This was the Third Raikage's strongest technique — the One-Finger Nukite!
"He's going all out!"
Aoyama Ryuyun watched the Third Raikage's movements closely.
Crossing Dead Tree and Sakura Ju before him, Ryuyun's expression turned serious.
"In that case," he said coldly, "let me utterly destroy all your hope."
"Brat! Die here!"
With a roar, the ground beneath the Third Raikage's feet shattered.
His figure became a streak of blinding lightning as he charged straight toward Aoyama Ryuyun.
"Hell Stab — One-Finger Nukite!"
"Lion's Roar—!"
Armament Haki, black as ink, coiled around Ryuyun's Dead Tree and Sakura Ju.
Without any intent to dodge, he lunged directly at the Third Raikage.
"Extreme Slash Wave!"
"Clang!"
Gold and blue collided — two powers of different worlds clashing with unmatched force.
When Aoyama Ryuyun and the Third Raikage met, both paused for a fleeting instant.
But ultimately, Ryuyun's swordsmanship prevailed.
Under the Raikage's disbelieving gaze, Aoyama Ryuyun's blades cleaved through the Lightning Release Armor.
With a sharp flash of light, the arm performing the Hell Stab fell to the ground.
The Third Raikage's arm was severed.
"Ah!"
Alongside the searing pain came disbelief.
The Third Raikage could not comprehend that he — the one once called invincible — had been defeated by someone he had underestimated.
And now, he had paid the price with his arm.
"Father!"
Ay, the future Fourth Raikage, trapped by the Ino–Shika–Chō formation, turned the moment he heard his father's cry.
Impossible! His revered father — injured, and by a single man!
At that moment, Aoyama Ryuyun stood tall, holding Dead Tree and Sakura Ju, their tips leveled at the Third Raikage.
"Your Lightning Release Armor," Ryuyun said coldly, "is much weaker than you think."
"Hmph!"
Even having lost an arm, the Third Raikage remained defiant — unafraid of death.
If this opponent wanted his life, then so be it.
In the Hidden Cloud Village, few shinobi ever feared death.
Aoyama Ryuyun prepared to strike again — but an octopus-like tail suddenly swung in front of him, blocking his path.
"Yo! You must be the Golden Lion, huh? Then it's time for me, Lord Killer Bee—"
"Earth Scroll!"
Too lazy to exchange words, Aoyama Ryuyun merely stomped once.
The ground erupted beneath him, controlled entirely by his chakra.
The surging rock flow sent Killer Bee flying before he could react.
However, that brief moment was enough for Ay to seize his father and retreat.
"Retreat! Everyone, fall back!"
With his father wounded, the Fourth Raikage had no intention of continuing the fight.
Many Kumogakure ninja were still in disbelief — but they all obeyed Ay's command, ceasing combat and beginning their retreat.
"To think you could just leave right in front of me… you must be underestimating me too much!"
Aoyama Ryuyun's eyes narrowed.
"To turn your back on me — do you take me for a fool?"
"Earth Scroll — Soaring Dragon!"
"Roar!"
A massive dragon of stone burst forth from the ground, roaring as it lunged toward the fleeing Raikage and his son.
"Ninjutsu — Rat Tail Sphere!"
Just as the Soaring Dragon neared them, a flurry of blue fireballs struck it head-on, shattering it to rubble.
"Yugito Nii!"
The Third Raikage turned in surprise. Before him stood Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, flames flickering around her.
"Lord Raikage, hurry and go! I'll hold him off!"
Her opponent was someone who had just defeated the Third Raikage himself — Yugito dared not underestimate him.
Her expression hardened with resolve.
"Don't worry," the Third Raikage said gruffly, "the Hidden Cloud will not abandon you."
Leaving those words behind, the Third and Fourth Raikage quickly retreated from the battlefield.
"Oh my," Ryuyun chuckled, watching them vanish. "You've been abandoned, Two-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Hmph! As long as Lord Raikage escapes, I'll still have a chance to get away!"
Yugito Nii's eyes blazed with determination. She was a Jinchūriki — proud, confident.
Even if she couldn't win, she believed she could still survive.
"Heh."
Aoyama Ryuyun chuckled softly.
"To say such a thing… how much are you underestimating me?"
Under Yugito's puzzled gaze, Ryuyun calmly sheathed Dead Tree and Sakura Ju.
"You…"
Her brow furrowed — what was he doing? Was he not even planning to fight seriously?
Before she could speak further, a voice thundered from him:
"Earth Scroll — Four Extreme Sacred Beasts!"
To deal with a monster, one must summon monsters.
"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!"
From the ruptured earth emerged the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise — colossal constructs of rock and chakra, roaring in unison.
They surrounded Yugito Nii from all sides, eyes glowing with murderous intent.
"Nani?!"
Yugito's eyes widened in disbelief.
Compared to when he had fought the One-Tail years ago, Aoyama Ryuyun's mastery of the Four Extreme Sacred Beasts had grown exponentially.
The creatures were larger, their chakra denser, their power overwhelming.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The fully transformed Two-Tails clashed violently with the Four Sacred Beasts.
Each collision shook the earth, a brutal battle of titans.
"They're… all monsters!"
At that moment, Nara Shikaku and the others finally caught up to Ryuyun.
The Kumogakure forces had withdrawn, leaving only Yugito Nii — the Two-Tails — on the field.
Watching Aoyama Ryuyun command the Four Sacred Beasts with terrifying precision, even Shikaku fell silent.
He had long known Aoyama Ryuyun's strength was abnormal — far beyond any ordinary shinobi.
But seeing it firsthand… he could only sigh.
"This… this is a true monster."
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