Chapter 5 — The Reins of the Riding Hero
Raizen quickly scanned Medusa's stats, his eyes widening with surprise.
Strength: A
Endurance: C
Agility: A+
Mana: A
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: A+
"Such high stats…" he murmured under his breath, a mix of astonishment and disbelief in his tone.
Even more astonishing was the effect of the Reins of the Riding Hero. This A+ ranked Noble Phantasm could raise all of Medusa's attributes by an entire rank. With that boost, these numbers were nothing short of phenomenal—especially considering that her Master, Raizen, had no mana to lend support.
Could it be that temporary Heroic Spirits always appeared in their peak form?
"That's right, Master!" UU's playful voice echoed in his mind. "Temporary summons always appear at their strongest."
Raizen allowed himself a brief, satisfied smile.
The Reins of the Riding Hero was a unique, overwhelming power. Beyond simply raising Medusa's stats, it greatly enhanced her offensive and defensive capabilities. Unlike a Noble Phantasm designed for one-on-one combat, this one functioned as a mass-target weapon—a devastating force capable of annihilating large formations of enemies.
If Excalibur shone like the golden sun, then the Reins of the Riding Hero streaked through the battlefield like a white comet.
The Pegasus beneath Medusa surged forward, wings flaring in a blinding display of speed and strength. Thunder rumbled across the horizon as she gained altitude, her momentum carrying her faster and faster—lightning incarnate, a streak of white racing through the sky.
Then, in a breathtaking display, she dove toward the village below.
The Third Hokage's expression darkened, his experienced eyes widening at the raw speed of the descent. The force behind this dive was nearly inconceivable, capable of crushing anything in its path.
He didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, he extended the Adamantine Staff, aiming to intercept the approaching threat. But the Pegasus's velocity was beyond his reach.
The white streak passed like a phantom across the battlefield. Over a dozen ANBU were struck before they could even react, their bodies obliterated in an instant, leaving the ground splattered with blood.
Raizen pressed himself flat against the Pegasus's back, one hand gripping the creature's mane, the other secured by Medusa's firm hold. The wind alone, whipping at hundreds of kilometers per hour, could have thrown him clear if not for her iron grip.
Medusa's face remained perfectly still, her eyes cold and detached. Her expression was almost disdainful—but there was more to it. She wasn't merely disinterested; she moved this way because it required no effort. Laziness, not malice, defined her demeanor.
Below them, the village had no chance. The Reins of the Riding Hero left even the most skilled shinobi powerless against its momentum and raw destructive force.
The Third Hokage, a veteran of countless battles, quickly adapted to the disaster unfolding beneath him. He clenched his fists, forming precise hand seals, then slammed his palm against the ground.
"Earth Wall Formation!"
The earth surged upward, massive slabs of soil and stone forming a thick barrier several meters high. The Pegasus's dive seemed destined to meet this new obstacle.
Medusa's face remained impassive. She steered the Pegasus straight into the wall, showing no inclination to divert or evade.
The wall exploded with a thunderous BOOM! Two more ANBU were instantly crushed beneath the force, their bodies splattering across the Pegasus, streaking its pristine white feathers with red.
"Damn it!" The Third Hokage's eyes widened in fury. Such raw, brutal power had rendered all of his defensive techniques meaningless. His ANBU, his most elite assets, were being torn apart before him.
"If only Minato were here…" he muttered, teeth gritted. Minato was deep in the front lines, leaving him vulnerable to speed-based threats he could barely contend with. His defensive prowess was formidable, but even he could be overwhelmed when forced to counter instantaneous, overwhelming force.
"Disperse!" he barked.
The remaining ANBU scattered, retreating to avoid unnecessary casualties. Their lives were valuable; there was no point in sacrificing them to a battle they could not hope to survive.
Now, with only the Third Hokage remaining, the focus of Medusa's assault shifted entirely onto him.
"Enma! Come!" he roared, thrusting the Adamantine Staff forward, aiming for the streak of white streaking across the sky.
The staff collided with the Pegasus's head with a deafening THUD!
The impact forced both forces to lock in a brutal contest of strength.
The Third Hokage grunted, veins bulging across his forehead as he poured every ounce of his strength into the Staff. He extended his arms, pressing down with all his might.
But even this was not enough. The Reins of the Riding Hero, though temporary, could rival Excalibur itself in raw destructive power. Slowly but inexorably, the Pegasus forced him backward.
"AAAHH!" The Hokage roared as the collision sent him hurtling into a massive tree. The trunk, broad enough that it would take three men to wrap their arms around it, cracked and splintered under the impact.
He coughed, tasting blood in his mouth, but still refused to yield.
The Pegasus did not stop. Its speed slowed, yes—partially due to the Third Hokage's skillful resistance—but it continued forward.
Medusa's endurance was limited; her Noble Phantasm was designed for instantaneous bursts, not prolonged engagements.
The Hokage exhaled sharply, momentarily gaining breathing room. With one hand, he quickly formed another seal.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Instantly, a perfect copy of the Third Hokage appeared beside him, moving with uncanny precision. Without hesitation, it formed hand seals, every motion crisp and exact.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
From the ground, a colossal dragon's head erupted, its jaws opening wide. Stones, jagged and immense, shot forth like missiles, barreling straight toward Medusa in midair. The force of the attack churned the earth, sending dust and debris spiraling into the sky.
Medusa's Nameless Short Swords whirled with terrifying speed. The chains rattled, blades slicing through the air like serpents striking at prey. Each spinning sword intercepted the stones mid-flight, shattering them effortlessly before turning back toward the Third Hokage below.
Raizen's eyes tracked the deadly dance of the Nameless Short Swords. If this strike failed, it was time to retreat. The Pegasus had already slowed from the previous exertion; once the Third Hokage recovered his breath, escaping would become far more difficult.
As the swords streaked downward, one of the Adamantine Staff's extending arms shot out with lightning speed, clamping forcefully onto the chain at the end of a sword.
"Of course…" Raizen murmured, a faint smirk crossing his lips.
He had anticipated this move. Nothing so far had caught him off guard.
"Medusa, retreat!" he commanded sharply.
The Heroic Spirit gave a subtle nod, expression unchanged. With a flick of her wrist, the circular handle controlling the Nameless Short Swords responded. The chain wrapped around the arm gripping the sword.
Being grabbed mid-combat was routine for her. She had always prepared for such eventualities.
The chain tightened steadily, coiling like a constricting serpent, threatening to twist Enma's arm clean off.
Enma howled in pain, muscles straining against the sudden force. Reflexively, the arm holding the chain loosened.
Medusa acted without hesitation. The sword jerked violently, plunging toward the arm with surgical precision. As soon as it struck, the chain released and the blade retracted seamlessly.
With a swift tug of the reins, the Pegasus reared, hooves striking the air as it leapt high into the sky, carrying Raizen far from the battlefield.
The Adamantine Staff swung wildly below, striking nothing as its target vanished.
Raizen peered down at the Third Hokage, his expression a mixture of triumph and cold amusement.
"Third Hokage," he called, voice sharp and carrying over the distance. "I'll spare your life today. But know this—next time, I will personally take it."
With that, the Pegasus soared upward, leaving the chaos far below.
The Third Hokage let out a low, controlled exhale, one hand braced against the cracked earth as he crouched. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining his beard a vivid red. His gaze followed the white streak disappearing into the distance, eyes narrowed with a mix of frustration and calculation.
"Issue a wanted notice immediately," he said, voice low but commanding. "Reward level… A, bounty twenty million ryo. And the two women who appeared before and after… reward level S, bounty eighty million each."
The wind whipped past him, carrying with it the faint scent of destruction and the echo of the Pegasus's departure. Even for the Third Hokage, a veteran hardened by countless battles, this encounter had left him unnerved.