Five years passed quickly.
Five years of time were enough to cause many subtle changes in the Shinobi World's landscape, and also allowed Kumogakure, under Uchiha Shaoyu's secret promotion and the Third Raikage's tough leadership, to steadily improve its strength and grow increasingly profound in its foundation.
Deep within Kumogakure, inside the giant Martial Arts Arena specially set up for the shadows to test their strength and reinforced with the sturdiest thunder-cloud steel, heart-palpitating roars and shockwaves were echoing at this moment.
One of the combatants in the arena was the Third Raikage, whose entire body was wreathed in violent Lightning Release Chakra, with muscles knotted like cast steel and hair and beard standing on end.
He pushed his Nintaijutsu of the "strongest spear" and the "strongest shield" to the absolute limit, every thrust carrying the might to pierce mountains, and every punch thrown causing the air to sonic-boom.
However, his opponent was not human, nor was it even a Summoning Beast in the conventional sense.
It was a massive, bizarrely shaped, and ferocious synthetic monster.
Its upper body was bird-like yet not quite a bird, covered in rough keratin and feathers, and its face wore a blank-expressioned white mask with a giant, bloodshot single eye at its center.
Its lower body was a winding, thick, ink-black snake body, yet it possessed tiger-like sharp claws and Round Deer-like agile hooves.
At times it spat out shadow energy bullets powerful enough to corrode Lightning Release Chakra, and at other times it closed in at ghostly speeds, its sharp claws sweeping out with spatial-tearing slashes.
This was precisely the chimeric beast summoned by Uchiha Shaoyu through the Ten Shadows Technique.
Agito!
Even as strong as the Third Raikage, he found it unprecedentedly tricky in front of this chimeric beast that fused the powers of multiple shikigami, possessed bizarre and varied abilities, and was fearless of death.
His Lightning Release attacks were either weakened and purified by the halo surrounding Agito, or nimbly dodged or forcefully endured by it, while Agito's counterattacks came from tricky angles with tremendous power, often carrying various negative effects.
"Bang!!!"
It was another head-on collision. The Third Raikage infused his entire strength into a Heavy Flowing Blast that slammed into Agito's crossed defensive claws, yet failed to knock it back; instead, the recoil left his arm numb.
The giant eye beneath Agito's mask flashed with red light, its snake body suddenly exerting force, and a tail-swipe imbued with monstrous strength lashed solidly against the Third Raikage's chest.
"Boom——!"
Even the "strongest shield" who had refined his physical body to the absolute limit let out a muffled grunt under this strike, flying backward like a cannonball and slamming heavily into the special wall at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, leaving a human-shaped indentation as rubble cascaded down.
Amidst the swirling dust, the Third Raikage shook his head, struggled out of the wall crater, his body's lightning glow slightly dimming as a dull ache came from his chest.
He waved his hand, his voice booming yet carrying a hint of helpless amusement.
"No more fighting, no more fighting, kid Shaoyu, hurry and take this monster back. If we keep fighting, these old bones of mine are really going to fall apart."
On the viewing stands at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, Uchiha Shaoyu smiled faintly and raised his hand to form hand seals.
Agito in the arena let out a low hiss, seemingly a mixture of vocal cords from different creatures, its massive body rapidly turning into flowing shadows as it retracted back under Shaoyu's feet and vanished.
Shaoyu's figure flashed, appearing beside the Third Raikage as if by teleportation, handing over a flask of clean water.
"Lord Raikage, thank you for letting me win."
The Third Raikage took the flask, chugged down a few mouthfuls, wiped his mouth, and cast his bell-like eyes up and down at Shaoyu with a complex gaze containing amazement and gratification.
There was also a trace of imperceptible emotion.
"Shaoyu..."
The Third Raikage's voice deepened.
"Over these past few years, you brat's strength has truly become increasingly unfathomable. Not just these weird, outrageously strong Summoning Beasts, but even yourself..."
He paused, recalling the scene when he had sparred with Shaoyu himself previously.
Shaoyu rarely even took the initiative to attack; he simply stood there, his entire body seemingly shrouded in an invisible force field that distorted space.
Whether it was his famous Hell thrust or the violent Lightning Oppression Horizontal, neither could truly touch Shaoyu's body. The attacks were infinitely slowed down and brought to a halt at the very last moment, as if forever separated by an insurmountable "infinite" distance.
That bizarre ability made him, the "strongest spear" who was accustomed to crushing opponents with absolute strength and speed, feel an unprecedented sense of grievance and helplessness.
"Even you yourself, this old man can no longer defeat now."
The Third Raikage admitted it candidly, his tone devoid of jealousy and filled only with the most direct recognition of the strong.
"Your strength, wisdom, contributions to the village, and the daily growing Uchiha forces under your command... have all surpassed the scope of ordinary shadows."
He turned around, looking solemnly at Shaoyu with blazing eyes.
"Shaoyu, this old man is not young anymore. Hidden Cloud's future needs a stronger and younger leader to guide it. How about it? Do you want to take over my position right now and become the Fourth Raikage?"
The Third Raikage had considered this question for a long time. Shaoyu's prestige, strength, and achievements were all sufficient; it could even be said that if not for his identity being slightly special, he could have smoothly taken the position long ago.
Hearing this, Uchiha Shaoyu did not answer immediately. His golden slit pupils calmly gazed at the bold and straightforward Third Raikage before him.
The Third Raikage should have died of exhaustion shortly after during the Third Shinobi World War while covering his comrades' retreat, fighting tens of thousands of Hidden Stone Ninja armies alone, thereby achieving the final legend of the strongest spear and shield.
But now, history had changed due to his appearance. Hidden Cloud was stronger, and the threat of Iwagakure remained, but an identical tragic delaying battle might not necessarily occur.
But...
Shaoyu slowly spoke, his tone respectful and sincere.
"Thank you for your deep kindness, Lord Raikage; Shaoyu is immensely grateful. However, I believe now is not yet the time."
"I am still young, so I don't want to deal with those dense piles of paperwork every day just yet; I still want to enjoy myself."
He paused, looking at the Third Raikage, a trace of imperceptible dim light flashing deep within his eyes as he silently added in his heart.
Moreover, Third Lightning, according to your original destiny, you might meet a tragic end in the near future.
Since I came here and changed so much, naturally I should also try to change your destined ending of dying in battle.
Once you safely pass that hurdle, wouldn't it be even more justified and without regret for me to take the position of Raikage from your hands then?
Naturally, the Third Raikage could not hear Shaoyu's inner thoughts. Seeing that Shaoyu's attitude was resolute and his reasons sufficient, he no longer forced the matter, laughing heartily as he patted Shaoyu's shoulder.
"Hahaha! Good! Since you brat still want this old man to hold the fort for a few more years, then this old man will hold it for a few more years! However, the burden of Hidden Cloud's future will sooner or later be handed over to your shoulders, so don't you even think about slacking off."
"Very well, Lord Raikage." Shaoyu bowed and replied.
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808