At this moment, on the battlefield of the Land of Rice Fields, far away, the Leaf and Cloud ninjas faced each other, the atmosphere tense and solemn!
The Third Raikage and Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the forefront of their respective armies, gazing at their old adversary. The Third Raikage spoke first, "Sarutobi, it seems we haven't met in quite some time."
"Raikage, now is not the time to reminisce about the past. If your Cloud Village retreats now, we of the Leaf will not pursue your treaty violation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in a black, form-fitting combat suit, wore a ninja hat with two long sashes trailing behind him. In his hand, he held a perfectly round staff, which was his summoned beast, Enma, in its transformed state.
Facing the Third Raikage's extreme speed, Hiruzen had no confidence in summoning Enma during combat. He decided to reveal it directly, letting the Third Raikage see. They were old rivals, after all, and understood each other's strengths and trump cards.
"Treaty? I never signed anything of the sort, Sarutobi. You're still as naive as ever."
The Third Raikage sneered. If not for his apprehension of the mysterious Eternal Organization over the years, his Cloud Village would have launched a war long ago. Four years had passed, and the organization had made no move. It seemed they had continued to remain dormant.
From Tsuchida's perspective, the organization was either accumulating strength or had no interest in interfering in the ninja world's wars. Either scenario was good news for the Cloud Village. Once they conquered the entire ninja world, where could this little Eternal Organization escape?
The Third Raikage was confident that no one in this era could defeat him. Even the so-called Lord of Eternity, hyped up by everyone, he, the Third Raikage, was confident he could crush them!
This was not boastfulness, but the unwavering self-assurance in his own power!
"Then we have nothing more to say."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tightened his grip on the Adamantine Staff, knowing he couldn't afford to be careless against the Third Raikage and must give his absolute all!
"Wait a moment! Sarutobi, I have a question for you."
A smile flickered across the Third Raikage's face. He intended to expose Hiruzen Sarutobi's trump card!
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Is there anything else to say?"
When had the Third Raikage become so verbose? This was war, not a gathering of friends and family catching up!
The Third Raikage waved his hand, ordering the Cloud ninjas to hold their positions. He stepped forward two paces and said, "I never expected this, never expected that you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would one day awaken a Kekkei Genkai."
"Kekkei Genkai? Third Raikage, have you made a mistake somewhere?"
"Hmph! Sarutobi, it's come to this, and you still refuse to confess? Very well, I shall reveal your secret!"
Veins throbbed on Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead. Was this guy a fake Raikage? And asking him to confess? Did he think he was Danzo?!
Seeing Hiruzen's silence, the Third Raikage assumed he was feeling guilty and cut to the chase.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi! Stop hiding it. Your Kekkei Genkai, the 'Cheat,' has long been discovered by our Cloud Village!"
The Third Raikage clenched his fist, a look of utter confidence on his face, as if he could already see Hiruzen Sarutobi's panicked expression.
"I have a Kekkei Genkai? Third Raikage, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was increasingly baffled by the Third Raikage's state of mind. Had he malfunctioned?
"Hmph! Stop playing dumb. Our Cloud Village's reconnaissance team has spied your secret. Although you've hidden it masterfully, this is fate! Show me your 'Cheat' Kekkei Genkai! Let's see if you can break my strongest shield!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind went blank: ??? 'Cheat' Kekkei Genkai? What is that?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly recalled Lin Yu's explanation of the meaning of "cheat" at the Ninja Academy. His face flushed with shame and anger. "Don't slander me, Hiruzen Sarutobi! My strength is the result of countless hours of diligent training."
The Third Raikage scoffed, "Even now, Sarutobi, you still want to conceal it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and declared, "I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, do not cheat!"
"This is intelligence acquired by our Cloud elite team at the cost of their lives! How could it be false? Hiruzen Sarutobi, I overestimated you!" The Third Raikage's anger flared as Hiruzen refused to admit it.
This stubborn Hiruzen Sarutobi!
*Boom!*
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the Adamantine Staff into the ground, kicking up dust, and roared, "I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am not a cheat! How many times do I have to tell you for you to understand?!"
The Third Raikage was startled by Hiruzen's ferocity. He wouldn't admit it, but did he need to get so angry?! It's as if I did something to him! Unreasonable!
"It's fine if you don't admit it, Sarutobi. When we start fighting, you won't be able to hide your 'Cheat' Kekkei Genkai!"
Cheat! Cheat! Cheat!
Hiruzen Sarutobi has a Cheat Kekkei Genkai!
"Aaaaah!!!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally lost it. At this moment, he seemed to possess Might Guy's spirit! He would not allow his forty years of dedicated cultivation to be insulted!
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Four furious Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in a line, forming hand seals.
"Sage Art: Five Elements Great Condensation Bullet!"
With his rage at its peak, Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashed his ultimate technique from the outset, giving the Third Raikage no chance to warm up!
Four clones, along with the main body, attacked the enemy with ninjutsu of different elements. This was a technique only Hiruzen Sarutobi, the "Professor of Ninjutsu" of the Leaf, could perform!
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi unleash a powerful jutsu without preamble, the Third Raikage quickly activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Blue arcs of electricity crackled around him, and he cursed, "Sarutobi, did you eat gunpowder? Why are you so short-tempered!"
Despite his words, the Third Raikage charged forward, intending to withstand Hiruzen Sarutobi's Five Elements Great Condensation Bullet with his own body. After all, his incredibly tough physique could withstand such ninjutsu. However, the Cloud ninjas behind him might not fare as well.
The Third Raikage stood bare-chested, a striking lightning-shaped scar on his chest. He carried no weapons or equipment; his body was his strongest shield, and his fingers were his sharpest spear.
*Boom!*
Chakra of five elements intertwined and bombarded the Third Raikage, the intense roar echoing across the battlefield.
"Lord Raikage!"
"No need to worry, Lord Raikage has the strongest physique and will be fine."
"That's not certain. Didn't you hear Lord Raikage mentioning his apprehension about the Hokage's 'Cheat' Kekkei Genkai?"
"That's true. I wonder what kind of ability this 'cheat' is!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: (Furious｀Д´怒)!!
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
Fire, fueled by wind, blazed even brighter. Three streams of flame, like raging dragons, danced and, amplified by the strong wind, surged toward the thick smoke with formidable power.
The Third Raikage, in the midst of the smoke: ...Why are they scolding you, but attacking me? Do you really think I'm a shield?