Shisui Uchiha didn't launch a direct attack.
He flashed a faint smile and raised his wakizashi, signaling Samui to make the first move.
He showed perfect gentlemanly manners.
Samui, who was always calm, frowned slightly.
Shisui's confidence, combined with his young age, took her by surprise and stirred up a bit of anger within her.
Of course, she wasn't afraid.
She activated the Shifting Body Technique, and in an instant, she was right in front of Shisui. The tanto in her right hand whipped up a powerful gust of wind, moving at an extremely high speed.
The cold blade brushed against Shisui's face.
He swung his wakizashi forward.
Flames rose from an ordinary swing of the blade, quickly engulfing the wakizashi.
The two blades clashed violently.
Shisui vanished in an instant.
Samui leaped backward.
She looked up and saw wave after wave of fiery blades raining down from the sky.
With a loud boom, the ground where she had just stood burst into flames.
Samui swung her blade upward in mid - air.
Lightning flashed.
Her tanto vibrated continuously, creating a series of lightning blades.
To her surprise, Shisui disappeared again and reappeared right in front of her, easily dodging the lightning blades.
Then he made a diagonal slash with his right hand and the wakizashi.
A huge flame taller than her suddenly appeared out of thin air.
The hot air billowed.
Sweat instantly appeared on her forehead.
Under the pressure, her well - built body suddenly moved at astonishing speed as she forcefully retreated again. The tanto in her hand darted through the flames like a colorful butterfly.
But Shisui disappeared once more.
He appeared behind Samui. As he kicked out with one foot, the snow - white blade of his wakizashi burst into flames, with a faint whistling sound of wind.
Feeling the searing heat on her back, Samui's doubts grew. The thought that 'What's wrong with him? His speed is even faster than my Lightning Release' flashed through her mind.
Samui gritted her teeth and forced herself to bend backward, stabbing her tanto backward. She poured all her chakra into it, giving the tanto a blue glow. Its speed was even faster than Shisui's wakizashi.
This was a lose - lose strategy.
Shisui wisely retracted his attack. A surge of chakra erupted from his feet, making him spin in mid - air while the flaming wakizashi, swirling with hot air, came down from above.
"This is the Shifting Body Technique."
Third Raikage had far more knowledge and experience than Samui.
Shisui's unpredictable speed wasn't due to Wind Release or Taijutsu, but the Shifting Body Technique.
He watched as Shisui overpowered Samui, his expression becoming increasingly unpredictable.
He had a vague premonition that the future might not be good.
There were simply too many geniuses in Konoha.
He had thought that the younger generation of the Cloud Hidden Village was strong enough to suppress the other ninja villages, but now it seemed far from enough.
Could they only rely on the two Jinchuriki?
But Konoha also had a Jinchuriki, and it was the most powerful Nine - Tailed Fox.
"So it's the Shifting Body Technique."
Hearing this, The Third Kazekage sighed, "Remarkable! The Shifting Body Technique, Fire Release, and swordsmanship are perfectly coordinated. At such a young age, he already has the demeanor of a Jonin and his own combat system."
Third Raikage let out a snort.
Just as Tsunade was about to speak, there was another change in the arena.
Shisui summoned two Clone Jutsu clones.
Samui immediately sliced off one with her tanto. After a puff of smoke dissipated, she turned to face the other clone.
Just then, the clone that had disappeared reappeared.
Caught off guard, Samui didn't have time to react and was kicked away.
Groaning in pain, she rolled over and stood up. Facing the three figures in the arena, her face was blank.
What kind of Ninjutsu is this?
But she didn't have time to think further. The three Shisui clones charged at her.
For the moment, Samui could only defend herself.
She felt that all three Shisui clones were the real one.
Every time she dispelled a clone, another one would instantly appear.
There was a loud bang.
Shisui's powerful kick sent her soaring into the sky. The three Shisui clones launched a series of fierce attacks on her from above and below.
Samui couldn't withstand the onslaught from above and below.
Shisui landed on the ground, and his Clone Jutsu clones vanished. He slowly sheathed his wakizashi.
Behind him, as the chakra exploded, Samui's body trembled several times and she lost consciousness.
"What's this?"
"Clone Jutsu? Shifting Body Technique?"
The spectators outside the arena broke into an uproar.
Shisui's performance truly stunned them.
The seemingly ordinary Shifting Body Technique didn't seem simple when used by him.
The Third Raikage frowned and didn't say a word immediately.
He didn't even care about Samui's defeat; instead, he was pondering Shisui's Shifting Body Technique.
With his strength, he could naturally see more clearly.
"This is no longer just the Shifting Body Technique."
The Third Raikage took a deep breath, and his words carried a hint of complexity.
A genius like Shisui wasn't from the Cloud Hidden Village.
"Raikage, what is it?"
The Third Kazekage played the straight - man role. His previous praise of Shisui had annoyed the Third Raikage.
If it weren't for his role as an undercover agent, he wouldn't have been willing to endure the humiliation.
His question was actually a killer move that forced the Raikage to admit Shisui's excellence.
The Third Raikage glanced at him and said, "It's a composite Ninjutsu that combines Clone Jutsu, Shifting Body Technique, Genjutsu, and Substitution Jutsu."
"?"
A question mark appeared on the Third Kazekage's face.
Are you really talking about a five - year - old kid and not some Kage?
His eyesight was indeed not as good as the Third Raikage's.
But then he thought about it and, recalling the previous scene in his mind, his mouth twitched in surprise.
"Oh!"
"First, Clone Jutsu creates two clones. Then, his real body overlaps with the clones. Next, Genjutsu interferes with the enemy's judgment. After that, by using the Shifting Body Technique to move among the clones, it creates the illusion that each clone is the real body. Finally, Substitution Jutsu is used to save his life."
After the Third Kazekage finished his analysis, he looked at Shisui in disbelief.
He didn't hold back his words.
All the Ninja in the grandstand could hear him, and they instantly wore the same expression.
Except for those from the Cloud Hidden Village, who put on pained expressions.
"Who's his teacher?"
The Third Raikage withdrew his gaze from Shisui and couldn't help asking.
"Coincidentally, it's Haruki."
Tsunade immediately curled her lips into a sweet smile, but her expression remained calm.
The Third Raikage was slightly stunned.
Haruki naturally knew that there were medical ninjas as skilled as Tsunade.
But he never expected that Shisui was his apprentice.
He looked at the unassuming Haruki, somewhat disbelieving.
After all, the combat abilities of medical ninjas were well - known.
It seemed that it was all due to Shisui's natural talent.
Thinking of this, Third Raikage did feel a bit envious.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
So what if one was a genius?
It was all in vain if they couldn't grow.
Once his plan succeeded, Konoha Village might not even exist, let alone these geniuses.
Tsunade noticed all the changes in Third Raikage's expression with deliberate attention.
The fact that he could accept successive failures was by no means because he was broad - minded.
It must be part of his plan.
The examinees were unaware of what the onlookers on the high - stand were thinking.
The competition continued.
But by this stage, it had become a showdown between Sunagakure and Konoha Village.
As dusk approached, the second round ended.
Only nine students remained.
After Haruki gave them a few words of encouragement, the first to leave were the people from the Cloud Hidden Village.
They couldn't save face.
They felt that the looks cast at them were all mocking.
They were the ones who initiated the competition, yet none of them made it to the finals.
They originally aimed for the championship, then thought getting into the top four would be a success, but their best result was barely tenth place.
It was meaningless.
"Friendship first, competition second" wasn't meant for enemies.
Without the first place, the Cloud Hidden Village had come in vain.
Third Raikage could only pin his hopes on his next plan.
He immediately summoned Third Kazekage.
The two had a secret meeting in the room.
A and B guarded the outside, making it impossible for anyone to sneak in.
"The time has come."
Third Raikage looked at Third Kazekage, his burly figure being quite imposing.
His strength was almost unmatched in the ninja world.
He had suppressed the Eight - Tails multiple times and had comparable strength to it.
Of course, Third Kazekage wasn't afraid.
He picked up the teacup on the table, nodded, and said, "When do we act?"
"At midnight, when Tsunade is asleep. We'll launch a surprise attack."
Third Raikage came up with this plan, naturally considering all aspects. "Tsunade has the [Yin Seal]. Once it's unlocked, it'll be extremely difficult to kill her. So we have to use our most powerful attack to end her with one strike."
"Alright, as you say, what's my part?"
Third Kazekage looked up and asked, "If it's just a surprise attack, it should naturally be you who makes the move. [Lightning Release] is the most destructive after all."
"I've heard that you're acquainted with Haruki. You lead him away to avoid any unexpected complications."
"Raikage sure thought this through well."
Third Kazekage smiled. "One more person means more variables. Besides, Haruki is a medical ninja. If he accidentally saves the dying Tsunade, all our efforts will be in vain."
"Exactly, that's what I mean."
Third Raikage tightened his fist. "I hope you don't show any signs of weakness."
"Trust me."
Third Kazekage detected a hint of threat in his words.
He knew deeply that the Raikage only regarded him as a tool [person]. After dealing with Konoha, the Raikage might turn around and attack Sunagakure.
Sure enough, Haruki seemed more gentle.
The Third Raikage got up and left.
"Father, is he okay?"
A pushed the door open and came in.
Behind him were B and Yugito.
"Not a big problem."
The Third Raikage shook his head. "The hatred between Sunagakure and Konoha was formed during the last Great Ninja World War. Even though their relationship has eased in recent years, it's mostly due to the situation. Now that there's a chance to annex Konoha, if I were him, I wouldn't give it up."
A frowned slightly but didn't say anything more.
According to the nature of the Cloud Hidden Village, they would naturally follow the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth".
If the Kazekage could really let go of the deaths of thousands of people, A could only look down on him.
One of the prestigious Five Great Villages actually willing to be a lackey of Konoha.
He really couldn't imagine it.
"Go and rest. There'll be a tough battle tonight. When Tsunade dies, it'll probably take some effort for us to escape from Konoha."
The Third Raikage smiled, but there was no sign of worry on his face.
A leaderless Konoha naturally couldn't resist them [the Cloud Hidden Village forces].
After all, in the heartland, an endless stream of ninjas could overwhelm them.
What they had to do was take advantage of the chaos in Konoha, return to the Cloud Hidden Village, and quickly attack the Land of Fire to occupy the entire territory.
"By the way, call Tarui here." The Third Raikage remembered something and added.
"Okay." A nodded.
A moment later, Tarui came in.
He was suffering from both physical injuries and mental blows.
Oh, well!
Originally, he was an absolute genius in the Cloud Hidden Village.
He inherited the black [Lightning Release] from the Third Raikage and also possessed [Storm Release]. Without accident, he should be the future Raikage.
But this competition completely shattered his pride.
"Tarui."
The Third Raikage patted him on the shoulder and asked him to sit down.
"Lord Raikage, I..."
"No need to make excuses."
The Third Raikage stopped his words. "You didn't care enough before because it was hard for you to find an opponent among your peers. But now you've seen a new world. I believe you'll be even stronger in the future."
...
The Third Kazekage didn't go directly to Haruki.
After waiting for half an hour, he came to Tsunade's room and knocked on the door.
Haruki had guessed the actions of the Cloud Hidden Village. So he didn't have an in - depth discussion with Tsunade about the human body structure tonight.
He opened the door.
"Third Raikage asked me to lead you away and then sneak attack Tsunade at night."
The Third Kazekage closed the door and silently opened his mouth.
When he came in, he noticed someone following him.
Without accident, it was from the Cloud Hidden Village.
With the cover of the wall, he used lip - reading to convey the message.
As one of the compulsory courses for Anbu, Haruki and Tsunade were no strangers to it.
Haruki nodded and said with a smile, "Since Lord Kazekage wants to do business with me, let's find a room and have a good talk."
He looked at Tsunade.
Tsunade didn't say a word and just waved her hand.
Haruki and the Third Kazekage left the room one after another.
The news immediately reached Third Raikage's ears.
"Send someone to keep an eye on the Kazekage and Haruki. It'd be best to listen in on whether their conversation is related to business. Report immediately if there's anything suspicious."
As time passed, after Third Raikage and the Anbu confirmed the situation regarding the Kazekage, Third Raikage smiled.
He went to Tsunade's room.
He leaped onto the roof. With chakra gathered in his eyes, he could clearly see what was happening inside the room.
Tsunade was sleeping in the bed.
Third Raikage was shocked.
Countless thunderbolts enveloped his entire body.
It was as if there was a blue sun illuminating the world in the night sky.
At the same time, an astonishing thunder roared from his fingertips.
Tsunade woke up immediately.
But she didn't have time to react.
Her body was pierced.
Hell Stab One-Finger Nukite: Ultimate!
The ninjutsu in which Third Raikage concentrated all his lightning into one finger was known as the strongest spear that could pierce through anything.
Not even the Eight-Tails could withstand it.
In the past, he used this technique to cut off all eight tails of the Eight - Tails.
Naturally, Tsunade couldn't resist it.
He looked down at the wound on her chest and suddenly stopped in shock.
No blood flowed out.
The next moment, Tsunade's body transformed into a tree, and countless vines flew towards him like venomous snakes.
Third Raikage's face darkened as he realized he had been betrayed.
He punched out suddenly.
The vines immediately exploded, detached from Tsunade's body, fell to the ground and vanished.
In the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, every move he made carried great power.
A, B, and Yugito appeared before him.
"A, go and take the examinees from the Cloud Hidden Village away. B, Yugito and I will hold off the Konoha people."
Third Raikage calmly gave the order.
A left immediately.
He turned and looked at Tsunade and Haruki outside the room.
"Just the two of you?"