On the second day after arriving at the Northern Front, in the early afternoon, Haseo once again stood atop the wall.
Unlike yesterday, nearly all the Konoha ninja now followed behind him, forming a line of shinobi stationed upon this high ground.
Then... Haseo instinctively stretched his arms, finally well-rested after a full night's sleep. Since arriving at the front lines, he hadn't even bothered talking seriously with any of the Konoha ninja — he'd just gone straight to bed, and now he felt fresh and sharp.
Standing beside Haseo were elite Jonin like Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi, Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze, Kohei Sarutobi, and Dan Kato — ninja who hadn't been seen in quite some time.
These were either close allies or top-tier Jonin.
"Can you see the Raikage over there?" Haseo turned his head slightly, asking Sakumo Hatake.
"Yeah, barely visible from this distance," Sakumo answered.
As soon as Konoha's forces suddenly assembled, Kumo naturally responded accordingly. Since Haseo stood at the forefront of their formation, the Raikage naturally took position at the front as well.
"That look in his eyes... You know, he wants me dead. Like, *terrified* scared."
"Don't lie to me. From this distance, you can actually see his expression?"
"It's a metaphor! Can't you even understand metaphors? Do you think the Third Raikage doesn't want to kill me? Can't you feel how intense this atmosphere is, how it stings your skin?
I don't get it — it's strange, really. We don't have much bad blood between us. Why does he have such a strong personal issue with me? True, I want to kill him too, but that's strictly business — no personal grudges whatsoever. Look at me now — how calm I am."
Minato Namikaze, who had been looking dead serious just a moment ago, couldn't help scratching his cheek. Honestly, a moment ago, the air really had felt like the calm before a big battle. In the winter chill, one could almost feel their skin hurting. But then Haseo started rambling nonsense, making Minato feel itchy instead.
All sense of tension disappeared.
Fortunately, the main force of Konoha ninja standing somewhat further away couldn't hear what Haseo was saying. They simply saw him point toward Kumo's frontline every now and then and assumed this legendary ninja was giving serious tactical commands.
"The upcoming fight might take a while — taking on the Raikage head-on like this is gonna wear me down slowly. And considering the possibility that I may get killed by the Raikage, I've decided to write my will right here and now.
First, tell my wife... If I end up dying in battle, make sure she becomes a proper mourning widow; otherwise, I'll be pretty upset. Also, better cremate me and send my ashes back — otherwise she might freak out when she sees blood.
Second, Sakumo, as my best friend, I decide to leave my Huabei to you..."
Well, is how it went — Haseo went on and on...
But not a single thing he said made any damn sense.
"I'll think... Is there anything else I should add..."
"Enough already, Haseo... I'm starting to get hungry."
Sakumo didn't really understand why someone would choose to talk nonsense at a moment like this. The Raikage must be waiting impatiently already... Was this his way of relieving stress?
"Alright, I'm practically dead already. Can't I get a few extra words in? What if this is the last time I ever get to speak? How about you take on the Raikage while I've got your back?"
Hatake: "..."
I'd rather jump off this damn wall and fall to my death than listen to one more word from this clown.
After annoying everyone around him, Haseo smiled and turned his gaze toward Kohei Sarutobi.
At this moment, Kohei had just removed his Konoha Forehead Protector, retying it tightly across his forehead with all his strength. The headband pressed so hard against his skull that it left an immediate mark upon his brow.
Noticing Haseo's gaze, Kohei took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
Haseo's smile vanished instantly. He then quietly issued a single order to every ninja along the Konoha front line:
"Move out. Defeat the enemy."
Then, he stepped off the city wall.
The ninjas behind Haseo were ready to follow immediately after, but Sakumo Hatake gently held them back for just a moment.
Know what a henchman or sidekick really does? It means silently trailing behind the big shot, cleaning up the minor enemies without stealing the spotlight.
Only after Haseo landed did Sakumo loudly relay his command down the line.
"Move out!
Defeat the enemy!"
With these words, Sakumo flipped over the wall first, following closely behind Haseo.
Though those nearest Haseo were theoretically his "guard squad," since Sakumo had briefly held them back, they now seemed more like his cheering squad instead.
Even sidekicks have ranks too. At the very least, Sakumo was number one.
Right after Haseo led the "Advance Force" forward, the main force of ninja hesitated briefly before finally comprehending exactly what the command had meant.
And only then did they begin moving.
No strategy. No goal. No schedule. Not even a way to retreat.
But one thing remained absolutely clear—the direction forward for the Konoha line was unmistakably set by the man leading ahead.
Was Konoha's counterattack reckless? Chaotic?
For most of these ninjas, it was a total mess—nothing like any mission they'd experienced before.
Yet…
They truly wanted to follow Haseo into battle.
Because after the Third Hokage's death and their defeat at the Northern Front, they had endured a particularly humiliating period. But when Haseo arrived, the despair weighing on them exploded into fiery resolve.
What strategy? None needed.
Konoha ninjas wouldn't blindly rush after just any random person, but they'd gladly follow Haseo.
Even blindly following him.
Even if it meant throwing themselves pointlessly against overwhelming odds.
Even if it meant certain destruction.
Whatever the case, they all would give the same answer right now:
"I'm in!"
Thus, Konoha's battle line instantly became a flood breaking through a breached dam, ready to obliterate everything ahead.
Or perhaps like a high-pressure cyclone surging in from the south, its relentless winds seemingly tearing everything in the air apart.
When the Konoha front line moved, so too did Kumo. Their morale was just as strong as that of Konoha.
Logically or emotionally, the Third Raikage would never consider evading Haseo head-on — why should a Raikage even think of dodging?
The war cries of the ninja behind him rang like vibrating bowstrings — wind and thunder loosed from the string, while Haseo became the speeding arrow aimed straight into the heart of the Kumo formation.
His footsteps quickened, his body radiating brighter and brighter lightning light. Whether friend or foe, no one could keep their eyes on him for long.
Haseo's speed quickly reached its limit, covering nearly half the battlefield space in an instant… Actually, to the average ninja, he had completely vanished from sight, leaving only a dazzling bolt of lightning streaking forward.
Facing an entire army alone, he unleashed titanic bolts of lightning, as though nothing could match his unstoppable force.
Such a personal guard unit couldn't possibly keep up with Haseo's pace.
Yes, Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God technique definitely surpassed Haseo in terms of absolute speed — under Space-time Ninjutsu, the concept of speed itself essentially disappeared. However… Even so, the speed with which he threw his Flying Thunder God Kunai still didn't match how fast Haseo ran.
But Kumo would certainly not allow Haseo to charge through their ranks unimpeded.
Coming straight toward him was none other than the Third Raikage himself, already activated into his highest output Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
No… "Coming straight" wasn't quite accurate. At this moment, the Third Raikage was merely the first target directly in the path.
Right before the high-speed collision between both sides, Haseo suddenly reached into his ninja tool pouch, pulling out a scroll. He instantly removed the seal upon it, then immediately took hold of a gleaming naginata blade.
And without hesitation, he used it.
It was all going exactly as planned.
His expression remained intensely serious as he wielded the naginata like a spear, channeling countless bolts of lightning into a single piercing point. Then, moving with unmatched speed, he unleashed a ferociously powerful strike directly at the approaching Third Raikage, roaring with electric force.
Did the blade instantly pierce through the Raikage's massive body?
Not exactly. The Raikage simply shifted slightly to the side, allowing the naginata to pass just beside his ribs, missing entirely.
Then, with his left arm, the Raikage clamped down instantly, pinning the weapon's shaft beneath his armpit.
The high-speed impact bent the long weapon into the shape of a sickle moon.
Haseo lowered his waist and planted the end of the staff firmly on the ground using only one leg, releasing all of its pent-up force. Then, letting go with his right hand, he raised his left arm high, now glowing even more intensely with lightning, and stabbed violently toward the Raikage's eyes.
At the same time, the Raikage sensed a sudden presence behind him. Instantly, a tremendous force struck his back, forcing his body to stumble forward a step.
Glancing briefly over his shoulder, the Third Raikage immediately understood what was happening.
Behind him stood Haseo's Shadow Clone.
To perform hand seals and release a jutsu amid such a high-speed rush?
But at that moment, the Raikage had no time to wonder how Haseo had done it — nor did he care in the least.
The Third Raikage gripped the long handle of the naginata with his left hand and yanked it away in one swift motion, robbing Haseo of control over the weapon. At the same time, using it as leverage, the Raikage immediately regained his balance.
Moreover, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them even further.
In the next moment came a blow like Mount Tai collapsing upon his head.
Charged with thick, surging Lightning Release chakra, the Raikage's muscular right arm shot out like a cannonball. Though he had struck later, he arrived first—his tightly clenched fist would shatter Haseo's skull before Haseo's blade could even near his eyes.
Within an instant, a firm sense of impact traveled up the Raikage's arm. Haseo's form tumbled mid-air and slammed harshly to the ground.
Then, with a sudden puff, he was gone...
It turned out Haseo actually knew how to use the Flying Thunder God technique.
The naginata in his left arm gave off a slight downward pull. Through an instantaneous body replacement that consumed no time at all, Haseo reappeared directly behind the Raikage.
His left foot pressed against the blade's edge, while his right foot landed firmly on the Raikage's shoulder.
Something seemed to come undone—or rather, some state was entered, some power unleashed.
The Raikage felt a vast, uniquely potent chakra rising sharply from behind him, sending waves of danger crashing against his senses like stinging needles.
A fury surged, shaking the heavens and the earth.
This was something known as, "Sage Mode."
With both hands gripping the blade, Haseo launched a sharp downward strike from above, cleaving straight into the Raikage's neck.
Though the sword originally belonged to Kumo, now it bore the name "Stellar Crown."
It seemed Haseo's grip was too strong—as blood seeped from between his fingers, flowing steadily down the sharp edge of the Long Blade.
Blazing white lightning surged along the steel before striking first against the Raikage's outer armor.
[Sage Art: Lightning Release · Kurika.]
The high-frequency lightning techniques resonated together, provoking and agitating the Raikage's own Lightning Release chakra.
Then, in the next moment, the lightning vanished from Haseo's blade, giving way to layers of razor-sharp wind blades bursting forth.
[Sage Art: Wind Release: Tengaippa.]
Though at great cost, the Wind Blades managed to suppress the surging lightning. Before vanishing themselves, they finally cut through the Raikage's defensive mode. The iron blade sliced through instantly, carving half an inch deep into the Raikage's neck.
But then… it went no further.
The Long Blade became tightly clamped between the powerful muscles of the Raikage's neck. With death looming close, the Raikage's full battle prowess erupted completely—there wasn't even a trace of doubt regarding his physical capabilities under such exaggerated lightning modes.
Mixed upon Haseo's blade lay both his own blood and that of the Raikage.
Again—and then came the Raikage's counterattack.
However, just before this "next" action arrived, the Raikage clearly heard a few words spoken by Haseo.
What he said was:
[Ninjutsu: Summoning Technique — King of Beasts.]
A technique formation shone across the blade's surface, followed shortly by the appearance of a small shadow.
The shadow kept expanding, first turning ink green, and finally a violent orange-red.
"ROAR!"
A thunderous roar filled the entire battlefield.
A four-legged creature, over five meters tall and unidentifiable in species, lunged out from the Technique, beginning to circle around Haseo. But... it was actually just the Black Cat.
As it burst out from the space, the Black Cat naturally tore through something.
At this moment, Haseo still maintained his original posture, though his entire body had already relaxed. His eyes followed an airborne black speck slowly rising higher and higher.
Higher, even higher.
Third Raikage, I guess this counts as honoring you once.
The battleground held its breath at this moment.
Countless gazes followed that tiny black spot in the sky. Then, under the pull of gravity, it fell back down, rolling several times.
The head of the Third Raikage landed on the ground. So...
The Fourth arrived just like that—touching down firmly, immovable.
What's true strength? What's ambition? What about seeing the sea in a single drop? Just how many years has Haseo spent slowly building his power?
So how do we even begin to describe what's happening now?
He wanted to kill me. I got scared, so I beat him to it. Simple as that.
The Third Raikage carried great weight, but apparently, Haseo never truly regarded him as a threat at all.
This was the first time in years that he had fully committed himself to battle.
Right at this moment, only a graceful little poem could properly describe him:
[AWQAEA]
[Noxa Guillotine]
Well, the combo was smooth, so the enemy died.
After spinning around twice, the Black Cat quietly stood behind Haseo. It was a "lady," and suddenly realized countless eyes were staring at it. Such attention was totally new to it, making it feel shy.
When it got shy, it naturally turned to the person it trusted most, doing the most familiar gesture.
It lowered its head and extended its tongue, giving Haseo a big lick—with its current size, it really was quite a long tongue.
Haseo... had been looking pretty good until now, but afterward, half his body was smeared with bloody crimson, and the other side coated with thick saliva.
Seems like he really can't stay handsome for more than three seconds without some kind of mishap.
So, Haseo could only raise his long blade with one hand and let out a short yet powerful shout:
"Victory achieved!"
Drip-drip-drip — blood fell in thick drops.
Drool-drool-drip — saliva slid off his face.
P.S.
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