If Raj could develop the Rasenshuriken and enter Sage Mode, even the Third Raikage might not survive a direct hit.
And if he did, Raj could simply unleash another one.
Before making the exchange, however, Raj decided to consult Minato.
With his plan settled, he hurried out of his tent to find his comrade.
"Only the Rasenshuriken can break through the Third Raikage's defenses?"
"Well, I haven't actually fought the Third Raikage myself, so I can't say for sure. But based on what I know about him, a simple Rasengan or ordinary taijutsu won't even scratch his absolute defense."
"Alright. I'll give you plenty of time to research this. If you can develop the Wind Release Nature Transformation for the Rasengan, I'll immediately recommend you for a major commendation."
Raj had originally intended to find Minato, but when he discovered Minato was in a meeting in Tsunade's tent, he decided to report the situation to everyone at once.
Minato wholeheartedly agreed with Raj's assessment.
Tsunade didn't know much about Kumogakure, but after hearing Raj describe how his full-power strike, enhanced with monstrous strength, had only injured the speed-specialized Fourth Raikage, her evaluation of the Third Raikage rose even higher.
She thought, 'Better to be cautious.'
But what Raj actually wanted to say was: "Meow~ Actually, I already have a preliminary idea. I just wanted to discuss it with Teacher Minato so we can refine it together faster."
"Oh?" Tsunade's eyelid twitched involuntarily.
'Have I heard this before?'
"Alright," Minato nodded slightly. "If we can develop it quickly, we can deploy it in battle sooner."
The three of them emerged from the tent.
The camp had several open areas, so they could practice anywhere.
Tsunade was extremely busy and shouldn't have come along, but her curiosity got the better of her.
Inside the tent, eleven-year-old Shizune had been left behind with the gatekeeper ninja, who was instructed to immediately report anyone who approached.
Meeting Tsunade like this was truly bad luck for Shizune.
"Actually, I've already developed it to a fairly advanced stage, but there's one problem I can't seem to solve," Raj explained.
Minato extended his hand.
In the blink of an eye, a Rasengan materialized.
Unlike a standard Rasengan, this one gradually expanded four blade-like projections as it spun.
These blades continued to grow, reaching their maximum size in just three or four seconds.
"What an incredible technique!" Tsunade exclaimed, genuinely impressed.
No wonder Raj had insisted on developing this jutsu to stand a chance against the Third Raikage.
Even sensing the Wind Release Chakra infused within the Rasengan made its immense power clear.
As Minato spoke, he explained the key insights, techniques, and principles he had discovered during its development.
He also honestly admitted that the original concept for the jutsu had come from Raj.
Raj admired Minato's natural talent.
From its form, Minato's Rasenshuriken already closely resembled Naruto's initial version.
After explaining for a while, Minato canceled the Rasenshuriken and sighed.
"But there's one problem I can't solve."
"The Chakra storm that erupts when the Wind Release Rasengan explodes, right?" Raj interjected.
Minato nodded slightly.
"That's why it should be classified as an S-rank Ninjutsu."
Tsunade, as a descendant of the Senju Clan, possessed a deep understanding of Ninjutsu, even though she rarely used such techniques herself.
When Minato and Raj mentioned the jutsu, she immediately grasped its potential consequences.
'This is truly... a dilemma!'
"Meow~ This requires Sage Mode, but I'm not entirely sure how it will go. I'll need you both to keep a close watch."
"No problem," Minato nodded gently.
As a master of Sealing Techniques, he could seal Raj's Chakra if it went berserk, effectively halting the jutsu's effects.
Raj leaped to the ground and began gathering Sage Chakra.
Just as Minato finished speaking, the system notified him of a 3,000-point discount.
Now, the Rasenshuriken cost exactly 10,000 points.
No hesitation-exchange it!
With his current wealth, even after acquiring the Rasenshuriken, he'd still have over 10,000 points remaining.
After a quick glance, Raj also grabbed the discounted Water Severing Wave.
The total expenditure came to 21,000 points.
No big deal.
Once he could beat up the Third Raikage, his points would skyrocket.
These were just small investments for now.
A moment later, Raj entered Sage Mode.
Minato immediately sensed the change, his eyes widening in surprise.
Tsunade, having already learned from Rin that Black Cat had mastered Sage Mode, remained unfazed.
However, she was deeply curious.
'Could Sage Mode truly allow the Rasenshuriken to be launched?'
Chakra began to gather in Black Cat's mouth.
Within mere seconds, a small, spherical "shuriken" materialized.
The next moment- Boom!
With a loud blast, Black Cat exhaled sharply, launching the Rasenshuriken.
It soared through the air and slammed into the nearby forest with a deafening roar.
Then... BOOM!
A terrifying storm erupted, sweeping across the landscape.
In the blink of an eye, the once-lush forest was reduced to a desolate wasteland.
A resounding success.
Yet Tsunade and Minato were both stunned.
"This power..." Tsunade gasped, taking a deep breath.
An absolute technique!
She had imagined the technique to be incredibly powerful, but its actual destructive force far exceeded her expectations.
Without Sage Mode, using this Ninjutsu repeatedly would inevitably cripple the user's hands.
"Combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique, I should be able to use it once," Minato mused.
He had initially believed he could use the technique two or three times in conjunction with the Flying Thunder God Technique before needing medical treatment.
But witnessing its devastating power, he now realized he could only use it once at most.
"But... have you truly mastered all of this?" Tsunade stared intently at Raj.
"Excellent. In that case, Raj and Minato, I hereby order you two to form a strike team and carry out a retaliatory assassination mission in the Land of Lightning. Can you do it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Meow~ Can I get some sleep first?" Raj asked, his voice lacking confidence.
He hadn't slept all night, and if he encountered the Third Raikage operating at only 60% of his usual strength, it could spell disaster.
"No problem. I didn't say it had to be today," Tsunade chuckled.
Holding back after suffering a loss wasn't her style, especially now that she had a perfect plan in mind.
Raj wouldn't even need to resort to any special tactics.
He could simply rush in, hurl a massive Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken, and then have Minato use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape.
Could the Raikage possibly catch them?
What good was the Third Raikage's speed and power?
He'd still fall victim to the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As a descendant of its creator, Tsunade felt a surge of pride.
Raj and Minato returned to sleep for an entire day.