Is the Third Raikage strong?
Of course he is. In such a short exchange, Hayashi had already experienced firsthand the overwhelming power of a man who once fought the Eight-Tails in close combat without flinching.
But that did not matter.
Hayashi was here to kill. Whether it was the Raikage or the Tsuchikage, both were marked for death today.
With his current abilities, there were multiple ways to take down the Third Raikage.
For example, the Rasenshuriken from earlier.
Even though it had not inflicted direct, lasting damage, it had completely shattered the Lightning Release Armor around the Raikage's body in that instant.
Reforming that level of Lightning Release Armor required an enormous amount of chakra.
However, the Third Raikage's chakra reserves were absurdly vast. Even a prolonged battle of attrition would likely require multiple Rasenshuriken strikes just to wear him down.
But that approach was inefficient.
With the Raikage's speed, the moment he sensed a drawn-out fight, he would immediately retreat.
Genjutsu was another option, but the Raikage was too fast, and opportunities to cast it were rare. As for Kotoamatsukami, it had not fully stabilized yet.
The most direct method should have been the Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu ability, but even that had limitations.
There was also a technique that could absorb ninjutsu and convert it into energy before reflecting it back by distorting spatial timing. However, that ability only worked on chakra-based techniques, not pure taijutsu.
Against the Third Raikage's defensive power, the only technique that guaranteed a one-hit kill was the Hell Stab, One Finger Spear.
But that itself was a ninjutsu taijutsu hybrid.
Even if Hayashi absorbed it, part of the physical force would still bypass the absorption.
He could combine techniques, use genjutsu, and even layer Susanoo as defense, but using Mangekyo abilities repeatedly here was unnecessary.
Because there was a simpler way to kill the Third Raikage.
Much simpler.
If this were a secluded battlefield, it might take effort. But here, on this chaotic warfront filled with armies, killing him was actually easy.
"I don't really want to say this, but I'll remind you anyway. You know nothing about my terror."
Hayashi's words sounded like empty provocation.
But the Third Raikage immediately heightened his guard.
The intelligence reports only described what Hayashi had already shown. There was always the possibility he had developed something new in recent months.
At that moment, the distance between them was about twenty meters.
Hayashi formed hand seals.
Shadow Clone Technique.
A clone identical to his original body appeared beside him.
"Shadow clones again. Still relying on Rasenshuriken?" the Third Raikage thought, narrowing his eyes.
Without hesitation, he turned and moved away, choosing to regroup with Ōnoki.
Together, they could deal with any trick this opponent attempted.
Hayashi did not stop him. Instead, he matched his movement.
One step faster, his shadow clone activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished ahead.
On another part of the battlefield, Mabi had just cut down a Konoha jonin. His blade was still dripping blood when he heard a sharp tearing sound in the distance.
He turned his head.
Two massive bursts of chakra were moving at extreme speed across the battlefield, colliding and clashing as they advanced.
Without a doubt, it was Konoha's Yellow Flash and the Third Raikage.
Mabi's body tensed with excitement.
So this was the level Hayashi was fighting at.
With the Third Raikage holding him down, there was no way Hayashi could afford to focus elsewhere.
Mabi gripped his blade with both hands. Chakra surged violently into the edge, forming a sharp radiant glow.
This was a technique he had learned from samurai in the Land of Iron.
And now, he would use it to test Konoha's Lightning Flash.
The two approaching figures were already close.
His blade erupted with light, forming a massive crescent-like slash that tore through the air.
It shot forward like a wave of lightning.
But Hayashi, sensing the attack without even turning his head, curled his lips slightly in disdain.
In the next instant, his body dipped downward and shifted forward in a blur.
The lightning slash collided with the Third Raikage instead and shattered instantly.
Not every crescent-shaped strike deserved a name.
Hayashi flicked his hand casually and sent something flying back toward the attacker's direction without even looking.
Anyone who tried to interfere needed to be prepared for consequences.
He did not slow down.
In the next breath, chakra exploded beneath his feet and he vanished again, chasing the Third Raikage westward in a flash.
Mabi stood frozen.
His body staggered slightly before going still.
A Chidori Spear, condensed from Sage chakra, had pierced through his chest and pinned him into the ground. It was buried so deeply that the tail end of the spear could not even be seen.
Elsewhere, Ōnoki floated above the battlefield with arms behind his back.
Below him, a massive Stone Golem rampaged, crushing shinobi like toys.
He glanced down at Orochimaru and Sakumo and let out a faint chuckle.
"This war, in the end, is…"
Before he could finish, something changed.
His expression stiffened.
A streak of lightning tore through the battlefield.
The Third Raikage was being carried forward at terrifying speed, someone pressed behind him, forcing his body to crash through everything in their path.
They slammed directly into the Stone Golem.
The colossal construct shattered instantly, disintegrating like fragile stone.
Ōnoki's eyes widened slightly.
Why were those two here?
Before he could react further, a sharp chirping sound echoed from below.
Chidori.
He looked down.
Hayashi was already beneath him, lightning gathered in his hand as he bent his knees and leapt upward.
Ōnoki scoffed.
"Brash brat."
He did not hesitate. The trajectory was too clean, too direct.
Dust Release formed instantly in his palm.
"Die."
Dust Release, Detachment of the Primitive World Technique.
A cylindrical barrier of destruction shot forward.
At that moment, Hayashi's shadow clone smirked faintly.
Flying Thunder God, Mutually Instantaneous Revolving Technique.
In the shattered remains of the Stone Golem, Hayashi's real body appeared.
White light erupted violently.
It surged across the Third Raikage's body in front of him, consuming space itself in overlapping flashes.
Hayashi spoke softly.
"Die."
A tearing sound echoed through the air.
The Third Raikage's body split apart under the distortion of space, breaking down piece by piece until nothing remained but dispersing fragments.
Only half of his body remained for an instant.
With his last strength, the Third Raikage raised his left hand and pointed toward the direction of Kumogakure.
Then his arm dropped.
His body collapsed.
The Third Raikage died on the spot.
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