196-200

Chapter 196: This Is Peerless  

"Suiton: Suishōha (Water Style: Water Gun)!"  

Before the iron staff could strike, Yoru had already unleashed a thin, high-pressure jet of water—piercing straight through the staff and clean through Akimichi Chōza’s chest.  

"Shhhk—!"  

Behind him, over a dozen towering trees were instantly punctured, exploding with holes the size of arms.  

*Suiton: Suidanha (Water Style: Water Severing Wave)*—after Yoru had honed it to its absolute peak, even he couldn’t fully gauge its destructive power.  

With enough chakra, he could pierce straight through a mountain.  

And if he had chakra reserves on par with Hashirama Senju? Splitting a mountain would be child’s play.  

Against Akimichi Chōza? Effortless.  

"BOOM—!"  

Chōza collapsed to his knees, shaking the earth as gusts of wind whipped outward. Blood gushed from his mouth, his massive body rapidly shrinking like a deflating balloon. His chest bled freely, his breathing ragged.  

"SHIROI HIKARI (WHITE FLASH)!!"  

Even the Third Hokage’s eyes burned crimson at the sight. His Nyoi-bō (Willow Staff) came crashing down with murderous force.  

"CLANG—!"  

Yoru met the strike head-on, his blade unwavering.  

In this battlefield, only the Third Hokage could match Yoru’s speed.  

Only he could stand in Yoru’s way.  

Everyone else? They’d be slaughtered in an instant.  

…Except, perhaps, Might Guy.  

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"  

In his fury, the Third Hokage’s staff became a spinning blur—a relentless storm of crushing blows that forced Yoru to pour every ounce of his sword intent into defense. His focus was razor-sharp.  

"SCHLICK!" "SHING!" "RIIP—!"  

The two clashed in a whirlwind of savage taijutsu, their wounds multiplying with each exchange. The onlookers could barely keep up, hearts pounding.  

Kage-level battles could sometimes be eerily silent—like Uchiha Itachi’s fights in the old tales.  

But other times?  

They were pure, unbridled chaos.  

Like now.  

The Third Hokage raged like a demonic ape, his staff colliding with Yoru’s blade in explosions that shook the earth. The air itself screamed, sparks flying like falling stars as the ground cracked beneath them.  

"Incredible…"  

"I’ve never seen the Hokage fight like this before!"  

Even the Kiri-nin (Mist ninja) watched in disbelief.  

To them, Yoru had always been invincible. Yet here he was, deadlocked in battle.  

"So this is the Third Hokage’s true strength…?"  

"No wonder Yoru-sama feared him."  

"Truly worthy of the title ‘God of Shinobi’!"  

But despite their awe, not a single Kiri-nin doubted Yoru’s victory.  

After all—he still hadn’t used his trump cards.  

A hundred exchanges later…  

The Third Hokage only grew fiercer, pressing Yoru relentlessly—almost forcing him on the defensive.  

"HOKAGE-SAMA! FINISH HIM!"  

"AVENGE NARA-SHIKAKU!"  

The Konoha-nin roared in support.  

Not to be outdone, the Kiri-nin fired back:  

"Yoru-SAMA! SHOW HIM YOUR POWER!"  

"YOU’LL NEVER LOSE!"  

Yet neither fighter paid them any mind.  

In a battle of this level, even a split-second distraction meant death.  

Yoru might seem cornered—but had the Hokage truly gained the upper hand?  

No.  

They were still evenly matched.  

"Impressive, Third Hokage. You’re the first to push me this far."  

Yoru smirked.  

"But how much longer can your old body hold out?"  

At over sixty, the Hokage’s stamina was fading. His chakra reserves dwindled, his reflexes dulled.  

He couldn’t outlast a young monster like Yoru.  

"…"  

The Hokage didn’t reply—but the flicker of tension on his face said everything.  

"No need to rush, Hokage-sama. The more desperate you get…"  

Yoru’s voice was light, taunting.  

"…the more openings you’ll show."  

"COWARD!"  

"FIGHT HIM FAIRLY!"  

The Konoha-nin seethed.  

The Kiri-nin only laughed.  

"Fair? Since when has the world ever been fair?"  

"Only the strong make the rules."  

Another hundred exchanges passed—  

And finally, the Hokage’s movements slowed. His blocks grew sluggish.  

"CLANG—!"  

Yoru’s blade smashed downward, hurling the Hokage back.  

Then—  

The suffocating sword intent around Yoru vanished.  

The air itself trembled.  

A primal dread gripped every onlooker.  

"SARUTOBI! RETREAT—!"  

The Nyoi-bō suddenly spoke—no, not the staff.  

Enma, the Monkey King.  

His voice was urgent, panicked.  

"Retreat? After I’ve gone to such lengths?"  

Yoru’s lips curled.  

"Shanmetsu (Flash Annihilation)."  

In the next instant—  

He moved like light itself.  

Appearing before the Hokage in a flash, his blade aimed to cleave through him in a single, fatal stroke.  

The Hokage’s blood ran cold.  

He couldn’t dodge.  

But just as death loomed—  

Enma acted.  

Reverting from staff form, the Monkey King shoved the Hokage away—  

And took the full brunt of Yoru’s slash.  

"RIIP—!"  

A sickening tear echoed as Enma was nearly bisected, crashing to the ground.  

"What a shame."  

Yoru sighed.  

"POOF!"  

Enma vanished in a cloud of smoke—  

And the Hokage’s roar of fury shook the battlefield.  

"YOU BASTARD—!!"  

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)!"  

Four clones erupted into existence, encircling Yoru in a pentagonal formation.  

All five figures weaved hand signs in unison—  

"Godō Dairendan (Five Elements: Grand Annihilation)!"  

Chapter 197: Even the Third Hokage is Helpless  

At this moment—  

Lightning Release: False Darkness! 

Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb! 

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet! 

Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet! 

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!  

All five attacks surged forward simultaneously.  

The fire and wind techniques amplified each other, merging into a triple-element assault, while water and lightning intertwined, roaring through the air with devastating force.  

The sheer power distorted the surrounding atmosphere, shaking the earth and splitting the ground apart!  

Against this onslaught, even the Tailed Beast Bomb might pale in comparison.  

"It's happening! The Hokage's ultimate technique—Five Elements Unison Seal! They say its power rivals a Tailed Beast Bomb!"  

"White Fang’s Light is done for! There’s no way he can block this!"  

The Konoha shinobi erupted in excitement at the sight.  

But Yoru didn’t flinch. With a single hand seal, he slammed his palm onto the ground—  

Barrier Technique: Six Pillar Flame Formation!  

BOOM!  

Six fiery pillars erupted, forming a crimson hexagonal barrier just as the attacks collided.  

KABOOM!  

The earth trembled. A shockwave of scorching heat forced everyone back. Yet, no matter how violent the explosion, the barrier stood unshaken—without even a hint of strain.  

"No way… It didn’t do anything?!" 

"This can’t be real!"  

The Konoha shinobi watching from a distance were stunned, their confidence crumbling in the face of such overwhelming strength.  

Meanwhile, inside the barrier, Yoru wasn’t idle.  

Lightning Release: Thunderfall Array!  

A storm of lightning descended toward the Third Hokage, who barely managed to dodge in time. His expression darkened.  

"To think even my ultimate technique is useless against him…"  

The Five Elements Unison Seal was, in his mind, a world-ending technique. If even that failed, what else could he do?  

Especially now that Enma was critically wounded, possibly dead.  

"What’s wrong, Third Hokage? You look a little… flustered."  

Yoru’s mocking voice echoed just as another bolt of lightning chased the Hokage down.  

"Tch!"  

The Third Hokage hurled kunai toward the voice’s origin, but they were effortlessly deflected. With the relentless lightning barrage, he couldn’t even form hand seals.  

At least he’d dispelled his shadow clones—no point wasting chakra.  

"Hokage-sama, we’re here to assist!"  

A squad of ANBU rushed in, and Inoichi Yamanaka finally found an opening to join the fight. The earlier battle had been too intense for him to intervene.  

"You think a few extra bodies will change anything? Face it—Konoha has already lost."  

Yoru smirked, raising a hand to the sky.  

"Heavenly Thunder… FALL!"  

Instantly, the sporadic lightning transformed into a torrential downpour of destruction, blanketing the area in a storm of electricity.  

"Damn it!" Inoichi and the others barely had time to react.  

"Earth Release: Earth Corridor!"  

The Third Hokage’s quick defense shielded them—but only for a moment.  

CRACK!  

Under the force of twenty-three consecutive strikes, the earthen barrier shattered in seconds.  

Yet, just before it collapsed—  

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"  

A massive dragon of rock erupted beneath Yoru, forcing him to leap back. The momentary distraction weakened the lightning storm, buying the Hokage enough time to reinforce the barrier.  

"Earth Release: Mud River!"  

Before Yoru could land, the ground beneath him turned into a raging torrent of mud, sweeping him away.  

"As expected of the Third Hokage."  

Yoru sighed—without the ability to fly, he had no choice but to ride the current.  

(Latest chapter available at 69shu!)  

Seizing the opening, the Hokage dispelled the barrier.  

Nine ANBU split into three teams, launching a coordinated assault while Inoichi prepared to strike with his Mind Body Switch Technique.  

"Cough!"  

Yoru reappeared nearby, having used Water Clone Substitution to escape. If he’d taken that mudslide head-on, broken bones would’ve been the least of his worries.  

"Fire Release: Sacred Flame Technique!" 

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"  

Two ANBU captains combined their jutsu, transforming two ordinary B-rank techniques into an S-rank inferno.  

The sky burned. The air warped.  

Yet Yoru simply drew his sword.  

"Flash Slash."  

A streak of cold light split the flames in half.  

The two ANBU barely registered what happened before blood sprayed from their bodies.  

"Wha…?"  

Their strength drained away. They collapsed, unable to even muster chakra.  

"Tch!" The Third Hokage inhaled sharply.  

Before the sword’s momentum faded, he formed another seal—  

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"  

A massive fortress of earth rose, sturdy as steel.  

Yet—  

"SHINK!"  

The blade cleaved straight through.  

"Move!"  

The Hokage yanked his remaining men back just as the slash tore through where they’d stood.  

"Impressive reflexes, Hokage. But how long can you protect them?"  

Yoru smirked, forming dual hand seals before Inoichi could react.  

"Water Release: Water Gun!" 

"Lightning Release: Thunder Bullet!"  

A barrage of high-speed water bullets and crackling lightning orbs rained down.  

The Hokage’s eyes widened.  

"He’s using two techniques at once… with that speed?!"  

Chapter 198: The Third Hokage, Defeated  

"Is this guy a monster?!"  

That was Inoichi Yamanaka’s horrified thought the moment he was hit.  

Using two jutsu simultaneously—such a thing defied all logic.  

"ZZZT—CRACKLE!"  

The lightning orbs exploded, engulfing him in a web of electricity. Every one of Yoru’s attacks carried this lethal conductive property, ensuring no one escaped unscathed.  

The ANBU who had been struck collapsed to their knees, blood seeping from their wounds. They were out of the fight.  

"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"  

The Third Hokage, however, was still standing strong. Dodging with monkey-like agility, he counterattacked.  

"Lightning Release: Raging Waves!"  

Yoru met the assault head-on, his sword flashing in the same motion. A razor-sharp slash of chakra tore through the air, aimed straight at Inoichi.  

The ANBU were irrelevant—but Inoichi’s Mind Body Switch Technique? That was a real threat.  

"You won’t succeed!"  

One of the wounded ANBU roared, forcing himself up.  

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"  

A barrier rose between Inoichi and the attack—but it might as well have been paper.  

"SHINK!"  

The sword wave sliced through the defense in seconds.  

Inoichi barely managed to roll aside, still crackling with residual lightning.  

"Too slow, Inoichi!"  

Just as the Yamanaka clan head tried to form his hand seals, Yoru’s eyes flashed crimson.  

"Genjutsu: Paralysis Jutsu!"  

Inoichi’s body locked up mid-motion, sending him crashing to the ground.  

"Now, Hokage—try saving him!"  

Yoru lunged—forcing the Third to abandon his assault and give chase.  

"Genjutsu: Darkness Technique!"  

Suddenly, blackness swallowed Yoru’s vision.  

"Tch. You think this will stop me?"  

With a smirk, he activated his Sensory Barrier, moving unhindered straight toward Inoichi.  

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"  

The Hokage reacted instantly. A massive earthen dragon erupted from the ground, roaring toward Yoru.  

"You will NOT harm anyone under my watch!" the Third snarled.  

"Oh?"  

Yoru leapt, effortlessly evading the dragon—then twisted mid-air, hands already forming another seal.  

"Water Release: Severing Wave!"  

A blinding streak of pressurized water shot from his mouth—  

"PCHT!"  

—and pierced clean through the Hokage’s chest.  

"My target was never Inoichi… It was YOU, old man."  

Two more water blades followed, shredding the Hokage’s knees. The legendary leader of Konoha collapsed, unable to stand.  

"Checkmate, Third Hokage."  

Yoru charged forward, his hands still weaving seals, an oppressive aura radiating from him.  

"PROTECT THE HOKAGE!"  

The remaining ANBU screamed in desperation—but they were too late.  

Only the six injured operatives managed to retaliate:  

"Lightning Release: Earth-Spreading Current!" 

"Lightning Release: Lightning Pillar!" 

"Fire Release: Sacred Flame Technique!" 

"Earth Release: Rising Earth Spears!" 

"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!" 

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"  

A barrage of elemental fury surged toward Yoru—  

"Hmph."  

A single swing of his sword.  

Two crescent-shaped slashes tore through the onslaught, dispelling every last jutsu—and sending the ANBU flying.  

"IMPOSSIBLE!"  

The Konoha shinobi could only watch in horror.  

(Latest chapter available at 69shu!)  

The battlefield was a slaughterhouse.  

Under the Mist’s cover, Yoru’s water clones moved like phantoms, their swords reaping lives with lethal precision.  

Four hundred dead.  

The remaining Konoha forces were split apart, hunted down in isolated pockets.  

Only the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and Yugito Nii fought openly—and even they were pushing their advantage.  

• Asuma Sarutobi vs. Kisame Hoshigake: Once Samehada appeared, Asuma was overwhelmed.  

• Kurenai Yūhi vs. Zabuza Momochi: Zabuza’s killer instinct outmatched her genjutsu.  

• Genma Shiranui vs. Ameyuri Ringo: A close match—until the Hokage’s defeat shook his focus.  

• Hayate Gekkō vs. Lari Rōga: Hayate held the upper hand, but couldn’t break free.  

• Shizune vs. Chōjūrō: A stalemate.  

• Raido Namiashi vs. Suigetsu Hōzuki: Suigetsu’s Hydrification and explosive blades were a nightmare. 

Back to Yoru—  

"Sealing Art: Chains of the Condemned!"  

His palm slammed onto the Hokage’s chest.  

Black curse markings spread like venom, sealing away the Third’s chakra and movement.  

Even crippled, the God of Shinobi wasn’t someone to underestimate.  

But just as Yoru hoisted him up—  

"Summoning Jutsu: Platform Crush!"  

A gigantic toad, wielding twin blades, slammed down from above!  

BOOOOM!  

The impact quaked the earth—but when the dust cleared…  

Yoru stood unharmed, still gripping the Hokage.  

"Sealing Team—MOVE!" he barked.  

Two figures blurred toward him.  

"Not so fast!"  

A thunderous voice boomed.  

"Wild Lion’s Mane Jutsu!"  

A storm of white hair lashed out like whips, aiming to snatch the Hokage back!  

Chapter 199: The Great Toad Sage, Jiraiya Arrives!  

"Raiton: Raichūheki (Lightning Style: Thunder Pillar Wall)!"  

Yoru formed hand seals, encasing himself in a crackling hexagonal barrier.  

The moment the lightning shield materialized, a whip-like strand of white hair lashed around him, tightening with terrifying force. The pressure made the barrier groan, its structure straining—  

But before Yoru could counter, the hair retreated on its own.  

The reason?  

The lightning coursing through the barrier had already begun surging back toward its owner.  

And that owner had no intention of getting electrocuted.  

With the hair whip gone, Yoru dropped to the ground, dispelling the barrier.  

After handing the Third Hokage over to the sealing team, he turned his gaze upward—toward the massive toad looming over the battlefield.  

"So you finally showed up… Jiraiya-sama."  

The moment Yoru spoke that name, the entire battlefield erupted in shock.  

"What?! Jiraiya-sama is here?!"  

"He actually came?!"  

For the Konoha-nin, it was a surge of hope.  

For the Kiri-nin, it was dread.  

They’d heard Yoru warn them about this man countless times.  

And now?  

He was here.  

"Tch. Didn’t expect you to recognize me so easily. You really are something else, kid."  

Footsteps echoed from atop the toad as a towering figure stepped into view, bathed in the first light of dawn.  

White, spiky hair.  

A forehead protector bearing the character for "Oil."  

Red markings beneath his eyes.  

A crimson haori over a brown undershirt.  

Wooden sandals.  

And armored gauntlets covering his forearms.  

One of the Legendary Sannin.  

The Toad Sage.  

The Gallant Jiraiya—had arrived.  

"Recognizing you isn’t hard. You’re kind of a big deal."  

Yoru smirked, though his body remained tense.  

"I’ve read The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja, by the way. Great book."  

This man was stronger than the Third Hokage.  

A true peer.  

And Yoru wasn’t about to let his guard down.  

"Guess snatching the old man back from you is off the table, huh? Damn, you’re a monster."  

Jiraiya’s tone was light, almost lazy—but his eyes never left Yoru.  

He knew exactly what kind of opponent he was facing.  

"SHOOM—!"  

A squad of Konoha ANBU landed behind Jiraiya, their voices trembling with excitement.  

"Jiraiya-sama! Lead us to victory!"  

Others in the distance perked up, their gazes desperate.  

He was their last hope.  

But—  

"Sorry, but no."  

Jiraiya shook his head.  

"Even if I tried, as long as Shiroi Hikari is here, victory isn’t guaranteed."  

"I came to end this war."  

The ANBU froze.  

Shock. Confusion. Disappointment.  

Was this really Jiraiya the Gallant?  

The man who never backed down?  

"Look around you."  

Jiraiya sighed.  

"Our forces are exhausted. Morale is shattered. We’re at a disadvantage."  

"Meanwhile, Kiri’s troops are fired up. Even with fewer numbers, they’ll rip through us."  

"If this keeps up, the best we can hope for is mutual destruction."  

"And that’s not a price Konoha can afford."  

His gaze sharpened as he locked eyes with Yoru.  

"So? What’s your answer? Keep fighting… or call it here?"  

"If we drag this out, you might not make it back to Kirigakure in time."  

Yoru raised an eyebrow.  

"Aren’t you worried people will call you a coward?"  

He was genuinely surprised.  

If Jiraiya had pushed the battle, he could’ve delayed Yoru—maybe even stopped him from returning to Kiri in time.  

This wasn’t the Jiraiya he knew.  

"What’s the point?"  

Jiraiya shrugged.  

"Even if I stall you, how long can I really hold you?"  

"In the end, you’d still make it back—and Kiri would survive."  

"Meanwhile, we’d lose our best shinobi. That’s a shit trade."  

"Plus, Shikaku’s injuries can’t wait. I’m not letting Konoha lose its top strategist."  

"As for the critics? Let ‘em talk."  

Yoru chuckled.  

"Heh. If you hadn’t shown up, I’d have bled Konoha dry."  

"But I guess fate’s feeling merciful today."  

He spread his hands.  

"Fine. I accept your terms."  

"…Eh?!"  

The Kiri-nin stared in disbelief.  

Their unyielding commander—agreeing to retreat?!  

"Smart move."  

Jiraiya grinned.  

"Y’know, if you were from Konoha, we might’ve been good friends."  

"Pass. I’d rather not be known as a super pervert."  

With that, the two titans sealed the war’s end.  

What followed was a tense negotiation over Konoha’s prisoners—filled with veiled threats, clashing auras, and the occasional thud of a table being punched.  

But by sunrise, a "peaceful agreement" was reached.  

Terms:  

• Konoha pays 30,000 ryō in silver as reparations.  

• Konoha dispatches medical teams to Kiri to establish a proper healthcare system.  

• Konoha provides medical knowledge, texts, and instructors to train Kiri-nin. 

In short—Kiri profited. Konoha bled.  

"Well then, I’ll be waiting in Kirigakure for your delegates."  

Yoru waved cheerfully as Jiraiya and the glowering Konoha forces withdrew.  

"Tch."  

The Konoha-nin could only grit their teeth and follow.  

They were too exhausted to argue.  

"Move out! Back to Kiri!"  

Compared to Konoha’s battered troops, the Kiri-nin were euphoric.  

They’d made Konoha surrender.  

They’d beaten the strongest village.  

This was a victory they’d boast about for generations.  

And with that, they raced for the coast—boarding ships back to the Land of Water, ready to defend their home.  

Chapter 200: Legendary Feats  

The news of Konoha and Kirigakure making peace, ending the war, quickly spread from the Land of Whirlpools throughout the shinobi world.  

Wherever the news reached, shock followed.  

Kirigakure’s strength was nothing short of monstrous.  

They had defeated Sunagakure and Iwagakure—and now, even Konoha could only manage a stalemate.  

Too strong!  

"If you ask me, this kind of record is all thanks to their leader—that man known as 'White Light's Chill.' He’s just too powerful."  

"Rumor has it he crushed the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, defeated Hatake Kakashi and Hyūga Hiashi, and even captured the Third Hokage alive!"  

"Tch! That insane?! Then he’s practically invincible! If even the Third Hokage couldn’t beat him, who stands a chance?"  

"Damn… He’s only thirteen in East Asian reckoning, and already unbeatable? Imagine how terrifying he’ll be when he grows up!"  

Many felt it—the shinobi world was on the brink of upheaval.  

This man, Yoru, was becoming a shadow looming over them all.  

The Daimyō’s Panic 

"What? Konoha lost too?"  

The first to receive the news was, naturally, the Fire Daimyō. He was stunned.  

"How could they lose? Even Konoha couldn’t stop him? Just how strong is he?!"  

"Then the rules we established… Are they about to collapse?"  

The thought of their decree—"Shinobi shall not interfere in national politics"—being broken sent a chill down his spine. Fear crept in.  

Suddenly, everyone around him seemed like a potential threat. His own safety was no longer guaranteed.  

The Earth and Wind Daimyō, too, sank from eager anticipation into bitter disappointment. And like the Fire Daimyō, they began to worry.  

Opportunists Arise 

As the great nations fretted, ambitious figures in smaller countries began stirring.  

If the old order was crumbling… maybe their chance had come.  

"Are kings and nobles born to rule? If others can seize power, why can’t I?"  

Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning… 

"Boss, we’re just leaving? We could’ve wiped out Kumogakure!"  

"Why leave such a dangerous enemy alive? We’ve already made them hate us—why not finish the job?"  

Zetsu licked his lips, his voice dripping with bloodlust as he trailed behind Pain.  

"Zetsu." Pain’s eyes turned icy. "We are not a mindless force of destruction. Annihilating Kumogakure would throw the shinobi world into chaos—the exact opposite of our goal."  

"Drop that line of thinking. Now."  

His glare made it clear—disobedience meant death.  

Zetsu shrugged and sank into the ground, sulking.  

Nearby, Sasori of the Red Sand grinned. "Still, we collected some fascinating puppet materials. Plenty to experiment with."  

"Hey, Zero," Kakuzu cut in, "shouldn’t we curb Kirigakure’s rise? That brat Yoru’s growing too fast. If he gets out of hand, he could disrupt your plans."  

"Unnecessary." Pain’s voice was calm. "No matter how strong he becomes, he cannot oppose the power of a god."  

"Speaking of which—Tobi, how’s the recruitment going? Has that Uchiha Itachi agreed to join?"  

The goofy-masked Tobi gave an exaggerated salute. "Already waiting at the base, Boss! Trust me, I’m super reliable!"  

But behind his playful tone, his eyes were sharp—calculating something else entirely.  

Pain nodded, his demeanor notably milder toward Tobi.  

Kakuzu and Sasori exchanged glances. Why does Zero favor this clown?  

Eh, not worth asking.  

"Heh… Uchiha Itachi, hm? Interesting."  

A smooth, raspy voice joined the conversation.  

The speaker was a pale man with striking snake-like eyes, crimson-marked lips, and a long white robe tied with a massive bow.  

Orochimaru. The legendary Sannin, the "Snake Sage."  

"Tch, two Konoha-nin in Akatsuki? I look forward to the day you meet." Zetsu reappeared, smirking.  

The group glanced at Orochimaru, then continued their march without another word.  

Kumogakure: Ruin and Rage 

The village bore no resemblance to one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Only rubble and ruin remained.  

The Fourth Raikage sat atop a pile of debris, bandages covering his chest—a man famed for his impenetrable defense, now littered with wounds: slashes, stab marks, burns from explosions. Some were even fatal.  

Behind him, Killer B lay unconscious, barely breathing, his body similarly battered.  

Further back, the surviving Kumo-nin—wounded, dying—huddled in despair. The entire village was shrouded in suffocating gloom.  

"Damn you, Akatsuki! I’ll wipe you from this earth!!"  

"And you, White Light's Chill—you’re next! I’ll join forces with Konoha and hunt you down! Only your death will satisfy me!"  

The Raikage’s roar sent lightning crackling around him—before his wounds split open anew, blood soaking his bandages.  

"Raikage-sama! Calm down—you’re reopening your injuries!" Medics rushed to restrain him.  

The lightning faded, but his fury didn’t. His breathing was ragged, his eyes wild with murderous intent.  

And who could blame him?  

In just three days, Akatsuki had slaughtered two thousand of Kumo’s elite. Over three thousand more were injured. Barely a soul in the village remained unscathed.  

The younger generation—already depleted from the war with Kirigakure—was now gone. Only Darui remained to carry the future.  

Worse, hundreds of the dead had been stolen—by Sasori and Orochimaru—for their twisted experiments.  

The Raikage’s fists shook. He couldn’t even protect his own men’s bodies. What kind of leader was he?  

But the final insult?  

Had the Eight-Tails not tricked them with a substitution, Killer B would’ve died from tailed beast extraction.  

One battle had brought Kumogakure to the brink of collapse.  

And it all traced back to one man.  

Yoru.