477. The Remnants of the Old Era

"Water Release: Gunshot!"

The always-arrogant Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, was the first to attack.

Forming his hands into the shape of pistols, he fired two high-pressure water bullets from his fingertips, streaking toward his enemy like cannon fire.

In response, Danzo leaped high into the air, vanishing from his original position.

But just as he dodged the Second Mizukage's attack, a flash of blue lightning seized the opportunity to strike.

"Lightning Release: Lariat!"

A blinding surge of electricity erupted from the Third Raikage's hand as he descended from above, delivering a devastating chop straight at Danzo mid-air!

BAM!

The force of the blow sent Danzo crashing into the ruins below.

The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, didn’t waste this perfect opening.

He immediately condensed a conical Dust Release in his palm and hurled it at the spot where Danzo had landed.

A blinding white light erupted, disintegrating everything within its range into molecular dust.

"Did we get him?"

The pompadour-sporting Second Mizukage asked, a smug grin on his face.

Unfortunately, the Second Tsuchikage remained vigilant.

"Not even close."

His expression, visible only through his two exposed eyes, was grave.

Sure enough, the next second, the blinding light dissipated—only to be split apart by a pale blade slicing through the earth.

The white Susanoo rose from the ground, towering over them.

"As expected of Dust Release, said to surpass even Kekkei Genkai. Truly remarkable."

"Compared to Ōnoki, your attack is sharper, but that’s about it."

Danzo casually critiqued the Second Tsuchikage’s technique as if it were nothing more than a mild curiosity.

"Damn you!"

As the Second Tsuchikage, being evaluated so dismissively by a younger shinobi was a blow to Mū’s pride.

Though known for his calm and cunning, even he couldn’t suppress his rising anger.

"Tsuchikage, don’t let anger cloud your judgment."

The Third Kazekage’s voice cut in, a warning in his tone.

"I know."

The Second Tsuchikage quickly regained his composure, silently analyzing their opponent’s weaknesses.

The near-impenetrable 360-degree defense of the Susanoo, an ability to absorb ninjutsu, and the troublesome Wood Release—there was no denying that this younger shinobi was a formidable foe worthy of their full strength.

There seemed to be only one weak point left...

The Second Tsuchikage’s gaze subtly flickered toward Danzo’s feet, a plan forming in his mind.

But Danzo wasn’t about to stand around and wait for them to strategize.

A smirk curled on his lips as he declared,

"Then let me properly test the remnants of the old era!"

In the next instant, a pure white, glowing magatama formed between the Susanoo’s palms before hurtling toward the four Kage at terrifying speed.

"Earth Release: Rock Golem Technique!"

Sensing the power behind this attack, the Second Tsuchikage immediately activated his strongest defensive jutsu.

A colossal stone golem rose from the ruins, its massive hands like twin mountains, firmly shielding the four Kage.

Not to be outdone, the Third Kazekage—hailed as the strongest—acted as well.

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Shield!"

Under his control, black iron sand gathered under magnetic force, forming an impenetrable wall in front of the stone golem, like an unassailable fortress!

The moment the Yasaka Magatama collided—

BOOM!

A deafening explosion engulfed everything.

Though the combined efforts of the Second Tsuchikage and Third Kazekage managed to block Danzo’s attack, the massive stone golem and iron sand shield crumbled apart.

Seeing this, Danzo couldn’t help but look unimpressed.

"Is this all the former Kage are capable of?"

"If this is your limit, then this is truly disappointing."

The insult was the last straw for Gengetsu Hōzuki.

"Damn it, I’ll teach you a lesson!"

Driven by vengeance, he finally summoned his most powerful technique.

A giant clam, easily over a dozen stories tall, suddenly appeared on the battlefield.

In the next second, it released an enormous mist from its tentacles, shrouding the entire combat zone!

This was the Second Mizukage’s signature move—

Mirage!

By combining his own illusions with his summoned creature, he could trap enemies in a hallucinatory world, eliminating them without them ever realizing the truth!

But this time, with the help of the other Kage, they planned to unleash an enhanced version.

The Second Tsuchikage appeared behind the Third Raikage in a flash, placing his hands lightly on his shoulders.

"Earth Release: Lightened Boulder Technique!"

Instantly, the Third Raikage felt lighter than ever before.

Under the cover of the mist, he burst forward at the fastest speed he had ever achieved in his life.

All his Lightning Release chakra condensed into a single finger, black lightning crackling menacingly within the fog.

By the time he appeared above Danzo, the Second Tsuchikage switched the technique—

"Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique!"

His body became immensely heavy, amplifying his power to terrifying levels!

"Super-Heavy Black Lightning: One-Finger Hellstab!"

Just as Danzo focused entirely on the incoming Third Raikage, a hidden tendril of iron sand finally struck from beneath his feet.

Seizing the moment of surprise, it coiled around Danzo’s ankle and yanked him down with lightning speed—straight out of the Susanoo’s protection!

The sight brought triumphant smiles to everyone’s faces.

Including the Third Raikage, still descending from above.

Changing his trajectory mid-air, he descended like a god of punishment, black lightning in hand.

Under the watchful eyes of all, the Third Raikage smashed Danzo into the ground with overwhelming force.

The earth split apart in a spiderweb of cracks, letting out a deafening wail as dust and debris exploded into the sky.

Out of respect for this so-called "New God of Shinobi," the four Kage didn’t stop there.

The Second Mizukage, enduring the violent shockwaves, formed another set of hand seals.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Torrents of water erupted from the fissures in the ground, crashing down like a tidal wave.

The Third Kazekage, too, poured out an immense amount of chakra, merging his black iron sand with the water to form a terrifying whirlpool.

Trapped within the crushing vortex of iron sand and water, Danzo was forced deeper and deeper underground.

"Now—Iron Sand Burial!"

In an instant—

BOOOOOOM!

A catastrophic explosion erupted from the depths of the earth.

The ground trembled as if struck by a magnitude-10 earthquake, lifting the ruins dozens of meters into the air in jagged, uneven spikes.

The combined might of the four Kage had unleashed devastation unlike anything seen before.

Yet...

Amidst the settling dust, a single figure stood unscathed.

Danzo Shimura brushed off his sleeves, his expression one of mild amusement.

"Not bad."

"But still—"

His eyes gleamed crimson.

"—far from enough."