Chapter 14: A Thorough Beating
Amu leaped down from a high vantage point.
Boom!
A circular crater appeared on the ground, filled with spiderweb-like cracks. Upon entering combat, Amu's eyes turned bloodshot, his muscles bulged, and faint wisps of cold air emanated from the two horns pointing toward the sky.
At this moment, Amu had shed his usual simple-minded demeanor. Standing there, he resembled a steel chariot, as if nothing could stop him.
Amu's appearance didn't surprise the three members of the Raikage's team. Among them, Shi was a sensory-type ninja.
"Is this a weapon cultivated by the Akatsuki?"
Darui spoke in a lazy tone, simultaneously looking up at Su Xiao on the high ground.
"The one up high should be the Akatsuki member Bai Ye. I heard he attacked Konoha. Doesn't look like much."
Darui chuckled.
"Don't let your guard down. That guy's bloodlust is so strong I can smell it from dozens of meters away. Surviving an attack on Konoha means he's no ordinary opponent."
Shi formed hand seals, sensing the surroundings.
"Shi, according to intel, there should also be a sensory-type woman. Find her first. I'll handle Uchiha Sasuke and his accomplices. Darui, you hold off that bull and the Akatsuki member Bai Ye."
"Understood."
"Yeah."
Shi and Darui began their actions. Shi remained stationary, while Darui approached Amu.
The Raikage seemed to sense the precarious situation. Uncertain whether Su Xiao, perched above, would intervene, he stomped the ground, causing his Lightning Release Armor to visibly expand. His slicked-back hair stood on end like a hedgehog's quills.
Normally, the Raikage activated his body to only 10% to 20%. Now, he pushed it to 60%.
Whoosh~
A piercing sound of air being torn rang out as the Raikage, A, vanished from his spot.
"Sasuke!"
Jugo roared, immediately stepping in front of Sasuke.
Bang!
Blood splattered as Jugo's upper body was sent flying, blood gushing from his mouth.
Midair, Jugo remained dazed. The Raikage was too fast—so fast he couldn't comprehend what had happened. How could a man nearly two meters tall unleash such speed? Was this a joke?
With a thud, Jugo's upper half landed amidst scattered rubble. He turned his head to look at the Raikage, who was holding a side-swinging fist posture. That single punch had cleaved Jugo's body in two. Lightning Release not only granted the Raikage terrifying speed but also imbued his side swings with immense cutting power.
"Cough, cough..."
Jugo coughed up blood, his gaze falling on the nearby corpses of several samurai.
Leaving aside Jugo's near-death experience from a single punch, the Raikage now fixed his eyes on Sasuke.
"Where is my brother Bee?"
The Raikage's pupils seemed to crackle with electricity, while Sasuke's own pupils had constricted to their limit.
"Dead."
Though startled by the Raikage's speed, Sasuke uttered words that would drive the Raikage to fury.
"Dead?"
The Raikage paused, then regained his composure.
"Is that so."
For some reason, the Raikage calmed down from his rage. His body began to activate further, reaching 70%. Once activation exceeded 90%, his cells would surpass their tolerance and break down.
The Raikage was genuinely enraged. The intel he had received indicated that Sasuke had captured Killer Bee. Now, he learned of Killer Bee's death.
Sasuke lied about Killer Bee's death because he believed Jugo might have already died at the Raikage's hands. He wanted to sow grief in the Raikage's heart, creating an opening in battle.
But things went contrary to his wishes. The Raikage instantly accepted Killer Bee's death, transforming his sorrow into fury.
"Chidori Stream."
Electric arcs spread from Sasuke's feet. He gripped his longsword with both hands, forming hand seals rapidly.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."
Sasuke spat out a small fireball that swelled in the wind, instantly becoming a five-meter-wide inferno—his most commonly used Fire Style.
The Great Fireball hurtled toward the Raikage, who vanished again. When he reappeared, he was behind Sasuke.
In speed, strength, combat experience, and chakra reserves, the Raikage utterly dominated Sasuke.
Sasuke's black hair was blown back by the gust from the Raikage's movement. He sensed the Raikage behind him, but the Raikage's punch was too fast.
In that moment, a surge of dark purple energy flooded Sasuke's mind, entering his eyes. His three-tomoe Sharingan transformed, the tomoe spinning to form a hexagonal pattern.
Sasuke had already awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, but he couldn't use it proficiently—it was unreliable. In this life-or-death moment, he fully awakened it.
Boom!
The Raikage's fist came down, sending Sasuke flying. The sound of breaking bones was faintly audible.
Another loud crash followed as the Raikage punched Sasuke into a wall, creating a several-meter-deep crater.
Sasuke stood up, unharmed. A dark purple skeletal structure of energy enveloped him—a torso with arms.
"Susanoo..."
From above, Obito grew interested. Sasuke's growth rate was beyond expectations. Hatred was indeed a powerful motivator.
"Bai Ye, aren't you going to act?"
Obito seemed unwilling to let Sasuke die here.
"I already have."
Su Xiao pointed down at Amu, who stood still, staring at Darui.
Obito was somewhat speechless. He hesitated whether to use his leader status to command Su Xiao. But everyone knew the truth about his position. Even though Obito claimed to be Uchiha Madara, he had no proof. Kisame, Deidara, and others didn't fully believe his identity.
The Akatsuki had evolved into a loosely organized group. Nagato's Rinnegan was genuine, but Obito's claim of being Madara was merely self-proclaimed.
"Our plan this time is to assassinate the Kage."
Obito didn't use his leader authority, fearing that Su Xiao, who seemed fearless, might directly betray the organization.
"Of course. After Uchiha Sasuke dies, I'll deal with the Raikage. How long has it been since you last participated in an Akatsuki mission? I don't know how other squads operate, but in the Sasori Squad, our style is: when one dies, the next steps up."
Obito had no retort. That was indeed the Sasori Squad's style.
"Sasori is dead."
"So what? Deidara and I are still alive."
Su Xiao lit a cigarette, watching the battle with interest. As for the so-called Sasori Squad, it was just an excuse to fend off Obito. Clearly, after Sasuke awakened his Mangekyo and could use Susanoo, his status in Obito's eyes had risen—from a disposable pawn to one worth cultivating.
Obito wanted Su Xiao to protect Sasuke. With the Raikage in full force, Sasuke, who had just awakened his Mangekyo, might die at his hands.
Below, black flames blazed. After using Susanoo and Amaterasu, Sasuke managed to hold his own against the Raikage. Amaterasu's lethality was terrifying, and even the Raikage dared not face it head-on.
Su Xiao's meaning was clear: unless Obito offered some benefits, he wouldn't bother dealing with the Raikage. Don't joke around.