body turned and danced accordingly, it created continuous high-speed slashes with no blind spots… flawless in close combat.
'Seven Swords Dance, as expected of A-Rank Taijutsu.'
The thought flashed as Killer B closed in. Seven short swords danced with his body, delivering successive slashes from all angles.
If Ryuji hadn't discerned the technique beforehand, retreating to maintain distance, even the insight of the Mangekyo Sharingan couldn't find an opening in this seemingly chaotic, patternless, yet lethally precise Taijutsu.
But...
"Not bad!"
Ryuji praised lightly, relaxed.
Though forced to retreat continuously, his expression was at ease, as if strolling casually.
Hearing this, B paused slightly, then swept a hand horizontally before him. Sharp short blades traced icy arcs.
Ryuji tapped his toes, body leaping back, easily dodging.
B quickly rose, hurling a short sword at Ryuji.
Simultaneously, behind him, octopus tentacles thick as bowls sprouted. They tore through the air, catching up to the short sword mid-flight, wrapping around the hilt to accelerate toward the target.
Ryuji snorted coldly, crossing the twin blades before his chest.
Clang!
The blade tip struck the crossed swords, emitting a piercing shriek.
Ryuji was knocked back by immense force, flying dozens of meters further.
Watching Kumogakure's Shinobi, seeing an opportunity, swarmed forward.
"Ants trying to devour an elephant first risk being trampled!" A cold glint flashed in Ryuji's eyes as he formed hand seals. "Wind Release: Tornado!"
Air currents stirred.
Centered on Ryuji, rapid rotation instantly formed a tornado connecting heaven and earth. Everything within hundreds of meters was pulled in, swept skyward.
B sheathed his short swords, hands pressing the ground, lying prone. Crimson Chakra emanated from his body, enveloping him like a cloak.
Bull horns, skull, spine, tailbone covered the Chakra Cloak. Ferocity radiated spontaneously.
—Half-Tailed Beast Mode!
In this state, B's power was immense. Even pulled by the massive tornado, he remained unmoved.
Moments later, the tornado vanished.
Swirling air currents remained mid-air. B aimed at Ryuji at the tornado's center, pushed off with his legs, and shot forward like a cannonball.
Though described as cannonball-like, it was far faster. The red form became a trail of light; the stirred airflow even plowed furrows into the ground.
—Horned Blade!
Using the forehead's bull horns as blades for high-speed impact… a Taijutsu Killer B created combining Tailed Beast power, rivaling S-Rank.
But Ryuji showed no fear.
He snorted coldly, raising a hand to meet B.
As his right hand lifted, rapidly rotating Chakra gathered in his palm.
[Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!]
Rasenshuriken versus a supersonic charge in Tailed Beast Transformation.
The two collided, unleashing boundless shockwaves.
Everything within hundreds of meters was engulfed; all turned to dust under the dense energy impact.
Then...
Boom!
With a violent roar, the energy shockwave contracted, transforming into flames shooting skyward.
Two figures flew out backward, landing in debris and rubble.
Ryuji wiped blood from his mouth, looking at B standing up unharmed. He smiled. 'Without the explosive power from Armor, clashing directly with a Jinchuriki is indeed somewhat challenging.'
"You're that Ryuji, right?" B now spoke in a normal tone. "I've also heard of your legendary deeds. But thinking you can cause havoc alone in Kumogakure is seeking death."
"Absolutely right!"
A powerful voice came from the other side.
Both looked toward the sound. A figure wearing a white cloak, green 'shuriken'-style marks on both shoulders, a wide belt and heavy armor approached from afar. Dark skin, light yellow hair, burly physique.
—The Fourth Raikage, A!
"I don't care why you're here, but turning Kumogakure into this state, killing so many… don't think you'll leave alive!" The Raikage's booming voice echoed as astonishing Lightning Chakra manifested over his body.