Chapter 61: Third Raikage Flees.

"Sand Hidden Village Chiyo..." Tsunade, who was watching the battle from a distance, was stunned and sighed with a complicated expression. Although she and Chiyo were not from the same generation, they had been old enemies who clashed for many years. Chiyo was Sunagakure's greatest puppet master and its most skilled poison expert. The poisons she crafted had brought immense suffering to Konohagakure. And the one person Konoha could rely on to counter Chiyo's poisons was their finest medical ninja—Tsunade. The reason Tsunade had been stationed in the Land of Rain this time was precisely to face Chiyo in battle. But just now, her longtime opponent—Chiyo—was killed before her eyes by Zenkichi. "Chiyo..." The Third Raikage and Kitsuchi also wore complicated expressions. As the enemy, Sunagakure had lost a Kage-level powerhouse—something that, under normal circumstances, would be a cause for celebration. But in the current situation, Chiyo's death wasn't something they could feel pleased about. —they might be next. The Third Raikage's eyes sharpened, and murderous intent flared. Only the index finger of his left hand remained extended. "Hell Stab—One-Fingered Assault!" The Third Raikage roared as he launched his most powerful thrust, charging at Zenkichi like a bolt of lightning. "Piercing Strike!" "Kenjutsu Thrust!" A golden lightsaber formed in Zenkichi's hand. He met the Third Raikage head-on with full power, unleashing terrifying force. Invisible shockwaves shattered the surrounding terrain, sending massive chunks of earth skyward. The devastating impact spread outward, forcing weaker ninja to retreat. "Ahhh!" The Third Raikage bellowed in frustration as he was knocked back. Zenkichi's raw power had completely surpassed him. "Sealing Corps, move!" Kitsuchi gritted his teeth and ordered the sealing team into action. It was Chiyo's provocation that had triggered Zenkichi's wrath in the first place. But now, Kitsuchi had no choice. If he didn't act, he would have to kneel and beg before Zenkichi. "Trying again? Pointless." Zenkichi's voice was calm as his body turned into golden light particles, instantly appearing behind Kitsuchi. "Speed is weight." "Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?" A lazy voice rang out behind Kitsuchi, sending a chill down his spine. Zenkichi's foot glowed with a golden cross as he kicked forward. His strike landed squarely on Kitsuchi. Kitsuchi's body flew through the air and shattered into stones mid-flight. "Earth Clone? Nicely executed." Zenkichi casually raised a hand and fired golden lasers at a boulder in the distance. Boom! The ground trembled. A rock wall rose to intercept the golden beams. Boom! The impact rocked the wall with a fierce explosion. A figure dashed from the smoke and flame. "You're skilled at Earth Style." Golden light shimmered as Zenkichi reappeared behind Kitsuchi. Without hesitation, he brought his sword down and severed one of Kitsuchi's arms with ease. Kitsuchi screamed and fell back in panic. Missing an arm, he was now useless—his Earth Release techniques required both hands. One-handed or seal-less Earth techniques were ineffective in comparison. "Huh?" After neutralizing Kitsuchi, Zenkichi frowned and looked toward the Third Raikage. To his surprise, the Raikage had chosen to flee, taking the Kumogakure shinobi with him. "Running away?" Zenkichi was slightly taken aback. This was the Third Raikage—the man who once held off an army alone. But thinking deeper, Zenkichi understood. Given Zenkichi's current level of power, defeating him seemed impossible. In that case, escape was the wisest move. In the original timeline, the Third Raikage died holding off enemy forces to protect Kumogakure's army. But now, there was no army here—no reason to sacrifice himself for other villages. Not for foreign ninja. Not even for the handful of Kumogakure soldiers. The leaders of the great villages had to weigh cost against gain. No one with sense would risk everything for a few low-level soldiers. Just like how the Second Hokage, in the original story, only chose to stay behind because he was protecting future leaders like Sarutobi Hiruzen. If it were just nameless Anbu, would he have made the same choice? The Third Raikage might be headstrong, but he wasn't stupid. "You won't escape. Too slow." Zenkichi's body shone with golden light, transforming into countless particles as he flew toward the fleeing Kumo-nin. In a flash, he appeared above the Third Raikage and his men. Light orbs formed in his palms. "Yasakani no Magatama!" A hailstorm of glowing projectiles rained down on the group below. The Third Raikage and his elite struggled to withstand the bombardment. Moments later, only the Raikage remained standing—his iron defense having saved him. The rest of the Kumogakure shinobi were completely annihilated by Zenkichi's overwhelming attack. "You bastard!" Furious, the Third Raikage lunged at Zenkichi again, his index finger aimed to deliver another Hell Stab. "Farewell, Third Raikage." Zenkichi's expression was flat as he watched his opponent charge. He raised a leg glowing with golden light, and his body vanished in a flash. In the next instant, Zenkichi reappeared at the Raikage's side and delivered a blindingly fast kick. His strike connected with the Raikage's wrist, redirecting the lethal thrust. The Raikage's Hell Stab pierced his own chest—blood gushed from the wound. "Left-handed?" "Or did you adjust your strike to avoid hitting the heart?" Zenkichi materialized before him, watching with curiosity. The Raikage yanked out his hand. Lightning surged in his chest as he tried to cauterize the wound. "Pointless struggle." "You can't beat me." Watching the gasping Raikage prepare for another desperate clash, Zenkichi shook his head and formed a blade of divine light—the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi. "Let me end this." He drove the sword forward, closing the chapter on the Third Raikage. --- Don't be shy, unleash those Powerstones! (⁠⊙⁠_⁠◎⁠)