Chapter 69 — Awakening Skills! Burning Flames!
"How... how could... this..."
The Cloud Shinobi whose heart had been pierced by the Gentle Fist had anger and remorse in his eyes.He never imagined that his life would end in such a way — and even more absurdly, it happened right in the Raikage's office.
His body collapsed from the loss of support, and the Fourth Raikage hurriedly caught him.
"Romoy! Romoy!"
The Fourth Raikage gritted his teeth, pressing a hand against his subordinate's chest where blood gushed out uncontrollably.
Ninjas are far tougher than ordinary people — but most of them are glass cannons. Once the heart is destroyed, survival becomes nearly impossible.Unless you're someone like Kakuzu, with multiple hearts and forbidden jutsu to replace the lost ones.
But Romoy was no such person — no special bloodline, no hidden technique.There was no saving him.
Still, the Fourth Raikage refused to give up.This was Cloud Shinobi Village, their home territory.If he could get Romoy to the medical corps quickly, maybe — just maybe — there was still hope.
"Come on!"
The Fourth Raikage roared.
From Hyuga Hiashi's appearance to the counterattack, only a few seconds had passed.But that brief exchange was enough.The Cloud Shinobi stationed outside heard the sounds of battle and their Raikage's voice.
They reacted instantly — dozens of shinobi rushed toward the office.
The Fourth Raikage wasn't afraid of Hyuga Hiashi — but he couldn't ignore the fact that Romoy was bleeding out before him.
He had managed to use Lightning Release Chakra to cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding for now, but it wouldn't last.If Romoy wasn't treated immediately, it would be too late.
And besides — the Raikage didn't need to fight alone.He was the symbol of Cloud Village; his subordinates existed for a reason.
Hearing the rush of footsteps outside, Hyuga Hiashi's heart sank.
He had intended to finish this quickly — one strike, one kill.But the Fourth Raikage had survived.
Now, with reinforcements on the way, the odds were worsening by the second.Even if Hiashi had grown stronger, there was no way he could handle an entire army of Cloud Shinobi.
The thundering footsteps grew louder.Time was running out.
"It seems... the assassination mission has failed. I can only fight my way out now."
With a sigh, Hiashi stepped forward and vanished from sight.If he couldn't assassinate, then he'd take the Raikage's head by force before more arrived!
After several rapid exchanges, Hiashi realized how difficult his opponent was.The Fourth Raikage wasn't an easy man to kill.His defense and speed were overwhelming — and unlike many ninjas, he wasn't fragile.
"AAAHHHHHH!!"
Screams echoed from outside the office — and then, silence.
Even without seeing, the Raikage knew what that meant.The intruders had helpers.
"There are others out there helping you!" he growled, his fury intensifying.
So it wasn't just a random assassination — it was premeditated.But how could Hyuga Hiashi of all people dare to sneak into Cloud Village and attempt to kill him?
How many assassins had they sent?
As the noise outside faded, a dark shadow slithered across the floor.A figure emerged from it — Sasuke Uchiha, holding an antique rifle in his hand.
"Senior, haven't you finished yet?"
He leaned casually against the wall, glancing at Hiashi and the Raikage still locked in combat.
"I took care of the ones outside, but it won't hold for long. More Cloud Shinobi are coming. Hurry up."
"He's tough," Hiashi said between breaths, "but it's fine. Just give me a little more time — I can kill him."
"Bastard! How arrogant!!"
The Fourth Raikage roared. Their casual conversation enraged him further.These two actually dared to talk about him as if he were a mere obstacle.
Did this Hyuga really think a few new tricks made him the equal of a Kage?
He glanced at Romoy's motionless body beside him.Even though he'd avoided that area in their earlier clashes, the shockwaves had still claimed his comrade's life.And now, more of his shinobi had died outside.
"Bastards! If you have a grudge, take it out on me! The others are innocent!"
When his gaze fell on Sasuke, the Raikage immediately realized what was happening.
Not long ago, he had sent agents to Konoha to capture a Sharingan.Now, Konoha's shinobi had come knocking — accompanied by an Uchiha himself.
There was no denying the connection.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Hiashi laughed coldly when he heard the Raikage's words.
"Innocent? You're right — those men had no quarrel with me. But you..." His eyes burned with fury. "You have no right to speak of innocence!"
"You said he died innocently? Then tell me — did my brother die innocently too?!"
The emotion in Hiashi's voice shook the room.
For years, he had carried unbearable pressure — from both outside and within his clan.
After all, the Hyuga clan's cruel traditions demanded that one child become the heir while the other was cursed to serve — branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
Like Hiashi and his twin brother Hizashi — one heir, one sacrifice.
Years later, the same fate was to befall his daughters, Hinata and Hanabi.But Hiashi had resisted.He had defied the clan elders, shielding Hinata from the seal's curse.
Hinata had never known this.No one had.Hiashi bore that weight alone — guilt, grief, and the memory of his brother's death at Cloud's hands.
Now, hearing the Raikage's feigned righteousness, the dam burst.
"Boring nonsense!" the Raikage spat. "If you want revenge, fine! I was the one who ordered the Byakugan capture! If you have the ability, then kill me! You won't leave Cloud alive anyway!"
Neither side could back down now.The chain of hatred had already begun — and once it starts, it can never be broken.
Before Hiashi could respond, Sasuke's expression changed sharply.
"Senior! Enough talk — Eight Tails' Jinchūriki is heading this way! I'll buy you time!"
Without waiting for a reply, Sasuke vanished into the shadows.
Outside the Raikage's Office
Killer Bee had felt something was wrong the entire time.Eight Tails' voice in his mind confirmed it: "There's fighting in the Raikage's office!"
He didn't need to be told twice.He recognized his brother's chakra instantly.Someone had dared to attack the Raikage!
Killer Bee sprinted toward the office — but before he could get close, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
"Yo, Eight Tails' Jinchūriki."
Sasuke appeared, smirking, blocking the path with clear provocation.
Killer Bee skidded to a halt, eyes narrowing.
"Konoha's forehead protector... So you're one of them. What's your purpose? How many infiltrated? Idiot! Bastard!"
Though angry, Bee wasn't panicked.He trusted his brother's strength — there was no way anyone could kill the Raikage so easily.
He'd just capture this intruder and get the answers himself.
"Do you think I'd tell you something that important?"
Sasuke's tone was calm, but inside his heart pounded.His mission was simple — stall for time.
"The name's Uchiha Sasuke."
He spun his old-fashioned pistol theatrically, striking a cool pose.
"Huh?"
Killer Bee frowned.He knew the name, of course — but according to intelligence, this kid was far weaker.How could someone like him break into Cloud Village?
Clearly, this Sasuke was just bait.
"Fine. I'll get the answers after I beat you down! Idiot! Bastard!"
He stomped forward — vanishing in a flash of lightning.
"Lariat!"
In Lightning Style Chakra Mode, Killer Bee's speed was monstrous.His massive arm, charged with electricity, curved like a blade toward Sasuke's neck—
But just before impact, he halted abruptly.The Sasuke he struck had vanished — reappearing unscathed a few meters away.
"No hand signs... time-space ninjutsu? So you're not as simple as the reports say."
"Your speed is good," Sasuke smirked, "but thinking that alone could kill me is too naive, Jinchūriki of Eight Tails."
He looked confident — but his trembling hands betrayed him.If he hadn't activated his temporal acceleration a moment earlier, that attack would have killed him instantly.
"Damn... are all Jinchūriki monsters?"
This wasn't going to be easy.
"Hey, let's play a little game," Sasuke taunted. "Let's see how many of your Cloud Shinobi die before you manage to kill me."
Then he turned and sprinted toward the nearest populated area.
Confirmed — unbeatable opponent.No reason to stick around and die.
Even if he couldn't die, it still hurt like hell.
"Damn! His target is the villagers!"
Killer Bee's eyes widened.Without another thought, he chased after Sasuke, leaving his brother's fight behind.
Back Inside the Office
"Senior, I've drawn away the Eight Tails' Jinchūriki. Hurry! I can't hold him off for long!"
Sasuke's clone appeared, relaying the message.
In the office, the Fourth Raikage was panting heavily, struggling to keep up with Hyuga Hiashi's relentless assault.
He hadn't expected the Hyuga patriarch to be this powerful.Where was the Gentle Fist he'd heard about?These moves were pure close-range destruction.
"If I didn't know better," Raikage thought grimly, "I'd swear this guy practices taijutsu like a brawler, not a Hyuga!"
"I see... Sasuke, I haven't completely mastered the next move," Hiashi murmured, dropping into a strange stance. "The side effects are severe... but I'll entrust the aftermath to you."
Sasuke's clone nodded silently and vanished.
The Raikage frowned, feeling an instinctive sense of danger.But pride and fury held him in place.Retreat was not an option.
Besides — his brother would return soon.Together, the "AB Combination" would crush any intruder!
And then he saw it — flames erupting from Hiashi's feet, rising like the infernos of hell.The Hyuga patriarch's skin flushed crimson, and an aura of burning energy enveloped him.
This was no ordinary ninjutsu.It was something far beyond that — an awakening technique, born from the legacy of the Supreme Martial Emperor.
Hiashi whispered the name of his ultimate move:
"Flaming Steps!"