The Raikage's Chakra was immense. His body was enveloped in blue, flame-like Chakra, with faint electric arcs flickering across it… visibly powerful, definitely Tailed Beast-level Chakra.
Yet facing such a formidable foe, Ryuji showed no panic.
No, not just panic; he didn't even flinch, even having leisure to think of other irrelevant matters.
He said calmly, "As the village's Kage, arriving only now is quite derelict of duty."
"Correct. This is my failing, and only your life can atone for it!"
As the words fell, Raikage transformed into a blue lightning bolt, charging forward.
Simultaneously, B also transformed into a trail of light, attacking again.
One resembled lightning, the other light.
From left and right, both at identical extreme speeds, they simultaneously reached Ryuji. Their raised right arms descended like guillotines toward the target.
"Lightning Release: Lariat!"
Thud! Thud!!
Amidst violent impacts, shockwaves rippled.
The Raikage and B's figures halted before Ryuji even as the shockwaves hadn't fully dissipated.
Ryuji spread his arms, left and right, blocking their biceps.
"How is this possible!?"
Both Raikage and B's eyes widened, exclaiming in unison!
If the enemy dodged or used some strange Ninjutsu to block, it'd be understandable. After all, Ryuji had created countless astonishing achievements in the Shinobi World within half a year, so he's no ordinary individual.
But he merely raised his hands, blocking their combined ultimate technique...
Remember, the series of Lightning Release Nin-Taijutsu created by the Second Raikage enhanced speed, defense, and attack power. The Fourth Raikage had mastered the speed-enhancing Lightning Release Nin-Taijutsu to its peak. His speed was matched only by Minato in the entire Shinobi World.
And his brother B... Though slightly slower in sustained speed, with Tailed Beast Chakra, his short-burst explosive power surpassed his own.
Their combined Lariat was an absolute killing move, difficult for even Kage-level experts to withstand.
Yet such a move was blocked by someone simply raising their hands.
What did this imply?
It implied the opponent not only possessed neural reflexes capable of reacting to their speed but also physical speed that didn't lag, with strength far surpassing both brothers.
"You both are indeed rare elites in the Shinobi World, neither weaker than me..."
Calm words flowed from Ryuji's mouth.
Both looked up. They saw the young man's eyebrows had turned reddish-brown, and his pupils now bore crosshair-like marks as thin as needles.
—Sage Mode!
Not trained by Ryuji himself, but an effect brought by the Chakra-enhancing cloth armor he wore.
Over the past month, Ryuji solved the problem of Sage transformation for Armor...
Coincidentally, while researching Sage transformation for Armor, Ryuji felt it was a problem beyond his current technology. So, he temporarily set it aside, turning to study the Dragon Vein's formation principles.
Through scanner analysis, he discovered the Dragon Vein was nurtured by Natural Energy. Further, he found Natural Energy nurtured all things; everything on this planet retained characteristics of Natural Energy.
Human physical and mental energies were born from natural energy.
Discovering this, Ryuji immediately began researching the process of physical and mental energy generation. Thus, he reversely discovered the characteristics and relationships among the three energies, subsequently developing armor capable of finer control, perfectly blending the three energies into Senjutsu Chakra.
Though called Armor, due to minimal seals needing full-body coverage, only key joint areas had protective plating.
To prevent detachment, these wrist guards and knee pads were sewn onto clothes and pants, forming cloth armor.
"But now, we are no longer on the same level!"
As his words ended, Ryuji clenched his hands, firmly grabbing the Raikage and B's arms, spinning like a top before hurling them away.
Both adjusted mid-air, landing steadily about a hundred meters away.
They looked up at Ryuji, meeting those crosshair-marked eyes, feeling uneasy.
"Master, no sign of the Chakra Cannon!"
"None here either."
At this moment, voices came through the Sea of Consciousness from Gin and Kuro.
Ryuji understood internally, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Understood. Leave Kumogakure first."
"But..."
"No buts. I'll find you later."
"Yes!"
Issuing instructions rapidly in his mind, a relieved smile appeared on Ryuji's face. "Whether it was the Four-Village Alliance's attack on Sunagakure over half a year ago or this secret alliance targeting Sunagakure, Sunagakure has no grievance with you, yet we're targeted each time. Don't blame me this time!"
As he spoke, wind arose from nowhere, lifting Ryuji slowly skyward.
Raikage watched Ryuji ascend, displeased. "Your own actions aren't any better. Why speak such naive words?"
"Then remember these words well."
"What do you mean?"
Raikage's sense of foreboding intensified.
"Nothing. Just found what I was looking for."
"Feint!"
The Raikage gnashed his teeth.
Now he understood.
Ryuji's actions were all to draw attention, letting companions perform the mission secretly.
"You don't know my purpose here yet!" Ryuji chuckled lightly, his expression infuriating the Raikage.
"I came to seize the Chakra Cannon."
"You bastard!"
"And how did you even know about that thing?"
"Guess?"
"Bastard!"
Raikage cursed under his breath, shouting at subordinates watching from afar, "Valley of Clouds and Lightning is under attack! Sunagakure people haven't gone far yet. Hurry, take men and pursue!"
"Yes!"
Watching several Kumogakure's teams depart, Ryuji suddenly understood.
'No wonder no trace of the Chakra Cannon at the secret locations. Not hidden in the village itself… quite the clever move!'
"Brother, I'm afraid we've been tricked!"
B stared at Ryuji's face, noting all expression changes.
Seeing Ryuji's sudden understanding, he instantly realized the issue.
He'd felt suspicious from the start.
If the enemy already completed their mission, why reveal the mission content to the enemy, allowing countermeasures?
If the enemy were a novice, such mistakes weren't strange. But the opponent was Ryuji, a legendary Shinobi with a series of shocking achievements in half a year.
Someone of his caliber absolutely wouldn't make such a basic error.
Prompted by B, Raikage also realized.
"Damn Senki Ryuji!" The Raikage gnashed his teeth, then ordered again, "Send more men to Valley of Clouds and Lightning. Must arrive before the Sunagakure's Shinobi, protect what's there."
"Don't even think about it!"
Ryuji had already risen three hundred meters into the air.
He extended his right hand, fingers spread. On each fingertip, Chakra gathered, forming five high-speed rotating Chakra Orbs the size of ping-pong balls.
These were Rasengan.
Though only ping-pong ball sized, the Chakra contained within surpassed ordinary Rasengan by hundreds of times.
Then, five different natures were infused into the five Rasengan.
The previously restrained Chakra became turbulent and violent, stirring the surrounding air chaotically.
"Sage Art: Five Release Rasengan!"