Chapter 98 – Decisive Battle at the Fire Border (Prelude)
With the news of the Third Raikage's recovery smuggled out of Kumogakure by Leaf's spies, even someone as carefree as Jiraiya had noticeably lost his usual smile.
A storm was brewing.
That ominous pressure quietly spread throughout the camp. Everyone knew it—
the final battle was upon them.
---
Nightfall
Command Tent, Leaf Camp
Inside the central command tent, all available jonin had gathered—except those out on missions or stationed at the medical tents with Tsunade.
As for what had happened after Jiraiya and Kazane's last sparring session, no one knew the details—only Kazane and Tsunade. But ever since that day, Tsunade had confined herself to her tent and the medical quarters. Any place where Kazane was, Tsunade was notably not present.
Tonight was no different.
At the head of the table sat a serious-faced Jiraiya. On either side of him were Kazane and Nara Shikaku. The remaining jonin filled in their seats according to rank and unit.
With a heavy expression, Jiraiya opened the meeting. Shikaku stood and moved to the large war map positioned across from Jiraiya, beginning his briefing.
He gave a comprehensive summary of recent engagements—who led each battle, what outcomes they achieved, and the losses inflicted on both sides. Once his report was finished, Jiraiya stood to issue the final strategic plan.
"According to our intel, the Third Raikage has fully recovered. Given that old man's personality, there's no way he'd swallow the humiliation of his last defeat. He won't wait long—he'll launch an all-out assault on us."
"That's why, after discussing with Jonin Shikaku, we've decided—we'll strike first. We're taking the battlefield to his main camp. Catch them off guard. In this battle, Kazane will face off against the Third Raikage, while I'll handle the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B. As for the infamous AB Duo of Kumogakure—I'm counting on you three."
As he spoke, Jiraiya turned to Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza.
"Leave it to us," they replied in unison.
The Ino–Shika–Chō Trio had always operated as a unit. The joint formation of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans was known as one of Konoha's strongest teams.
Despite not being large clans like the Uchiha or Hyūga, their battlefield performance often surpassed even the major bloodline clans.
What they lacked in numbers, they made up for in perfect teamwork and deadly precision.
The three sitting here were the current generation's elite trio—jonin-level masters.
With their inherited secret techniques and seamless coordination since childhood, they could hold their own even against top-tier opponents for extended periods.
On the opposing side, the younger versions of Killer B and Darui weren't yet fully developed, still technically jonin. But together, their combined techniques allowed them to challenge even elite combatants.
That's why the Ino–Shika–Chō formation was the perfect match. This was a team battle.
In fact, the idea had come from Shikaku himself. He and the AB Duo had clashed multiple times over the course of the war, and both sides knew each other's style well.
"For the rest of the jonin—your duties are just as vital. The outcome of this battle will determine Konoha's fate. Win or lose—it all rides on us!"
Gone was Jiraiya's usual humor. His face was resolute. His voice wasn't loud, but each word carried the weight of unwavering resolve.
And the others could feel it.
Their expressions hardened—
Because it was true. Behind them was Konoha. Behind them were their families.
Defeat was not an option. Victory was the only path.
Following that, Nara Shikaku explained the operation in full detail—every movement, every timing.
He then directed the supply officers to distribute gear after the meeting: kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, soldier pills, and more.
With that, the strategy session ended.
But as everyone stood to leave, Jiraiya stopped Kazane.
"Kazane... now that it's just the two of us—tell me honestly. Do you really have what it takes to defeat the Third Raikage?"
Jiraiya had spoken with such confidence during the meeting, making it sound like victory was assured. But deep down...
He was uneasy.
The stakes were too high. A loss here wouldn't just mean defeat on the battlefield. It could mean the destruction of Konoha. Everything they'd built for decades—gone.
Erased.
And more personally—Jiraiya himself wasn't confident about fighting Killer B.
He lacked sealing techniques.
Against titans like Madara, Hashirama, or the Raikage, Tailed Beasts might seem like toys—but in reality, their infinite chakra and immortality made them terrifying weapons of war.
Without sealing jutsu, very few shinobi could counter a Bijū. Even fewer could defeat one.
And even if you could, they couldn't be killed.
You'd run out of chakra long before they did. And then? They'd drown you in Tailed Beast Bombs until nothing remained.
To make things worse—Killer B himself was a top-tier shinobi.
While Kazane and the Third Raikage had been recovering from injuries, Jiraiya had already clashed with Killer B a few times.
And though he understood the man's strength, he knew one thing— He could stall Killer B.
But he couldn't defeat him.
So now, Kazane's battle with the Third Raikage was the key.
If Kazane could win, everything could change.
Because unlike Konoha, Kumogakure was the invading side.
Just like before—when the Raikage was in danger, the entire force had abandoned the fight to save him.
If they lost this time, the worst that would happen was going home.
But for Konoha? There was no retreat.
Only survival.
They would fight to the last man.
Kazane gently rested his hand on the jet-black katana at his waist: Shusui.
A subtle smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"Before I become the strongest—I will not lose to anyone."
"And besides… I've already cut him down once."
"This time, he's going down again."
---
Black Blade: Shusui was a reward Kazane had received from the system, after his sword, Yukizame, was shattered by the Third Raikage.
As Kazane's strength had grown, most of the system's rewards had become less useful to him.
After all, with the combined power of Eight Gates and Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Kazane—though not yet a "Great Swordmaster"—was strong enough that even Dracule Mihawk might not confidently claim victory.
If you wanted to define power levels—
Sure, this was a realistic world. Even a normal person could kill a jonin under the right circumstances—ambush, traps, elemental counters.
But if you had to categorize shinobi by tiers:
Then Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara were beyond even Kage-level—transcendent.
Meanwhile, Kazane and the Third Raikage. They had both taken a half step past the Kage class.
Without forbidden techniques or advanced sealing jutsu, either of them could fight and potentially defeat multiple top-tier jonin alone.