Escape From Konoha

Chapter 167: 163: Cloud

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The Fourth Raikage is an immensely powerful ninja.

Although his ascension to the position of Raikage came after the Third Raikage's passing, he swiftly assumed office with the support of the elders. This accomplishment highlighted the elders' recognition of his strength, enabling him to seize leadership in Kumogakure at an age younger than thirty.

Ayane couldn't underestimate a ninja acknowledged by Kumo as one of the "Five Kage." With his extraordinary speed, he could eliminate the heads of regular ninjas with ease.

"Since Raikage-sama was stationed here personally, it won't be a simple mission to break through."

Ayane's objective was to sabotage Kumo's supply point on this island.

However, as Kumo's Kage, his responsibilities extended beyond protecting this supply point. He wanted to secure the Byakugan as well.

"Don't get too cocky, you mere traitor. You'll lose not only your life but your precious Byakugan." The Fourth Raikage snorted coldly.

Following this statement, his body transformed into blue lightning, releasing a tremendous lightning aura. This was an all-round absolute defense. His lightning armor not only warded off physical attacks but also paralyzed enemies upon contact.

"Heh, what a quick-tempered man."

Ayane responded with a light chuckle, her Byakugan unwaveringly focused on the Fourth Raikage's movements. He closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, his astounding speed exceeding Ayane's expectations. His fist, crackling with thunderous power, homed in on her chest.

Ayane remained calm in the face of danger, she struck with the Gentle Fist as well.

The moment they made contact, a surge of materialized chakra emanated from her palm, instantly reaching the Fourth Raikage's fist, mingling with the lightning.

Their collision emitted a piercing sizzling sound.

Immediately after the collision, the Fourth Raikage's eyes widened as he retreated back. His fist throbbed with pain, his expression contorted.

One of the Byakugan's ability was known for its capacity to bypass conventional defenses.

Bu the Fourth Raikage was left in shock. While he had faced Hyuga ninjas before, their Gentle Fist, while capable of direct internal attacks, couldn't fully negate his Lightning Armor defense.

The Lightning Release Chakra Mode was a fusion of chakra shape and nature manipulation. It not only enveloped the user in offensive lightning but also generated a high-defense chakra coat.

The combination of the two comprised the complete Lightning Release Chakra Mode. The Lightning armor formed in this state typically absorbed and nullified physical attacks effectively. Even in the face of powerful ninjutsu most of the force would be blocked causing only minor injuries.

However, Ayane's Gentle Fist was beyond his imagination. His Lightning armor couldn't be said to be useless but his whole body's defense was broken by Ayane's chakra, which was much more difficult than the typical Hyuga ninja he had fought against before.

The Fourth Raikage stepped back quickly, keeping a safe distance from Ayane, and then looked down at his right arm whose chakra flow ability had become sluggish compared to the rest of his body.

It seemed that the armor on the arm had been punctured by countless small thorns, producing minuscule breaches like pinholes. Her Gentle Fist had pierced the coat, then introduced her chakra into his arm which had severed some of his chakra veins in the arm.

The Fourth Raikage let out a sigh of relief. The chakra armor on the injured right arm was much thinner than the rest of his body, with less-dense lightning. The arm's chakra flow was disrupted, weakening the arm until a medical ninja could intervene with healing.

Ayane didn't give the Fourth Raikage more time to strategize. Although part of the chakra vein in her opponent's right arm was cut off, it wasn't enough to defeat the him.

Different from the Third Raikage, the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Chakra mode reflected his speed and neural response ability, while his attack and defense capabilities were relatively poor.

Ayane launched another attack with a clear aim. The Fourth Raikage's legs. By paralyzing the nerves in his legs, she hoped to reduce his speed and secure her advantage.

Aware of Ayane's transparent intentions, the Fourth Raikage's fury ignited. His eyes crackled with blue lightning, and his hair stood on end in a dramatic display.

"Don't underestimate me!" The Raikage roared, his tempered body brimming with explosive power. His voice resonated like a distant thunderclap, rumbling:

"Lightning Chop!".

With his left hand serving as his weapon, the Raikage assumed a sword stance and charged directly at Ayane with incredible speed, slashing towards her with sheer force.

"This is the Lightning Chop capable of slicing through the horns of the Eight Tails' with ease. Witness its power if you can!"

Ayane found herself momentarily dumbfounded in the face of the Fourth Raikage's furious strike.

This Raikage was indeed hot-headed. In light of their previous skirmish, Ayane held the advantage in close-quarters combat. Yet, contrary to her expectations, the Fourth Raikage unflinchingly challenged her, making it clear that he refused to reveal any weakness as the Raikage.

Nonetheless, Ayane didn't underestimate his seemingly straightforward yet exceptionally powerful ninjutsu.

Through her Byakugan, she observed that the lightning on the Fourth Raikage's hand was not only dense but sharpened to a blade-like level, capable of cleaving a body in two with the slightest touch. Even without using Air God Strike, Rotation alone might not be enough to fully defend against it, and she would sustain injuries.

With a quick and decisive judgment, Ayane leaped energetically, her body flew through the air and passing over the Fourth Raikage's head, thereby avoiding his hand. In mid-air, she gracefully spun, her long hair flowing in sync. Her pure white pupils glinted with cold determination, and her hands channeled chakra.

"Rotation!"

Instantly, a massive, high-speed rotating chakra sphere materialized. It expanded rapidly, engulfing the Fourth Raikage.

A huge hemispherical pothole appeared on the ground

The Fourth Raikage's body rotated within the storm, his lightning danced with the storm's fury, and his chakra coat fluttered unsteadily. Although he didn't want to show any signs of weakness, he couldn't suppress a pained groan as he spat blood.

Once the tempest subsided, the Fourth Raikage was launched like a cannonball more than ten meters away, crashing into a massive boulder.

A thunderous impact echoed through the air.

A gravel crushed the Fourth Raikage's body.

Despite the chance to pursue victory, Ayane remained stationary, choosing not to press her advantage. She had a gash on her arm which looked like a cut from a sword, blood flowed out from the wound staining the sleeve of her white dress.

"Within the Rotation's zone, you still managed to retaliate. Impressive, Raikage-sama. My arm almost paid the price." Ayane complimented.

Boom!

The Fourth Raikage activated his lightning armor once more, dispersing the huge amount of stones that buried him. Wrapped in lightning, his clothing was tattered. There were tiny wounds that marred his body, and he gasped for breath, locking eyes with Ayane.

"You certainly don't know the meaning of pain. What kind of monster are you? Exactly like father."

Swallowing the blood-foam in his mouth. The Raikage was covered in bruises, and he didn't feel that Ayane's words were complimenting him at all.

The Lighting Chop was one of the most powerful slicing jutsu among all his ninjutsu, as demonstrated by its ability to sever the Eight Tails' horns with ease. Yet, Ayane's arm bore merely a scar from their encounter, leaving the Fourth Raikage shocked.

To date, only his father who valiantly sacrificed himself in the Land of Earth, managed to withstand this jutsu unscathed. Was her body truly on par with his father's? The Fourth Raikage squinted, struggling to reconcile her petite appearance with her tremendous abilities.

'How did this happen?'

"Raikage-sama!"

There was a loud cry from the other side of the forest. Immediately after the cry over a dozen figures landed beside the Raikage. Dodai led the team consisted of Kumo's elite ninjas.

"Dodai, you arrived a bit late." The Fourth Raikage grumbled, displeased with the delayed support from them .

"It's because you're too fast. We lack your remarkably convenient ninjutsu."

Dodai replied with a wry smile. His expression took a more serious turn as he noticed the severe injury on the Raikage. Dodai had been only two or three minutes behind the Raikage, yet the intensity of the battle took him by surprise.

Considering the Fourth Raikage's mastery of the Lightning release chakra mode, it was remarkable that he had sustained such injuries in such a short time. Even the Third Raikage might not have accomplished such a feat in just a couple of minutes.

'Could the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist be that powerful?'

Dodai cast a skeptical glance at Ayane.

"Be careful. Her chakra control is very strong. My Lightning armor was almost useless against her." The Fourth Raikage cautioned.

Being able to crack his Lightning defense that he had trained by shattering his body and bones with lightning, although he didn't want to admit it, the strength of his opponent was higher than his.

"From now on, we'll join the battle." Dodai declared

"Well, it's quite a challenge dealing with this troublesome woman on my own." The Fourth Raikage nodded agreeing with Dodai.

The Kumo ninjas accompanying them were all elite members, and their combined strength should suffice to capture their opponent, or at the very least, obtain the Byakugan. The goal was to capture Ayane alive, but even if that was unattainable, acquiring the Byakugan remained important.

"Are you teaming up against me? I don't mind." Ayane quipped, her mood quite relaxed when facing the Kumo ninjas led by the Fourth Raikage.

"Stop talking nonsense! Let's deal with her!"

A Kumo ninja stepped forward. This ninja had short purple hair and constantly held a half-opened scroll in their mouth. Several massive shurikens behind his back, which he threw towards Ayane.

"Those are strange looking shurikens; do they have any special effects?"

Ayane looked at them, examining the approaching shurikens. These objects more closely resembled square blades than traditional shurikens. Using her Byakugan, Ayane anticipated their paths and quickly dodged them.

Seeing Ayane dodging them, the Kumo nin attacked.

"Water Release · Water Shockwave!"

While the ninja's attack missed, the other Kumo ninjas launched their own ninjutsu at Ayane. In battles against Hyuga clan ninjas, close quarter combat was generally discouraged, given their proficiency in that domain.

The Fourth Raikage had learned that firsthand. The flood covered the area, extending over a wide range. Ayane stood on the tree branches, out of reach of the surging water.

Next, two figures appeared on either side of her, forming hand seals in preparation to unleash their ninjutsu. Ayane's Byakugan bulged as if her veins were about to burst through her skin.

An invisible air wave was released from her eyes.

The body of the two ninjas trembled, their eyes dull and their bodies were frozen mid-air unable to move.

With her fingers, Ayane drew a kunai from her ninja pouch, gripping it firmly, causing blood to splatter.

The two Kumo ninjas fell from the sky lifeless.

"Damn it!"

The Fourth Raikage erupted with fury, witnessing his two subordinates' death. In a blue lightning rush, he charged toward Ayane.

"Lightning Thunder Axe!"

The Raikage shoured, leaping above Ayane's head. Lightning concentrated in his right foot, releasing an exceptionally strong burst of chakra. He sought to drive his heel down upon Ayane's skull.

However, Ayane had already foreseen the attack pattern of the Fourth Raikage's move through her Byakugan and was prepared to retreat in advance. Although the jutsu was straightforward and easily discernible, being able to anticipate it and evade it were different matters.

"It really is a direct attack. In the face of my Byakugan, your move is too flawed."

Ayane retorted, taking a step back and concentrating her chakra into her palm, pushing forward just before the Fourth Raikage's heel met the ground.

"Air God Strike!"

Boom!

An explosion echoed as Ayane widened her eyes realizing what the Air God Strike struck wasn't the Raikage but an extremely thick rubber wall.

Her palm sank into the soft surface with a muffled thud.

On the other side of the rubber wall, a gaping hole appeared, unleashing a fierce shockwave that culminated in a powerful explosion. This violent explosion created a massive crater in the ground.

More than a dozen Kumo ninjas emerged from the rubber sphere, remarkably unscathed. Among them was the Fourth Raikage himself.

Witnessing the devastating power unleashed by Ayane, the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. "Dodai, you saved the day. If you hadn't used your Lava release, the consequences would have been unimaginable." The Raikage confessed with lingering fear.

Dodai, still recovering from the shock of the recent attack, replied with a sigh.

"I didn't expect such an immediate and terrifying move from the opponent."

Relieved that he had saved his trump card otherwise they would have been seriously injured.

"Your timing was wonderful. Your reputation precedes you, Kumogakure's Dodai, and I must say, you're even more powerful than the rumors suggest."

Ayane said with a tone of of admiration. It wasn't just the timing, the other party's perception swiftly recognized the danger of her Air God strike was a real display of power.

Seeing Ayane's admiration, Dodai asked, "Sorry, but why would a ninja of your caliber work for Iwagakure?"

Witnessing part if Ayane's power, Dodai saw no sense in being hostile towards such a ninja. Employing a rebel nin with such potential as strong support, the Third Tsuchikage had indeed displayed his cunning.

"Business secret and no comment."

Scanning her surroundings and noticing a significant number of Kumo ninjas surrounding her, she added, "We'll call it a day here. I came today to greet the people of Kumo, and next time, I will be fully prepared. Please be ready for my visit."

With that, Ayane vanished from the scene using the Body Flicker, leaving Dodai feeling a sense of relief.

Their clash had ceased, and further combat would likely result in significant losses, potentially endangering their mission. Moreover, Ayane's tone suggested she might return in the future, which was concerning.

Dodai couldn't ignore the obvious; their enemy had grown cautious of his ninjutsu. If a situation like this one were to recur, they might not be able to protect the Fourth Raikage from the deadly Gentle Fist.

"Raikage-sama, are you okay?" Dodai inquired, turning his attention to the Fourth Raikage.

"It's nothing, just some skin injuries. While I may not compare to my father, I'm not easily broken by an opponent. I will defeat that woman, Dodai. Has B finished his training?" The Fourth Raikage asked.

Dodai contemplated before responding, "There's no word from Killer B yet. Mastering the abilities of a perfect Jinchuriki isn't an easy task. You know, your cousin, B, the previous Jinchuriki, couldn't fully tap into the power of the Eight Tails, but he could control a some portion of its power, which was quite an achievement."

"I have faith that B will soon master the power of the Eight-Tails perfectly. Then, let we'll let her experience the true power of 'A' and 'B' combo!"

In essence, he hadn't suffered defeat, as he could still stand and continue fighting. Nevertheless, the moment Dodai used the Lava release to protect him, he had acknowledged Ayane's superior strength and made no excuses for his performance.

It was undeniable, he was weaker than Ayane, and no excuse could change that reality. While they may have injured the opponent during the battle, in the end, the opponent would emerge victorious. On this point, the Fourth Raikage was extremely convinced.

"I hope so. It's a shame that Blue B was plotted against, leading to the escape and death of the Eight Tails. Without that, and considering Blue B's power, Raikage-sama might not have died in the Land of Earth. Based on unconfirmed information, it appears that Orochimaru of Konoha sneaked into Kumo and assassinated Blue B."

"It doesn't matter; we will bring back my father's body to the village, and then it will be Konoha's turn. We will settle the score with Orochimaru." .The Fourth Raikage declared with a soft snort.

Dodai nodded and approached the spot where Ayane had been. Broken rubber pieces surrounded the area, appearing as if a beast had clawed its way through.

Dodai, with a grave expression, pondered to himself: "Not even the Raikage-dama could have disintegrated my Lava release wall so completely in an instant. What sort of Gentle Fist is this?"

Hyuga Ayane...Dodai silently repeated the name of the ninja who had defected from Konoha and become a hot topic. He sensed a power within her that defied the capabilities of the Hyuga clan.

Who was she?

...

Meanwhile, in Oni City, the capital of the Land of Demons, Shiraishi was in a good mood, tending to house chores in their two-story detached villa close to a bustling commercial street. Normally, such tasks were left to Ameyu, but Shiraishi decided to do them himself this time.

The reason for his enthusiasm was Ruri's pregnancy. Shiraishi felt immense joy and excitement whenever he thought about it. Despite the mundane chores, Shiraishi found immense happiness in each task. Being someone with two lifetimes, this was his first experience as a father, a journey he had never embarked on before.

Shiraishi couldn't help but stand still as he swept the floor, breaking into fits of laughter. This happened repeatedly throughout the morning, leaving the chores less than half finished.

To Ameyu, her father's attitude seemed probably stupid. Why was he so happy about this child when they already had her?.

Ameyu couldn't understand her father's emotions.

At noon, she prepared a meal, planning to bring it to the bedroom on the second floor. However, upon seeing this, Shiraishi rushed over and insisted on taking the meal himself, concerned that Ameyu was staying inside all day.

"Oh, just leave this stuff to me. It's boring for you to stay in here all day. You can go for a walk."

After saying that Shiraishi took to food upstairs himself.

Ameyu hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to complete the housework Shiraishi had left unfinished, picking up the broom and getting to work. She didn't understand her father's joy but appreciated his concern for her well-being.

...

On the second floor, Shiraishi placed the food on the bedside table in the bedroom, but Ruri was not present. He then strolled along the second-floor corridor, knocked on the door of the adjacent study, and entered.

Ruri sat calmly in a chair, engrossed in a book.

"Ruri, why are you reading here? You shouldn't exert yourself too much during pregnancy. It consumes a lot of mental energy. You don't need to train much either. Just go for a walk, and I'll have General Tu, Ameyu, and Soryu accompany you for safety."

Shiraishi approached her, took the book from her hand, closed it, and neatly placed it on the bookshelf.

Ruri remained silent.

"By the way, did you have your check-up at the hospital today? You should have regular weekly check-ups from now on to ensure the baby's health. If you experience any abdominal pain, seek medical attention without delay."

Ruri still remained quiet.

"Furthermore, I think you should refrain from certain activities during pregnancy, despite any desires. It's not ideal for the fetus."

Ruri still remained quiet.

"Also in the future, for your diet, avoid stale and cold foods. Try to stay away from fish and seafood. I'll ask Ameyu to prepare light and nutritious soups for you. But be careful not to eat too much nutritious foods, as it could lead to premature labor or complications."

"....."

Ruri couldn't bear Shiraishi's relentless sermon any longer.

"Get out!"

She finally shouted, her patience worn thin. She didn't need to be treated like a delicate princess.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. I'll leave your lunch in the bedroom. Eat while it's still hot." Shiraishi replied, realizing he had been spoken excessively. He exited the study, looking back at Ruri nearly every step he took.

"Are you still here?" Ruri asked impatiently, taking a deep breath.

"Ahem, I'm leaving. I'm off to work, so please hurry and eat."

"Get lost!"

"Okay."

Shiraishi scratched his head and quickly disappeared from the doorway of the study.

Ruri sighed with relief, and her face relaxed. If she had known, she wouldn't have told him about her pregnancy. He had been buzzing around her like an annoying fly, making a lot of noise.

"Just remember to have some fruit after lunch. It's good for the baby." Shiraishi's voice suddenly emerged from the door, testing Ruri's patience.

"Fire release..."

Ruri felt as though a string in her head had snapped, and she started gathering chakra in her mouth, contemplating burning someone.

Frightened by Ruri's reaction, Shiraishi immediately ran away, not daring to stay in her presence any longer.