Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

Hell Stab: One-Finger Thrust, hailed as the "strongest spear," was the ultimate technique of the Third Raikage. With this move, he had killed countless enemies.

It was even with this very spear that he pierced his own so-called "strongest shield." That moment marked the first time his "strongest spear" had failed.

But strictly speaking, it wasn't the spear that failed, it was the shield.

Today, however, his strongest spear truly failed.

In a direct confrontation, his spear was bested. His fingers were shattered, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the ground and leaving a deep crater. The Third Raikage quickly got back on his feet, panting heavily, his eyes full of disbelief as he stared at Hui.

He had known Hui was strong, but being defeated in the area he was most confident in was still something he found hard to accept.

While the Third Raikage was knocked back, the Third Kazekage and Third Mizukage had already launched attacks on Hui. However, their methods were limited to long-range techniques; neither dared approach him directly.

After all, Hui's close-combat prowess was overwhelming, and unlike Ōnoki's Dust Release, they lacked techniques with devastating lethality or even the ability to take him down in mutual destruction.

Thus, the two could only resort to large-scale attacks from a distance.

But Hui was far too agile.

Coupled with his formidable defense, their attacks couldn't even scratch him. All they could do was watch helplessly as Hui walked nonchalantly through their barrage of jutsu.

"Damn it!!!"

The Third Kazekage gritted his teeth, manipulating an overwhelming wave of Iron Sand to bury Hui entirely and crush him into minced flesh.

However, the speed of the Iron Sand was too slow, it couldn't even touch Hui. He dodged it effortlessly.

The Third Mizukage was equally frustrated.

No matter how powerful a jutsu was, it had to hit its target to be effective.

Yet Hui was clad in an armor-like barrier that nullified all attacks, leaving the Mizukage helpless.

"If we want to hit him, we must break through that armor first," the Third Raikage said as he rejoined them. Despite losing a finger, he remained relatively unaffected.

"Yes, but his armor's defense is too strong. We can't break through it at all!" the Third Kazekage replied bitterly. He knew what needed to be done, but knowing was pointless without a way to achieve it.

"His speed is too great. High-powered jutsu with enough destructive force don't have the range to hit him. And wide-range techniques, while able to reach him, lack the power to break his defense," the Third Mizukage added. 

Despite having long since accepted their inevitable defeat and death, the thought of being crushed so completely, unable to even inconvenience Hui, left him bitter.

"High-powered jutsu can't reach him... then I'll engage him in close combat while you prepare your strongest techniques. Use them on both of us, even if it means killing me," the Third Raikage proposed. His words startled the other two.

That plan...

"It won't work. Don't forget, Hui can use the Flying Thunder God Technique. You won't be able to pin him down," the Third Mizukage said, shaking his head. The Raikage lacked any spatial-restriction abilities, so holding Mochizuki Hui in place was impossible.

Hearing this, the Third Raikage froze momentarily, his body tensing.

Right. He had been planning to trade his life to restrain Hui, but he'd overlooked the fact that Hui could use the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Is there truly no way?" the Third Kazekage asked in despair, his gaze reddened with frustration.

The poison coursing through his body was advancing to its next stage, leaving him weaker. Once that happened, he wouldn't even be able to fight, let alone pose a threat to Hui.

"There is hope," the Third Raikage said after a pause. "Though Hui can use the Flying Thunder God Technique, his confidence means he won't use it unless he senses a life-threatening danger.

"Our chance lies in creating an opening where he doesn't perceive the danger."

"How we achieve that, I leave to you two. I'll engage him in close combat with my life on the line. The moment you see an opportunity, strike without hesitation. Don't worry about my life," the Third Raikage declared, his determination resolute.

After speaking, he charged toward Mochizuki Hui without hesitation.

The Third Kazekage and Third Mizukage exchanged a helpless look.

Creating such an opportunity sounded easy in theory, but in practice, it was an almost hopeless endeavor.

Still, with the Third Raikage prepared to sacrifice his life, they had no choice but to try.

Meanwhile, Hui watched the Third Raikage charging toward him. With a slight movement of thought, he released the suppression he had placed on his mind-reading divine ability.

The two clashed swiftly, exchanging blows at a speed so fast that even afterimages were imperceptible.

This was a battle that demanded absolute focus, yet the Raikage's mind was burdened by the plan he was trying to execute. That stray thought betrayed him, and it was instantly picked up by Hui.

A faint smile curved the corners of Hui's lips.

To think they'd try something so naive against him, what a laughable attempt.

As Hui struck again, even though he had been suppressing his own strength significantly, his body's physical attributes were simply too superior. 

Even when pitted against the Third Raikage, who had reached a super-Kage level of power at the cost of his life force, Hui handled the situation with ease.

On the sidelines, the Third Kazekage and Third Mizukage watched in frustration.

The Third Mizukage rubbed his tired, stinging eyes.

The speed of their battle was simply too much for them to follow. Capturing even a glimpse of their movements, let alone finding an opening, was nearly impossible.

"There's no chance at all," the Third Kazekage muttered, his tone filled with bitterness. His most powerful jutsu couldn't even lock onto Hui.

"We're running out of time. My secret technique is about to expire. We have to act now," said the Third Mizukage.

The Third Kazekage nodded hurriedly. "Same here. If I wait any longer, I won't even be able to unleash my most powerful technique!"

He began preparing his ultimate jutsu, knowing that this would be his only chance. Whether it hit or not, it didn't matter. He was determined to use it, for better or worse.

As the Third Mizukage watched, he couldn't help but laugh dryly.

"Well, I doubt the Third Raikage would mind. If that's the case, I'll give it my all too."

Focusing intently, he started channeling his own strongest technique. Like the Kazekage, he understood that if he didn't act now, he wouldn't get another opportunity.

On the battlefield, Hui could sense the overwhelming chakra gathering from two distinct sources. From what he gleaned from the Third Raikage's thoughts, it was clear that the Kazekage and Mizukage were preparing their most powerful jutsu.

It seemed they were ready to gamble everything.

But Hui didn't believe they could ever pin him down.

"I must say, I admire your resolve," Hui said calmly after another clash, standing toe-to-toe with the Third Raikage.

The Raikage froze for a moment, unsure of Hui's intent.

"If we weren't on opposing sides, I believe you'd make an excellent subordinate of mine. It's a shame, fate has set us apart." Hui paused briefly before continuing, "But it doesn't matter. Missing this opportunity doesn't mean it's gone forever. I trust that one day, you will stand behind me, fighting by my side against our enemies.

"I look forward to that day."

With those words, Hui glanced toward the rapidly approaching surge of terrifying energy. Ignoring the Raikage's desperate attempts to hold him in place, Hui activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.

In the next instant, an enormous sphere of radiant energy erupted where the Raikage stood. The blinding light illuminated the battlefield, but it lasted only a fleeting moment before fading away.

When the light disappeared, so too did the life of the Third Raikage.

The man who had once faced ten thousand shinobi and held back Iwagakure for three days and nights had met his end.

Like a meteor streaking across the night sky, his brilliance was breathtaking yet tragically brief.

"Did we succeed?"

The Third Kazekage asked anxiously, his voice tinged with a faint hope.

But in the next moment, he saw only the lifeless body of the Third Raikage lying on the ground like a crumpled sheet of paper.

Hui was nowhere to be seen.

"Damn it!!!!"

join my patreon for 150+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL