Moreover, the steel flesh capable of battling Tailed Beasts hand-to-hand is the ultimate weapon he is most proud of in his life!
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Walls of earth rose up, surrounding Third Raikage, A, while the Hidden Rock Ninjas began to retreat.
From the sky, numerous stones fell in a parabolic trajectory towards the center surrounded by earth walls.
"A mere Rock Iron Cannon! How utterly foolish, Earth Style is useless against my Lightning Style!"
With a cold snort, Third Raikage, A dismissed the Hidden Rock's Tsuchikage from the battle temporarily. These small fry only knew how to use such cheap ghostly tricks.
Third Raikage, A, seeing countless earth walls blocking his view, took a deep breath and gathered a large amount of Chakra onto the fingers of his right hand.
Folding in his thumb, his other four fingers straight and sharp like a sword, transformed into Third Raikage, A's most ferocious weapon.
Four-Finger Nukite!
With lightning speed, Third Raikage, A's silhouette dashed forward, using his four fingers as weapons to pierce through the earth walls, unstoppable.
The roaring sound echoed continuously, the shattered stones battering against his Lightning Style Armor, only to be deftly repelled.
"Huh?"
The Chakra collected on the four fingers dissipated, and the earth walls before him showed no signs of diminishing, immediately alerting Third Raikage, A.
Something's wrong! The number of walls produced by this few people can't possibly be this numerous! Third Raikage, A mused inwardly.
After pondering for a moment, Third Raikage, A swiftly climbed up the tall earth wall in front of him, and once on top, scanned the surroundings, only to be taken aback—
Boundless earth walls stood erect, forming an incredibly complex and vast labyrinthine terrain.
The Hidden Rock Ninjas concealed themselves within the narrow corridors of the labyrinth, making it impossible to determine their numbers.
Third Raikage, A had an uneasy feeling.
Even though he didn't know what was happening, it was clear the Rock Ninjas present couldn't merely be six or seven hundred people.
"A trap? Tedious."
Thinking this could confine him, was nothing but a daydream.
Realizing the crux of the matter, the initial seven hundred Rock Ninjas were likely just bait.
However, Third Raikage, A felt that Hidden Rock's attempts could never hold him back.
Knowing it's a trap, all he needed to do was not take Hidden Rock's bait.
So, on the top of the earth walls, Third Raikage, A leapt swiftly, ignoring the taunts from the Hidden Rock Ninjas below. With retreat now his primary focus, Hidden Rock's trivial trap would collapse on its own.
Whizz, whizz!
Numerous kunai flew from the narrow corridors of the earth maze.
They were not aimed at Third Raikage, A, but released directly into the air.
Each kunai was tied with an Explosive Tag.
These unpredictable Explosive Tags detonated in mid-air, leaving Third Raikage, A, who had already jumped into the air, with no foothold and unable to evade, letting the explosive force hit him.
A heavy thud hit his chest immediately.
The attacks were relentless, with kunai loaded with Explosive Tags continuously detonating.
Even without specifically targeting Third Raikage, A, the widespread area meant that once he jumped into the air, he would inevitably be covered by the explosive firepower of the Explosive Tags, held back mid-fall.
Once more, Third Raikage, A was struck down by the explosive force of the Tags, though saying "struck down" might be an exaggeration as it only altered his original direction slightly, landing him in the narrow labyrinth corridor.
Boom!
As soon as he descended into the corridor, the ground was engulfed in the explosive flash.
It was the landmines used by the Hidden Rock Demolition Squad.
In an instant, Third Raikage, A recognized the underground explosive device.
A mine resistant to my Lightning Style? His expression turned serious as the situation appeared graver than he imagined.
These anti-lightning mines are not something that could be made in a few days; they must have been part of Hidden Rock's new arsenal long prepared.
Given that Hidden Rock's bombs are Earth Style-based, countered by Lightning Style, it's plausible they developed anti-Lightning Style mines over the years.
Yet, why weren't they used in previous battles, only to appear now...
Third Raikage, A was contemplating this when suddenly, from the sky came a robust voice:
"Dust Style: Original Realm Stripping Technique!"
Third Raikage, A felt a fearsome presence approaching and immediately rolled to evade.
A cylindrical hollow appeared, the ground beneath vanished into void, mysteriously evaporated.
Third Raikage, A looked up, squinting his eyes.
In the sky, dozens of figures were floating, flying.
The leader donned ancient layered armor, short and small in stature, with graying hair and beard, signs of old age.
With a medical bandage wrapped around his waist, he held his hands before him, casting a mocking and scornful smile at Third Raikage, A.
It was none other than the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of the Hidden Rock Village.
Known as the 'Both Scales' ninja.
Wielding the Kekkeitota, more powerful than the Kekkeigenkai—the Dust Style!
Also possessing the troublesome Flying Ninjutsu, allowing him to distribute Chakra, enabling accompanying ninjas to temporarily gain flying capabilities.
The dozens of Hidden Rock Ninjas flying behind Onoki comprised an elite squad of Jonin and Special Jonin, with fierce eyes glaring at Third Raikage, A.
"Onoki, you..."
Third Raikage, A suddenly understood, it all made sense.
"Quite reckless, Lord Raikage. But you should be grateful for your recklessness, allowing you to stay behind alone, so your subordinates could escape danger... I originally intended to capture all of you. Never mind, taking care of you alone will make up for previous losses."