Cold sweat beaded on the Fourth Raikage's forehead.
Although this behavior seemed like backing down and didn't quite suit his status, he chose to do it anyway.
For the sake of—the Village!
The current Hidden Cloud Village was far too weak. With a large number of elites dying at the hands of the Akatsuki Organization, and both the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails taken away, if even he, the Raikage, died here, he feared the Hidden Cloud would completely decline into a second-rate ninja Village... If that happened, even if he died, he wouldn't be able to face his old man!
But, unfortunately.
Although the Fourth Raikage was indeed thick-skinned, powerful, and capable of both backing down and being reckless, and might have been able to escape from an ordinary person, the group he was facing now was no ordinary squad!
Therefore, his fate had long been sealed!
He was fast? Sakumo Hatake was faster!
At this moment, Sakumo moved like thunder, the tachi in his hand turning into a streak of white light. He dashed out almost simultaneously with the Fourth Raikage, but Sakumo Hatake's speed was just a fraction faster.
But that tiny fraction was the distance between life and death.
Catching up to the Fourth Raikage, Sakumo Hatake ruthlessly slashed down, severing the Fourth Raikage's left arm.
In his killing state, the Transformation Technique on Sakumo Hatake instantly dissipated.
Instantly, blood sprayed out.
The Fourth Raikage didn't look at his severed left arm; even the intense pain didn't distract him. Instead, he looked at Sakumo Hatake in utter bewilderment.
"This speed, this blade..."
"Are you from Konoha?"
The Fourth Raikage spoke through gritted teeth.
However, to this.
Sakumo Hatake did not offer any explanation, instead continuing the slaughter with his short blade.
'Konoha Dragon God!'
'Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!'
Maruboshi Kosuke and Chen Baojun also made their moves.
Chen Baojun transformed into a tornado, coordinating with Sakumo Hatake in the battle.
Maruboshi Kosuke did not step forward; instead, his hands continuously formed seals, unleashing various Water Release Ninjutsu to constantly restrict the Fourth Raikage for his teammates.
Finally... seeing the Fourth Raikage expose a weakness, he drew his blade and charged straight at him.
'Konoha-Style Swordsmanship: Dance of the Willow!'
Almost in an instant.
Even though the Fourth Raikage's reactions were extremely fast and he dodged the lethal strike, a wound was still carved into his body.
He was exasperated!
"Good! Good! Good!"
"You people from Konoha aren't even pretending anymore, are you?"
"That old man's Ninjutsu are all unique to Konoha, and now he's even using a Konoha sword technique—the Dance of the Willow!"
"The Akatsuki Organization is the true enemy of the Ninja World; you bastards from Konoha will regret this!"
"And the leader, who exactly are you?"
The Fourth Raikage's expression was grim, and he was absolutely livid.
Clearly.
He never imagined that while the Akatsuki Organization didn't intend to kill him, these bastards from Konoha—who should have been the Hidden Cloud's allies—would deliver the fatal blow in the end.
But in the next second.
While the Fourth Raikage's mind was racing, desperately thinking of a counter-strategy, the squad leader—who had only used one Ninjutsu at the very beginning and had been watching the scene with his arms crossed—moved!
As a Kunai was thrown toward the Fourth Raikage, he froze upon seeing it.
Good grief!
Did that Konoha squad leader really think a single Kunai could take him down?
The Fourth Raikage's brow furrowed slightly.
But because he was being cornered by Sakumo Hatake and the others, the Fourth Raikage didn't pay much attention to the Kunai, simply tilting his head to dodge it and not bothering further.
But in the next second.
Senju Tobirama vanished instantly and appeared directly behind the Fourth Raikage.
Grabbing the Kunai again, Senju Tobirama didn't hesitate for a moment while the Fourth Raikage was distracted, plunging the Kunai straight into his chest.
Then, with a twist.
He completely shredded the Fourth Raikage's heart!
"Flying Thunder God Technique?"
The Fourth Raikage murmured.
His face was full of disbelief. Even though he already knew this squad was from Konoha, he never expected that someone in the current Konoha could still use this technique.
After all, wasn't Minato Namikaze dead?
As the Fourth Raikage was thinking, Senju Tobirama, who had reverted to his original appearance, spoke in a very calm tone.
"Fourth Raikage, you are quite impressive!"
"Whether it's your methods, character, or strength, you are truly worthy of the title 'Kage'."
"But precisely because of that, you must die!"
"Because you stand in Konoha's path. For the sake of Konoha's grand plan, you must die."
"Finally..."
"I am Senju Tobirama!"
After saying that.
Senju Tobirama pulled out the Kunai and watched coldly as the Fourth Raikage collapsed to the ground.
He was waiting... waiting for the Fourth Raikage to draw his last breath!
A calculating man like him naturally did things with great attention to detail; after all, no one could guarantee if the opponent had any hidden tricks.
Especially after the incident where Uchiha Madara escaped death by faking it, Senju Tobirama had become increasingly meticulous in his actions.
Meanwhile.
Collapsed on the ground, the Fourth Raikage's aura grew increasingly weak.
At this moment, his mind was racing, and a bitter smile gradually formed on his lips.
Senju Tobirama?
The legendary Second Hokage?
How could he be alive?
And... he was blocking Konoha's path?
He hadn't done anything, so what exactly did Konoha want to do?
He couldn't figure it out!
Facing everything that was happening, the Fourth Raikage felt as if he couldn't understand anything.
Finally, in this state of dazed helplessness, he closed his eyes for the last time.
He was dead!
Seeing this, Senju Tobirama pulled out a Storage Scroll and sealed the Fourth Raikage's body inside.
The reason was simple!
The Edo Tensei he developed was like opening Pandora's box. Just as Uchiha Jin had said before, who knew if the Akatsuki's mysterious intelligence officer had already obtained this technique from somewhere else?
Especially—Danzo!
Yes.
Danzo again!
Although it seemed only the Hokage could access the Forbidden Technique Scroll, Danzo, who wasn't the Hokage, was an exception; he could certainly get his hands on it through his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't cause trouble, who knew if Danzo would!
So, sigh!
With a helpless sigh, Senju Tobirama could only come to clean up this mess!
After all, if someone in the Akatsuki Organization really knew this technique, Konoha would surely face no end of trouble in the future.
To prevent the Fourth Raikage from being resurrected via Edo Tensei, he wasn't even willing to leave the body for the Hidden Cloud.
A short while later.
After sealing the Fourth Raikage's body in the Storage Scroll, Senju Tobirama stood up and spoke in a very calm voice.
"Alright, mission accomplished!"
"Re-apply the Transformation Technique and prepare to return to the Village!"
After saying that.
He was the first to transform back into his previous appearance, and wearing the Akatsuki's Black robe with red clouds, he headed straight out of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Sakumo Hatake and the others naturally followed close behind!