"Let me explode!"
This was no bluff—this was the technique that the Fourth Raikage had poured all of his killing intent into.
An unavoidable, devastating blow.
Under the horrified gazes of countless shinobi, Tatsuya's body was slammed forcefully into the ground.
BOOM!
But the anticipated splatter of blood never came.
In the moment that should have been his death, Tatsuya's body ignited—flames erupted and engulfed him, and then—
KABOOM!
A deafening explosion shattered the battlefield.
> "What!?"
The Fourth Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief.
A Shadow Clone?!
He'd been fooled!
Smoke and flames soared skyward, hiding the chaos below.
> "That's... A-rank ninjutsu!"
"That was a Shadow Clone Detonation!"
Watching from a distance, Jiraiya muttered in amazement.
> "He was fast—so fast I didn't even sense the switch…"
> "Tatsuya-kun!"
Yūhi Kurenai exhaled, her heart unclenching for the first time in minutes.
Meanwhile, the shinobi from Kumogakure and Kirigakure wore grim expressions.
> "Lord Raikage!"
"Boss!"
"We need to assist him—now!"
Several elite Kumo jōnin rushed forward—but were immediately intercepted by Konoha ANBU.
> "You'll go no further!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, clad in his fox-mask, stepped in front of them, his voice sharp.
"We cannot allow pressure to build on that front!"
> "Understood, Captain!"
The ANBU around him tightened formation.
Tatsuya's earlier performance had left all of them in awe.
Minutes passed.
When the smoke cleared, the Fourth Raikage emerged—singed, breathing heavily, and visibly furious.
Despite his Lightning Release Armor, scorched patches marred his skin. His cloak was torn and still smoldering.
> "Damn that bastard…"
Veins bulged in the Raikage's neck as he glared into the distance.
That masked ANBU...
That deceptive, evasive, irritating ANBU!
> "Coward! You dare not face me head-on?!"
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Roaring, the Raikage's aura surged as arcs of electricity danced violently around him.
He was done holding back.
He activated his maximum speed, the glow of his armor now blazing like the sun.
> "I will kill you!"
"If I don't… you'll become a future threat to the very survival of Kumogakure!"
Eyes locked on Tatsuya, the Raikage prepared for a full-power assault.
But—
> "Leave the rest to me."
Jiraiya appeared beside Tatsuya in a flicker.
> "Understood," Tatsuya said quietly.
His voice was calm, unreadable under the mask.
> "But if there's a chance, I'll try to take him alive. It'll give the village leverage in the coming negotiations."
That was the perfect shinobi answer.
Patriotic. Selfless. Full of fire.
But Tatsuya didn't believe a word of it.
In truth? He just wanted to see what Jiraiya could really do.
He'd tested the Raikage's strength earlier—it was satisfying. But now?
Now he wanted to collect more attributes.
And a battlefield between two Kage-level monsters was the perfect hunting ground.
> "As expected of you, Tatsuya-kun."
Jiraiya looked at him with newfound respect.
He'd heard rumors, but now, after this encounter, he understood why even Hiruzen placed so much trust in this mysterious ANBU.
> "Don't worry."
A grin spread across Jiraiya's face.
"The world is vast, but there's only one unbeatable white-haired Sannin…"
> "Toad Sage—reporting in!"
Clap!
He slammed his hands together—and an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted from his body.
Tatsuya didn't hesitate—he leapt backward, retreating more than 100 meters.
Because…
> Sage Mode had been activated.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Tatsuya's mouth.
Perfect.
Now the real battle could begin.
Jiraiya vs. the enraged Fourth Raikage.
Let the sparks fly.
---
> "RAHHH!!"
"Lightning Release: Lariat!!"
The Raikage lunged, lightning trailing behind his charging form.
His speed now exceeded anything he'd shown earlier—at least 30% faster.
> "Sage Art: Rasengan!"
Jiraiya's Rasengan collided midair with the Raikage's attack.
BOOM!
A shockwave detonated outwards, sending both titans flying.
> "He withstood it?"
The Raikage's eyes narrowed.
He had gone all out—and yet Jiraiya stood tall.
A few fresh wounds bled along the Raikage's arms.
The Sannin was stronger than ever.
> "So this is the power of Mount Myōboku…"
The Raikage's voice was low.
He knew about the Sage training grounds—the secrets of the Three Great Dojo weren't completely hidden among the Kage.
> "Raikage."
Jiraiya's tone shifted—serious now.
"You're in Fire Country territory now."
> "And the Toad Sage won't let you rampage freely!"
Then—suddenly—he dropped into a low, bizarre stance.
> "Sage Art: Needle Jizō!"
His white mane expanded, turning into a torrent of sharp, hardened hair.
It shot toward the Raikage like a rainstorm of steel.
> "Fast—!"
The Raikage gritted his teeth as the hair needles forced him into defensive movement.
The two Kage-level giants collided again, explosions rippling out into the forest.
---
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows...
Tatsuya watched in silence.
His presence erased with perfect ANBU stealth.
He didn't need to speak.
Because—just then—golden motes of light drifted toward him.
They merged into his body, like sparks feeding a dying fire.
> [You picked up 500 points of Sage Talent.]
[You picked up 500 points of Sage Talent.]
[You picked up 1000 points of Natural Energy.]
Finally.
> "It begins."
A quiet murmur beneath the mask.
His evolution had just taken another step forward.
--