"The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze? Heh."
Uchiha Akihito chuckled lightly, offering no further comment.
As the Fourth Raikage had said, Minato's talent had indeed been nothing short of astonishing.
But as for dying young in a blaze of glory?
That was one thing Akihito had no intention of imitating.
He might want to become Hokage—
But he had no desire to become a martyr like the Fourth.
The fierce battle between Akihito and the AB Combination had dragged on for quite some time.
The longer it went, the fiercer the Raikage and Killer Bee became.
Meanwhile, a trace of fatigue had begun to show on Akihito.
He sighed inwardly.
It seems that relying solely on Fire Release Chakra Mode and swordsmanship is still a bit insufficient against two Kage-level opponents.
In that case… I can't keep holding back.
Akihito sheathed his blade.
The three tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly—
Gradually morphing into a pinwheel pattern.
The coordination between the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee was flawless—refined to near perfection.
Although Akihito's elemental body made it difficult for them to truly injure him—
If this dragged on, he would eventually be worn down.
Against opponents of this caliber, an ordinary Sharingan simply wasn't enough.
There was no choice.
It was time to reveal his trump card.
"Mangekyō Sharingan… activate."
His gaze sharpened.
His pupils transformed completely.
He had awakened these eyes some time ago—
But this was the first time he had fully unleashed their power.
After rigorous training, Akihito had already grown adept at wielding the Mangekyō.
With this power—
He was confident he could overturn the situation.
The Raikage sensed none of the impending danger.
In fact, he believed Akihito was at the end of his rope—about to fall.
"Young Uchiha, you had your chance."
"You didn't treasure it."
"This battle—Kumogakure has already won!"
"Take your regrets to hell!"
Akihito replied calmly,
"Are you trying to defeat me with your mouth?"
"If that's the case… then yes, you've already succeeded."
The Raikage exploded in rage.
Such provocation would be paid for!
"Die, brat!"
"Lightning Release: Righteous Thunder Heavy Axe!"
He opened with a killing move, clearly intending to end things quickly.
Akihito did not move.
With the Mangekyō active—
The Raikage's technique was no longer a serious threat.
Clang!
The Raikage's descending kick struck something solid—
Like steel.
Akihito stood unharmed—
His body now clad in a skeletal armor.
The Raikage froze.
"That… what is this?"
His devastating blow—
Blocked by a mere skeleton?
Impossible.
He knew full well the destructive power of Lightning Chakra Mode.
Even fortress-like defenses could be shattered by his strikes.
Yet this mysterious bone structure had withstood him completely.
Akihito answered lightly,
"Susanoo."
The Raikage's pupils shrank.
"Susanoo?"
"The Mangekyō Sharingan…"
"So you possess the same eyes as Uchiha Madara."
Though it had been recorded in Kumogakure's archives, this was his first time seeing it.
Akihito shook his head.
"The same eyes as Madara?"
"No… I'm still far from him."
This was no modesty.
Madara had already surpassed the Eternal Mangekyō and awakened the Rinnegan.
Still—
The Raikage did not retreat.
The Uchiha were famed—
But the Raikage clan was no less formidable.
With a roar, he struck again.
"I refuse to believe I can't break it!"
BOOM!
Akihito was pushed back two steps—
But his Susanoo remained intact.
The Raikage's lightning aura surged to maximum output.
"Now you'll witness my full power!"
"Bee—together!"
"Got it, bro!"
The brothers attacked from both sides.
"Double Lariat!"
Under the relentless assault of two Kage-level warriors—
Cracks finally spread across Akihito's skeletal Susanoo.
"An opening!"
"Increase the pressure!"
The Raikage's eyes lit up.
Akihito smirked.
"Break my defense?"
"Keep dreaming."
With a sharp shout—
Dark energy erupted violently around him.
Veins surged along the joints of the skeletal frame.
Hollow eye sockets gleamed with eerie light.
Crackle…
The skeleton solidified—
Taking the shape of a towering armored warrior, sword in hand.
Black chakra swelled again—
Forming a full suit of tengu-like armor.
The evolved Susanoo's defensive power skyrocketed to an absurd level.
With a spiritual blade in hand—
Akihito now appeared invincible.
The Raikage's face changed drastically.
Susanoo… could transform like this?
How monstrous was this Uchiha's strength?
He shot Bee a look.
Danger. Retreat.
But before Bee could react—
Akihito attacked.
With a mere flick of his arm—
A shockwave blasted the brothers away like they had been struck by thunder.
Then the Susanoo raised its blade—
And brought it crashing down.
The Raikage and Killer Bee were smashed into the earth—
A massive crater forming beneath them.
After the brutal exchange—
Both looked battered and disheveled.
Moments ago, they had been suppressing Akihito.
Now—
The tides had completely turned.
✨ Want to read ahead?
You can access advanced chapters on Patreon ♥
patreon.com/c/InkWhispers151
Every bit of support helps unlock bonus chapters and keeps the story moving.
💬 10 reviews → extra chapter
💙 100 Power Stones → extra chapter
Thank you for supporting my work! 💫