Chapter 998: Chapter Thirteen: Two Brutes

Inside the dimly lit first floor of the tower, Raiden illuminated the space in blue and white.

Puchī, puchī…

The sound of blades slicing flesh came in rapid succession; one warrior after another fell to Sasuke’s blade, while a large crowd of armored warriors surged from all directions, surrounding him.

“Sasuke Uchiha is here! Quick! Take him alive!”

A warrior subordinate bellowed; though over a dozen warriors had already fallen to Sasuke’s blade, they were ordered by their leader, Sanzen, to capture him alive.

Sanzen’s decision was wise: Sasuke had kidnapped Raikage’s younger brother, Killer B; now, Raikage himself stood atop the tower. If Raikage were absent, the warriors would kill Sasuke without hesitation—but now, capturing him alive might yield information about Killer B.

Morally and politically, the warriors of the Land of Iron could not kill Sasuke now; capturing him was the only viable choice—it was a matter of politics.

Yet dozens of warriors could not capture Sasuke, and the order to take him alive had caused heavy casualties.

Sasuke swung his long blade wrapped in lightning-natured chakra, his face cold, his three-tomoe Sharingan filled only with rage.

Though young and easily manipulated, Sasuke was no fool; these warriors had called him by name, and before he revealed himself, they had already assembled—he had faintly overheard them searching for him.

White Zetsu had vanished without trace; combining this with the current situation, Sasuke immediately deduced that White Zetsu had betrayed him. Though he didn’t know why, members of Akatsuki were never rational.

Betrayed, Sasuke was furious—he showed no anger on his face, but channeled it into his attacks, each slash killing outright.

Previously, though rebellious, Sasuke rarely killed, often leaving captives alive; but after learning the truth about Itachi, his inner resolve had begun to crack, and now, betrayed today, he unleashed a massacre.

Shurā!

Sasuke’s Kusanagi pierced a warrior’s throat; he sidestepped a descending katana, then slammed his chakra-coated elbow into the back of another warrior’s skull.

Pōn!

The struck warrior flew several meters, face-down, twitched once, then fell still—his metal helmet protected his head, but his neck was broken.

“Sasuke, what are you doing?”

Kiba Mizuki, hidden atop a stone platform, narrowed his eyes; Sasuke had repeatedly warned him not to kill lightly, yet now Sasuke was slaughtering indiscriminately.

“I’ll help.”

Juugo stood up; bound by a past promise, he was nearly fanatically loyal to Sasuke.

Though Juugo’s power didn’t reach Kage level, he was no weakling; Orochimaru had developed a cursed seal technique that temporarily boosted physical stats and chakra reserves, and Juugo was the original source of this technique—the first true cursed seal user.

In truth, the cursed seal technique was merely one method of utilizing natural energy; some called it Senjutsu energy. When Juugo absorbed natural energy, his body underwent drastic changes, his chakra surged, and his flesh hardened—this was Senjutsu transformation.

Juugo’s Senjutsu transformation was crude; if he transformed only part of his body, the burden was minimal, but if he transformed fully, he would lose control of his killing intent, becoming cruel, murderous, and utterly changed in temperament.

Juugo’s right side turned fiery red, like a glowing iron brand; soon, the red faded, his right arm became a gray-black claw, gray markings spread across his right cheek, and his right pupil turned yellow.

Half-Senjutsu transformed, Juugo leapt from the platform, charged into the warrior ranks, and his right arm sprouted a heavy arm-blade; without any visible exertion, warriors struck by the blade flew far, spewing blood.

Juugo quickly positioned himself before Sasuke, who remained silent.

“This seems… interesting.”

Su Xiao sat cross-legged atop the highest point of the first floor—a stone observation post built against the wall, at least twenty meters above ground.

“The Tensai clan’s unique physiology—also the most basic use of natural energy.”

Itachi’s tone carried disdain; he understood natural energy.

“Wang.”

Bubu Wang barked, looking up at the ceiling.

“They’re here.”

Su Xiao instantly understood Bubu Wang’s meaning and looked up too.

Hōng!

A dull impact echoed from the ceiling, shaking the entire tower.

Large chunks of stone and dust rained down; within the debris, three figures were faintly visible.

As the dust cleared, three figures appeared in Sasuke and Juugo’s line of sight.

Leading them was a burly man in a white robe; he tore off the robe, revealing a pale blue chakra aura enveloping him—lightning-natured chakra—with two energy horns emerging from his shoulders.

The newcomers were Raikage and his bodyguards; upon learning Sasuke was inside the tower, Raikage abandoned the Five Kage Summit and stormed out, leaving Sanzen with a furious expression.

The Land of Iron had shown great respect to Kumogakure, but Kumogakure trampled that respect underfoot—Raikage’s departure was like spitting phlegm on their face.

This was the Land of Iron’s territory; even as Raikage, A could not freely patrol the tower—but A did exactly that, thoroughly and without restraint.

As Raikage appeared, the surrounding warriors retreated; they had been ordered: as long as Raikage didn’t die on Land of Iron soil, they would offer no further aid.

This insolent attitude was Kumogakure’s standard modus operandi—evident from Raikage calling the Five Kage Summit solely to assign blame.

“Kid, let me show you the terror of Raikage’s rage!”

Raikage roared, his Lightning Release armor activating further, lightning arcs surging around him.

Undeniably, this state of Raikage was terrifying; his Lightning Release armor erupted outward, shattering stones around him.

“Brute.”

Su Xiao watched Raikage; if among the Five Kage one was easiest to handle, it was Raikage—despite his power ranking among the top three, he was too easily enraged and arrogant; even when seeking help, he held himself above others.

Sasuke, wielding his lightning blade, glanced at Raikage, then charged forward without hesitation, as if Raikage’s bodyguards Darui and Hii were mere decorations.

“Another brute.”

No sooner had Su Xiao spoken than a vast expanse of water spread across the first floor.

“Water Release: Water Wall.”

“Thunder Shield: Gratitude Wave.”

Zizizī～

Lightning surged through the turbulent water; before it reached Raikage, the Second Pillar groaned, flipped backward, and landed beside Juugo—Darui had acted; throughout, Raikage had stood motionless.

“This seems… an opportunity.”

After a moment’s thought, Su Xiao gestured forward; beside him, Amu rose.

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