On the front lines—
Konoha and Kumogakure's elite forces remained locked in fierce combat.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio maintained a tight formation, restraining the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii.
Elsewhere, Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shisui were evenly matched against Dodai and Darui.
Yugito glanced at the three Konoha shinobi before her, pride flickering in her eyes.
"To hold me off this long—you're not entirely incompetent."
"But it's pointless."
"By now, Lord Raikage and Lord Killer B have already taken Uchiha Yusuke's head."
Though worry flashed briefly across Nara Shikaku's expression, his voice remained steady.
"Lord Yusuke isn't that easy to defeat."
"He's Konoha's Blazing Demon—renowned across the ninja world."
Yugito sneered.
"Blazing Demon?"
"You think he can defeat the AB Combo?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
On another part of the battlefield—
Hiashi and Shisui had gradually developed mutual respect for Dodai and Darui through their exchange of blows.
The Third Raikage's trusted aide.
The Fourth Raikage's right-hand man.
Both men deserved their reputations.
Likewise—
Konoha's strongest Hyūga and the famed Uchiha prodigy were living up to their names.
Just as both sides paused momentarily to regain breath—
A sudden pressure swept across the battlefield.
Uchiha Yusuke appeared at the center of the plains.
Over his shoulder—
He carried Killer B.
With a single sweeping slash, he carved a massive trench into the ground, splitting the battlefield apart.
His voice thundered across the plains.
"Hear me!"
"The AB Combo has fallen to me!"
"This war—ends with Kumogakure's defeat!"
Silence.
Utter silence.
Shock spread across the faces of Kumogakure's shinobi.
Lord Raikage… and Lord Killer B… defeated?
Impossible.
On Konoha's side—
Joy erupted like a breaking dam.
To defeat two Kage-level opponents alone—
Lord Yusuke was truly monstrous.
Yugito reacted as if her tail had been stepped on.
"What nonsense!"
"There's no way Lord Raikage and Lord Killer B would lose to you!"
Yusuke did not argue.
He simply tossed Killer B forward.
The Eight-Tails' jinchūriki landed heavily on the ground.
Alive—
But sealed.
Facts spoke louder than any words.
The sight triggered a wave of gasps from Kumogakure's ranks.
"It's Lord Killer B!"
"If he's been captured…"
"Then… does that mean…"
Panic spread.
Morale collapsed instantly.
Even Dodai's face drained of color.
Shikaku seized the moment.
Through Yamanaka Inoichi's telepathic transmission, his voice spread across the battlefield.
"Lord Yusuke has defeated the Raikage and captured the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki!"
"We have won!"
"This war belongs to Konoha!"
The declaration ignited the field.
Cheers thundered across the plains.
"We won!"
"Konoha victory!"
"Long live Lord Yusuke!"
Moments later—
The wounded Fourth Raikage A appeared at the edge of the battlefield.
Though battered, he still stood upright.
The moment he appeared, Yugito, Dodai, Darui, and others rushed toward him.
"Lord Raikage, are you alright?"
"Cough—"
He coughed harshly but waved them off.
"I'm fine."
"Just minor injuries."
"But B…"
"That brat Uchiha captured him."
"We must find a way to bring him back."
Yugito stepped forward immediately.
"Lord Raikage, we still hold numerical advantage!"
"Let's fight to the end!"
Dodai's expression turned grave.
"Don't act recklessly."
"Lord Raikage, our morale has collapsed."
"If we continue now, we risk total destruction."
"Withdraw first."
"Then negotiate."
The Raikage's jaw tightened.
To retreat like this—
It would damage his prestige severely.
Yet he was not merely a warrior.
He was the leader of Kumogakure.
Morale had shattered.
Even if they continued fighting, cohesion was gone.
Pressing forward recklessly might annihilate the village's core forces.
He had only recently taken office.
He would not gamble everything on pride.
After a long moment of internal struggle—
Reason prevailed.
"Pass my order."
"Full retreat."
With that command, Kumogakure's forces withdrew like a receding tide.
The battlefield gradually fell silent.
Watching them depart, Yusuke finally exhaled deeply.
Since leaving Konoha—
He had endured two brutal battles back-to-back.
At last—
Relief.
He dismissed Susanoo.
His Mangekyō faded.
Fire Release Chakra Mode dissipated.
His body returned to normal.
His chakra reserves were heavily depleted.
His mind strained.
Just as he allowed himself a single breath of ease—
Two figures silently approached from behind.
Konoha jōnin.
Without warning—
They struck.
Yusuke reacted instinctively—
But exhaustion slowed him by a fraction.
A blade grazed his cheek.
Drip.
A thin line of crimson slid down his jaw.
Even against the AB Combo—
He had not bled.
Yet now—
He was wounded by his own side.
His eyes narrowed instantly.
After such a grueling battle, his chakra and mental strength were nearly drained.
That was why he had deactivated the Sharingan.
That moment of lowered vigilance—
Had nearly cost him.
Seeing their first strike fail, the two jōnin attempted to press forward again.
But this time—
Yusuke would not hesitate.
"Fire Release Chakra Mode."
With a single thought, flames engulfed his body.
His form shifted into elementalization.
The attackers' blades passed harmlessly through fire.
The two jōnin froze.
Realization struck.
"Mission failed."
"Retreat!"
They turned immediately to flee.
A cold smile curved across Yusuke's lips.
"Trying to run now?"
"Isn't that a bit too late?"
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