Shiranui Riku had just killed the second special jonin. Now, only Oyuluo remained.
Seeing his comrade stabbed through the neck and killed, Oyuluo's entire body trembled with rage.
Sparks crackled and danced across the surface of Riku's body, lightning chakra building intensely.
"Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Swarm of Lightning Mosquitoes!"
Riku began to whirl around Oyuluo at incredible speed, leaving a spiraling trail of lightning in his wake. The electric currents were drawn to the lightning chakra radiating from Oyuluo, lashing out toward him like eager predators.
Despite the aggressive attack, the effect on Oyuluo was minimal—he was resilient, burning with fury, and growing increasingly focused. His eyes tracked Riku's rapid movements, adapting gradually until he could faintly discern the afterimages.
"I've got you!" he snarled. "Cloud Flow: Triple Moon Crescent Slash!"
Predicting Riku's next landing point, Oyuluo swung his lightning-infused blade in a broad, crescent arc. He felt impact—his sword had hit something solid. It was Riku's katana.
For the first time during the fight, Oyuluo saw Riku's face clearly. What stunned him wasn't the speed or the clash—it was the smirk curling at the corner of Riku's lips.
And then, suddenly—
His footing gave way.
Looking down, Oyuluo saw the ground had morphed into a churning swamp.
Earth Style: Yellow Spring Swamp.
"It was a feint," Riku taunted, eyes gleaming. "I slowed down on purpose—so you'd think you had a chance. Idiot. Game over."
"Thunder Breathing, Earth Style: Electric Boom and Thunder Burst!"
From the eye of the storm, Riku unleashed a flurry of electrified slashes in all directions. The lightning surged outward with devastating force. Oyuluo, trapped knee-deep in the swamp, couldn't evade.
He was engulfed.
Countless thunder-infused strikes tore into his flesh, charring his skin, opening searing wounds across his body. His screams echoed through the forest, mingling with the bitter scent of burnt flesh.
He collapsed with a heavy thud, twitching uncontrollably.
Riku didn't lower his guard. His gaze remained cold and steady as he muttered, "This is just the beginning. More from Hidden Cloud will follow. And I'll be waiting."
With a clean, merciless slash, Riku brought his katana down, slicing Oyuluo's head and body in half. Blood sprayed across Riku's face, warm and thick.
Oyuluo's head rolled a few feet before settling. In his final moment, eyes still faintly conscious, he looked up at Riku. A wave of sorrow washed over him.
Konoha has bred another monster. I couldn't stop him. I wonder how many more of us will die by his hand…
With that last thought, Oyuluo's vision faded to black.
The battle was finally over.
Riku wiped the blood from his face, breathing heavily.
He wanted to go check on Uzumaki Kushina, but just as he moved, his knees buckled. He nearly fell.
His chakra reserves were depleted—already strained from the long journey, and now nearly exhausted from the battle. If not for the urgency, he wouldn't have risked a feint strategy.
He glanced at his right hand. Blood dripped from torn muscle at the base of his palm.
In raw strength, he had lagged behind Oyuluo—especially after Oyuluo enhanced his body with Lightning Chakra.
But the Hidden Cloud's combat style was familiar. Their ninja heavily relied on swordsmanship, Lightning Release, and aggressive techniques.
Riku had mastered a similar approach: Thunder Breathing – Full Sword Style.
While his speed exceeded Oyuluo's, the margin wasn't wide enough to dominate outright. A drawn-out fight favored his opponent. He had been forced to end it before running dry.
But he did it.
Riku pulled out a blank scroll and sealed Oyuluo's head inside.
He also sealed Atui's head and the other special jonin's into the scroll—trophies from the battle.
Then, he made his way toward where Uzumaki Kushina lay.
She was asleep, her head resting gently on the white snake's body. Having been kidnapped and dragged across borders by Hidden Cloud ninja, she had been mentally and physically drained. But once Riku appeared, the despair gave way to peace, and exhaustion pulled her into sleep.
Riku bent down and gently lifted her into his arms.
"Thank you, White Snake," he said softly.
The summoned snake flicked its tongue and gave a sly grin. "Master Riku, next time—could I eat something fresh?"
Riku's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't worry. You'll be eating your fill soon enough."
The white snake smiled with humanlike flattery. "Master Riku, you're too kind! I adore you! From now on, you say jump, and I'll soar! You want me to eat someone alive? I'll never settle for a corpse again!"
Riku rolled his eyes. "Cut the chatter. What about the other three?"
The white snake slapped its swollen belly with its tail. "Don't worry, Master. All taken care of. Do you still not trust me?"
Riku gave a curt nod. "Alright. Head back to Ryūchi Cave. I'll summon you later."
"Until next time, Master Riku~"
With a puff of smoke, the white snake vanished.
Riku swallowed a soldier's pill to recover a bit of chakra. Then, still carrying Kushina, he began the journey back to Konoha.
The jolting movement roused Kushina in his arms.
She didn't speak immediately. Instead, she stared quietly at Riku's face, her red eyes wide and soft.
Riku noticed the intense gaze and glanced down. "Kushina, you're awake. Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, silently indicating she was fine.
"Then rest a little more," Riku said gently. "We're safe now. I'll wake you when we reach the village."
But instead of closing her eyes, Kushina suddenly looped her arms around Riku's neck, leaned in, and kissed him softly on the cheek.
Riku froze—completely stunned.
Then she buried her face in his shoulder and began to sob.
"Riku… I was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again. I didn't know what to do… Thank you. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for everything."
Riku raised his right hand, wiping away the tears from her cheek. He gave a small, sincere smile.
"Kushina… if anyone should be thankful, it's me. After my parents died, I was just surviving—going through the motions. But now… it's different. My world has you. Only you."