Land of Fire.
Not far from the Tenchi Bridge.
After realizing she couldn't intervene in the battle between Kaede and the Eight-Tails, Tsunade didn't stand idly by. Instead, she immediately chose to assist Yūhi Kurenai and the others.
Moments later, with Tsunade joining the fight, the ten Cloud ninja fighting Kurenai and her team were swiftly wiped out. However, they failed to prevent one of the enemy communicators from transmitting the information.
"Lady Tsunade, the situation here has already been reported. The Hokage is aware and reinforcements are on their way."
"I understand."
Tsunade nodded and turned her gaze toward Kaede and the Eight-Tails locked in fierce combat not far away. A deep concern flickered in her eyes.
Even if all of Konoha's reinforcements rushed over, it would still take several hours. Kaede couldn't maintain a forbidden technique against the Eight-Tails for that long. The battle would have to end quickly, one way or another.
Otherwise,
Even if Kaede emerged victorious, the backlash from the forbidden jutsu could very well endanger his life.
For now, it appeared that Kaede held the overwhelming advantage. The Eight-Tails was constantly being slashed open by his blade, unable to land even a single hit in return.
But the Eight-Tails was a Tailed Beast, nearly immortal. No matter how many wounds it sustained, they rapidly regenerated as its massive body squirmed and twisted.
"This can't go on…"
Tsunade clenched her teeth slightly.
Although Kaede clearly held the upper hand, the longer it dragged on, the less certain the outcome would be.
She took a deep breath, then leapt toward the battlefield. Forming a single-handed seal midair, she slammed her palm onto the ground and summoned Katsuyu once more.
"Lady Tsunade."
"Katsuyu, help me! Restrain the Eight-Tails!"
Tsunade shout the order, then shouted toward Kaede, "Kaede! Stop attacking the Tailed Beast, find the Jinchūriki hidden inside! I'll help restrict the Eight-Tails' movements!"
Although she was speaking at quadruple speed, her voice was effectively in slow motion from Kaede's perspective. Still, he could barely make out what she said.
He wasn't afraid of a prolonged battle. In fact, he was certain that if it continued, the Eight-Tails would fall first. Its defenses were ineffective, and each wound consumed massive amounts of chakra to heal.
Even the Nine-Tails' chakra would eventually run dry, let alone the Eight-Tails!
Still, Tsunade's strategy would end the fight faster.
But,
Just as Tsunade stood atop Katsuyu and began moving closer to the Eight-Tails, an overwhelming chakra presence suddenly erupted ahead, seemingly out of thin air.
Sensing it, Tsunade and the other Konoha ninja all froze, their expressions shifting as they whipped their heads toward the source.
There, not far from the Eight-Tails, a figure had appeared on the once-empty plain, bathed in crackling lightning, with a muscular frame and bronzed skin radiating raw power. His right arm bore the symbol for lightning, and the air around him shimmered with menace.
"That's…"
When Tsunade saw the figure clearly, her expression changed drastically.
She recognized him instantly.
The Raikage!
The Third Raikage!
Not only had the Kumogakure's A and B team shown up, but even the Third Raikage had arrived!
"No… something's wrong… That chakra, it appeared out of nowhere… How is that possible? Reverse Summoning? No… no one should be able to use that…"
Tsunade's expression twisted with disbelief as she stared at the Third Raikage.
And at that moment,
A cold glint flashed in the Raikage's eyes. Bathed in lightning, his right arm extended, fingers clenched into a spear-like point wreathed in electricity. Like a living thunderbolt, he charged directly at Tsunade.
Tsunade didn't hesitate. She immediately leapt off Katsuyu's back.
Boom!!
The Third Raikage crashed straight into Katsuyu.
To him, Katsuyu might as well have been rotting wood. With one hit, the mighty slug was blasted into countless fragments, scattering in every direction.
Summoned mere seconds ago, Katsuyu had already been destroyed again.
"…"
After obliterating Katsuyu with a single blow, the Third Raikage locked eyes with Tsunade but didn't pursue her. Instead, he vanished in a flash, reappearing next to the Eight-Tails.
Clang!!
His lightning-wreathed arm collided with Kaede's Kusanagi Sword. Sparks flew in every direction, arcs of electricity dancing wildly as they clashed like steel on steel.
He had blocked Kaede's strike meant for the Eight-Tails.
"Go! I'll cover you!" the Third Raikage barked at Killer Bee.
"Tensō no Jutsu, huh? Damn it… I didn't expect things to turn out like this…"
Deep within the Eight-Tails, the injured A remained with Killer Bee. Hearing the Third Raikage's voice, his eyes widened in realization and frustration.
Killer Bee turned toward A, his usual rap gone, replaced by grim determination.
"Big Bro, let's get out of here!"
Though reluctant, A knew he was in no condition to fight. Severely wounded, he'd only become a burden if he stayed.
Roar!!
The Eight-Tails let out a furious roar, pushing away from Kaede and fleeing at full speed into the distance.
Kaede's gaze turned icy. Raising his Kusanagi Sword, he slashed forward, sending a massive silver-white blade of chakra hurtling after the Eight-Tails.
Boom!!
The Third Raikage, cloaked in lightning, flashed into the air and thrust his lightning spear forward. His hand met Kaede's slash head-on and tore it apart at the center with brute force.
The ruptured energy wave crashed into the earth, gouging two enormous ravines nearly a hundred meters long into the ground.
"…"
Kaede glanced toward the fleeing Eight-Tails, then turned his head to check on Tsunade. Finally, his gaze returned to the Third Raikage, and he spoke in a low voice:
"…Now I'm starting to get pissed."
First he killed A, only for the guy to be swallowed by the Eight-Tails and resist attacks under the cover of the Tailed Beast's shell.
He had been just moments away from ending both the Eight-Tails and A, when the Third Raikage suddenly descended like a divine weapon from the sky.
Anyone would be furious after getting interrupted this many times.
The Third Raikage's speed was comparable to the Fourth Raikage before his peak, meaning Kaede was still faster.
In theory, he could shake off the Raikage and keep pursuing the Eight-Tails.
But the problem was, Tsunade was still nearby.
Her speed was nowhere near the Raikage's. Even with the Strength of a Hundred Technique, she probably wouldn't last more than a few rounds.
And Kaede didn't want to find out whether he could kill the Eight-Tails faster than the Third Raikage could kill Tsunade.
"So you're the Silver Flash…"
The Third Raikage looked at Kaede and spoke slowly. "I didn't expect Konoha to have a shinobi even faster than A. Allow this old man to test your abilities himself!"
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