The Amegakure ninjas stared with wide eyes, unable to believe it.
All the Amegakure ninjas' bodies were trembling, it was a tremor of suppressed rage.
Hiromi walked among them, expressionless.
The next second, his skin took on a platinum hue, his clothes transformed into a black and red outfit, and the blood drop between his brows flickered with a subtle irritability, like his wild platinum hair—subtle and frantic.
The ninjas sensed something and snapped out of their hatred.
The next moment, the ground surged crazily.
The stifling, hot aura was like a monster beneath the ground breathing in and out, so hot it made people panic.
At this moment, fear spread wildly.
"No!!!" Someone screamed and fled.
This immediately plunged the quiet Amegakure into complete chaos.
The volcanoes surrounding Amegakure from all directions erupted. The terrifying magma and the high temperature caused them excruciating pain even if they just touched a little bit of it.
"No... no... no..."
They fled back in terror.
Can't escape... can't escape... can't es...
Suddenly, they saw Hiromi, as if seeing hope.
As long as... as long as they obtained his forgiveness...
But the next second, the ground beneath their feet bulged. Surging magma became increasingly rapid and violent beneath their feet. In just a few seconds, the ground cracked open.
The next instant.
"No!!!"
The ninjas were plunged into chilling despair.
Boom!!!
Rocks erupted, and everything was melted. Amegakure seemed to have become a lake of magma.
Only one youth walked out from within with a calm expression, heading toward the Land of Fire.
—
Land of Waterfall.
Located between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, flanked by the Land of Grass and the Land of Frost, it is surrounded by four countries.
The geography is composed of many waterfalls which prevent invasions from other nations.
One of these waterfalls used to hide Takigakure, but now that Takigakure has been evaporated, that waterfall has turned into a massive hot spring.
Children loved to go there. However, due to Hiromi's reputation, adults wouldn't allow their children to go near it.
Nevertheless, many samurai and ninjas made a special trip there to witness Hiromi's might.
Currently, three members of the Akatsuki, wearing black cloaks with red clouds, stand before a large waterfall, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
"What is Hiromi doing in Amegakure?" Hidan asked, starting a conversation out of boredom.
Kisame sat cross-legged on the ground, not saying a word.
Jūzō grinned and said, "Perhaps the leader is in Amegakure."
"Oh." Hidan slapped his palm, realization dawning on him. "So that's why he didn't show up for the Jinchuriki extraction this time."
"It might be more than just that." Jūzō looked toward Kisame with a meaningful gaze, as if waiting for him to say something.
Kisame remained silent.
Then, he looked up, a battle-hungry smile appearing on his face. "We have guests."
Hidan grinned and drew the Triple-Bladed Scythe from his back.
Jūzō held Kubikiribōchō, looking ahead with an arrogant smirk.
From behind the trees ahead, three people emerged—Raichi, Inabi, and Tekka.
Behind them followed a grim-faced Sasuke, along with over a dozen Uchiha Clan Members.
This caused the smiles of Hidan, Kisame, and Jūzō to falter slightly.
Nearly twenty Uchihas. Even for S-rank rogue ninjas, this was more than they could handle.
"This is a bit much." Hidan grumbled.
"Looks like we might die today." Kisame chuckled, tightening his grip on Samehada.
"I was wondering why Zetsu didn't tell us how many people were hunting us. It turns out he planned to send us to our deaths." Jūzō's face was grim.
From the opposite side, among the Uchiha, Raichi stepped forward. "Leave them to me."
She was 157 centimeters tall and sixteen years old, with a black bob cut. Wearing blue ninja attire that revealed her arms and thighs, she looked quite easy to bully. But everyone knew that in the first battle of the Fifth Great Ninja War, the title of Uchiha Raichi, the Lightning Catwoman, was deafening.
Kitsuchi, the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces—if it weren't for his lack of wits, he should have been the Fourth Tsuchikage.
A figure like him, though his Earth Release was countered by Lightning Release, would usually not be defeated by an average Lightning Release Ninja. Yet he was crushed by Raichi in her Lightning Release Chakra Mode, unable to fight back at all.
"I've heard that in Chakra Mode, the entire body is enveloped in Chakra, making the defense incredible." Hidan was starting to get a headache.
If he couldn't break through Raichi's defense, he couldn't get her blood. Especially since in Lightning Release Chakra Mode, speed is enhanced. He hated enemies who were both tough and fast the most.
However, Kisame and Jūzō still had some confidence. Furthermore, they felt this group of Uchiha was looking down on them too much. They didn't even bother to surround them, as if saying: "Even if you try to escape, Raichi alone can kill you all."
"Don't underestimate me!" Jūzō roared, charging forward with Kubikiribōchō in one hand.
"You're the one who shouldn't underestimate me!" Raichi's eyes widened.
In an instant, an unusual Sharingan appeared within her black pupils, filled with a blood-red light.
Kisame's pupils constricted, and his expression changed drastically. "Get back! That's a Mangekyo!"
Jūzō's heart jumped, and he hurriedly retreated.
The titles of Wicked Eye Fugaku, Shisui of the Body Flicker, and the Hidden Assassin Itachi had gradually become the Black Giant, the Green Giant, and the Red Giant after the appearance of Susanoo. This showed just how powerful the Mangekyo was.
However, Lightning Release Chakra Mode was already fast. Not to mention Raichi's Mangekyo ability was Hachiman, which increased the power of techniques and physical strength.
In a flash, she suddenly appeared in front of Jūzō.
"So fast!"
Jūzō's eyes widened as he tried to swing Kubikiribōchō, but he couldn't keep up at all.
'I'm going to die!'
At that moment, Samehada suddenly lunged down.
Raichi was extremely agile, like a cat or a bolt of lightning. She flickered in a 'Z' pattern, dodging Samehada's attack.
The next second, she appeared behind Kisame. Her lightning claws were about to strike his neck, but Samehada lunged over again, causing her attack to fail.
"Hehehe..."
Raichi retreated onto a tree branch, looking down with a delighted smile. Clearly, she was having a lot of fun.
Meanwhile, her opponents, Jūzō and Kisame, were already soaked in cold sweat.
In those last two seconds, they had nearly died. The gap in strength was too vast.
Even for Lightning Release Chakra Mode, this was far too strong. If she were this powerful, there was no way Kitsuchi could have escaped.
'I heard every Mangekyo has a special technique, could her technique be...'
Jūzō and Kisame couldn't help but gulp, their eyes showing a hint of fear as they looked at Raichi.
Watching the scene, Inabi muttered, "If I'd known, I would have made the first move."
Tekka sighed in agreement and said, "It looks like Raichi wants to play for a while longer. Let's head inside first."
Inabi gave an "Mm" and started walking toward the side.
Hidan watched helplessly, not daring to move a muscle. He was afraid of being targeted by Raichi, and also afraid that others among them might possess the Mangekyo as well.
Sasuke entered the waterfall area nervously, only to see two corpses remaining on the ground.
An Uchiha stepped forward to investigate and reported, "The smaller one is Omoi of Kumogakure, and the larger one is the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, Terumī Mei."
Inabi said, "It should be Two-Tails and Three-Tails."
Tekka asked, "Nine-Tails was taken, and the remaining Five-Tails and Seven-Tails have likely fallen into their hands. What are they trying to do by collecting the Tailed Beasts?"
"Report this first." Inabi said.
"Mm."
Tekka looked at Sasuke, whose face had grown even darker, and said, "Now that the smaller nations are sending ninjas to join the Allied Shinobi Forces, our manpower here might be reduced. You should be prepared."
"Yeah, I know." Sasuke said.
He understood the current situation. If he hadn't run out, the Uchiha clan wouldn't have intended to pursue. Nine-Tails wasn't important to them. Being able to send three Mangekyo users here already showed they valued him greatly.
But since they hadn't found the person, they couldn't abandon the clan to help him. He could only blame his own lack of ability.
"Naruto..."
Sasuke clenched his fists and looked ahead.
"I will definitely bring you back!"