บท 30: Chapter 30: Aoba vs. the Raikage
"He's Aoba Kamikawa?"
"I heard he's the highest-ranking swordsman after the Konoha White Fang."
"Did he just say that the Raikage's little finger was cut off by him?"
"It seems so, and his right eye was likely injured by the Raikage."
"Is that true? I recognize this guy; he was a Chunin a while ago."
"That was three years ago. He's been stationed at the Fire Country's border for three years and is said to have fought the Cloud ninjas dozens of times. His swordplay is tight, and he even survived against the Raikage."
"Why haven't we heard any news about such a formidable figure within the village? I'm only learning about him today."
"I don't know either. I heard he was promoted to Jonin not long ago."
The Raikage had a clear memory of Aoba. He had underestimated him before and was nearly critically injured by Aoi's peculiar jutsu.
Fortunately, his experience allowed him to avoid most of the damage, but he still lost a little finger on his right hand.
To him, losing a finger wasn't a major issue. However, the Raikage knew that for a top taijutsu expert, any limb loss would have an impact.
This impact might be very subtle. In ordinary battles, it might not show. But in a duel between top experts, these small flaws could become fatal weaknesses.
Because of this, the Raikage harbored intense hatred towards Aoba.
Yes, it was true that Aoba had retaliated in self-defense and even blinded his right eye. But in the Raikage's mind, the resentment towards Aoba was profound.
"Do you still dare to stand in front of me?" The Raikage could barely control his anger upon seeing Aoba's face.
Aoba, on the other hand, appeared very relaxed. He even stood in front of the Raikage with a casual posture, without making any defensive moves.
"I remember the last time I stood in front of you like this. It was quite an unforgettable experience."
He gently adjusted the eye patch over his right eye. Unlike Kakashi, he didn't have a Sharingan underneath.
Moreover, the loss of his right eye had created vulnerabilities in his combat. Therefore, he developed a technique to mix chakra with the wind to sense his surroundings, compensating for the disadvantage of having only one eye.
"Is that so? Then this time, I'll take out your other eye and stuff it into your mouth. Would that be a more memorable experience for you?"
"Not at all. Just wondering, how many fingers does Raikage-sama plan to use for this?"
The exchange of words between them grew increasingly heated.
In terms of injuries, Aoba was at a clear disadvantage. Losing a little finger was nothing compared to losing an eye.
But the Konoha ninjas present were invigorated. Aoba was just an ordinary Jonin with little fame in Konoha.
If such an ordinary Jonin from Konoha could injure the Raikage, then maybe the legendary Kage wasn't so extraordinary after all.
Though the Raikage was reckless, he wasn't stupid. He soon realized that Aoba was leading him into a trap.
In reality, with his status, the Raikage shouldn't need to waste time talking to Aoba. It should be a battle of soldiers and leaders.
The only person present from Konoha qualified to speak to him was Danzo Shimura.
However, seeing Aoba immediately triggered Danzo's temper. He began to argue with Aoba, effectively lowering his own status to Aoba's level.
Most people wouldn't notice these subtleties. The Konoha Ninja Academy didn't teach them. But it didn't stop the Konoha ninjas from feeling satisfied with Aoba's actions.
On the other side, realizing the situation wasn't right, the Raikage stopped wasting time with Aoba. Lightning began to crackle around him as he activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
This was arguably the strongest physical technique in the ninja world at the time. Even in later years, the Raikage used this technique to break through Madara's Susanoo.
This demonstrated the terrifying potential of this technique.
At the moment the Raikage began to act, Danzo Shimura used Body Flicker Technique to retreat into the crowd.
Aoba almost laughed at this.
Konoha was a military organization. The leader of this organization was not merely a tactical or strategic figure, but also the strongest combatant in the entire organization.
In the face of overwhelming and unconventional combat power, the leader should stand in front of their people and bear the pressure.
A leader who retreats to the back of their own troops during a battle could never be recognized as a true Hokage.
The Raikage, while reckless, was a combat leader who charged into the fray and led from the front, undefeated and unstoppable.
His intellect might have been questionable, but in a world where brute strength and success in battle were prized, it wasn't much of a problem. The Cloud ninjas appreciated leaders who led them to victory, without needing cunning strategies.
They would send people to steal the Nine-Tails or the Byakugan and kill anyone who discovered them. The plans were straightforward and lacked subtlety but were effective against the Third Hokage.
The aging Third Hokage feared such reckless leaders.
Danzo retreated, but Aoba did not. Instead, he drew his Kusanagi Sword and charged forward.
At the moment he drew his sword, he entered Sage Mode. Meanwhile, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, noticed the change in Aoba's aura and quickly warned the Raikage.
"Be careful. The Eight-Tails tells me that the kid is emitting natural energy."
"Natural energy? You mean Sage Jutsu like the Fourth Hokage?"
"Not sure. Normally, Sage Jutsu would cause physical changes. But this kid seems not to have any. It might be a weaker version of Sage Jutsu. There are multiple Sage Jutsu styles in Konoha, so be cautious."
"I understand." Despite his recklessness, the Raikage took Killer Bee's advice seriously.
His gaze toward Aoba lost its previous disdain.
This was Aoba's first time fighting in Sage Mode, and the enhancement of his combat power was significant.
With the acceleration effect of Wind Release techniques, he barely kept up with the Raikage's speed. This made the Raikage's expression turn slightly grim.
In their previous encounter, he hadn't used his full strength, and Aoba struggled to keep up. This time, with the Raikage going all out, Aoba was still able to keep up, indicating that Killer Bee's concerns were justified.
Konoha was indeed favored by the heavens. This was likely another genius on par with the Fourth Hokage or the White Fang.
Such a genius must not be allowed to leave alive.
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