At that moment, a strange and unsettling scene unfolded across the battlefield.
All around, the sounds of battle still raged—shouts, clashes of steel, and the explosive bursts of ninjutsu echoed continuously. Yet, despite the chaos, every ninja seemed to instinctively avoid a particular area at the center of the battlefield.
Without any coordination, both sides maintained a clear distance from that zone, forming a vast, unnatural vacuum.
No one dared to step inside.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Heavy, thunderous impacts erupted one after another from within that empty space. Each collision sent tremors rippling through the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and scattering gravel in all directions.
Lightning crackled violently in the air.
Two streaks of light—one deep blue and the other a vivid purple—flashed across the battlefield at incredible speeds. They darted back and forth, leaving only afterimages behind.
Each time they collided, blinding sparks burst outward, accompanied by deafening roars that echoed across the plains.
It was a clash beyond the level of ordinary ninja.
"The Raikage has been stopped! Kakashi is holding him back!"
Seeing this, the Konoha ninja were invigorated. Their morale surged instantly, and they charged forward with renewed determination, pressing the attack against Kumogakure's forces.
Not far from the center, Homura Mitokado stood surrounded by ANBU guards.
He had just defeated an opponent, but his breathing was heavy, and his body trembled slightly from exhaustion.
"Time spares no one…" he muttered bitterly.
"If this were ten years ago, I would have personally shown them the Water Release techniques taught to me by the Second Hokage."
But now, things were different.
Years spent behind a desk had dulled his combat instincts. His stamina had declined, and even casting a few mid-level ninjutsu left him fatigued.
Unlike Danzo, who had remained active in the shadows and maintained his combat readiness, Homura had grown old.
Still, seeing the Raikage held back brought him a small measure of relief.
If Kakashi had failed, they would have had no choice but to sacrifice lives—throwing bodies at the Raikage just to slow him down.
At the center of the battlefield—
Kakashi Hatake stood locked in a deadly duel.
His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat mixed with blood trickled down his face.
His left eye—the Sharingan—spun rapidly, its crimson glow sharp and focused.
He didn't dare blink.
"I can't relax… not even for a second," Kakashi thought, his mind racing.
"I need to track every movement… every shift in muscle tension… every hint of intent. Only then can I predict his next attack."
The Raikage's speed was monstrous.
Combined with the durability of his Lightning Release Armor and his Lightning Flicker technique, he was nearly unstoppable in close combat.
Even the slightest mistake would result in instant death.
Kakashi had pushed himself beyond his limits.
By channeling purple lightning across his body, he had formed his own variation of Lightning Armor. Unlike the Raikage's version, his lightning carried both offensive and defensive properties, allowing him to withstand powerful blows while retaliating in kind.
For now, it was enough to keep him in the fight.
But only barely.
His speed was still inferior.
The quality of his lightning chakra was also a step below.
And worst of all—
The Sharingan was consuming his chakra at an alarming rate.
"If this continues… I'll die."
"You're quite impressive, Kakashi Hatake."
The Raikage's voice cut through the chaos.
There was a hint of genuine surprise in his tone.
"During the last war, only Minato Namikaze could keep up with me like this."
His eyes sharpened.
"That makes it all the more necessary to kill you."
In an instant, the lightning surrounding his body intensified.
His speed increased again.
His power surged to a new level.
Kakashi gritted his teeth.
He forced more chakra through his body, ignoring the pain tearing through his muscles.
The purple lightning around him flared violently.
He pushed himself to the absolute limit—just to keep up.
Two streaks of lightning—blue and purple—clashed relentlessly.
There were no elaborate techniques.
No complex strategies.
Only raw speed.
Only pure, brutal collisions.
Each impact shook the earth.
Each exchange pushed both fighters closer to their limits.
From a distance, Aoki Yoru and his teammates watched in stunned silence.
"Too strong…" Kenta muttered, his voice trembling.
"I can't believe Kakashi-sensei can fight at that level…"
The teacher who was usually late, lazy, and seemingly indifferent now stood against one of the strongest shinobi in the world.
If Kenta were in his place—
He wouldn't have lasted a second.
But Aoki Yoru didn't feel relieved.
His expression grew increasingly serious as he observed Kakashi closely.
"The situation is bad."
His sensory perception allowed him to feel the changes in Kakashi's condition.
His chakra was nearly depleted.
His muscles and bones were under extreme strain.
Tiny fractures were forming throughout his body.
He was reaching his limit.
"When his body gives out… that's when he dies."
Aoki turned to his companions.
"You two go back and guard the camp. I'll go help—"
Before he could finish—
His expression changed drastically.
His pupils shrank.
Shock and anger flashed across his face.
"Enemy attack!"
His voice rang out sharply.
"Return to the camp immediately! There's an enemy approaching from three kilometers behind!"
Without hesitation, he created a shadow clone.
His main body shot toward the rear at full speed.
Kenta and Yui froze for a split second before reacting instantly.
They followed him without question.
As they ran, Aoki quickly issued instructions.
"Yui, return to the camp and alert everyone. Prepare for battle."
"Kenta, come with me."
"Yui, follow after delivering the message."
"There's only one enemy… but he's extremely strong."
His tone was grave.
In his perception—
That chakra signature was overwhelming.
Vast.
Endless.
Like a raging ocean.
It even surpassed the Three-Tails he had encountered before.
Combined with that powerful physical presence—
There was no doubt.
"Killer Bee…"
The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.
Aoki's expression darkened.
"This is bad…"
Killer Bee appearing here, behind the camp, could only mean one thing.
Revenge.
For his disciples.
For Karui and Omoi.
Running away wasn't an option.
If he fled, he would be labeled a rogue ninja.
And worse—
Everyone in the camp would die.
The consequences would be catastrophic.
The nearby civilians would be interrogated by ANBU.
Innocent people—like little Chino's family—could be dragged into Danzo's experiments under the guise of investigation.
Aoki couldn't take that risk.
And there were others he couldn't abandon.
Might Guy.
Rock Lee.
Yui's cousin.
Kenta's family.
They had no choice.
They had to stop Killer Bee.
At a distance.
Before he reached the camp.
Three Kilometers Outside the Camp – The Forest
Killer Bee walked leisurely through the trees.
He looked around casually, occasionally stopping to scribble in a small notebook.
"Yo…"
He tapped his pen thoughtfully.
"Fire… war… screams… rhythm…"
Inside him, the Eight-Tails spoke, confused.
"Hey, Bee… weren't you going to avenge your students? Why are you writing lyrics?"
Bee grinned.
"Oh, Eight-Tails… my brother won't lose. That's guaranteed."
"Killing that guy is just a matter of time."
"But before that…"
He spun his pen dramatically.
"I'm gonna make a masterpiece!"
"The screams of Konoha will be the perfect chorus."
"I'll burn this track for my disciples… so they won't be lonely in the afterlife!"
He licked the tip of his pen and continued writing enthusiastically.
Suddenly—
The Eight-Tails' voice sharpened.
"Bee. Stop."
"An enemy is approaching."
Bee paused.
Slowly, he closed his notebook and tucked it away.
"Bakayaro…"
"Who's interrupting my flow?"
In the distance—
Three figures rapidly approached.
Their silhouettes grew larger.
Closer.
Clearer.
In the blink of an eye—
They arrived.
Killer Bee looked up.
The moment he saw Aoki Yoru—
His expression changed completely.
Killing intent exploded outward.
"Yo… it's YOU."
"The one I've been looking for."
His voice dropped.
"It's time to avenge Karui and Omoi."
When he first learned of their deaths, Bee had been furious.
Those two weren't just disciples.
They were like family.
He had wanted to rush to the battlefield immediately.
But the Raikage had stopped him.
The village needed him.
With Yugito guarding the Land of Earth border and the Raikage leading the assault, Bee was the last line of defense.
He had no choice but to stay.
Until now.
Using a clone made from an octopus tentacle, he had deceived the guards and slipped away.
And now—
The person he wanted to kill stood right in front of him.
Without another word—
Bee moved.
Eight swords appeared instantly.
Two in his hands.
Two tucked under his arms.
Two strapped to his legs.
One clenched between his teeth.
The final one balanced with deadly precision.
Aoki Yoru's expression turned grim.
He slowly drew his sword.
"Kenta. Yui."
"The opponent is extremely dangerous."
"Do not hold back."
"Or you will die instantly."
Kenta and Yui nodded.
Their expressions were tense.
They already knew.
A perfect Jinchūriki.
A monster among monsters.
And now—
They had to face him.
Together.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)