Chapter 55: The Weight of a Name
Hearing Akatsurugi's indifferent words, the Third Raikage frowned. It was true that Kumogakure's roster of elite shinobi had been thinned. A direct invasion by someone of Akatsurugi's caliber, with his peculiar and devastating ninjutsu, would be a nightmare to deal with. However, he refused to believe the entire village was helpless. The strength of a shinobi village was never in a single individual, but in the collective, the synergy of its many ninjas working in concert.
"You think you can intimidate me with such threats?" the Raikage sneered, taking a heavy step forward. Brilliant blue arcs of electricity erupted across his body as he activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Akatsurugi's frown deepened. The Raikage was calling his bluff, willing to gamble.
He glanced at the genin behind him—the Hokage's disciples, the future Sannin. They might die here today because of his actions.
There was no helping it. If the Raikage was truly set on killing them, Akatsurugi couldn't stop him. The man's defense was impenetrable, his speed unmatched.
"Akatsurugi," Akimichi Kōsuke said suddenly, his voice low and resolute. "When you get a chance, take them and run. En and I will stay behind to hold the Raikage."
Uchiha En gave a grim nod of agreement.
Akatsurugi sighed internally. He had hoped to avoid this, but it seemed he had no choice.
"Third Raikage," he said, his voice cutting through the tense air. "Take a good look at this ninjutsu. Ask yourself if you can truly withstand it."
He drew Ryūjin Jakka.
"All things of this world, turn to ashes. Ryūjin Jakka."
The sealed sword erupted in flame, a blade of concentrated, roaring fire.
The Raikage watched, curious but unimpressed. He knew of this flame-emitting sword. Such fire, such a blade, could not breach his defenses.
Akatsurugi thrust the zanpakutō into the earth. "Ennetsu Jigoku (Blazing Hell)!"
Instantly, dozens of colossal pillars of fire erupted from the ground, shooting into the sky like furious, incandescent towers. They roared, their heat distorting the air, casting a hellish, orange glow over the entire area.
Tsunade and the others stared, utterly awestruck. They had heard the legends of Akatsurugi, but witnessing this was something else entirely. The fire fist in the Land of Iron was one thing; these towering infernos that seemed to scrape the heavens were on an entirely different level.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a mixture of deep envy and profound admiration. This was the kind of power he sought. No hand seals, just raw, overwhelming force. Was this the true potential of a Kekkei Genkai?
Jiraiya's jaw hung open, his confidence thoroughly shattered.
Uchiha En, a shinobi proud of his clan's Fire Style heritage, felt a humbling reverence. Compared to this, the Uchiha's grand fireballs were mere sparks. The young Uchiha clansmen with him were simply terrified.
Akimichi Kōsuke, who had fought alongside Akatsurugi, was still taken aback. He had never seen this.
"Hmph. Impressive power," the Raikage conceded, his tone guarded.
"This ninjutsu can gather these pillars into a single point and detonate them," Akatsurugi stated flatly, his flaming blade still pointed at the Raikage. "The resulting explosion can scorch the earth for a hundred kilometers. Can your Kumogakure withstand that?"
He let the implication hang in the superheated air. I hold the power to erase your village from the map. Are you willing to make that wager?
The Raikage was skeptical of the hundred-kilometer claim, but the sheer scale of the fire pillars was undeniable. If they were indeed condensed and detonated within the heart of his village... the result would be catastrophic.
A profound sense of frustration washed over him. This Konoha shinobi was becoming an insurmountable problem.
"All of you, scatter on my signal," Akatsurugi said quietly to the genin behind him without turning around. "Run. Whoever is caught, dies. And I will make sure a significant part of Kumogakure is buried with you."
With that, he sheathed Ryūjin Jakka and shot into the air, hovering, his gaze locked on the Third Raikage.
The choice was laid bare. Pursue these children, or return to defend your home.
"...Well. You live up to your title, 'Blaze God of Konoha'," the Raikage finally grunted, the electricity around his body flickering and dying out. "To possess such a technique... I concede this round. But mark my words, Akatsurugi. Watch your back."
With a final, furious glare, the Raikage turned and vanished in a burst of speed, heading back toward his village.
Akatsurugi landed, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. If the Raikage had called his bluff, he would have had no choice but to follow through on his threat.
He was met with the stunned, reverent gazes of the genin. He simply waved a hand. "Let's go. We return to Konoha immediately."
He had revealed another trump card. He was now a being feared by every village, a shinobi wielding destructive power on par with a Tailed Beast. Even Konoha itself would likely view him with a new, wary apprehension.
But he did not regret it. This was a necessary deterrent.
Upon their return to Konoha, Akatsurugi went directly to the Hokage's office to deliver his report. It was better the Hokage heard the unvarnished truth from him.
When he finished, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at him, his pipe momentarily forgotten, his mouth slightly agape.
"Akatsurugi... this 'Blazing Hell' technique you described... is it real?" Hiruzen finally asked.
After a moment's consideration, Akatsurugi replied, "The scale is slightly exaggerated, but the essence is correct."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, his expression complex as he looked at the young man before him. "You acted correctly. Without you... I fear Tsunade and the others would not have returned."
"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I only did what was necessary."
Hiruzen managed a small smile, then shifted topics. "By the way, I've never seen you perform a Summoning Technique. Have you not found a summoning clan that suits you?"
Akatsurugi was slightly taken aback by the non-sequitur. "The summoning beasts I've encountered have been... lacking. None were a suitable match, so I never signed a contract."
"What about my Sarutobi clan's contract? With the monkey sage, Enma?" Hiruzen offered genially.
Akatsurugi knew of Enma. He was a powerful summon, and the entire monkey clan was formidable. But their primary ability, the Adamantine Staff transformation, was useless to him. He had Ryūjin Jakka; he needed no other weapon.
Hiruzen chuckled, seeing the hesitation in his eyes. "I see. It's not to your taste. That's understandable. The monkey clan's weapon transformation wouldn't synergize with your own unique blade." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Now, the First Hokage's summons... they were from a truly powerful clan. Would you be interested in that?"