The strength of the Fourth Raikage is formidable.
Despite taking the position after the Third Raikage's death, the Hidden Cloud Elder Council was compelled to officially appoint him as the new Raikage, considering him the only candidate.
However, being able to swiftly assume the position of Raikage with the support of the Elder Council following his father's death demonstrates that his prowess is surely recognized by them. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to rule the Hidden Cloud Village at less than thirty years of age.
As a ninja recognized by the Hidden Cloud as one of the 'Five Kage', it's natural for Ayane not to take him lightly.
Going by that brief display of breathtaking speed earlier, an average ninja would have already been decapitated.
"With the esteemed Fourth Raikage personally stationed here, it seems that breaking through won't be easy."
Ayane's goal is to destroy the Hidden Cloud's supply point on this island.
And as the Fourth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud, not only must he prevent Ayane from achieving her mission, but he is also determined to seize that pair of Byakugan.
The Fourth Raikage snorted coldly, "A mere renegade ninja shouldn't be so arrogant; not only your life, but your Byakugan shall remain behind!"
After he spoke, the Fourth Raikage's body transformed into blue lightning, erupting with terrifying electrical light all over. It was an all-encompassing absolute defense. This layer of lighting armor could resist physical attacks and paralyze the opponent's body while attacking.
"Ha, he's truly a man of impatience."
Ayane chuckled softly, the Byakugan locking firmly onto the rapidly moving figure of the Fourth Raikage, who was even swifter than she had expected, nearly reaching her in a blink of an eye.
A fist imbued with the force of thunder pierced through the air, aimed directly at her chest.
Ayane remained composed, taking on a Gentle Fist stance to counter fiercely.
In the instant her palm made contact with the thunderous fist, chakra suddenly surged from Ayane's palm, instantly moving towards the lightning on the Fourth Raikage's fist.
The materialized chakra collided with the lightning, producing a piercing sizzling sound.
This was followed by an explosion; the Fourth Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief as his body began to retreat involuntarily. His punching arm experienced a shock of pain, furrowing his brow.
Is this the Gentle Fist? The Fourth Raikage was inwardly astonished.
He had previously faced Byakugan ninja of the Hyuga Clan, recognizing their unique taijutsu style of directly striking the enemy's internal body by injecting chakra to cause internal damage.
But even the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan couldn't completely disregard the defensive capabilities of his lightning armor.
The Hidden Cloud's secret Lightning Style Chakra Mode combines both chakra shape and nature transformation. When using this technique, the body's surface can not only flow with offensive lightning but also generate a high-defense chakra feather robe.
The combination of these two forms the complete Lightning Style Chakra Mode. The lightning armor formed in this state can completely ignore normal physical attacks. Even facing advanced Ninja Techniques of physical nature, it can block most of the force and cause negligible light injuries.
However, Ayane's Gentle Fist took him by surprise. His lightning armor was not entirely useless, but the chakra feather robe covering his body surface was directly shattered by Ayane's chakra, far more difficult than the Hyuga ninja he had faced before.
The Fourth Raikage quickly retreated, maintaining a safe distance from Ayane, then glanced at his right arm where chakra flow had slowed down.
More than the injuries caused by the Gentle Fist, it was more of a disaster, like being pierced by countless needles.
His fist's chakra armor appeared riddled with needle-like holes, as Ayane's Gentle Fist had punctured the chakra armor through these small openings, then directed chakra into his arm, severing some of the arm's chakra pathways.
The Fourth Raikage let out a light breath. The chakra armor over his right arm, attacked by the Gentle Fist, was now much thinner than other parts of his body, and the lightning was less dense.
With part of his arm's chakra channels severed, until a medical ninja applies medical ninjutsu, this arm's ability will remain weakened.
While the Fourth Raikage contemplated how to engage Ayane in battle, Ayane intended not to allow him too much time to think over strategies.
Although she had severed part of the chakra channels in the opponent's right arm, it was still insufficient to defeat the Fourth Raikage.
Unlike the Third Raikage, the opponent's Lightning Style Chakra Mode emphasizes speed and neural reaction capability, with relatively weaker attack and defense capabilities.
Ayane's attack targeted the Fourth Raikage's legs.
If she could sever the nerve pathways in the Fourth Raikage's legs, his mobility would be reduced, determining the outcome.
Realizing Ayane's blatant intention, the Fourth Raikage's fury erupted; his eyes sparked with blue electric light, his hair dramatically standing on end due to electric stimulation, while the lightning and chakra within his body surged once more, activating the complete form of Lightning Style Chakra Mode.
"Don't underestimate me!"
A body forged through relentless training was filled with explosive power as he bellowed, his voice spreading like rolling thunder: