Just how powerful is the Akatsuki, truly?
Before this, likely no one knew except for Akatsuki themselves. The only somewhat clear concept was that the Akatsuki leader had single-handedly devastated Iwagakure.
In truth, Naruto was also curious: when Akatsuki moved with all its members, just how strong were they?
Kumogakure was the second largest military power among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, after Konoha. Such a formidable opponent would surely force Akatsuki to reveal its full strength. This was one of the reasons he was standing here, observing the battle.
"So, Nagato enters from high above to draw the attention of Kumogakure's main forces, then the other Akatsuki members launch a pincer attack from the periphery?" Understanding Akatsuki's operational strategy, Shadow Clone #1 fell into deep thought. Akatsuki's combat approach this time wasn't drastically different from their attack on Iwagakure. The only change was the addition of a few more members to break through their defenses. Kumogakure wasn't foolish; they couldn't possibly have failed to learn from Iwagakure's lesson. Yet the outcome still hadn't changed much, which could only mean one thing—
The aerial defenses of the Five Great Shinobi Villages were truly weak.
"Kurama, have #3 find the remaining elite of the Sky Ninja Village and figure out a way to absorb them."
Nearby, the "puppet" controlled by Uchiha Sasuke, while observing the confrontation between Akatsuki and Kumogakure, was also secretly studying the Naruto shadow clone beside him. Both his teacher Jiraiya and his older brother Uchiha Itachi had warned him to be wary of this man who had "reformed." After this period of observation, he too felt that it was imperative to be cautious of this individual.
"The Eight-Tails has appeared," Shadow Clone #1 suddenly said.
The "puppet" was taken aback; this did not align with his expectations. According to the intelligence he possessed, although the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee were not related by blood, A, as the "older brother," deeply valued his "younger brother" Killer Bee. This level of care was something even most blood brothers couldn't compare to. Knowing that Akatsuki's target was the Eight-Tails, how could the Fourth Raikage possibly allow his younger brother to appear on the battlefield?
"Just as you said, he shouldn't have appeared," Shadow Clone #1 shook his head slightly. The status of a perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails might be intimidating, but it depended on who they were facing.
ROAR!
The Eight-Tails' massive form appeared on the battlefield, letting out a skyward roar. Its unparalleled might served as a powerful morale booster for the Kumogakure shinobi locked in fierce combat.
However—BOOM!
The Eight-Tails Gyuki's roar was cut short. Its massive form was sent flying backward, and everyone watched this scene, stunned. No one saw clearly what had attacked the Eight-Tails.
"Did you see it clearly?" Shadow Clone #1 asked, tilting his head.
"..." A grave look flashed in the puppet's eyes. It shook its head slightly. He had been defeated by this move last time as well. At that time, he had only felt as if he'd been kicked, and was instantly critically injured. The Eight-Tails' current predicament wasn't just similar to his own back then; it was exactly the same. However, he had been protected by his Susanoo, while the Eight-Tails had taken the hit with its physical body.
Still can't see it, huh... Shadow Clone #1 quietly closed his left eye. His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan couldn't see it, Urashiki's Byakugan couldn't see it, but his tomoe Rinnegan could. In other words, the ability Nagato had just used was a Rinnegan-level dojutsu. He had clearly seen a "shadow" split off from Nagato's side just now—a person who looked exactly like Nagato. This was Limbo: Border Jail. The reason the Eight-Tails Gyuki had been sent flying was because it had been kicked by this "shadow." Judging from the reactions of the Kumogakure shinobi and Uchiha Sasuke, "ordinary people" could neither see nor sense these shadows. It seemed only the Rinnegan could see that "shadow." As for whether there were other methods to lock onto the "shadow," that remained to be determined.
BOOM!
The Gedo Mazo leaped heavily in front of the Eight-Tails. Its bloody maw opened, and several chains emanating a faint, dark light pierced into the Eight-Tails' body. The powerful sealing ability instantly forced Killer Bee out of his Tailed Beast transformation, and he fell into a deep slumber.
"Bee!" Seeing this, the Fourth Raikage's eyes nearly split with fury. With a roar, the lightning aura around him intensified, and he was about to charge forward to rescue his brother.
"Dark Release: Judgment!" Hiruko slammed his hands on the ground, and towering stone walls erupted, trapping them. "Sorry, but that guy ordered us to stop you!"
The Fourth Raikage stared deadly at Hiruko, the ground beneath his feet cracking. Even an untamed wild horse couldn't compare to his ferocity at this moment. A metallic sheen appeared on Hiruko's skin. His figure vanished in an instant, fearlessly clashing with the Raikage.
Hidan, at the side, seized the opportunity. His bizarre scythe flew out, inflicting a barely visible scratch on the Fourth Raikage.
"The ritual begins!" A flicker of excitement crossed Hidan's eyes. For him, whether the attack caused significant damage wasn't the main point. As long as it drew blood! He lightly licked the bloodstain on his blade. His skeleton-like transformation indicated that an unknown connection had been established between him and the Fourth Raikage.
"He actually succeeded?" Hiruko noticed this, a strange glint in his eyes. Truthfully, this guy wasn't that strong, but his ability was extremely bizarre. If one wasn't careful and he managed to collect blood and successfully perform his ritual, even someone like Hiruko would be done for.
Seeing the ritual diagram forming beneath his feet, Hidan's expression became crazed. "Lord Jashin, I shall offer you an unprecedented sacrifice! Witness me!" he shouted loudly, then violently plunged his scythe into his own heart.
Pfft!
The Fourth Raikage, in the midst of battle, suddenly clutched his heart and spat out a large mouthful of blood. He looked in disbelief at the black skeleton hiding in the rear.
"You actually pulled it off." Kakuzu, who was protecting Hidan nearby, was speechless. He and Hiruko had brought Hidan along just on a whim, to try it out. Who would have thought... it actually worked?
"It hurts so much! Aaaargh!" Hidan screamed, while simultaneously and frantically attacking vital points on his own body with his weapon.
Kakuzu, Hiruko: "..." How to put it? They had thought, more than once, that they themselves were quite twisted. But whenever they compared themselves to this guy, they always felt they weren't twisted enough.
"ROOOAAAR!!!" The Fourth Raikage transformed completely into a being of lightning, madly charging towards the enemy in the corner who primarily used ninjutsu. Even in death, he would take one of them with him!
Pfft!
Hiruko stood aside, doing nothing. Unsurprisingly, Kakuzu couldn't withstand the Fourth Raikage's desperate, final onslaught and was directly pierced through the heart.
"Darui! The Boss's vital signs have vanished?!" On a nearby battlefield, C, who was considered the Fourth Raikage's left hand, his expression changed drastically.
"How is that possible?! Even if all of us died here, nothing would happen to the Boss! You know how strong the Boss is..." Darui said, but looking at his comrade's expression, his own confidence wavered the more he spoke. "Tell me his location!" Darui's face was colder than ever before.
"Five o'clock direction, behind the stone wall!"
"The shinobi world is about to descend into chaos." The moment the Fourth Raikage died, the "puppet" closed its eyes, as if in silent mourning for the passing of a strong warrior.
"Yes, an era of chaos is coming," Shadow Clone #1 said, his tone inscrutable, tinged with what seemed like both regret and anticipation.