Silently accompanying Takumi in his wait for a while, Konan finally saw who he was waiting for.
"Orochimaru?"
Konan narrowed her eyes. The Sound Five beside Orochimaru were instantly ignored.
Among the Five, only Kimimaro warranted a glance, but just a glance.
The others were too weak to be considered.
She was looking at another slightly familiar figure.
'Looks a lot like the Fourth Raikage...'
Konan observed his features, then suddenly realized something, her eyes widening. 'Could it be the Third Raikage? Orochimaru resurrected him?'
Konan's shock was understandable.
The Third Raikage's achievements were too astonishing.
He could subdue the Eight-Tails with his bare body, and was renowned for possessing the Strongest Shield and Strongest Spear.
Even at his death, he fought against tens of thousands of Iwagakure's Shinobi without retreating for three days and nights until he died from exhaustion.
The Third Raikage's death was ultimately due to his physical limits.
If not for stamina restrictions, he might have single-handedly killed all those tens of thousands of Iwagakure's Shinobi!
Even so, fighting continuously for three days and three nights demonstrated power far beyond ordinary Shinobi.
Among the Five Kage of his era, if the Third Raikage hadn't died so young, he might have been the strongest. After all, the others weakened with age, but his physical prowess wouldn't decline as much.
He could maintain peak combat power for a long time.
In contrast, Onoki and Hiruzen had both weakened considerably from their primes.
Onoki's Dust Release was still deadly, but his aged body greatly restricted him.
Konan withdrew her gaze and looked worriedly at Takumi.
The Third Raikage was not a simple opponent. Although she had confidence in Takumi, she couldn't help but worry.
Women, always concerned, tend to lose objectivity.
"I didn't expect our whereabouts to be exposed."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. Seeing Takumi waiting for them leisurely in the distance, it was clear their movements were known.
He looked back at the people beside him. Two of them could potentially have tipped someone off.
But those two were impossible,
As they had been under constant surveillance.
'No, there was another person.'
Thinking about Kabuto's history as a multiple spy, he had to consider whether Kabuto had betrayed him.
But now was not the time for that.
Since Takumi had actively created an opportunity for a one-on-one confrontation, it saved him the trouble of sending the Sound Five to cause a diversion in Konoha.
"I was just taking a walk and felt some uninvited guests would arrive."
Takumi said something even he didn't believe, but it was just a casual remark.
Its purpose was to increase Orochimaru's inner suspicions.
Orochimaru inherently distrusted others, only controlling them through their desires.
From beginning to end, the only person he truly trusted was himself.
"Hmph, glib tongue."
Orochimaru immediately recognized Takumi's attempt to sow discord. He snorted coldly and said, "Today, you will hand over your body to me."
"Oh? Relying on that antique?"
Takumi raised an eyebrow, looking at the Third Raikage with provocative eyes. "Just an antique out of touch with the times. Dealing with him won't be hard."
"You youngsters these days really don't know how to be humble."
The Third Raikage wasn't angered by the mockery. He calmly looked at Takumi, his gaze filled with deep caution.
"Although I was unwillingly awakened, since I'm awake, I must do something for Kumogakure."
The Third Raikage said calmly. "And your existence is a huge obstacle for Kumogakure, and the other villages."
"Your talent is remarkable. To possess such terrifying strength at such a young age."
"If you are allowed to grow further, you might become the next Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara."
"But the Shinobi World no longer needs another God of Shinobi."
With that, the Third Raikage's gaze sharpened. "Let me show you what an antique is capable of."
"Bring it on."
Takumi turned sideways, right hand behind his back, left hand extended forward, striking a classic kung-fu master pose.
Swoosh!
In the blink of an eye,
The Third Raikage was enveloped in the arcing light of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. His hair stood on end, even his longer locks floating upwards.
From the first moment of contact, the Third Raikage had entered his strongest state.
His goal was to kill Takumi instantly.
This showed the Third Raikage's extensive experience.
His purpose was to kill, so he didn't bother with flashy techniques, only seeking to achieve the goal in the shortest time.
Moreover, going all out from the start easily catches an enemy off guard.
But knowing the Third Raikage's strength, how could Takumi be unprepared?
Bang!
Takumi slapped the Third Raikage's wrist with one hand, the immense force forcing his arm aside.
Boom!
The Third Raikage brushed past Takumi and violently crashed into a large tree nearby.
The tree snapped and fell, but the Third Raikage himself was completely unscathed.
"To think you could dodge my Four-Finger Nukite."
The Third Raikage turned back, looking at Takumi with extreme caution.
Takumi was equally cautious.
Even with his steel-like body, he dared not recklessly take the Third Raikage's signature move, the Four-Finger Nukite.
As a thrusting technique with astonishing penetrating power, amplified by Lightning Release, this move called Hell Stab possessed immense single-point piercing force.
He might be able to block it, but he didn't want to take the risk.
"Let's see if you can dodge this one."
Before the Third Raikage finished speaking, he was already in front of Takumi again.
This time, he extended two fingers.
Not only was the power increased, but the speed was also faster.
But in front of Takumi, who had mastered extreme speed, he wouldn't lose in speed.
He was just wary of whether the Raikage's thrust could break through his defenses.
Slap!
He repeated his tactic, deflecting the Raikage's arm.
The Third Raikage brushed past him again, shattering a massive boulder.
"Such incredible speed and power."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement. Even with his visual prowess, he sometimes struggled to follow the Third Raikage's speed.
He didn't expect Takumi to keep up and evade the Raikage's strongest technique.
The Third Raikage turned, his speed soaring again.
This time, he used the strongest form of Hell Stab: the One-Finger Nukite.
Fastest speed, strongest power.
It was his pride, the Strongest Spear.
But this was exactly what Takumi was waiting for.