A few human shadows dashed back and forth through the forest. Due to the dense trees, the sunlight couldn't penetrate, leaving the forest shrouded in a layer of dark and chilling colors.
"Lord Raikage, after passing through this forest, we can reach the nearest port and return to the Land of Lightning from there."
A rather burly male Hidden Cloud Jonin said, staying close to the Fourth Raikage's side.
"Got it. Pick up the pace, let's return to the Land of Lightning as soon as possible."
The Fourth Raikage nodded, increasing his speed.
"Yes, Lord Raikage!"
The accompanying Hidden Cloud Jonin responded heavily, also accelerating in speed, following behind the Fourth Raikage as they ran.
This time, they went out with the Fourth Raikage to acquire a secret technique passed down through the generations in the Woods Village of the Land of Woods.
The effect of this secret technique would enhance the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Style Nin-Taijutsu to be more comprehensive. For this reason, after discovering the existence of Woods Village's secret technique, the Fourth Raikage couldn't wait to lead several Hidden Cloud Jonin to attack Woods Village and acquired the secret jutsu scroll from the shrine.
They then had a battle with the ninjas who pursued from Woods Village, as Woods Village was desperate to retrieve the secret jutsu scroll.
However, due to a lack of strength, they could only harass along the way.
Therefore, the Fourth Raikage wasn't too worried about the upcoming return journey to the Land of Lightning.
Just then, the Fourth Raikage and other Cloud ninjas, dashing in the direction of the forest's edge, suddenly heard an unusual noise coming from behind them.
Including the Fourth Raikage, the Hidden Cloud Jonin became alert, stopped, and turned around, looking into the depth of the forest that had somehow turned pitch-black, resembling the gaping maw of a beast, causing a sense of dread.
"Who's there making mischief? Get out here!"
A Hidden Cloud Jonin shouted into the gloomy forest.
"Heh heh."
A cold, mocking laugh drifted into the Hidden Cloud ninjas' ears from the darkness of the forest.
A pair of red-glowing eyes lit up in the dark, like those of hungry wolves.
Standing or hanging upside down on tree branches, in groups of five, they projected a powerful aura towards the Fourth Raikage and the others.
"We thought the ones stealing Woods Village's secret technique were just a few Jonin from the Hidden Cloud. We didn't expect it to be the Fourth Raikage himself."
"From your tone, you're not from Woods Village, are you?"
Facing the hidden five, only exposing their five pairs of eyes in the dark, a Hidden Cloud Jonin asked in a tense tone.
"We are hunters hired by Woods Village. No village, no master. We take others' money to help them solve their grievances. We've come to retrieve the secret jutsu scroll of Woods Village. Hand it over."
One of them replied with a sinister tone.
"I told you, stop making mischief there!"
The Hidden Cloud Jonin standing next to the Fourth Raikage, without hesitation, drew the ninja blade from behind and charged towards the five in the dark.
The five in the dark immediately vanished like black smoke from the branches. Then, an intense white light shrouded everything in front of them.
Not only did the Hidden Cloud ninja that charged, but even the Fourth Raikage at the rear had their vision obstructed by the bright light.
"What's this? An illusion?"
The Fourth Raikage frowned, coldly said.
"The trap has been set, and now it's time for the hunt!"
A cold voice spoke from the darkness again, with a hint of mockery.
"Damn, they dare to look down on us!"
Another Hidden Cloud Jonin dashed out, hands sealing, and began releasing a ninjutsu towards the source of the sound.
"Lightning Style: Lighting Mouse Shock!"
After the squeaking of mice, numerous lightning blades spun and flew at high speed, slicing towards the dark, trying to capture all the ninjas hidden in it.
However, after performing the ninjutsu, he suddenly screamed in pain.
A huge insect-like lump bulged from his chest, even pushing up his ninja suit.
In disbelief, under the Hidden Cloud Jonin's gaze, the insect-like lump on his chest swelled again, and with a boom, exploded, leaving only a pile of charred flesh scattered in the firelight.
Seeing this scene, the pupils of the Hidden Cloud ninjas shrank, and they were enraged.
"Nigai!"
Calling out the name of the dead Hidden Cloud Jonin, other Hidden Cloud ninjas, including the Fourth Raikage, were furious at the scene.
The cruel method of killing a Hidden Cloud member in front of them was nothing less than a provocation to the dignity of Hidden Cloud Village.
"Now you see the outcome of attacking us. Hand over the secret jutsu scroll of Woods Village, and I'll spare your lives!"
"Die!"
In response to the ninja in the dark was the Fourth Raikage's furious, electrified fist.
There are those who can make Hidden Cloud compromise, but the dignity of Hidden Cloud is not something that a band of lawless bounty hunters can challenge.
With his entire body surrounded by electric light, entering the Lightning Style Armor mode, the Fourth Raikage not only combined offense and defense but also had a drastically enhanced speed.
Transforming himself into lightning, he charged into the depths of the forest shrouded in darkness, landing a punch onto the ground.
Boom!
The earth shattered.
A figure jumped awkwardly from the blasted land, looking solemnly at the Fourth Raikage.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu!"
A massive water dragon rose from the ground, descending from the sky to strike the Fourth Raikage who was preparing to continue his attack.
The Fourth Raikage snorted heavily in anger, his pupils already covered by lightning. With just a flash of electricity, the Fourth Raikage's body disappeared from his original spot, and the water dragon struck the open ground, forming a domain of water.