Mayuri Kurotsuchi Card Game, starting from Naruto

Chapter 96 The Raikage's Mask

No longer able to consider whether to keep or eliminate the Sand Ninja, Tsuchikage began to shrink the Cloud Ninja forces while also sending people to scout and support the Third Raikage.

Onoki floated back into the air to Iwagakure's elite squad of Kage.

"Lord Tsuchikage, the Sand Ninja have begun their retreat. Should we leave them behind?" Higashi Shijin, a Jonin from Iwa, asked Onoki, who had just landed.

"Let them leave." Onoki hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"Wouldn't it be better to leave them behind?" Higashi no Shijin was somewhat surprised, not expecting that his own Tsuchikage would be willing to let the already routed Sand Ninja leave with him.

"Breaking news: that old woman from the Sand Village has arrived with the One-Tailed Jinchuriki," Onoki said softly.

The dead man immediately understood.

Bringing the One-Tailed Beast along and deliberately leaking information about the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts is clearly intended to intimidate them.

The fish died and the net was broken?

Dong Siren didn't believe that a single One-Tailed Jinchuriki could withstand the current Iwagakure forces, even with the addition of the Cloud Ninja.

However, if the Sand Village and Cloud Village are forced to join forces, it would indeed be a big problem for the Iwagakure Village!

The Tsuchikage, who prefers a safe and stable approach, obviously doesn't want any unexpected complications or setbacks at this critical juncture.

Let's retreat then.

The Sand Village, already so devastated that it could only defend itself and was powerless to actively participate in the war, was practically out of the game in this Shinobi World War.

If we can eliminate the Cloud Ninja here, then the Cloud Ninja Village will have no choice but to retreat and lick its wounds. The Iwa Ninja will then launch a full-scale invasion of the Land of Fire and begin the final war with Konoha.

……

"Rui, you take Bee and the Cloud Ninja forces back to the village." The Third Raikage returned to the camp and gave the order to his son and subordinates.

"Dad!" Rui's eyes widened, and his unease instantly reached its peak.

"I'll stay here and hold off Onoki and his main force." The Third Raikage's tone was calm.

"Raikage-sama..."

"Hurry up! As long as you are still here, the Cloud Ninja will not be eliminated in this great war and will still be one of the five great ninja villages!"

"The Iwa ninja have surrounded the battlefield, but with me drawing their attention, it won't be difficult for you to break through. I will hold off as many pursuers as possible for you." The Third Raikage interrupted Tsuchikage, speaking with decisive resolve.

"Rui, from this moment on, you are the Fourth Raikage!" The Third Raikage turned his gaze to Rui and said to him.

"Finally, leave me the mask codenamed One."

……

"Did they split up? Where is the Third Raikage?" Onoki also received information from the Iwa ninja ahead that the Kumo ninja had split up to break through, which did not surprise him. His attention was on the Third Raikage.

As long as the Third Raikage can be dealt with, even if some of the Cloud Ninja manage to break through, they will not be able to escape the subsequent pursuit by the Iwagakure.

"The Raikage is leading his men and charging this way."

The Iwa ninja who reported this information was also somewhat surprised by the Third Raikage's choice.

"To die?" Onoki instantly discerned the Third Raikage's thoughts. He was somewhat moved by the Raikage's choice.

The Second Hokage of Konoha did the same thing.

"The Raikage is a qualified Kage!"

Onoki gave a thumbs-up, expressing his appreciation. But then, without hesitation, he began issuing a series of targeted orders to the Iwa ninja.

Even if they were to develop a mutual respect, or even switch identities, Onoki might make the same choice, but that wouldn't stop him from eliminating you, as well as the Cloud Ninja you wanted to protect.

The Raikage led a squad of Cloud Ninja into the vicinity of the Iwa Ninja. As the Iwa Ninja swarmed towards him, the Cloud Ninja squad that had come with him was attacked and disappeared one by one, leaving only a strong figure that flashed like lightning on the battlefield.

The overwhelming ninjutsu could not keep up with the figure flashing across the battlefield. Even with a wide-range ninjutsu bombardment, the figure would often emerge from the ninjutsu and charge into the group of ninjas who were releasing the ninjutsu, causing casualties to the Iwa ninjas.

In an instant, at that almost blinking speed, the entire battlefield seemed to be filled with the afterimages of the Third Raikage, and brought terrifying casualties to the Iwa ninja in the front row.

No one could withstand a single blow from him. When the Third Raikage charged, he was like a grim reaper; anyone who bumped into him would die, and anyone who grazed him would be injured.

Many Iwa ninja didn't even see him; they only heard a thunderous roar and saw a blinding figure before being sent flying, torn into pieces in mid-air, and dying instantly.

Ordinary ninjutsu was no match for the Raikage's figure. His seemingly suicidal act of charging into the Iwa ninja force was turned into a nightmare for the Iwa ninja by the Raikage's incredibly strong defense and unparalleled speed.

In just a few hours, the Iwa ninja suffered hundreds of casualties.

And that dazzling figure, enveloped in lightning, continued tirelessly traversing among the Iwa ninja, bringing death with it.

Wherever the lightning flashes, chaos and death ensues among the Iwa ninja.

Amidst the deafening thunder, the screams of the Iwa ninja rose and fell.

"Lord Tsuchikage?" Higashi Shijin looked at the Third Raikage, who was surrounded by Iwa ninja, and tentatively glanced at his own Kage, whose face remained calm.

"Wait a little longer! Let's deplete his chakra further!" Onoki said calmly. Although it was cruel to the Iwa ninja ahead, that's how war is.

A ninja powerful enough to be called one of the Five Kage could easily take on a thousand men.

Since he wanted to leave behind a Kage, Onoki was naturally prepared to bear the corresponding losses. Now was not the time to deploy the elite Iwa ninja.

At least until the Raikage's chakra is exhausted, that will be the time for the Iwa ninja elites to reap the rewards.

The Raikage was clearly aware of this as well. Although he had plenty of stamina and chakra, the Iwa ninja had obviously found a way to limit him and curb his speed.

The area he was operating in was covered by stretches of quicksand and swamps. Although his speed still seemed as fast as lightning to the Iwa ninja, he knew very well that his sprinting speed had been affected.

If this continues, he'll become a target for concentrated ninjutsu attacks. It will then become even more difficult to inflict significant damage on the Iwa ninja.

The Raikage was very familiar with this method of limiting his speed and lethality, making him feel as if he were still fighting Rasa, the Sand Ninja. The difference between the two was that Rasa's bloodline limit and restraint on him were much greater than those of these Iwa ninja.

Iwagakure clearly intended to exhaust his chakra in this way, at least to limit his speed. Only in this way could Onoki's Dust Release pose a threat to him.

To make matters worse, he had previously lost half of his arm to Dust Release, which severely hampered his ability to unleash and utilize his ninjutsu.

Lightning Release Armor and Hell Thrust rarely possess the range and range of other Lightning Release ninjutsu.

……

"It's been a whole day and night, how can they still persevere? Such determination!"

Watching the man still tirelessly charging forward within the encirclement, single-handedly building a defensive line to hold off the Third Raikage of Iwagakure, Onoki's face showed a hint of emotion.

The Iwa ninja outside the encirclement felt a sense of fear as they faced the silent figure blocking their way.

Despite their overwhelming strength and lightning armor, the opponent's body remained unscathed despite the combined fire of their ninjutsu. Moreover, once he got close, death would be the only outcome.

"His speed has slowed down." Dong Siren stood on the high platform, looking down at the Third Raikage in the distance, whose speed was restricted by the terrain altered and cut by numerous Earth Release ninjutsu. He said calmly.

The Third Raikage remains a significant threat, but the damage he inflicts is rapidly diminishing. The loss of an arm is undeniably impacting the Third Raikage's strength.

The opponent has no way to break the deadlock or counterattack using other ninjutsu. As long as they maintain the current situation, the Third Raikage will inevitably fall to their overwhelming numbers.

In fact, the fact that the Third Raikage could last for a day and a night was beyond the comprehension of all the Iwa ninja, who regarded him as a monster like a tailed beast.

Boil Release: Unparalleled Strength!

A steam-spraying Iwa ninja clad in red armor collided with the charging Third Raikage, carrying an unparalleled aura.

At the moment of impact, the newcomer raised his chakra to boiling point, and all his strength was concentrated and released in an instant.

At that moment, his armor also emitted a large amount of white steam, which spread out like water mist from a fountain.

The loud hissing of steam and the piercing sound of thunder mingled together.

boom!

The shockwave from the collision of the two incredibly strong monsters scraped away a layer of ground beneath their feet. The mud, quicksand, and mounds of earth used to restrain the Third Raikage were also instantly cleared away by the shockwave.

Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki!

A Hidden Stone Ninja who has mastered Boil Release, possesses an incredibly strong body, and is adept at using Boil Release as an attack method.

A Jinchūriki who can skillfully control a certain amount of the power of a Tailed Beast will have a fighting style that is somewhat related to the Tailed Beast within them.

Just like the Five-Tailed Fox, once it charges, the horns on its head can inflict devastating damage on its enemies.

Han, the jinchūriki of the Five-Tails, also inherited the tailed beast's attack methods. In terms of strength alone, he was one of the strongest in the entire ninja world.

After a brief stalemate, the two monsters were each sent flying backwards.

"Han is actually injured." Dong Siren looked at Han, who was rolling on the ground, his body bouncing around and flying several times like a float on water, before finally coming to a stop with a large amount of steam erupting from behind him, and said in surprise.

As a fellow Jonin from Iwagakure, Higashi no Shijin knew just how monstrous Han's body was, and how powerful it was with the Boil Release and the Five-Tails' enhancement!

Once the opponent charges forward with the help of the steam created by Boil Release, almost no one can stop him on the battlefield! Even a Jinchuriki wearing a Tailed Beast Cloak will be brutally crushed by him, breaking bones all over his body.

The Third Raikage was indeed powerful, but he had been fighting non-stop for a day and a night, so it could be said that he was not at his peak condition.

And what about the Han dynasty?

Despite being the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and having conserved his energy, he still fell into a disadvantage in his preferred fighting style after the battle began.

Han steadied himself, his body emitting a steaming sound, and a tail, accompanied by a layer of tailed beast clothing, appeared on his body.

boom!

The loud whistle of the steam engine made Han roar like a speeding train, leaving a trail of white, dragon-like steam phantom as it charged towards the Third Raikage once more.

However, faced with Han's provocation, the Third Raikage's eyes flickered, but he used his speed to quickly dodge and avoid a collision with Han.

He had indeed gained the upper hand in the previous collision, and even injured Han, but the speed at which he was sprinting was also forcibly stopped by Han.

In a one-on-one situation, the Third Raikage was not afraid of his opponent, even if the opponent was fully transformed into a tailed beast. As someone who had once single-handedly suppressed the Eight-Tails, he was confident that he could defeat his opponent.

But now, surrounded by Iwa ninja, he, as the rearguard, must delay the main force of Iwa ninja to buy more time for the Kumo ninja forces to retreat.

Jinchuriki are very resilient, and fighting a Jinchuriki who can transform into a Tailed Beast is a time-consuming and physically demanding activity.

Once he is contained, the Iwa ninja can confidently allocate a large number of personnel to break through his blockade and pursue and hinder the retreat of the Kumo ninja forces.

Therefore, after experiencing Han's power, the Third Raikage decisively distanced himself from him. In any case, with the support of the Lightning Release Armor, what troubled the Iwa ninja the most was not his extreme defensive power, but his lightning-fast speed.

This gives him a great deal of autonomy on the battlefield.

If it weren't for the Iwa ninja using sheer numbers to surround him, and because of the Kumo ninja, he wouldn't have wanted to leave. Without Onoki and the others intervening, they couldn't have prevented him from leaving.

But now that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki has appeared, it means that Onoki has begun to send his elite forces to the battlefield.

Soon, another powerful ninja appeared, confirming the Third Raikage's suspicions.

Intense heat accompanied by rocks encased in magma rained down from the sky, each one crashing down on the Third Raikage like a meteorite.

A man with a stern face, dressed in purple clothes and a breastplate, wearing purple robes, and sporting a large beard, whose body was enveloped in molten lava that scorched the surrounding air like ripples on water, was beginning his hunt for the Third Raikage with Han.

The three chased each other, engaging in a fierce battle within the encirclement.

Even the Third Raikage felt the pressure when faced with two Jinchuriki who had strong defenses and recovered extremely quickly under the protection of Tailed Beast Chakra.

Especially Onoki, who was floating in mid-air and whose hands were constantly gathering a ball of white light, forced the Third Raikage to divert some of his attention to watch his movements.

After all, Onoki in the sky possessed the only Dust Release technique that could inflict fatal damage on him!

Night gradually fell.

The Third Raikage felt an unusual emptiness and exhaustion within his body. He suddenly erupted, clashing with the two Jinchuriki who were still entangled. After creating some distance, he dispelled his Lightning Release armor under everyone's gaze and put a pale white bone mask on his face.

(End of this chapter)