"Heh heh, I didn't expect your strength to improve so quickly, Sarutobi Hiruzen, truly astonishing!"
The Third Raikage retreated, using the smoke to temporarily obscure his vision and escape Sarutobi Hiruzen's attack range.
He couldn't handle it; the opponent was like he'd taken some sort of stimulant, spamming ninjutsu without regard for chakra. He was fast, but Sarutobi Hiruzen had dozens of area-of-effect ninjutsu, none of them repeating. There was always a moment when one would hit him.
Once his movements were hindered, he would be met with an onslaught of ninjutsu, a bewildering variety of them!
He, the Third Raikage, wasn't unintelligent, nor was he a fool!
He was already considering retreating. Cloud Village had gained a significant advantage in this confrontation; Konoha's losses were far greater. It was a shame, though, that they still hadn't forced out Sarutobi Hiruzen's overpowered kekkei genkai!
"Why did he run?"
"Is this the Third Raikage?"
"He couldn't even force out my overpowered kekkei genkai, and he dares to call himself the Strongest Spear and Strongest Shield?"
A series of three explosive questions!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was now embracing his fate. Since everyone present, including his own Konoha ninjas, already believed he was overpowered, he might as well admit it!
He, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was indeed overpowered! Come at him, all of you! He was about to go all out!
"Sarutobi! Don't get arrogant. War is never won by individuals alone. Look around you at the Konoha ninjas!"
The Third Raikage was so enraged by Sarutobi Hiruzen that he almost unleashed the Hell Stab: Single Finger Needle. He hadn't hesitated to use it during their previous exchange, but unfortunately, the opponent was as nimble as a monkey, possessed a staff that could grow and lengthen, and even deployed a furry hand to hinder him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen truly had many tricks up his sleeve!
Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared calm, not a drop of sweat on his face. If his combat attire wasn't somewhat tattered, no one would believe he had been locked in fierce combat with the Third Raikage for an entire day!
"If you want to fight, fight! Why all the unnecessary talk? Didn't you want to witness my overpowered kekkei genkai? Fine! I'll let you see it!"
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen's anger meter filled to the brim. His face visibly flushed, and steam wisped from his body, tinged with a blood-red glow. It was as if he had opened the Eighth Gate: Gate of Death, his aura suddenly soaring.
"Come on! Third Raikage, you wanted to see my kekkei genkai, didn't you? Then let me show you properly!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's throat moved, his complexion deepening to a dark crimson, as if he were about to unleash a devastating ninjutsu attack from his mouth at any moment.
The Third Raikage felt Sarutobi Hiruzen's "forward-charging" aura. His own unwillingness to admit defeat wavered.
Cloud Village had gained a slight advantage in this battle, but most of their ninjas had exhausted their chakra. They were currently pressing Konoha purely on physical superiority.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen's "overpowered" ninjutsu was immensely powerful and had a wide area of effect, Cloud Village would suffer a significant setback.
Wait! Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't used his overpowered kekkei genkai until now. He had been holding back until the very end. It seemed this move would come at a great cost!
However, there was no denying that ninjutsu requiring a high price was usually very powerful.
I understand! Why didn't Sarutobi Hiruzen use this ninjutsu earlier? He was waiting until our Cloud ninjas were exhausted and unable to resist!
Then this ninjutsu must have a vast range. He intends to capture all of us in one fell swoop! Damn it! I almost fell for his trick!
As expected of the overpowered Sarutobi Hiruzen, his scheming is truly sinister!
"Retreat! All Cloud ninjas, fall back!"
The Third Raikage made a decisive decision. He dared not gamble on whether Sarutobi Hiruzen was truly unleashing a "finishing move"! He couldn't afford to!
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, watching the Cloud ninjas retreat like a receding tide. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, as if he were debating whether to intercept them.
However, his gaze swept to the equally battered Konoha ninjas behind him. In the end, he did not "act."
The Third Raikage observed all of this, which further solidified his suspicion. Sarutobi Hiruzen definitely possessed an overpowered kekkei genkai!
"Hmph! I'll let Konoha off the hook this time, but you won't be so lucky next time!"
The Third Raikage's body crackled with electricity as he provided cover for the retreating Cloud ninjas. He stomped his left foot on the ground, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance.
Until he could understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's overpowered kekkei genkai, he would not engage further. It had been a close call just now; he had almost fallen victim to Sarutobi Hiruzen's scheme!
*Pfft!*
After the Third Raikage's figure had completely vanished from the battlefield, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer hold back. He spat out a mouthful of blood; he was severely injured!
The Third Raikage's Hell Stab was no joke. Although he had tried his best to avoid vital spots, he had still been grazed. His body was already fractured in multiple places, and the countless wounds were of varying lengths.
However, he knew he couldn't show any sign of defeat. If he continued fighting until the very end, he might be the one to lose. But the Third Raikage wouldn't be faring much better; he felt they were evenly matched. Yes!
It seemed he had become too accustomed to comfort during his years as Hokage. His body had become weak. It was time to resume his training.
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, putting such thoughts aside. The most important thing now was to repel the Cloud Village's offensive.
But… thinking about how he had merely intended to cough up blood and had scared the Third Raikage away, it was something he could brag about for a lifetime. "The Third Raikage? Nothing special. Scared away by a mouthful of my blood!"
Yes! He would go find Danzo and show off in front of him, to recapture the feeling of his youth! The young people of Konoha were working hard; he, the Hokage, couldn't fall behind.
Sarutobi Hiruzen decided that after this war ended, he would drag Danzo into sparring. As for being too busy as Hokage? He'd make time!
"Lord Hokage has defeated the Third Raikage!"
"Truly worthy of being the Third Hokage, our Konoha remains the number one village in the ninja world!"
"Lord Hokage, your overpowered kekkei genkai is truly amazing!"
...
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was listening to the praise, was about to turn around and respond with modesty, he unexpectedly heard that last sentence. His exhausted body trembled, and he nearly stumbled to the ground.
Damn it! This was truly the injustice of his lifetime!
Which scoundrel was framing him! Who was that Cloud ninja who infiltrated Konoha and sent back the message?!
...
Konoha Interrogation Department.
Under the flickering yellow lights, a scar-faced man indifferently held a pen and paper, recording: "Name, gender, home address."
"Yokoyama Daichi."
"Uh… Male!"
"Home… 886 Street Corner, Cloud Village."
The scar-faced man continued, "What was your purpose for infiltrating Konoha?"
Yokoyama Daichi knew that if he didn't tell the truth, he would still suffer forced memory extraction by the Nakayama clan. He said with a bitter face,
"I… I just accidentally got lost. Would you believe that?"
"Hmph! Stop making excuses. Did you transmit any special intelligence back? Tell the truth! Or face the consequences!"
Yokoyama Daichi meekly asked, "Have you… heard of the overpowered kekkei genkai!"