Master, Please Become a Hokage

That palm just now almost landed directly on the Lightning Armor.

The close proximity would inevitably conduct some electricity.

However, to maximize the destructive power of the Crushing Palm, this was the best choice.

"Not bad..."

With the "Steel Release" stance flowing over his body, it almost completely negated the side effects of close-range Lightning Release.

Therefore.

"Strike him while he's down!"

Without much hesitation, Sarutobi Ryo once again used the Body Flicker Technique, rushing in front of Kurotsuchi Raiga.

He was clearly going to beat him into oblivion!

With a palm strike, the wind howled, causing Kurotsuchi Raiga's clothes to flutter.

He didn't have time to think, and with a swing of his twin swords, he chose to exchange injury for injury.

Boom!

The lightning generated from the Lightning Blades struck Sarutobi Ryo's body from a distance.

Sarutobi Ryo's Crushing Palm also struck Kurotsuchi Raiga from a distance.

"Puh!"

Kurotsuchi Raiga spat out a mouthful of blood, his entire body forced backward by Sarutobi Ryo's attack, eventually crashing heavily into the ground.

Sarutobi Ryo, on the other hand, trembled and staggered backward. However, due to the damage reduction effect of the Steel Release "Force Field," he only took a few steps back before regaining his balance.

"Argh!"

Kurotsuchi Raiga was filled with rage.

Since becoming a ninja, when had he ever been in such a miserable state?

Almost instantly, he flipped over and retreated rapidly.

"This guy... his taijutsu is too strong, I have to create some distance between us..."

Anger did not affect his judgment.

"Young Master is gaining the upper hand..." Yamanaka Kei's eyes lit up, feeling that it was time for their side to launch a counterattack.

At the same time, several Root ninja emerged from the forest.

They were worried about Nonoyu's safety, so they had returned.

"You've come at the right time..."

Nonoyu adjusted her glasses.

Sarutobi Ryo's performance gave her immense confidence.

This mission, it can be done.

"Let's move!"

Just as Yamanaka Kei and the others were about to attack, and Kurotsuchi Raiga was retreating, Sarutobi Ryo's eyes flashed, seizing the opportunity.

The saying goes, when enemies meet on a narrow road, the brave win.

When the opponent chose to create distance, the outcome was already decided.

Swoosh!

His sleeve fluttered, and a kunai appeared in his hand.

Sharp Wind Release chakra flowed over the kunai.

Only a flash of afterimage could be seen.

The fierce wind then cut through half a meter of air, directly slicing towards Kurotsuchi Raiga's neck under Sarutobi Ryo's control.

If the nature of Lightning Release was penetration, lightning-fast speed.

Then...

The characteristic of Wind Release was cutting, and... extension!

The expansive nature of wind allowed it to possess the widest range of attack.

For example, a C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough could create a large-scale effect like a strong wind sweeping through.

When Wind Release was attached to a weapon, the chakra flow could also transform it into an extended blade.

Thus, the 20-centimeter-long kunai suddenly extended by half a meter.

The transparent vibrating airflow, like a steel saw, swept across Kurotsuchi Raiga's neck.

Swoosh!

Blood bloomed.

This scene was like Asuma using Flying Swallow to cut open Hidan's neck in the original story.

The condensed wind blade inflicted the deepest wound Kurotsuchi Raiga had suffered since the battle began.

"What?!"

At the moment of being hit, he even had an expression of disbelief.

The powerful life force of a Jonin prevented him from dying immediately.

In the next second.

Kurotsuchi Raiga, whose mind was racing, made his last decision before death.

"Lightning Release... Lightning Burial!!!"

The signature move of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, also the swan song of the wielder of the Lightning Blades, Kiba.

By releasing all chakra, the chakra is channeled into the clouds, then strikes down with lightning speed, holding the grandest funeral for oneself.

And this move would also create a wide-area attack effect.

Thus... in the third second of the battle.

Kurotsuchi Raiga's technique was completed.

The dying counterattack, accompanied by deafening thunder, and an extremely bright white light that made it impossible to open one's eyes, enveloped the entire forest...

......

"Ugh..."

It was unknown how much time had passed.

Nonoyu finally regained her sight.

"Young Master~!" Yamanaka Kei's exclamation echoed in her ears.

Hayate Yūgao, who was at the side, was also somewhat eager to move.

But as a hand rested on her lower back, her rash action stopped.

If she was in her prime, she could take care of this medical kunoichi with the great body at any time!

But at this moment... in her weakened state, she could only think about it.

"Don't get excited... I just want to retrieve the Lightning Blades, Kiba..." Hayate Yūgao smiled, explaining.

The center of the forest, the location of the lightning strike, was now emitting green smoke.

The center of the hit... Kurotsuchi Raiga, naturally, had no remains left.

And the lightning that radiated out caused many trees to fall to the side.

Even just the aftershock was enough to completely kill a Chunin.

After all, this was Kurotsuchi Raiga's final counterattack, and the strongest killing move of the Lightning Blades.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The next moment.

A blackened figure crawled out of the dust.

The clothes on his body had turned into rags, and his whole body was charred black.

His stance was also somewhat unsteady.

But at this moment... no one doubted his strength.

"Young Master..."

In Yamanaka Kei's joyful gaze, in everyone's horrified gaze... Sarutobi Ryo, his eyes were like knives, as bright as the shining sun.

His powerful physical qualities and strength, as well as the deflection of the Steel Release Kekkei Genkai.

Allowed Sarutobi Ryo to withstand the fatal attack.

At the moment the lightning spread to his body, the Steel Release stance on the surface of his skin, like a ripple of water, distributed the damage to the entire surface of his body.

If it weren't for the Steel Release Kekkei Genkai, Sarutobi Ryo would have definitely been struck dead by the Lightning Release technique from such close range.

But Sarutobi Ryo relied on the Steel Release to survive.

However, just when no one noticed...

In the rainforest after the rain, another change quietly occurred...

Drip.

Water rippled.

The flowing water beside Sarutobi Ryo's feet rapidly changed.

It was as if something was controlling them.

With a rapid surge of a large pool of water, many water droplets were connected together.

Immediately afterward, a stream of clear water approached Sarutobi Ryo's side.

Splash!

Like a hand and head formed from the combination of water and a human body, suddenly "grew out" from the puddle, and finally grabbed the two Lightning Blades.

"Hehe... the Lightning Blades are mine..."

"Hm?!"

Hayate Yūgao suddenly widened her eyes, immediately recognizing the other party's identity.

"It's that Hozuki clan brat...!"

Around the same age as Kakashi, hailed as the "Hidden Mist's Genius Prodigy," Hozuki Mangetsu also participated in this mission.

Waiting for the opportunity, he took advantage of the situation, grabbed the two swords, and darted away like flowing water.

Even though Sarutobi Ryo was seriously injured, he didn't have the slightest intention of ambushing him.

At this moment, he only wanted to run away with the swords.

Kurotsuchi Raiga was dead, and the follow-up to his "duel" with Hayate Yūgao would have to be a headache for the Hidden Mist's higher-ups.

With Hayate Yūgao "colluding with Konoha" at the moment... whoever picks up the ninja sword, the sword belongs to them!

A cry of surprise sounded.

Soon, the Hidden Mist ninja left the scene to chase Hozuki Mangetsu.

The desire for the swords made them give up continuing the fight...

Chapter 43. Persuasion

"Damn it...! Cough, cough, cough..."

Hayate Yūgao, who was about to chase out, coughed violently.