Kokuō sneered, "You still have the nerve to talk about me. Aren't you also working for Kumogakure?" Its gaze carried a hint of wisdom as it coldly stared at the Eight-Tails, Gyūki.
Gyūki shook its head. "You don't understand, Kokuō. B is different. I am not fighting to help the Kumo-nin. I am fighting for B, for his sake. Otherwise, why didn't I transform earlier to stop you from killing the Kumo-nin?"
Kokuō mocked, "Gyūki, you're still like this. All day long, you act like some enlightened bald monk, all mysterious and cryptic. So, are we fighting or not! If not, I'm leaving!"
"Kokuō, you and I hit it off right away, yet you want to leave. At this moment of parting, let me see you off!" Gyūki murmured, then instantly charged a Tailed Beast Ball in front of its mouth and fired it instantly.
Kokuō broke out in a cold sweat and similarly instantly fired a Tailed Beast Ball. This kind of Tailed Beast Ball was released using its own chakra, not the natural chakra in the air, meaning it consumed its own reserves.
The two Tailed Beast Balls collided, creating a massive roar. Even the Iwa-nin fifty miles away could hear it.
Kitsuchi's face showed worry, and he prayed incessantly in his heart, "Han, you must not come to harm!"
Kokuō did not look back and turned to leave. But in the next moment, another Tailed Beast Ball shot towards it. Gritting its teeth, it did not resist, taking the blow squarely with its body. Using the recoil force of the Tailed Beast Ball, it flew far away towards the Iwa-nin position.
Where Gyūki had been standing was now covered in dust. After who knows how long, the smoke cleared, and Gyūki's eyes held a look of helplessness. Since it had promised B to avenge him, it could not go back on its word.
It had held back earlier. Although that hit couldn't eliminate Kokuō and Han, it still caused significant damage, preventing them from taking action for at least ten days.
Gyūki's figure gradually faded away, and Killer B reappeared. He murmured, "Thank you, Brother Gyūki."
"It's fine. But I can only buy you ten days at most. If that guy hasn't returned after ten days, then things won't be so simple next time!" After saying this, Gyūki closed its eyes to rest.
Iwa-nin Camp
Kokuō trembled as it braked with its hooves. It knew that Gyūki had held back earlier, aiming to render both it and Han unable to fight. If Gyūki had truly wanted to kill it, that earlier strike would have been enough!
"Lo, Lord Kokuō! You..." Kitsuchi's face showed difficulty, but Kokuō glanced at him and said, "I have done my best. After this battle, I cannot act for at least ten days. You have also seen the power of the Eight-Tails. So, if you don't want to sacrifice lives in vain, rest properly. Also, summon medical-nin immediately to treat Han."
After speaking, Kokuō's figure disappeared, and Han's body appeared, lying on the ground, his eyes vacant. Clearly, the earlier strike had caused him great harm; he had already lost consciousness!
Kitsuchi immediately summoned the best medical-nin from the village to begin diagnosing and treating Han. During this, Kitsuchi asked no less than ten times about Han's condition and when he would recover.
The medical-nin said it would take at least ten days, then began performing medical ninjutsu to treat Han.
Kitsuchi fell silent, finally speaking, "All forces retreat one hundred miles. Until Han's body recovers, no one is to act rashly. Those who disobey will be executed!"
He then pulled out a phone and first called his father, Ōnoki. After hearing about the battle situation, Ōnoki was first silent, then suddenly laughed. "You all did very well. After Han wakes up, tell him that upon his return, he will be appointed to the position of Tsuchikage Aide!"
"Iwagakure will never let any warrior shed blood and tears! Additionally, be prepared to evacuate at any time. That reckless brute should be returning soon!"
"You all..." Ōnoki smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. Those who knew him well, the old-timers who had worked with him for a long time, would understand upon seeing this expression that someone was about to be in trouble!
Kitsuchi nodded repeatedly. "Please rest assured, Father. Your son will definitely handle all matters properly and ensure we leave a 'big gift' for the Raikage!"
The corners of his mouth turned upwards, as if his wife was about to give birth!
Tsuchikage Office
Ōnoki hung up the phone and called Ryun. No one answered, and an artificial intelligence voice responded.
"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Sorry."
Ōnoki frowned. What's going on! Why isn't this Ryun answering his phone! What is he busy with? It couldn't be...
Ōnoki's eyes lit up, and he dialed another number. Soon, the call connected. "Hello, Lingling Qi, what is the current situation on the Konoha battlefield?"
Lingling Qi was Ōnoki's first eye. Wherever there was battle, he was there, delivering the latest news to Ōnoki.
"Tsuchikage-sama, the Hokage is currently charging with killing intent towards the village the Raikage is attacking, followed by over two thousand people."
"Two thousand? Why so few? How many Kumo-nin are there?" Ōnoki asked in a serious tone.
"Estimates indicate the Raikage brought four thousand shinobi, and they are running rampant in Little Stone Village, a village under Konoha's jurisdiction," Lingling Qi reported.
Ōnoki frowned. "Two thousand against four thousand... Oh, right, it's Ryun, the guy with the Buddha against ten thousand. Never mind then!"
"By the way, Tsuchikage-sama, I have something to report. It's said that before coming here, Ryun had already slaughtered over four thousand Kumo-nin within ten minutes. None were left with intact corpses, only some torn cloth and crushed Kumo-nin forehead protectors."
"And the earth was stained red with blood. Walking on the ground was like walking in mud after rain, sticky." A trace of panic flashed in Lingling Qi's eyes, and his voice trembled slightly.
He had been a scout for many years and had seen all sorts of scenes, but a scene like this, one resembling hell, was his first time seeing it!
Ōnoki was silent, then slowly said, "Protect yourself. Whether you witness this battle or not doesn't matter. You must protect yourself!"
After saying this, Ōnoki hung up, extracting the words Lingling Qi had just said. He couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine!
Ten minutes, four thousand people, a river of blood, the path muddy!
Whew, fortunately, he chose to cooperate with Konoha. If he had truly cooperated with the Raikage and Mizukage, wouldn't that mean the family fortune he had worked so hard to accumulate would be wiped out in one go?
Just thinking about it made his heart ache. Ōnoki's mouth twitched. He then stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the Tsuchikage building, and looked in the direction of the Hidden Leaf Village to the southeast. He shook his head, then murmured.
"Third Raikage, oh, Third Raikage, why did you have to provoke him! He's a man who kills without blinking. Your Kumogakure is in trouble now! Big trouble!" Ōnoki smiled wryly.
No one knew if he was mocking the Third Raikage, laughing at himself, or庆幸 his own choice was correct.
No one knew. The office staff didn't know, the Iwagakure elders didn't know, and even Ōnoki himself wasn't clear about his own current state of mind.
Little Stone Village
The Raikage's face was stern. "Everyone, search house to house. Don't let a single household go unchecked! Pack all stored food and treasures into scrolls."
"As for the women, each person can only pick one. If anyone takes more, don't blame my Hellstab for being merciless!" The Raikage's voice was loud, reaching everyone's ears.
The Kumo-nin responded in unison, "Yes!" Then they began to bully men and dominate women, committing rape and pillage.
The Third Raikage listened to these sounds, the corners of his mouth turning upwards. How wonderful! This feeling! Trampling underfoot those lofty, peaceful citizens of the Land of Fire!
The Third Raikage had a conscience, but not much. Just as he was enjoying himself, eyes closed, listening to the villagers' screams and wails, suddenly a shinobi came to report. "Raikage-sama, Iwagakure has dispatched fifteen thousand troops, heading straight for our Kumogakure!"
The Third Raikage's eyes widened. He grabbed the shinobi by the neck and shouted, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could that old fool Ōnoki have such audacity to dare sneak attack my rear flank! This is too much!"
The shinobi's neck was gripped, his face turning red from lack of oxygen, unable to make a sound.
Seeing this, the Third Raikage released his hand, throwing the shinobi aside. Then he yelled, "Everyone, stop what you are doing! Follow me back to Kumogakure to slaughter the Iwa-nin dogs!"
The four thousand shinobi stopped, their faces changing dramatically. They quickly gathered and followed behind the Third Raikage, preparing to return to Kumogakure for support.
At that moment, Ryun and Namikaze Minato appeared. The two looked coldly down at the Third Raikage, A, below.
The Third Raikage's pupils constricted. He gritted his teeth. Of all times, they had to show up now, just when Iwagakure was sneak attacking his home village. If Konoha and Iwagakure hadn't reached some agreement, he wouldn't believe it even if you beat him to death!
"Ryun, move aside! Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!" The Third Raikage stared at Ryun. If he made any move, he would immediately trigger his One-Finger Hellstab, aiming straight for Ryun's head!
"You killed my people, defiled the women of the citizens under my governance, and now you think you can come and go as you please? Do you think this is your home, A!" Ryun's chakra surged, his hair and clothes whipping about wildly.
Ryun no longer addressed A as Raikage. In his eyes, he was not worthy of being the Kage of a village. The subordinates reflected their leader!
"Ryun, I'll say it one more time. Get out of the way! Otherwise, don't blame me..." Before he could finish, Ryun activated his Susanoo.
A golden skeleton appeared, extending and transforming into a giant hammer. It swung through the air once before smashing down towards the Third Raikage's head.
The Third Raikage's pupils constricted. He raised both arms, chakra circulating, his Lightning Armor protecting his body!
The giant hammer struck his arms. He only felt a numbness in his arms, then roared, deflecting the golden hammer away.
This scene caused the Kumo-nin to cheer! Who else but their Lord Third Raikage could physically withstand the Susanoo? I ask you, who else!
Even on the Konoha side, many shinobi widened their eyes in shock. This was the first time they had seen the Hokage's ever-victorious Susanoo being physically repelled!
Ryun snorted coldly. "It was just a casual strike, and you can get this excited!" After speaking, Ryun extended both hands. The golden skeleton held a hammer in one hand and a golden cone in the other!
Both hands pressed down towards the Third Raikage simultaneously!
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