The encirclement of the Third Raikage lasted for nearly a day. Compared to Raikages in other worlds, this world's Raikage faced much greater difficulty in dealing with this siege.
Among the Konoha Ninja present, there were not only Wind Release Ninjas who could counter Lightning Release but also a large number of Fire Release Ninjas.
Though Fire Release doesn't counter Lightning Release as effectively as Wind Release, the prolonged burning of flames reduces the surrounding oxygen.
In the end, it was Danzo who noticed the Third Raikage's breathing becoming increasingly rapid. Although his Chakra was depleting slowly, his condition was declining rapidly.
He then suggested that Sarutobi Hiruzen use Earth Release to trap the Third Raikage, followed by setting the entire valley ablaze with a large amount of Fire Release.
The Third Raikage did not know Earth Release; he couldn't burrow underground to escape.
Once the entire valley was engulfed in flames, the Third Raikage wouldn't be able to charge out, which was preferable to continuing to expend Chakra here against him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, thinking it a good idea, had Jiraiya and Danzo create Shadow Clones, then created two Shadow Clones himself. Seizing the right opportunity, he used the Four Red Sun Array to trap the Third Raikage.
The Shadow Clones of the four Kage-level Ninjas immediately used the Four Red Sun Array. Although they were Shadow Clones, the amount of Chakra allocated was enough to hold the Third Raikage for a few minutes.
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered all the ninjas inside the valley to retreat, and had Jiraiya and other Konoha Ninjas use the widest range of Fire Release together.
Jiraiya also summoned Gama Bunta and Gama Hiroshi, having them pour a large amount of oil inside the valley, and then joined the other ninjas in using Fire Release.
Boom!
The flames, upon meeting the oil, erupted with tremendous ferocity, forcing even the Konoha Ninjas using Fire Release to retreat quickly after finishing their techniques. The entire valley turned into a pit of fire, with flames soaring into the sky.
Under these sky-high flames, the Shadow Clones of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, and Jiraiya dispersed instantly. They had no idea about the fate of the Third Raikage afterward.
They could only wait from afar for the fire to end to find out the situation inside.
The flames grew so intense that they even blocked the vision of the Byakugan. The fire was so strong that trying to see inside with it was akin to looking at the sun.
The flames in the valley lasted for five to six hours. Sarutobi Hiruzen also had Konoha Ninjas erect a wall around the valley with Earth Release. He, Jiraiya, Danzo, and several elite ninjas spread out in various directions.
They would use Ninjutsu to blast the Third Raikage back should he show any signs of breaking out, preventing him from escaping the fire cage.
Once the flames gradually died down, Sarutobi Hiruzen sent people to search the inside.
Without Space-Time Ninjutsu and Earth Release, surrounded by Konoha Ninjas, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already determined in his heart that the Third Raikage was dead.
Soon, the body of the Third Raikage was found. The body's shape was still somewhat intact, with the feature of a severed arm.
Upon seeing this body, the Konoha Ninja finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then broke into smiles, cheering.
During this time, the Third Raikage had killed quite a few Konoha Ninjas. Without strong opponents to block him, the Third Raikage had a battlefield deterrence similar to Uchiha Yoichi. Even a Jonin encountering him wouldn't survive long.
Now that the Third Raikage was dead, the pressure on the front lines was significantly reduced. Although the death of a village's Kage was said to result from suffocation, it also proved the danger of the Ninja World, as not even the Eight-tails could kill the Third Raikage. Yet, due to arrogance, he was besieged by Konoha.
After Namikaze Minato recovered his Chakra, he rushed to Shinobi Bridge. When he left, the Third Raikage was still alive, but with so many strong Konoha Ninjas present, Namikaze Minato believed the Third Raikage was destined to die and thus went to carry out another mission.
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The Hidden Cloud received the news five days later.
Konoha's Yellow Flash had taken away the Third Raikage, and there had been no contact for five days. Ultimately, the Hidden Rock believed that the Third Raikage was almost certainly dead and sent the news to the Hidden Cloud.
They also sent the remaining Hidden Cloud Ninjas back, but Onoki leaked their route, leading to an ambush, with only one messenger surviving and returning.
Upon receiving this news, A angrily smashed everything in his tent. He was convinced that his father had been schemed against by the Hidden Rock, and Onoki, due to Hidden Rock blaming the deaths of the two Jinchuriki and those dozens of Rock Ninjas on their Hidden Cloud.
If not, despite sending out dozens of scrolls, A's father could not have failed to receive even one.
"Retreat the troops, return to the Hidden Cloud Village immediately!"
Though saddened, Dodai calmly advised A, "You must become the Raikage immediately. Konoha has surely received this information as well. We need to leave the Land of Fire before they come for us. Otherwise, any mishap to you or Killer Bee, and the Hidden Cloud Village could fall significantly..."
The death of the Raikage was also a shock to the village, necessitating the election of a new Raikage to stabilize minds.
A understood, but asked, "What about the other Hidden Cloud squads deployed on missions...?"
"Send them a message; those who can return should come back, and those who can't should try to return to the Land of Lightning on their own."
Dodai decisively said, "Right now, the most important ones are you and Killer Bee. If either of you remains in the Land of Fire, what will become of the Hidden Cloud Village!"
The village needed a leader; otherwise, it would be left without guidance. Understanding this, A, under Dodai's persuasion, finally issued an order for everyone to retreat back to the village.