Chapter 148: A Pyrrhic Victory
The aftermath of Ren's "Blazing Depth Slash" was a scene of pure devastation. The ground for twenty meters was a shattered, smoldering ruin, with pillars of fire still licking at the sky like the fingers of an angry god. The earth trembled as if in the throes of a major earthquake.
The Cloud shinobi could only stare, their fight momentarily forgotten in the face of such apocalyptic power. "What... what kind of technique is that?" one whispered, the Kyuubi itself momentarily forgotten.
Within the epicenter of the destruction, the Fourth Raikage had been forced to endure the full, horrifying force of the attack. He had taken the copied "Lightning Axe" kick, cratering the earth, and before he could even push himself up, the ground had erupted into a sea of flame. His Lightning Armor and incredibly resilient body had saved his life, but at a great cost.
As the flames died down, the Raikage's figure was revealed. It was a pitiful sight. His clothing was burned to tatters, his body covered in severe burns and countless lacerations that wept blood. He stood, but his legs trembled violently, betraying the immense strain his body was under. Yet, his eyes, burning with a mixture of pain and undiminished hatred, remained locked on Ren.
"He... he's still standing? Lord Raikage!" a ninja cried out, but the hope in his voice was thin.
Ren landed lightly before the wounded leader, a cold, mocking smile on his face. "Impressive durability, Raikage. To withstand that and remain on your feet... but this is where your story ends."
"Bastard... Uchiha...!" the Raikage growled, but the words triggered a violent cough. A spray of blood erupted from his mouth, and his knees buckled, forcing him to catch himself on one hand. His breathing was ragged.
"Hmph. I told you I would make you remember the name Uchiha Ren. Now, allow me to provide the final punctuation." Ren raised the Ryūkō Seiun, its blade still radiating intense heat. He began to advance for the killing blow.
*Is this... how it ends?* the Raikage thought, his vision swimming. *To be killed by a brat... it will be the greatest shame in Kumogakure's history.* A final, desperate plan formed in his mind. He gathered the last dregs of his chakra into his remaining right hand. He would let Ren get close, then discharge every last volt directly into his body. A final, mutual kill.
But just as Ren was within striking distance, a blur intercepted him.
"Not another step!"
It was Darui. Ignoring his own injuries, he had thrown himself between his leader and death. His sword swung in a desperate arc aimed at Ren's neck.
"Tch. An annoyance." Ren's blade moved with blinding speed, parrying Darui's strike. The force of the impact was so great that it numbed Darui's arms, and his sword was sent spinning from his grasp. Before Darui could react, Ren pivoted, driving a powerful kick into his chest.
**CRACK!**
The sound of breaking ribs was audible. Darui was thrown backward like a discarded doll, landing in a heap some distance away, unmoving.
Ren didn't spare him a second glance, turning back to finish his primary target. But in the few seconds Darui had bought, two ANBU operatives had reached the Raikage. They hauled his massive, wounded form onto their shoulders and were already retreating at top speed.
"Protect the Raikage! Stop him at all costs!" a jonin yelled, snapping the other Cloud shinobi out of their stupor.
With a collective roar of defiance, they surged forward, a wall of flesh and steel determined to block Ren's path, even if it meant their own deaths.
*Damn it,* Ren thought, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. *The 'Blazing Depth Slash' drained my chakra reserves severely. And the recoil from channeling that much power through the blade... my body is still recovering.*
The technique's power came at a steep price. It required nearly all his chakra and placed immense strain on his body as the Ryūkō Seiun converted the energy into its volatile, fiery form. Only his enhanced constitution, bolstered by the Pulse elixir, allowed him to use it without permanent damage.
He could slaughter the Cloud shinobi before him, but it would take time—time the Raikage would use to escape. The primary objective, the capture of the Two-Tails, was already accomplished. Lingering to fight a village's entire army was a fool's errand.
With a dismissive snort, Ren made his decision. He didn't retreat from the charging horde. Instead, he turned his back on them and, in a flicker of movement, teleported back to the head of the restless Kyuubi.
The message was clear. He was not fleeing; he was simply ending an engagement he no longer deemed necessary. The invasion was over. He had humbled the Raikage and stolen a priceless asset. To stay longer would be vanity, not strategy.
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