Killer B looked at Natsuki in surprise.
He hadn't expected this kid to know Rariatto (Lariat). Was he bluffing?
He glanced at his own aniki and saw the aniki's awkward face, then was even more shocked: could his aniki really have been laid out by this kid?
As for his aniki's strength, Killer B knew it inside out. Even if you compared the Kage across the villages, his aniki was absolutely first. Tsunade, Ōnoki, Gaara—none of them were on his aniki's level.
Only now did he realize his aniki apparently couldn't beat this kid called Natsuki.
Heh. Interesting.
In that case, defeating this kid would be even more valuable!
Raikage A's face flushed hot. "Brat, don't bring up what happened before. I was careless, and I was holding back for a junior. You disrespected your elders—that's the only reason you edged me out. Now—"
"Now you want another match? Sure! This time, Raikage, please go all out. I won't hold back either!" Natsuki cut in fast.
"Ahem! Thing is, we're the AB Combo. For the regret of not defeating Namikaze Minato's Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) back then, we'll take you together today. Be prepared!"
Thick-skinned, A said it and didn't care anymore.
He knew this kid was strong. Even Rinnegan had lost to him. Alone, he had no chance.
If it really was one-on-one and this kid went full power, then even if the Raikage didn't get beaten to death, he'd get thrashed—and that would be a disgrace.
So better to follow B's suggestion: two-on-one.
Let this arrogant Konoha brat see how terrifying the AB Combo that once shook the world really was!
Killer B chimed in, "That's right, that's right! Konoha brat, cocky brat—two bros in sync—gonna beat you down. AB's Raiton Chakra Mōdo (Lightning Release Chakra Mode) is stronger than Hiraishin, oh yeah!"
Hearing this, Natsuki didn't retreat. He wanted to see just how strong the AB Combo of old really was.
He gave Darui a look.
Darui immediately understood, raised his hand, then chopped it down. "Begin!"
Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt!
Lightning surged over Raikage A and Killer B, armor of electricity wrapping both of them. Their stances dipped, power compressing for launch.
Seeing it, Sasuke's interest spiked.
He specialized in Lightning Release. He'd seen Raiton Chakra Mōdo (Lightning Release Chakra Mode) before and wanted to learn it, but never got the chance to actually feel it. During his fight with Killer B just now, B hadn't used it. Now that the AB Combo had brought it out, he would observe carefully.
Natsuki quietly fanned out a pile of formula-marked kunai and flung them all at once.
In an instant, the ground all around was speckled with kunai etched with formulae—each one a spot where Natsuki could appear the next second.
At the familiar sight, Raikage A and Killer B traded a reflexive glance. When they faced Namikaze Minato, it had looked just like this. Back then, they fell one step short.
No way they could accept that.
Now they'd finally measure themselves against Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) again—and they would win!
Swish! Swish! The two moved, needing barely any words to coordinate.
Raikage A led with a straight Rariatto (Lariat) aimed at Natsuki. But Natsuki only lifted a finger—Ranton: Laser Circus (Storm Release: Laser Circus) lanced out, and A had to juke hard.
He'd almost forgotten this brat used Ranton (Storm Release). Freak!
Killer B was startled as well. He hadn't expected Natsuki to wield Ranton either. And aniki—why didn't you warn me about something important like that?
Because of that split-second distraction, Natsuki took the chance.
With a swish he vanished, and when he reappeared he was behind Killer B. Light condensed into Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Heavenly Cloud-Gathering Sword) in his hand—he chopped down without hesitation. Hesitating even a second is disrespecting a strong opponent.
But Killer B's reaction was lightning-quick. An octopus tentacle burst from his back and in a blink was at Natsuki's abdomen.
Natsuki didn't panic. He brushed the tentacle in a flash—then slipped away.
When he appeared again, he was behind Raikage A, flicking out a Kōsoku Kick (Light-Speed Kick) and loosing a beam of light—but A had felt it coming. With one arm he knocked Natsuki's ankle aside; the beam speared into the distance and detonated with a violent blast.
"You little punk trying to kill me?!"
A swore once and swung a fist at Natsuki's neck, the wind howling around it.
Natsuki couldn't be bothered to answer. This kind of fight was, naturally, all-out. A was just grumbling—he wouldn't actually hold it against him. If Natsuki held back instead, that would piss A off.
Swish! Natsuki vanished again—and was already in the air.
"Yasaka no Magatama (Eight-Span Magatama)!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Boom, boom, boom!
Explosions thundered on and on while the AB brothers weaved across the ground below, dodging through the storm.
Darui watched with a thoughtful look. Oh—so Ranton (Storm Release) can be used like that too.
After that barrage, the ground was a wreck. The formula-marked kunai Natsuki had thrown were scattered everywhere, but it didn't matter; you can't erase the formula—he could reuse them.
The AB brothers were extremely wary of Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God), and had already cleared away from places where the kunai lay.
But Natsuki still flashed in behind Killer B and snapped out another Kōsoku Kick (Light-Speed Kick). This time, though, the brothers weren't surprised by his appearance at all. They slipped the strike easily and, turning in perfect tandem, boxed Natsuki in.
"Daburu Rariatto (Double Lariat)!"
"Daburu Rariatto (Double Lariat)!"
Same technique from both brothers—Rariatto from front and back!
This was the AB Combo's trump. Take even one clean, and even super-Kage-levels would be sent straight to the box. That's how strong it was.
But Natsuki flashed again. Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) was too fast; the pincer went wide. Natsuki didn't rush a counter, though. He was sure these two had something to say.
Sure enough, A smirked. "Shocked, huh? When you touched that tentacle, we knew you'd leave a formula mark. We were waiting for you! If you weren't so damned quick, you'd be dead already!"
Killer B: "Oh yeah! Konoha brat, shocked brat—oh yeah!"
Natsuki only looked puzzled. "So… what exactly are you proud of? Did you hit me?"
"Uh…"
"Next time for sure! Die, brat!"
A hand-waved it and, together with Killer B, charged again.
This time Natsuki didn't use Hiraishin. He clapped his hands, called it, got it: "Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan (Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees)!"
In the next second, dense trees erupted from the ground, racing skyward to spawn a vast forest. The intervals between trunks were tight—laid out to mess with people who relied on speed.
Killer B almost twisted his back dodging. "Aniki, this kid uses Mokuton (Wood Release)! Why didn't you say so?"
A glared. "I got too hyped and forgot. Telling you now help?"
Now? Too late already!
(End of Chapter)
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