Had the Uchiha been lying in wait all this time?
"We must find the source of that chakra and stop this disaster!"
The Raikage forced himself to calm down. While directing defensive formations, he expanded his sensory perception, trying to lock onto the origin of the overwhelming chakra.
"Raikage-sama, you must not go!" Mabui called out urgently.
Before she could say more, Darui stepped forward.
"Don't worry. He is the Raikage."
His voice carried absolute faith.
In moments like this, no one could sway the Raikage's resolve.
Across the battlefield, tension tightened like a drawn wire.
Far away, Shuoye Uchiha smiled faintly.
"It seems our old friend can't wait to meet us in person," he said to Fugaku Uchiha.
"In that case… let's give him a proper welcome."
Fugaku's eyes sharpened.
He understood.
The next move would shape the entire battle.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, leaping into the heart of the battlefield like a predator claiming its ground. His presence deepened, heat radiating outward.
His Mangekyō Sharingan opened.
The unique pattern turned slowly, ominous and immense.
"It begins."
His murmur carried weight.
The sky answered.
The clear blue above dissolved into blazing clouds of crimson fire. These were no natural clouds—they were condensed chakra, surging and twisting like living flame. Heat pressed downward, suffocating.
"Combination Ninjutsu—Fire Release: Divine Phoenix Soars the Heavens!"
Fugaku's voice cut through the chaos.
The sky tore open.
From the inferno emerged a colossal phoenix, wreathed in roaring flames. Its wings stretched wide, blotting out half the heavens. Its burning eyes seemed to see through illusion and fear alike.
With a single beat of its wings, waves of heat rolled outward, igniting the air itself.
This was a combination technique guided with the precision of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Its power surpassed Meteor Fire Rain.
The Hyūga stood speechless.
They had never witnessed such overwhelming force.
Even the elite shinobi of the Hidden Cloud paled.
They knew the Raikage's strength.
But against something capable of incinerating the battlefield itself—
Could even he withstand it?
In the distance, lightning erupted around the Raikage's body. Blue chakra surged, wrapping him in violent brilliance.
He did not retreat.
He roared.
Darui's gaze hardened.
"We cannot remain passive. The Hidden Cloud's mastery of Lightning Release is unmatched. We replicate their combination structure—simplify it, and counter!"
His mind raced as he studied the structure of the Uchiha's technique.
"I've discerned part of their method. We cannot reproduce its essence, but we can form a reduced variation to disrupt their attack!"
"Follow my lead!"
Mabui gritted her teeth.
"It's risky—but it's our only option. I support it."
Under Darui's command, Hidden Cloud shinobi moved swiftly into formation. Lightning Release chakra surged from each of them, interweaving overhead.
Bolts braided together, forming a vast electric network across the sky.
The Raikage, standing at the edge of the battlefield, felt the shift behind him.
He looked up.
Thunderclouds churned violently. Within them, a massive spectral form took shape—a colossal Kirin composed of crackling lightning.
Though partially illusory, its power was immense.
The Raikage's eyes gleamed.
"Darui… well done."
The lightning Kirin roared soundlessly in the clouds, facing the descending phoenix.
On the opposite side, Shuoye Uchiha watched with quiet amusement.
"Interesting."
"But not enough."
His tone was calm—almost playful.
Beside him, Fugaku glanced over briefly. Seeing Shuoye's composure, he steadied himself and gave a slight nod.
The plan continued.
The flaming phoenix spread its wings wider.
Its shadow covered the battlefield.
Fugaku's voice fell like judgment.
"Divine Phoenix Soars the Heavens… descend."
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