I need to retreat.
Once that thought arose, the Third Raikage no longer wanted to remain entangled with his opponent.
He had to consider the bigger picture.
As a Kage, there were far too many things he needed to take into account.
If A and Killer B were still alive, he might have been willing to die here if it meant killing Seiryū and eliminating this future threat.
But Kumo was now in a precarious position, and he was its only remaining pillar.
If he died, Kumo would undoubtedly fall.
That was something he could never allow!
"You are very strong, but neither I nor anyone else will give you time to continue growing. The threat you pose can no longer be ignored."
"The other shinobi villages will never allow another God of Shinobi to emerge!"
Taking a deep breath, the Third Raikage stared at Seiryū and spoke solemnly.
Every battlefield had scouts from the other shinobi villages.
What happened on this front line would undoubtedly become known to them.
The name of Konoha's strongest genius, Seiryū, would soon spread throughout the entire Shinobi World!
Faced with such a terrifying genius, the other shinobi villages would never remain idle.
They would never permit another Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, or Madara, the Asura of the Shinobi World, to emerge and sweep across the Shinobi World!
What awaited Konoha and Seiryū would be endless attacks from the other shinobi villages.
Those attacks would continue until Konoha was destroyed and Seiryū was eliminated!
That was the inevitable outcome!
"Everyone, retreat!"
Finally, the Third Raikage's voice shook the surroundings as he issued the order to withdraw.
He moved again, but not to attack Seiryū.
Instead, he rushed toward Tsunade, who was slaughtering the Kumo shinobi, intending to stop her!
Swish!
Seiryū appeared beside Tsunade one step ahead of him.
A Wind Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken formed atop Fullbring: Heaven's Chain, and he hurled it at the approaching Third Raikage!
"Everyone, listen carefully! Retreat to the north!"
The Third Raikage shouted while relying on his extreme speed to evade the Rasenshuriken.
Boom!
The violent windstorm erupted behind him and slammed into his body.
It made him stagger, but he managed to remain standing.
Without pausing, the Third Raikage quickly formed hand seals.
"Lightning Release: Double Black Panther!"
Roaring lightning transformed into two panthers and tore forward.
This delayed Seiryū and Tsunade, giving the surviving Kumo shinobi enough time to escape!
Swish, swish, swish!
The Kumo shinobi who received the order immediately began retreating.
Their confidence had already been shattered.
At that moment, they ran as though their lives depended on it.
Some of them even launched Ninjutsu toward Seiryū and Tsunade, hoping to slow them down!
Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
Led by the Third Raikage, the Kumo shinobi retreated while continuing to fight.
Shinobi determined to withdraw without engaging were difficult to stop.
After all, Kumo still held the advantage in numbers.
Their repeated waves of Ninjutsu forced Seiryū and Tsunade to defend themselves.
"That's enough. Don't chase them any farther."
After blocking another wave of attacks, Tsunade narrowed her eyes and spoke to Seiryū.
There was no need to continue pursuing them.
They had already achieved enough.
"Fine, but let's give them one final parting gift."
Seiryū grinned, stepped into the air, and took a deep breath.
He mobilized both the Dragon Vein Chakra within his body and his own Chakra.
Boom!
When shinobi used Ninjutsu, they released a distinct presence.
As the Chakra within Seiryū surged violently, the surrounding air seemed to become thick and oppressive.
Red and blue Chakra appeared out of thin air and gathered at the tip of his right index finger.
The two forms of Chakra maintained a precise balance as they condensed and took shape.
It was not a Tailed Beast Ball.
It was Cero Oscuras!
An ordinary Cero used only Dragon Vein Chakra.
Cero Oscuras combined Dragon Vein Chakra with Seiryū's own Chakra in a specific ratio.
It was an even more powerful version of Cero!
"Cero Oscuras!"
Aiming his finger at the fleeing Kumo shinobi, Seiryū curled his lips into a cruel smile.
The violent and malevolent Chakra fluctuations radiating from him made him resemble a monster or ferocious beast.
The light was still purple.
But it was even brighter and more dazzling than before!
Shoo!
The purple light eclipsed the blazing sun as it erupted from Seiryū's fingertip.
It transformed into a beam that surged forward, ready to pierce through and destroy everything in its path!
"Damn it!"
Sensing the attack approaching from behind, the Third Raikage felt a surge of fury.
More than that, he sensed an overwhelming threat.
He did not hesitate for even a moment.
The Black Lightning around the Third Raikage surged violently.
Under his control, it gathered around his right arm.
The destructive force of the Black Lightning was far beyond what his body could safely endure.
His right arm burned with piercing pain.
The Third Raikage could not yet fully control Black Lightning.
He could only use it for external attacks.
Using Black Lightning to power the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was the strongest form of Lightning Release Armor he had envisioned.
He had been developing the technique in that direction.
However, it was not yet complete!
This was a desperate gamble.
If he failed to block this attack, they would all die!
"Hell Stab: Black Lightning One-Finger Nukite!"
Enduring the searing pain in his right arm, the Third Raikage stepped forward to meet the approaching beam.
Black Lightning compressed and condensed around his fingertip.
He unleashed the most powerful attack of his life!
Rumble!
An explosion that shook the earth erupted into the sky.
The clashing Chakra was so powerful that it formed an enormous, bowl-shaped dome of energy.
The Kumo shinobi were like leaves caught in a storm.
They had no power to resist the terrifying aftermath.
Countless more died beneath the blast.
However, many Kumo shinobi still survived!
The Third Raikage had sacrificed his entire right arm to unleash the strongest Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite of his life.
He had blocked most of Cero Oscuras's power and ultimately escaped with severe injuries.
"He blocked it. As expected of the strongest Raikage."
The battlefield was flooded with chaotic Chakra fluctuations, preventing Seiryū from sensing the situation clearly.
However, one thing was certain.
Cero Oscuras had been blocked.
The Third Raikage truly could not be underestimated.
He had possessed another hidden trump card!
He had combined Black Lightning with the Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, a move he had never displayed in the original story.
"Phew."
Seiryū exhaled deeply and released all his active states.
The moment he returned to normal, intense mental and physical exhaustion washed over him.
"Even when I have enough Chakra to avoid injury, the physical and mental exhaustion is unavoidable. These layered states really can't be maintained for long."
Seiryū murmured as he assessed his condition.
The Dragon Vein Chakra Mode and the Eight Inner Gates both increased his strength, but they also placed tremendous strain on his body and mind.
Even without injuries, he still became exhausted.
After all, Seiryū had fought several battles that day and had barely rested.
He had also consumed nearly ninety percent of the Chakra available within his body.
Completely exhausting one's Chakra meant death.
It was only natural that he felt drained.
That was also why Seiryū had chosen not to continue the pursuit.
"Are you all right?"
Seeing Seiryū's pale complexion and weakened appearance, Tsunade immediately became anxious.
She asked, "Is something wrong with your body?"
"I just used too much Chakra. It's nothing serious."
Seiryū shrugged and said, "With my recovery rate, I'll be full of energy again after a good night's sleep."
Ever since mastering the Dragon Vein Chakra, developing physically, and learning Senjutsu, Seiryū rarely had to worry about his Chakra reserves.
If measured in Kakashi units, the amount of Chakra Seiryū could mobilize was roughly one or two hundred times Kakashi's total reserves.
Yet even with that amount, Seiryū felt completely drained.
That alone showed how much Chakra he had consumed.
Had Kakashi used that much Chakra, he would have died countless times over!
"I'll examine you later."
Tsunade relaxed slightly, but still decided to check him afterward.
Then she added, "Don't tell me that technique you just used was another new one. It was clearly different from your previous Cero."
The Cero Seiryū had just used was far more powerful than the earlier version.
Surely that was not another new technique?
"That? I wouldn't call it an entirely new technique. It's just an enhanced form of Cero."
"I saw the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki use the Tailed Beast Ball earlier, and it gave me some inspiration."
Seiryū explained simply, "A normal Cero uses only Dragon Vein Chakra. Cero Oscuras combines Dragon Vein Chakra with my own Chakra in a precise balance, making it more powerful."
"You developed a stronger Cero just by watching a few Tailed Beast Balls?"
"It wasn't that difficult. My Senpai developed the Rasengan based on the principles of the Tailed Beast Ball."
"Since I already understand the Rasengan thoroughly, developing Cero came naturally. Cero Oscuras follows roughly the same principle."
Tsunade stared at him.
"I thought you'd already gotten used to my genius. Why are you still looking at me like that?"
Seiryū leaned closer with a curious expression. "By the way, are you impressed with me now? Have you fallen for me yet?"
"Right now, I only want to crack open your skull and see whether your brain is different from everyone else's."
Seiryū's mouth twitched violently.
"Can you stop bringing that up all the time?"
Why did she always return to that topic?
It was unsettling!
"Heh, so there are things even you're afraid of?"
Seeing Seiryū's expression, Tsunade could not help laughing.
"Who told you to be so extraordinary? And it isn't only me. Everyone is interested in you now."
"When talent reaches a certain level, people call you a genius. When it becomes so overwhelming that no one can understand it, people start calling you a monster."
"After this battle, your name will truly become famous throughout the Shinobi World."
"Your reputation might even surpass that of the Sannin, and everyone will want to kill you."
By the end, Tsunade's tone had become serious.
Once news of this battle spread, Seiryū would undoubtedly become a target for every shinobi village.
His talent was too great.
And he was far too young!
Seiryū immediately focused on the most important part.
"You're interested in me? What kind of interest? Romantic interest?"
Tsunade glanced at Seiryū and replied casually, "I'm interested in whether your brain is structured differently from that of an ordinary person. Would you like me to open your skull and check?"
Her gaze shifted toward Seiryū's regenerated right arm, whose skin was still a slightly different color.
"Your Medical Ninjutsu can regenerate limbs, so you probably wouldn't die just because I opened your skull."
Seiryū stared at her speechlessly.
"Just say you want to kill me! Don't make up excuses!"
What kind of reasoning was that?
Just because he would not die, she thought she could open his skull?
How could this bad woman say such a thing?
What if she opened his skull and suddenly became curious about the taste of his brain?
Would she take out a spoon and try a bite?
Tsunade raised her eyebrows.
"I wouldn't let you die. You're going to be my future Hokage Assistant."
"The greater your talent and the sharper your mind, the more useful you'll be to me."
Seiryū looked intrigued.
"Useful? You mean making money together?"
He then slapped his chest confidently.
"I'm very good at that!"
"By the way, once you become the Fourth Hokage, sell me the Forest of Death for one ryō."
"I've had my eye on that land for a long time. We could make a fortune from it!"
"I know every trick in the viral marketing playbook. With a little promotion, becoming the richest people in the Shinobi World would be easy."
"After all, all our competitors are idiots!"
Seiryū was already lost in thought.
Their competitors really were idiots!
The Forest of Death was prime land.
Even if they did not fence it off and turn it into a world-class tourist attraction, they could clear part of it for farming or livestock.
That would make Konoha completely self-sufficient!
Once Konoha became self-sufficient, what use would they have for the Daimyo?
Aside from having several wives and plenty of money, he had nothing special!
Wait.
The Daimyo could have several wives too?
Tsunade fell silent.
Aside from making money, could this kid not think of anything normal that a Hokage Assistant should do?
Tsunade nearly laughed from frustration.
"What do you think the Hokage Assistant position is? It isn't a license to make money!"
"Why not?"
Seiryū reasoned, "Look at Danzo. He must have made a fortune during his time in office."
"The money I've worked so hard to earn is probably nothing compared to what he accumulated."
Tsunade fell silent again.
"He is him, and you are you."
Before Tsunade could finish, Seiryū smoothly continued while nodding.
"Exactly. If it were me, I'd make far more than a small fortune."
"Danzo at least cares about Konoha's interests to some extent!"
Although Danzo was difficult to tolerate, he was indeed loyal to Konoha in his own way.
That could not be denied.
After all, Danzo wanted to become Hokage.
If Konoha were destroyed, he could never fulfill that obsession.
Naturally, he had to remain loyal to the village.
But Seiryū was different.
He only wanted to make money!
Tsunade cracked her knuckles, and a dangerous aura filled her eyes.
Was this brat implying that he did not care about Konoha's interests?
She forced a smile.
"From now on, you'll listen to me and serve honestly as my Hokage Assistant."
"If you dare come up with any crooked schemes, I'll smash your head in!"
"Hmph! That way, you'll only possess my body, not my heart!"
Seiryū raised his chin dramatically.
"At worst, I'll run away to Rōran and rule as Prince Regent. Tsunade, you'll regret this!"
"Remember, I am the Hokage!"
Tsunade replied coldly, "Without my permission, you aren't going anywhere!"
Seiryū froze, his mind filling with question marks.
Something was wrong.
She had not become Hokage yet.
And he was not the Hokage Assistant either.
How had their conversation turned into a melodramatic lovers' quarrel?
His head began to itch, as though a new brain cell were trying to sprout.
Even his hand felt restless, as though he needed to slam a door dramatically.
Seiryū actually waved his hand as though slamming an imaginary door shut.
Strangely, he felt much better afterward.
Tsunade watched his strange movements as a question mark slowly appeared on her forehead.
Why was this kid doing something she could not understand?
Was he acting up again?
(To be continued.)