The strength Aoyama Ryuyun displayed now was enough to make everyone submit.
"This…"
Shinnosuke was starting to doubt his life.
"This kind of opponent… do I really want to go against him?"
Honestly, Shinnosuke was already a bit intimidated.
But when he thought about the condition of his arm, he steeled his resolve. Regardless, he had lost an arm — that much wouldn't change.
If this grudge wasn't avenged, Shinnosuke felt his strength would forever remain at its current level.
On Kumogakure's side, within just a few minutes,
the original six thousand ninja had already fallen by nearly half.
"Raikage-sama! We can't let this continue!"
The Third Raikage's deputy, face grim, turned toward his leader.
Under Aoyama Ryuyun's Haki,
even the Raikage's deputy began to waver.
"Damn it!"
Realizing this, the Third Raikage's expression darkened with hatred.
He had originally thought Aoyama Ryuyun's claim of cutting their numbers in half was a joke.
But now, he understood — it was no joke at all.
The man before him truly possessed the power to change the tide of battle.
Haoshoku Haki continued to sweep across the battlefield.
As time passed, Aoyama Ryuyun alone was enough to defeat the Kumogakure forces — perhaps without anyone else needing to lift a finger.
"This Haoshoku Haki is perfect for clearing out cannon fodder," Ryuyun remarked.
He wasn't without large-scale techniques, but for sweeping away weaklings, Haoshoku Haki was undoubtedly the best.
"Hell Stab – Four-Finger Nukite!"
Suddenly, a flash of blue lightning tore across the battlefield.
The Third Raikage, with four fingers raised, charged toward Aoyama Ryuyun at blinding speed.
He knew that if he didn't defeat Aoyama Ryuyun first, the war was already lost.
"Die!"
The Third Raikage's glare burned with fury as the lightning around his body grew ever brighter.
"Clang!"
Sparks flew as an arm wrapped in Armament Haki blocked the Third Raikage's Four-Finger Nukite head-on.
"What?!"
"Be on guard! Quickly!"
The Third Raikage's movements were too fast — by the time Konoha's ninja reacted, he and Aoyama Ryuyun had already clashed!
At the same time, Kumogakure's forces, led by Ay — the future Fourth Raikage — and Killer Bee, launched their assault on Konoha.
"For Konoha!"
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio took the lead, charging toward the enemy ranks.
Many of Kumogakure's ninja had already collapsed under Aoyama Ryuyun's Haoshoku Haki.
Now, the numbers on both sides were nearly equal.
"What kind of defense is this?!"
The Third Raikage frowned. His Four-Finger Nukite had failed to pierce the Armament Haki shielding Aoyama Ryuyun's body.
A power he had never heard of — could this be some kind of Kekkei Genkai?
Facing him, Aoyama Ryuyun smirked.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told a brute like you."
"You…"
The Third Raikage, known as the strongest spear and shield, had never been so belittled.
"You're asking for death!"
With a flash of lightning, his figure vanished.
Aside from the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode could push speed to its utmost limit.
Just like the future Fourth Raikage, his speed was only slightly inferior to Minato Namikaze's teleportation.
"Too slow."
With a single motion, Ryuyun drew both Kuruki and Sakura Ju.
He turned sharply, holding both blades horizontally before him.
"Clang!"
The Third Raikage, cloaked in lightning, appeared instantly before Ryuyun, striking at him — only to have his blow caught.
"Nani?!"
His speed — seen through?!
The Third Raikage, who prided himself on unmatched velocity, was genuinely stunned.
"Is a Raikage only capable of sneak attacks?" Ryuyun mocked coldly.
He wasn't worried about Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique,
so why would he fear mere speed?
Pure speed — no matter how fast — could still be read by top-tier Kenbunshoku Haki.
"Hmph!"
The Third Raikage's cold snort masked his growing unease.
He retreated several meters, raising his hand again — his four fingers slowly retracting until only three remained.
In the Hell Stab series, the fewer the fingers, the greater the power.
"Hell Stab – Three-Finger Nukite!"
"Whoosh!"
His body became a streak of blue lightning.
Ordinary eyes couldn't even follow him.
"Shishi Odoshi – Kirigiridani!"
Endless sword energy erupted from Aoyama Ryuyun, cutting through the air toward the Raikage.
The Third Raikage's Hell Stab was forced to a halt.
He had intended to rely on his Lightning Release Armor — the "strongest shield" — to withstand it.
But he had clearly overestimated himself.
The moment the sword energy touched his lightning armor, cracks began to spread across it.
"How… how is this possible?!"
The Third Raikage could hardly believe it — his so-called strongest defense, utterly useless.
But now was no time for shock.
He immediately withdrew his Three-Finger Nukite and dodged backward to avoid the continuing barrage.
Holding both great swords, Aoyama Ryuyun's gaze stayed locked on him — calm and dismissive.
"It seems the so-called strongest shield is nothing special after all."
"Damn it!"
The Raikage gritted his teeth, torn between fury and fear.
He had thought Aoyama Ryuyun — this "Golden Lion" — was just a loud name, not worth concern.
But now he understood — this man's power was monstrous.
"For the future of the Hidden Cloud Village," the Raikage growled, "I cannot let you live!"
Dazzling lightning surged once again around his body.
His furious eyes fixed squarely on Aoyama Ryuyun — and his raised hand now had only one finger extended.
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