Chapter 88: Forcing Back a Kage-level Opponent!
Uchiha Takashi raised his right index finger towards the sky, directing a golden cube.
The Susanoo enveloping him responded in sync, launching a pure white flame from its fingertip.
Whoosh! The small flame, once released, expanded into an overwhelming white blaze, as if intending to engulf the descending golden sand cube.
The white fire soared upwards! The golden sand descended from above! The two forces collided heavily.
Boom! The flames and golden sand continuously devoured each other.
The terrifying heat of the Orochi's flames directly melted the magnetic cohesion of the golden sand, making it seem as if golden rain was falling from the sky.
However... no matter how powerful the Orochi's flames were, it was impossible to melt the entire golden cube in a short time, so it remained intact as it plummeted.
Once it hit, with its weight of several thousand tons, it could crush not just flesh and blood, but even steel.
Yet, even so, Uchiha Takashi, under the protection of Susanoo, did not move an inch.
It wasn't that he didn't know how to dodge, but because he didn't need to.
Shinkūgeki! A sound of something cutting through the air came from the side.
A semi-transparent fist force shot across the sky, striking the golden cube that was as large as a building.
In terms of sustained damage and range, Shinkūgeki might not be impressive.
But its single-point explosive power was truly astonishing.
With one strike, it shattered the golden cube, already teetering under the Orochi's flames, into falling sand.
Though in the desert, Rasa was undoubtedly a 'Kage-level' powerhouse.
But facing the combined might of Uchiha Takashi and Hyuga Aotsuki, he couldn't hold his ground.
Susanoo!
This S-rank Fire Release was an epic-level enhancement for Uchiha Takashi in his normal state.
Without it, unless he summoned Taiichi and Chubimaru, he would surely be easily defeated by Rasa.
For him, Susanoo was like the significance of the Mangekyō Sharingan to the Uchiha.
Having it or not made all the difference.
The best part was its ability to synergize with the Flame Cloak, resulting in a qualitative change.
Now, mastering this core jutsu, even without entering Sage Mode, he was at least an elite jōnin, and could even contend with a quasi-Kage.
Soon, the golden sand fell away, and the flames gradually dissipated.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
Hyuga Aotsuki and Yamakawa Koji flanked from the sides, forming a triangular formation with Uchiha Takashi, subtly encircling Rasa in the sky.
The implication was clear: the upcoming battle would be their team ganging up on him.
Rasa's expression remained unchanged.
At this moment, his chakra was more than half depleted, but his combat strength was still intact.
However, he had to consider whether getting injured here would affect the frontline battles.
Though Sunagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it didn't have many top-tier fighters, with only him and Pakura among the younger generation.
If he got too injured, it would definitely impact the village's strategy.
Of course, if he was confident in a sure kill, he would be willing to pay that price.
The problem was, he wasn't confident.
With that Hyuga girl present, achieving a kill was incredibly difficult; the previous attack had already posed a threat to him.
After thinking it through, Rasa spoke up:
"Konoha truly is blessed, always producing an endless stream of geniuses. In the name of Rasa, I bestow upon you...!"
Since he wasn't confident in killing them, he naturally had to praise them.
The higher their fame, the less impact this failure would have.
After all, isn't it normal to fail a mission against a team of geniuses?
Consider the 'Demi-God' Hanzo of the Salamander.
He bestowed the title of 'Legendary Sannin' upon Konoha's trio, and when they grew, not killing them didn't become his blemish but rather his honor.
Being named by an enemy powerhouse carries more weight than being praised by one's own village, as it uses his own reputation as a testament.
But... Uchiha Takashi didn't want to be named, so he interrupted him.
"This encounter is just the beginning. If you can still have the upper hand next time, then we can talk!"
Having a title is good, but an unwanted title is a bad thing.
Chapter 88: Forcing Back a Kage-level Opponent!
At the same time, the word 'bestow' implied that the other side had the upper hand during the confrontation. If they had fought their way out, no one would be 'bestowing' anything. With Sage Mode still unused and Hyuga Aotsuki not going all out, how could he accept such 'humiliation' of being given a name by the opponent?
Even if the opponent was the future 'Fourth Kazekage', it was unacceptable.
"Is that so...!"
Rasa's gaze swept over the three of them, and he understood the underlying message in Uchiha Takashi's words.
It meant they still had hidden techniques, and he hadn't truly defeated them, so they were unwilling to accept the title he bestowed.
Whoosh! Without further ado, he turned and left.
Regardless, the mission had failed. What good would it do to gain a verbal advantage? It was better to just leave.
"He left so quickly!"
Hyuga Aotsuki was somewhat displeased.
If the opponent had stayed, it wouldn't have been impossible to try and take down this Kage-level opponent.
"Forget it, there will be other opportunities!"
Uchiha Takashi shook his head slightly, calming the eager Hyuga Aotsuki, who seemed ready to give chase.
Don't be fooled by her petite face and pure demeanor into thinking she's quiet and introverted.
In reality, she's as dark as they come inside.
Cunning and cold-blooded!
That's her nature, though you wouldn't see it on the surface.
Without such acting skills, she wouldn't have survived in the Hyuga clan.
Fortunately, Uchiha Takashi saved her before she fell into the abyss, and since the Byakugan doesn't awaken due to emotional fluctuations like the Sharingan, otherwise, the Hyuga clan would have been wiped out before the Uchiha clan.
"Let's leave the Land of Wind first!"
Uchiha Takashi led the two away.
This was still the Land of Wind, and if they didn't leave, more Sand Shinobi would arrive, putting them in danger.
They weren't in the best condition right now.
"Yes!" *2 The two followed and left.
Thus, only the vast, sand-ravaged land remained.
On the other side, after returning, Rasa immediately listed Uchiha Takashi's team as a key focus.
There was no choice; both he and Hyuga Aotsuki had incredible strength, and given their age, how could Rasa not take them seriously?
But those were matters for later. At this moment, Uchiha Takashi and his team were looking at the group in front of them with complex expressions.
"Looks like you managed to escape from Rasa's grasp. That saves me a lot of trouble!"
Mitokado Shihiro greeted them, with dozens of fully armed Konoha ninjas behind him.
Clearly, they were here to 'support' Team 404.
"Did Lord Orochimaru know Rasa would make a move this time?"
Uchiha Takashi asked with a frown.
It wasn't an accusation, but the response would affect his future attitude towards him.
"No, Lord Orochimaru only used this batch of goods to lure out spies in the camp and didn't know who Sand Ninja would send to pursue. Regardless of who it was, as long as you could hold out until we arrived, you'd be safe!"
Mitokado Shihiro explained earnestly.
Using this important cargo as bait was true, but there was no intention to set them up.
If there was an intention to set them up, there would be no need to send him for support.
In other words, Rasa's pursuit was an unexpected situation.
In reality.
The mission was challenging, but not beyond Uchiha Takashi's capabilities.
It was just that the appearance of Rasa, a Kage-level opponent, was an unforeseen event.
"I see!"
After some thought, Uchiha Takashi nodded in acknowledgment of the explanation.
It could be said that with their team retreating unscathed from Rasa's grasp, their status began to change.
Previously, would Mitokado Shihiro have explained so seriously to him?
After the teams merged, they returned to the camp smoothly.
And it was then that Uchiha Takashi learned what the cargo was.
(End of Chapter)