292. Change of Offensive Throne?

On another battlefield.

The once dense forest had completely vanished, leaving only ruins behind.

The ground was scarred with massive slashes and littered with rubble.

The entire area looked as if it had been plowed over.

Nearby mountains bore several gaping holes, their surfaces pockmarked with deep craters, as if they had endured a brutal meteor shower.

And the cause of all this destruction was the two figures now facing off.

One was enveloped by a white giant, wielding a katana with white chakra swirling around it.

His expression was calm, though his breathing was slightly labored, and his crimson eyes radiated a terrifying aura.

The other was clad in heavy black armor, resembling a ferocious prehistoric beast!

Arcs of electricity crackled around his body, like small snakes skittering across the ground before dissipating into the air.

This was the pinnacle of combat in the ninja world—

One was the Third Raikage, known as the "Strongest Spear" and "Strongest Shield," representing the peak of taijutsu and Lightning Release.

The other was Shimura Danzo, who possessed both the "Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan" and "Wood Release," representing the pinnacle of kekkei genkai and Wind Release.

This battle would determine the future of the two super shinobi villages, Konoha and Kumogakure.

The Third Raikage, known for his ferocity, stared at Danzo, his eyes burning with intense fighting spirit.

"It's been a long time since anyone has pushed me this far, Danzo."

His long hair fluttered wildly in the air, with strands of black lightning escaping from it.

Hearing this arrogant remark, Danzo raised an eyebrow and said:

"So, should I feel honored?"

Sensing the mockery in Danzo's tone, the Third Raikage grinned fiercely.

"Stop pretending, Danzo!"

"Although your Mangekyō techniques and Wind Release ninjutsu are impressive, you have a fatal flaw!"

"Your chakra!"

"If I'm not mistaken, your chakra reserves are running low, aren't they?"

As he spoke, the Third Raikage's aura surged dramatically.

He believed he had seen through Danzo's weakness.

While Danzo's Susanoo and ocular techniques were powerful, they all shared the same drawback.

They consumed an enormous amount of chakra!

And Danzo was not a monster like him, with chakra reserves comparable to a Tailed Beast.

Therefore, in a prolonged battle, Danzo's chakra would inevitably run low.

And that was his best opportunity!

In response to this speculation, Danzo let out a disdainful laugh.

"If you have the energy to talk, why not save it and fight me a little longer?"

Such a provocative statement would normally enrage the hot-tempered Third Raikage.

But now, he remained unusually calm, as he pondered whether Danzo was bluffing.

Regardless of the answer, his choice would not change.

And that was—

To fight!

Thus, after a brief rest, the black lightning around the Third Raikage expanded once more.

Surrounded by these surging black arcs, he resembled an ancient and malevolent deity.

His heavy black armor sprouted spikes, exuding a terrifying aura as he charged at his enemy like a war chariot!!

Seeing this, Danzo's eyes widened, and a fearsome ocular power erupted. The semi-formed Susanoo giant was now clad in a heavy and majestic tengu armor!

As the Third Raikage, wreathed in black lightning, collided with the Susanoo, the latter swung its fist, slamming it into the Raikage's body.

"BOOM!!!"

A deafening collision echoed across the battlefield, and the ground beneath them shattered instantly.

Violent black lightning erupted between the two, flashing wildly across the shattered earth.

The unimaginable impact sent both flying.

Danzo, along with his Susanoo, was embedded into the mountainside. The Third Raikage, meanwhile, was sent flying like a cannonball, skidding hundreds of meters before coming to a stop...

This scene had repeated countless times during their battle.

The Third Raikage quickly rose from the ground.

Though his body was covered in slashes and he had been punched hard enough to vomit blood, the fighting spirit in his eyes remained undiminished.

"Exhilarating, again!!"

As the world had labeled him, this man was a born battle maniac!!

Otherwise, in the original story, he wouldn't have single-handedly held off the Iwagakure army for three days and nights until he was exhausted to death. He would never stop fighting until his chakra was completely depleted.

Thus, the moment he stood up, he madly channeled his chakra and launched another attack.

"Come on, Danzo, let's see who gives out first—you running out of chakra, or me dying!"

With a roar, the Third Raikage, cloaked in black lightning, charged at Danzo once more.

But the outcome was the same.

Danzo, also standing, used his Susanoo's blade to slash the Raikage away again.

And once more, the Third Raikage's powerful punch sent Danzo crashing into the mountainside!

The two seemed locked in a bizarre contest of strength.

They had completely abandoned any sophisticated techniques, fully immersed in this brutal, bone-crushing battle.

And the outcome would be decided by who faltered first!

Would Danzo exhaust his chakra, or would the Third Raikage succumb to Danzo's attacks and be utterly destroyed...

At least, that's what the Third Raikage believed.

The terrifying aura continued to rise, and the land endured a level of devastation it had never experienced in centuries.

The earth wailed, and the sky mourned.

Heavy clouds released a light drizzle.

The raindrops hitting the ground sounded like weeping, or perhaps a war song heralding the next phase of the battle!

"BOOM!!!"

A thunderclap flashed across the sky, illuminating Danzo's cold, grim face.

A hint of killing intent finally appeared in his crimson eyes.

The time was ripe...

Thus, as he stood up once more from the mountain that had been reduced to rubble, two streams of blood suddenly flowed from the corners of his eyes!

The blood trickled down Danzo's rough skin, making him look even more terrifying.

Though Danzo quickly covered his eyes with his hand, the Third Raikage had already noticed.

Just as he had guessed, Danzo's Mangekyō not only consumed a massive amount of chakra but also had severe side effects.

If he could seize this opportunity to kill Danzo here, the remaining old-timers in Konoha would be no threat.

Then, Konoha would inevitably submit to his iron fist, and Kumogakure would rise to the pinnacle of the ninja world!

Thinking of this, the Third Raikage felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement.

Even the black lightning around him seemed to dance with joy. "In that case, let me end your fate once and for all, Danzo."

"To die at the hands of a warrior like me—I bet even you would tremble with excitement!!"

Massive black lightning erupted from his body, arcs as thick as pythons writhing wildly in the air.

The Third Raikage's eyes gleamed with an indescribable ferocity as he advanced toward Danzo like a demon emerging from the abyss.

His steps quickened, and the lightning around him began to condense.

All his power gathered, finally concentrating on a single raised finger.

"Hell Stab: Dark Thunder: One-Finger Spear Hand!!" This was the Third Raikage's ultimate killing move.

It was also his trump card, said to pierce through anything!

Similarly, his title, "Strongest Spear," was derived from this technique.

Clearly, after developing his black lightning ability, he had further refined this move.

Both its power and aura were far greater than the original "One-Finger Spear Hand"!!

At this moment, he was like a black spear hurled by a demon king, piercing through the battlefield.

With unparalleled lethality, he aimed to kill Danzo! Even from a hundred meters away, Danzo could feel the tingling sensation on his skin.

And the intense killing intent locked onto him!

However, he didn't care.

He slowly gripped the katana at his waist. The blood flowing from his eyes had already stopped.

Or rather, his eyes had never bled at all.

After all, the side effects of the Mangekyō only applied to the regular version.

Danzo now possessed the higher-level Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!

Side effects? Blindness?

Nonexistent!

The earlier bleeding was merely a ruse, using his Blood Dragon Eye's ability to manipulate blood to trick the Third Raikage.

The goal was to make him go all out, launching a desperate attack.

Now, the goal had been achieved.

The moment Danzo's fingers touched the hilt of his blade, the seal within him was released.

A massive amount of Tailed Beast chakra was absorbed using the "Preta Path" ability, rapidly converting it into his own power.

Then, he poured all of this chakra into his left eye.

"This is the true pinnacle of offensive power in the ninja world, A."

"The previous 'Strongest Spear' can now be renamed the 'Strongest Blade.'"

Facing the Third Raikage, who was now within striking distance, Danzo's crimson eyes blazed with light.

As he drew his katana from its sheath, an incredibly brilliant blade light illuminated the entire battlefield.

"Divine Severance!!!"