The next moment, the strongest spear of the Village Hidden in the Cloud did not hesitate in the slightest. He abruptly turned around, abandoning his advance to break through Konoha's defensive line, and instead charged toward the battlefield at Shinichi's flank with killing intent!
"Raikage-sama?!"
The two hundred core elite guards following closely behind him were all stunned, completely unable to understand why the third Raikage would suddenly abandon the established objective at the critical moment when a breakthrough was imminent.
But as the elites of the Village Hidden in the Cloud, after a brief moment of shock, they immediately turned without hesitation, following behind the third Raikage like a small storm of lightning, sweeping toward Shinichi's direction!
"Heh…"
In the central command area of Konoha's defensive line, Orochimaru, who had been coldly observing the entire situation, took in this scene completely.
A hint of amusement flashed through his narrow golden pupils as he chuckled, "It seems… our esteemed third Raikage has set his sights on killing Shinichi-kun."
As if speaking to himself, his voice turned low enough that only those nearby could faintly hear, "That makes sense. A young boy with boundless potential, no matter how you look at it, is quite unsettling. Hehe, however…"
His tone shifted as he calmly instructed the strategist beside him, Shikaku Nara, "Shikaku, immediately deploy five battalions of mobile forces to flank and find a way to support Shinichi-kun. He must not die here."
"Understood, Orochimaru-sama." Shikaku Nara responded without hesitation, immediately turning to make arrangements.
After issuing the order, Orochimaru's gaze returned to the front battlefield.
There, because of the third Raikage's sudden turn, the pressure had greatly decreased, but a new threat had already arrived.
In the distance, a massive beast as large as a mountain, with eight tails like octopus tentacles, roared thunderously and began charging violently toward Konoha's formation with heavy steps!
"What a troublesome fellow." Orochimaru extended his tongue and slowly licked his lips, his eyes flashing with a dangerous yet excited gleam.
He turned his head and spoke to Fugaku Uchiha beside him, whose expression was cold and stern: "Clan Head Fugaku, prepare yourself. Come with me to greet this out-of-control beast."
Fugaku Uchiha nodded slightly, the three tomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotating. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
…..
Shinichi swept his Adamantine Nyoi, smashing two Kumogakure ninja into shattered bones and flying flesh once again.
But at that moment, an overwhelming, fierce, and domineering killing intent locked onto him.
From a distance, within wind, snow, and smoke, lightning exploded as a blue-white figure rushed forward at lightning speed. Wherever it passed, the air emitted sharp, explosive sounds, and the ground trembled slightly!
For a moment, it seemed less like a person and more like a humanoid thunder beast carrying a natural disaster, its presence terrifying to the extreme.
"Kid! Retreat quickly! You are absolutely no match for that old monster!!!" The urgent voice of Monkey King Enma came directly from within the Adamantine Nyoi.
At the same time, the anxious voices of the Inuzuka couple rang out: "Captain, it's the third Raikage! He's charging at us!"
"Continue with your tasks! Leave him to me!"
After issuing orders swiftly, Shinichi took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the rapidly approaching blue-white figure, whose oppressive presence pressed down like tangible lightning.
"Senior Enma, behind me are my comrades! I cannot retreat!"
Conveniently, this body of his had inherited the immense strength and indestructible physique of the Adamantine Monkey Clan. Though still in growth, with the enhancement of Master Swordsman, Genius, Splitting Rocks and Cleaving Gold, and Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Shinichi estimated that his body's overall qualities, especially strength and defense, were already comparable to Enma's true form.
This was the perfect chance to test just how strong the third Raikage, the strongest spear and shield, really was.
At worst, if there was any real danger, he could find an opportunity to escape using the Summoning Technique; after all, this wasn't his main body.
As his thoughts raced, facing the overwhelming pressure already upon him, Shinichi moved!
Instead of retreating, he advanced! He stepped forward fiercely, shattering the ground beneath his feet, his body shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging directly at the unstoppable third Raikage enveloped in lightning!
"Ha!"
With a roar, Shinichi gripped the ends of the Adamantine Nyoi tightly with both hands, his waist and hips moving as one, channeling his power and chakra into the staff, and aimed at the raging lightning figure, delivering a simple yet powerful thrust!
Driven by his will, the dark-gold staff suddenly expanded, instantly extending from just over two meters to more than twenty meters, carrying a piercing momentum that could penetrate anything as it shot toward the third Raikage's chest!
"Good kid!"
Not only does he not flee, but he also dares to counterattack!
A flash of surprise passed through the third Raikage's eyes. Facing the massive staff thrust capable of piercing a hill, he did not even consider dodging. Instead, he wrapped his right fist in dense lightning and met the incoming strike head-on with the purest and most violent straight punch!
Boom!!!
A deep, thunderous explosion like two mountains colliding instantly drowned out all other noise on the battlefield!
From the point where fist and staff tip met, a destructive vortex of tangible shockwaves and countless violent arcs of electricity erupted outward!
The ground was gouged into a deep pit. Snow, rubble, and even corpses in the surrounding area were blown away and crushed by the terrifying aftershock!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The force of the collision rebounded, forcing Shinichi to stagger back several steps. His arms tingled with numbness, and his blood churned slightly.
As for the third Raikage, his body did not move at all, as if that punch capable of splitting mountains had been nothing more than a casual strike.
"Hmph! Kid, not bad strength!"
The third Raikage snorted coldly, then suddenly exerted force again with his right fist, twisting and pushing!
A tyrannical and overwhelming force like a raging tidal wave surged along the Adamantine Nyoi toward Shinichi!
In an instant, Shinichi felt an unstoppable power crash over him like a stormy sea. He could no longer steady himself and was forcibly pushed backward, sliding across the ground.
Seizing the advantage, the third Raikage showed no mercy. The moment he repelled Shinichi, lightning burst from his body again as he prepared to pursue.
But at that moment!
Swish!
A golden figure appeared without warning behind the third Raikage!
Holding a massive Rasengan in his hand, he threw it toward the third Raikage!
The third Raikage's reaction was also pushed to the absolute limit. His right hand shifted from a fist into a palm, like a true blade of lightning, and he swung it backhandedly toward Minato Namikaze's neck in a swift slash!
However, the moment his lightning-hand blade was unleashed, the spot where its edge reached was already empty!
Minato Namikaze's figure, just like when he appeared, vanished once again in the instant before the attack landed!
"Damn, Minato Namikaze! Damn Flying Thunder God Technique!"
The third Raikage snorted coldly and stomped down, directly crushing the Flying Thunder God Kunai on the ground.
However, this brief delay caused the third Raikage to miss the optimal moment to pursue Shinichi and expand the results of the battle.