The instant Shigure's blade swept toward the Fourth Raikage's neck, an incomparably dazzling flash of light erupted from the Raikage's body.
Crack—crack—crack!
Violent thunderclaps echoed as dense arcs of lightning burst outward.
In a single instant—
Lightning Release Chakra Mode — Activate!
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, the ice shattered apart as endless lightning erupted from the Raikage's body. Blinding brilliance flooded the battlefield, lightning forming visible rings that wrapped around him like armor.
A terrifying surge of chakra exploded outward.
Shigure was blasted away on the spot.
Midair, his body dissolved into flowing water—
Water Body Flicker Technique.
The scattered water splashed onto the frozen surface and instantly reformed into Shigure's figure, perfectly dispersing the shockwave from the earlier blast.
Seeing this, Kuji and Ringo—who had been tense with worry—finally let out a breath of relief.
But that relief vanished almost immediately as they turned their attention back to the Fourth Raikage.
Kuji narrowed his eyes.
"So this is the Hidden Cloud Village's strongest technique… Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
Ringo's gaze was grave.
"To train Lightning Release to this level… it's truly extraordinary."
As a Lightning Release user herself, even Ringo could not help but acknowledge the Raikage's power. His chakra control and output were far beyond ordinary standards.
Kuji, however, only clicked his tongue.
Though he admitted the Raikage's Lightning Release was powerful, in his heart, he still believed it fell short of Lord Shigure.
This level of Lightning Release… wasn't anything special.
At that moment, Shigure calmly sheathed Zangetsu and brought his hands together in applause.
"Beautiful Lightning Release."
"This is exactly what I wanted to see."
The Raikage froze for a brief moment.
The surrounding Kumogakure ninja darkened instantly.
So the earlier attacks… were merely to force Lord Raikage into using his signature technique?
Outrage surged through the ranks.
This wasn't just provocation—it was outright contempt!
These Hidden Mist ninja truly had no regard for Kumogakure!
The Fourth Raikage's expression grew cold.
"You wanted to see this old man's Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"
"Fine."
"Then I'll let you see enough of it today!"
Boom!
Lightning erupted wildly as the ice beneath his feet shattered and collapsed. Water surged through the cracks—
—and in the next instant, the Raikage vanished.
Only a streak of lightning tore across the battlefield.
Shigure smiled faintly and drew Zangetsu in a smooth backhand motion.
Clang!
A sharp metallic crash rang out as the Raikage's armored forearm slammed directly into Shigure's blade.
This blow—
Shigure couldn't block it.
His body was sent flying backward like a cannonball.
But the moment he was airborne, Shigure's eyes narrowed.
An astonishing chill radiated outward.
Ice crystals surged up from below, instantly freezing his body midair.
It appeared as though Shigure's legs had fused with the ice, but in truth, he was using Ice Release to forcibly neutralize the overwhelming impact.
The Fourth Raikage's eyes flashed with surprise.
"That's a fine ninja sword."
His gaze lingered briefly on the pitch-black blade in Shigure's hand before he snorted.
"So you want to face this old man head-on?"
"Very well. Let's see how many blows you can take!"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The Raikage accelerated again, his arms striking like cannon fire.
Shigure did not retreat.
He planted his legs firmly, Ice Release reinforcing his stance, and raised Zangetsu.
Strike after strike—
He met the Raikage head-on.
Sparks exploded continuously as their attacks collided, each impact more violent than the last. The ice beneath Shigure's feet cracked again and again, the entire frozen lake visibly trembling.
A massive fissure formed—
stopping less than twenty centimeters in front of Shigure.
This alone demonstrated the sheer terror of the Fourth Raikage's strength.
Shigure's ice extended more than seven meters deep, capable of tearing apart ice of that thickness at will.
Yet even so, the Raikage's blows nearly split it apart.
Shigure's eyes glinted with excitement.
If not for the reinforcement of Shikotsumyaku, his arms would have already been shattered.
But with Shikotsumyaku strengthening his body, even a direct clash like this inspired no fear.
Their unyielding confrontation left the surrounding Kumogakure ninja utterly stunned.
Never—not once—had anyone fought Lord Raikage head-on like this.
And without retreating a single step.
"What kind of monster is this…?"
"No one has ever matched Lord Raikage blow for blow!"
"It's not just his strength—his body can actually endure it!"
"He's a Jinchūriki! Their recovery abilities are terrifying!"
Before the murmurs could settle—
Boom!
A crushing punch sent Shigure flying once more, along with the shattered ice beneath his feet. As he soared through the air, the ice encasing his legs rapidly disintegrated.
At the same time, the Fourth Raikage launched himself forward like a thunderbolt.
All of his Lightning Release chakra condensed into his fist.
This blow—
Was meant to end it.
Whether he would die now depended entirely on how much Shigure could endure.
Though suspended midair with no footing to rely on, Shigure could still move his arms.
He swung the blade in his hand.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
In an instant—
Without warning, Shigure gathered an overwhelming amount of chakra. The moment his blade descended, a pitch-black cutting wave erupted forth like a beam of compressed light, tearing straight toward the Fourth Raikage.
In the blink of an eye, the Raikage was completely engulfed.
Boom!
The Fourth Raikage was blasted out of the air as the cutting wave tore across the frozen lake below. A deep, clean fissure split the ice apart, the sight alone sending chills down the spines of the surrounding Kumogakure ninja.
"What kind of sword technique is that?! To release such a terrifying cutting wave instantly?!"
"That chakra output—how could so much chakra be condensed in a single moment?!"
"Is that Acting Mizukage of the Hidden Mist even human?!"
The Fourth Raikage landed heavily, his expression dark as he looked down at his arm.
Two deep cuts crossed his forearm.
A moment later, the hardened steel bracers protecting it split cleanly in half and slid off, clattering onto the ice.
Shigure landed at the same time.
Residual chakra still surged faintly around his body, the pressure lingering in the air.
"Bee was too impatient, Lord Raikage," Shigure said calmly.
"Our battle has only just begun."
As he spoke, Shigure gripped Zangetsu in a reverse hold. His left hand formed a sword-finger, slowly tracing along the blade's edge with deliberate care.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I'm only starting to get serious."
A crimson light suddenly erupted from his body.
...
TN:
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