[Flashback]
The four ninjas emerged from the Anbu Ninja Lodging house, ready to carry out their mission. Shinku turned to Sakumo and asked, "What's the plan?"
Sakumo explained his plan to his comrades, "I plan to draw Raikage's attention and lead him away from the village as far as possible. This will most likely result in the village sending highly skilled ninjas after me. Meanwhile, you will use the commotion to free Kanami."
Shibi voiced his concern, "But how will we locate you once we free Kanami?"
Sakumo, with a reassuring tone, replied, "Don't worry," as he weaved a few hand signs, conjuring an earth clone. "This clone will stay with you, allowing us to track each other's locations."
Both Shinku and Shibi couldn't shake the feeling that they were jeopardizing an important mission, but they followed the plan and agreed to it nonetheless.
[Torture Warehouse]
Within a matter of minutes, 200 shinobi arrived at the warehouse, and more were on their way. A medical-nin quickly healed Dodai's wound, and they prepared themselves for the upcoming battle. Dodai explained the situation to the Kumo Shinobi present at the warehouse. He couldn't shake off the feeling that it might be a trap, as usually when the enemy reveals itself daringly, it's likely to be one. However, he knew the importance of the mission and the person involved was the Raikage, so he had to take the risk.
Three search teams were quickly formed:
Team 1, led by A, the third raikage's son, consisted of 15 other skilled shinobi.
Team 2, led by Toroi, included 20 capable shinobi.
Team 3, led by Dodai and Samui, comprised 12 other skilled ninjas.
Their goal was to thoroughly search the surrounding areas where the third Raikage was last seen, hoping to find any clues or signs of his whereabouts.
The remaining shinobi were dispersed throughout various areas of the Hidden Cloud Village and its outskirts. Ten of them were assigned to guard the warehouse, while the others were tasked with keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity.
A few minutes later,
Three shinobi wearing black ANBU cloaks arrived at the warehouse, one of them being Sakumo's earth clone. They quickly subdued the ten shinobi stationed at the warehouse and entered.
Kanami recognized them and asked, "Why are you here?"
He wanted to know what happened to the mission cause he had already accepted his fate.
In response, the Sakumo clones stated, "We will discuss that matter at a later time."
[Raikage's Location]
The Third Raikage trailed behind the attacker, who was dressed in a Kumo Anbu cloak. There was some distance between them, but it wasn't because the Raikage was slower. He believed that following the attacker could lead him to other members of their team or collaborators.
"Che, it's getting boring now." Murmured the Raikage.
The third Raikage infused his cells with lightning to enhance his speed and catch up to the attacker. The cloaked figure suddenly came to a halt, effortlessly dodging the Raikage's incoming attack. As he stopped, he thought to himself, "This is a good location." In fact, they had been traveling for less than two minutes and were already about four miles away from the warehouse. The mountains were getting smaller and smaller as they moved, and the mountainous terrain slowly transformed into a flat plateau.
While facing each other, Raikage and Sakumo locked eyes. The tension in the air was palpable as they stood there in silence. Finally, the Raikage broke the silence, "Who are you?" he asked.
Sakumo didn't hesitate to respond, his voice filled with conviction, "I am the one who is going to kill you."
"Bold words," the Raikage retorted, "Although I didn't expect you to face me alone. I thought you might have brought some friends."
Sakumo remained silent, but his hands quickly began to weave through a complex series of hand signs as he prepared to unleash his jutsu.
'Snake → Tiger → Bird → Ox → Boar'
"Earth Release: Toujinbo"
[The user causes several columns to emerge from the ground, creating a maze. Its size and complex patterns can disorient opponents, and by memorizing its layout, the user can take advantage and attack from blindspots. This jutsu can also be used to attack the enemy with a rock pillar. It is a B-rank ninjutsu. It is like deep forest emergence jutsu that Madara used but with rocks.]
Within a range of 1km, towering rock pillars emerged, stretching higher than even the mountains surrounding the Hidden Cloud Village. The Raikage found himself completely engulfed by the massive structures, unable to even see the sky. The pillars were so close together that they created a pitch-black maze, with some even overlapping each other. It was a disorienting and intimidating sight.
Sakumo's primary chakra nature was earth, and he was a master of Earth Style jutsu. He had memorized over 10 different types of maze layouts and could construct them with this jutsu with exceptional precision.
"This is bad," thought the Raikage.
Recognizing the exceptional skill in Earth Release displayed by the attacker, indicating that he was not an ordinary person and possibly had a special identity. Raikage immediately activated his "Lightning Chakra Mode." Lightning chakra enveloped the Raikage like protective armor.
The environment was pitch black, and nothing could be seen until Sakumo unsheathed his white light chakra saber and infused it with his chakra.
"White Chakra Release: Getsuga Tenshou"
A swift white slash was aimed at the Raikage's body, but upon impact, it only left a shallow cut that wouldn't leave a scar upon healing. However, Sakumo didn't stop there. He began jumping from one pillar to another, attacking the Raikage from all directions, looking like a white pinball bouncing around in the dark environment.
Although Sakumo was able to land numerous attacks on Raikage, they only left shallow scratches on his body. The back and forth continued for a while until Raikage allowed Sakumo to land a cut on him, and in that moment, he seized Sakumo's arm.
"Lightning Release: Lariat"
One of Raikage's signature jutsu was at play. He sent Sakumo flying from one pillar to the next, then to the next, then to the next causing him to gush out blood and feel his ribs breaking, even his mask had cracked a bit. As he struggled to get up, he saw another attack coming toward him.
"Black Lightning Release: Black Panther"
A black lightning panther leaped toward Sakumo where he had been thrown, but Sakumo was quick to dodge the attack.
The exchange of jutsus between them intensified, and the battle continued for what seemed like an eternity. Rock towers were falling, and debris was flying everywhere, creating a chaotic and dangerous environment.
Sakumo realized that he needed to end the battle quickly as the situation was worsening on the 'other front', and his comrades were at risk of losing their lives. He swiftly devised a plan.
He finally started wielding hand signs to unleash another jutsu.
'Ram → Horse → Tiger → Rabbit → Snake'
"Earth Release: Devouring Earth"
[This jutsu allows the user to control stones and rocks in the area to attack the enemy,]
As the Raikage stood his ground, the entire landscape that Sakumo had created began to shift and converge towards him, causing even the tallest rock pillars to come crashing down.
[Imagine the landscape as an open book, after doing this jutsu the book started to close and all the rock pillars which were on the ground started to fall down at the center.]
In a moment of quick thinking, Sakumo emerged from that blindspot and bear-hugged Raikage, hoping to immobilize him.
"Are you planning to commit dual suicide with me here?" asked Raikage, but he didn't wait for a response. He lifted Sakumo into the air and power bombed him onto the ground, which was slightly tilted due to the jutsu.
'Slam'
Sakumo's body suddenly disintegrated into dust as the third Raikage watched in shock. "Earth clone," he muttered as the rock pillars collapsed on him.
'Boom Boom'
The impact was so tremendous that a deafening thud echoed for several miles, and a shockwave rippled through the surrounding area, reaching several miles.
A man appeared at a distance from the site of the jutsu, dressed in a black ANBU uniform with a cracked mask.
It was Sakumo, and his only thought was, "I'm not certain if it's enough to defeat the Raikage, but it should buy me some time. I need to get to my comrades and make an escape before it is too late."