Kumogakure Front Lines
The Fourth Raikage personally led three thousand elite shinobi to the plains directly before the Konoha camp.
At his command, Kumogakure's forces spread into formation, their presence meant to intimidate Uchiha Yusuke.
Though Yusuke had defeated the advance force, the news that Konoha had sent no reinforcements had long since reached Kumogakure's intelligence network.
The Fourth Raikage felt nothing but disdain toward Konoha's higher-ups.
The man once hailed as the "Professor" of the ninja world had truly grown old—engaging in internal strife during wartime.
A Konoha that only knew intrigue and scheming—
Did it truly think it could challenge a united Kumogakure?
Glancing at the high morale of his troops, the Raikage felt invigorated.
The old era had ended.
It was time for him to open a new chapter in the ninja world.
With no reinforcements arriving for Konoha, Kumogakure clearly held the advantage.
And when one held the advantage—
It was meant to be displayed openly.
A show of military might might even cause the enemy to falter before battle began.
The Fourth Raikage had already resolved to personally eliminate the Uchiha brat who had repeatedly embarrassed Kumogakure.
Yugito, who had initially felt some frustration after her defeat, regained her confidence instantly upon the arrival of the Raikage and Killer B.
The "Blazing Demon" Yusuke may have some skill—
But compared to the AB Combo, he was still lacking.
Konoha Camp
A jōnin responsible for monitoring enemy movements rushed into the central command tent.
"Lord Yusuke, the Raikage is advancing with his army!"
Yusuke nodded.
For A to wait two days before making his move—this was already restrained by his standards.
With Kumogakure at their doorstep, Yusuke had no intention of sitting idle.
"Transmit my order—assemble all three divisions. We meet Kumogakure head-on!"
Upon receiving the command, Konoha's forces swiftly mobilized.
Hyūga Hiashi, Uchiha Shisui, and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio took their positions. Two thousand Konoha shinobi formed ranks and confronted the Kumogakure army on the plains.
Konoha's willingness to face them directly surprised the Fourth Raikage.
Under such unfavorable conditions, he had expected Yusuke to hide behind his defenses.
Yugito stepped forward with a mocking smile.
"Konoha's grown arrogant."
"With this many troops, they think they can stand against Kumogakure?"
"Ridiculous."
The Raikage nodded faintly.
She had a point. How could a mantis hope to stop a chariot?
Uchiha Yusuke's defiance might well bury him here.
With the Raikage's approval, Yugito's fighting spirit surged.
"Raikage-sama, allow me to lead the charge!"
"I lost once before. This time, I'll personally wash away that humiliation!"
The Raikage nodded in satisfaction.
Though Yugito had suffered defeat, she had not lost her resolve. He still had confidence in her strength.
Letting the Two-Tails' jinchūriki take the first move would also serve to probe Konoha's depth.
While no reinforcements were visible, who knew what might be hidden?
Though prideful, the Raikage was not reckless.
Even he had no desire to stumble into a trap.
Konoha's higher-ups were not known for clean tactics.
Yugito strode forward, stopping before Konoha's formation.
"Uchiha brat! Get out here!"
"This time, I'll tear you to pieces!"
The moment she issued her challenge, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio stepped forward as planned.
"To deal with you, Lord Yusuke doesn't need to move."
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi stood ready to face Yugito.
"Ino–Shika–Chō?"
The Raikage narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
He had heard of their reputation.
Defeating a jinchūriki with just the three of them was impossible.
At best, they could buy time.
Yugito had challenged, and Konoha had revealed nothing hidden.
The Raikage remained patient, sending more Kumogakure elites forward to test Konoha's ranks.
As Kumogakure's experts stepped out one by one, Hiashi, Shisui, and others joined the fray.
Kumogakure pressed forward relentlessly.
Konoha was already beginning to feel the strain.
At last—
The Raikage was certain.
Uchiha Yusuke truly had no reinforcements.
"It's time to meet him."
"B. Let's go."
Lightning erupted around him as he entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Crackling with electricity, he shot forward like a bolt of thunder and arrived before Konoha's lines.
"Feel true fury!"
Yusuke's eyes sharpened.
He leapt forward, landing directly before the Raikage.
"Perfect timing."
"I've been waiting for you."
The Raikage's eyes narrowed.
"Oh?"
"You've got guts."
"Are you that eager to die?"
Yusuke smiled faintly.
"Who's dying isn't decided yet."
The Raikage looked down at him with contempt.
"You're not worthy of being my opponent."
"Be sensible and surrender."
"You might even live."
Yusuke stood unflinching.
"You want me to surrender?"
"Then you'd better prove you're capable."
The Raikage's arrogance had long grated on him.
Surrender?
Let's see what you're truly worth.
Draw.
Slash.
Sheathe.
In one seamless motion, Yusuke's blade swept forward.
The Raikage blinked—
And was blasted backward by the strike.
Crack. Crack. Crack—
He tore through dozens of trees before barely regaining his footing.
"Cough…"
Rising from the ground, dust clinging to his cheek, the Raikage's fury ignited.
"You dare challenge me?"
"You're courting death!"
Yusuke surged forward again, blade flashing.
"Why so noisy?"
As the flying slash roared toward him, even the Raikage felt a flicker of alarm.
No warning—just steel.
Did the youth of today have no sense of decorum?
Yusuke, for his part, felt entirely justified.
If fists could settle a matter, why waste breath?
The Raikage loved to posture.
And Uchiha Yusuke—
Specialized in crushing arrogance.
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