"Raikage-sama!" The Hidden Cloud shinobi below cried out in unison, their voices filled with alarm.
But at this critical moment, white steam suddenly erupted from the Raikage's entire body. Like a jet propulsion system, it pushed him upward with tremendous force, allowing him to narrowly dodge the Sage Art: Water Severing Wave.
Woooot!
The sound of what resembled a train whistle echoed as the Raikage unleashed a devastating punch. This time, his strength was extraordinary, sending Hidan flying out of the village. The Raikage landed firmly on the ground, his face once again adorned with a confident smile.
"What is this?!" Kakuzu's green, beady eyes widened in astonishment.
"That Uchiha Madara may be a scoundrel, but the Five-Tails he gave me is truly remarkable," the Raikage said, glancing at the white steam now fused with his Lightning Release armor. Feeling the surging power within his body, the ever-impulsive Raikage wasn't one to stand idle and explain.
He stomped the ground forcefully, transforming into a streak of white and purple lightning, trailing a long tail of steam behind him.
This time, his speed increased dramatically. Kakuzu's heart monsters, which had previously hovered at a height meant to restrict the Raikage, were now rendered completely ineffective.
Woooot!
"Steam Style: Lightning Cutter Sky Strike!"
With a thunderous punch, the Raikage's arm blasted out jets of steam for additional acceleration. The force of his attack now rivaled Tsunade's legendary strength, capable of obliterating anything in its path.
"Earth Release: Hardening Technique!"
Fortunately, the targeted heart belonged to Kakuzu's Earth Release monster. With the combined enhancements of the Hardening Technique and his cursed seal's second state, it barely managed to withstand the Raikage's punch.
Kakuzu's expression darkened. Even his Earth Release heart, the strongest in defense, could only take one hit. What about the others?
Panicking, Kakuzu tried to maneuver his remaining hearts to higher altitudes. But before he could, the Raikage grabbed the Earth Release heart, using it as a springboard. With the Five-Tails' steam power, he performed an aerial maneuver previously impossible for him—he leapt again, this time targeting the Water Release heart.
"Steam Style: Lightning Cutter Sky Strike!"
This time, Kakuzu wasn't so lucky. The Raikage's attack obliterated the Water Release heart in a single blow.
But the Raikage wasn't done yet. Using the destroyed heart as a new springboard, he launched himself toward the Fire Release heart.
"Over here!" Hidan reappeared, swinging his scythe at the Raikage.
The Raikage glanced at him disdainfully.
"Steam Style: Raging Thunder Axe!"
With a powerful kick, the Raikage sent Hidan crashing into the ground, creating a massive crater.
Inside the crater, Hidan struggled to get up but winced in pain, unable to move. "Damn it! My whole body's shattered. If Kakuzu gets killed by that Raikage, we're screwed!"
Boom!
The Fire Release heart met the same fate as the others, destroyed by the Raikage's relentless assault. Kakuzu hurriedly scattered his remaining three hearts, but in the brief time it took, the Wind Release heart was also taken out.
Sasori quickly used his puppets to shield Kakuzu, but now only two hearts remained. If the Raikage launched another series of attacks, Kakuzu would be finished.
"How's that? This is my third state, developed after mastering the Five-Tails!" the Raikage declared, his voice brimming with confidence and dominance.
"The compatibility between the Five-Tails and me is simply perfect," he added arrogantly.
With this power, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori were nothing to him. Even the Akatsuki's leader, he believed, wouldn't stand a chance against him now.
The Five-Tails' power naturally enhanced physical abilities. Its previous Jinchūriki, Han, had been an ordinary shinobi, yet with the Five-Tails' steam, he had gained strength and speed comparable to Tsunade's.
So what would happen when this power was combined with the Raikage's already monstrous abilities?
The answer was clear. In his third state, the Raikage's strength exceeded that of Tsunade before she gained the power of the Sage Body. His speed had reached a level where even the Flying Thunder God Technique couldn't keep up in short to mid-range combat.
Additionally, his Lightning Release armor had been further enhanced, making him nearly impervious to even most S-rank ninjutsu.
And most crucially, the steam allowed him to achieve temporary flight.
How strong was he now?
The Raikage believed he was invincible.
"Steam Style: Iron Fist!"
The Raikage launched another attack, moving so fast he was invisible to the naked eye. Fortunately, Sasori had prepared in advance. The Third Kazekage puppet unleashed a massive wave of Iron Sand, forming a thick shield.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Defense!"
Boom!
The Iron Sand shield was pierced through instantly. Though his speed slowed slightly after breaking through, the Raikage still outpaced everyone on the battlefield.
Sasori's puppets and Wood Release techniques either failed to even touch him or were destroyed upon contact.
On the ground, the Raikage displayed overwhelming dominance. Unlike in the air, where he relied on steam-powered jumps, on land he could continuously accelerate with his legs, maintaining his momentum indefinitely.
Woooot!
The Raikage's steam-powered punch obliterated Kakuzu's Lightning Release heart.
Kakuzu was visibly panicked. Now only his Earth Release heart remained. One more hit, and he would be done for.
"Akatsuki, you will pay for your invasion!"
"Kakuzu, you'll be the first!"
Woooot!
The steam roared again as the Raikage charged. Kakuzu was on edge, but there was nothing he could do. He activated the Hardening Technique at full power, but on the ground, with the Raikage's momentum, it was clear his defense wouldn't hold.
Sasori tried to use his puppets to block the Raikage, but they were equally ineffective.
Boom!
At that moment, a crimson sword descended, wreathed in black flames that burned relentlessly.
Amaterasu!
The Raikage froze in shock. He had read intelligence reports from Obito about Itachi and knew that Amaterasu's flames were inextinguishable until their target was completely consumed. Even his Lightning Release armor wouldn't protect him from such an attack.
In the original timeline, the Raikage might have sacrificed a limb to push through such a threat, but that was because he believed Killer Bee had been killed by Sasuke. Now, he had no reason to take such a risk. With his speed, he could retreat and wait for another opportunity.
If Kakuzu knew what the Raikage was thinking, he wouldn't know whether to feel relieved or insulted.
"Itachi, you're here," Sasori and Kakuzu both sighed in relief.
Against an enemy like the Raikage, Itachi was one of the best choices.
With Susano'o for constant protection and Amaterasu to pierce through the Raikage's defense, Itachi wouldn't be as helpless as they had been.
"Hm," Itachi nodded calmly. He had been stationed as a mobile unit, ready to respond wherever needed. Originally, he had hoped to slack off like during the Konoha Crush plan, but trouble had arisen much sooner than expected.
"The Uchiha clan's Susano'o is said to embody absolute power and destruction," the Raikage said, his eyes fixed on the massive red figure before him. Not only did he show no fear, but his expression was one of eager anticipation.
"Today, let's see whose power is stronger," he declared confidently.
After all, he was invincible.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~ The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong