Let It Begin

25. Sasuke vs Raikage

 'I'll stop them!' thought C, and started to make a hand sign. "Lightning Jutsu: Lightning Illusion, Flash of Lightning Pillar!"

C discharged electricity through his entire body in the form of an extremely bright light to disorient his target's vision. Once this was done, he was able to implant images in their mind and made Jugo see that Sasuke and Sakura had been smashed into the ground by the Raikage.

"Sasuke! Sakura!" Jugo shouted, desperation evident in his voice.

"Jugo, don't sweat it. It's a Genjutsu," Sasuke said calmly as he dispelled it with his Sharingan. However, both Darui and the Raikage seized the opportunity to launch an attack. The Raikage stood in front of Sasuke, while Darui positioned himself behind him, where Sakura was standing.

"You may have seen through the Genjutsu, but you're still too late!" Raikage exclaimed, ready to launch his heavy fist at Sasuke. Sakura quickly drew her katana to stop Darui's attack, while Suigetsu, now also joining the fray, blocked the brunt of the Raikage's elbow with his sword. Meanwhile, Jugo, who transformed his right arm into a sharp tool, defended against Darui's cleaver sword.

"Ugh!" Suigetsu grunted as he struggled to block the Raikage's attack.

'What monstrous power!' thought Suigetsu, frustrated. Just then, Suigetsu's sword snapped in half from the impact, making it impossible to block any longer. They quickly retreated from Raikage and Darui, causing Raikage to slam his fist into the ground instead. The ground shook violently as the Raikage's punch crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the area. Debris flew into the air, momentarily obscuring everyone's vision.

"If I weren't made of water, both my arms would be wrenched off, you know!" Suigetsu groaned as he looked down at his sword. "Waah! My poor executioner's blade!"

"Well, it had already gotten cracked against Eight Tails, after all," Jugo replied.

"C, check and see if they've got any other allies around," Darui commanded as he glanced around the area. "I don't want to worry about more popping in."

"I'm pretty sure there was one more, but if I have to focus on that, it'll be harder for me to participate in the battle," C replied.

"We don't need you. The boss and I are enough," Darui snapped, his focus sharp as he eyed the swirling dust from the Raikage's failed attack.

"Karin was hunting down Danzo," Sakura whispered to the others after hearing her enemies' conversation.

"I bet she's going to erase her chakra... since she's got that ability," Suigetsu whispered back.

"So that guy in the back is a sensor-type shinobi, huh? We gotta take him down," Jugo interjected and started to focus more on his chakra.

"W-wait, Jugo—" Sakura tried to say something, but it was no use. Jugo purposely tapped into his homicidal nature and entered into full Sage Transformation.

"GWA-HAHAHA! I'M GONNA SLAUGHTER YA!!! AHHA!!!"

"Jugo actually voluntarily gave in to his killer impulse this time," Suigetsu observed, his eyes wide with both concern and awe.

"I hope he still remembers we're on his side," Sakura said worriedly, glancing at Sasuke for reassurance. She couldn't help but feel anxious about Sasuke's state of mind. She had managed to stop him from going further with his killing spree, but since the Raikage had joined the battle, Sasuke had remained silent.

"You need to learn your place!" Raikage shouted, and with his speed, he was in front of Jugo in an instant. He punched Jugo and slammed him against the wall. Jugo's body hit the cold, hard stone, the impact sending tremors through his core.