All human fears stem from a lack of firepower.
Uzumaki Raiden, who has never held back in using chakra, felt a bit anxious at this moment. He could sense that his remaining chakra was less than ten percent. There was too little chakra left, and he still needed some to use the Totsuka Blade. This meant that the chakra he could actually utilize might be just a measly one percent of his total reserve.
This amount of chakra wasn't even enough to make a difference at this level of battle.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
Suddenly, explosions echoed through the air. The Susanoo that had been protecting the Gedo Mazo began to fade rapidly. The once terrifying golem now appeared like a mere stone statue.
"Is Uchiha Madara's chakra almost depleted?"
Thinking about it, Raiden's chakra far exceeded that of the average Uzumaki clan member, not to mention the Yin Seal. Although he had used a lot earlier, it was impossible for Uchiha Madara to deplete his chakra without a cost.
"He is not in Edo Tensei form."
"In that case, my chances of winning should be better!"
As Uzumaki Raiden was deep in thought, a sudden whistling sound came from the sky. Vigilant, he quickly jumped back, narrowly avoiding a round fan that struck the ground, creating a massive crater.
Raiden lifted his gaze slightly and saw the figure standing before him.
It was an old man—different from the middle-aged Uchiha Madara he had faced earlier. Now, Madara exuded an aura of decay. Even without sensory abilities, Raiden could tell that the man before him didn't have much time left.
Quickly scanning Madara, Raiden shut his eyes and relied on Kagura's Mind Eye to track his opponent's movements. Even with Madara's frail appearance, Raiden remained cautious—he couldn't afford to let his guard down and risk his life due to carelessness.
Judging by his condition, if Raiden could hold out, it would be impossible for Madara to engage him in a prolonged battle.
"Protracted warfare," Uzumaki Raiden thought. He had learned about initiative, flexibility, attrition, and guerrilla tactics from his ancestors.
Stepping back swiftly, he pulled out a scroll from his pocket and, in the next second, a handful of shurikens appeared in his hand. Without worrying about accuracy, he infused them with lightning chakra and quickly hurled them at Uchiha Madara. This was the most chakra-efficient strategy Raiden could think of.
"Zzzzz!"
Wrapped in lightning, the shurikens buzzed through the air toward Madara. The trajectory of the shurikens was within Madara's range of perception, making them easy to evade. As they landed behind him, a powerful explosion suddenly erupted.
"Boom boom boom!!!"
A wave of air mixed with sand swept toward Madara.
"Lightning chakra should enhance piercing... why did it explode?"
Black Zetsu, hiding in Madara's sleeve, shouted in surprise. Madara didn't have time to think—he quickly leaped forward, avoiding the flying debris and nearly falling face-first into the dirt.
"Zzz!"
A faint sound reached Madara's ears, and he suddenly felt a shadow looming over him. Looking up in shock, he saw a red-haired young man lunging at him with a long blade aimed at his back.
Using the shuriken attack as a distraction, Uzumaki Raiden had donned his Lightning Armor and rushed at Madara, intending to end the fight quickly. With his chakra depleted and his aging body slowing him down, Madara's reaction time was significantly hindered.
He, Uchiha Madara, could no longer keep up with Uzumaki Raiden's speed!
"Boom!"
Just as the Totsuka Blade was about to pierce Madara, a white figure rapidly emerged from his back—White Zetsu. The sword plunged into the creature instead, allowing Madara to quickly retreat and create distance.
"This is... White Zetsu's Spore Technique!"
The white creature stabbed by the blade withered and stuck to the ground. Raiden raised an eyebrow and turned to Madara.
"Old man, stop struggling. Your time is up."
"It's embarrassing to see you lingering like this. I don't want to remember you this way."
"Uchiha Madara, I'll grant you dignity—end it yourself!"
Madara's chakra flickered like a dying candle. This frail version of him was nothing like the "Lord of the Blade" Raiden once imagined.
"Heh, little—cough!"
Before Madara could finish speaking, a violent cough racked his body. Blood trickled from his lips.
Seeing an opportunity, Raiden immediately attacked without hesitation. His figure blurred with speed, appearing behind Madara in an instant. The sheer speed left Madara barely enough time to turn around before the long blade pierced his chest.
"Puchi."
Dark red blood oozed from the wound, and the metallic scent filled the air.
"Madara, you've accomplished much for Konoha, but your path has gone astray. Rest easy—I will work hard to bring peace to the ninja world."
"I hope to never see you again."
Raiden whispered softly into Madara's ear—words only the two of them could hear.
Madara opened his mouth to respond, but only blood gushed forth.
"Master Madara!"
Black Zetsu cried out, leaping from Madara's sleeve and vanishing underground. Madara's eyes briefly glowed with intensity before they dimmed, and he slowly closed them.
"Boom!"
Raiden prepared to seal the corpse using the Totsuka Blade. As soon as the blade pierced Madara's body, the seal was activated, successfully containing him.
"It's done!"
With a sigh of relief, Raiden glanced at the towering Gedo Mazo in the distance, preparing to continue the sealing process.
At that moment, several sharp cracking sounds echoed in the air.
"Raiden!"
A familiar voice called out. Raiden slowly turned to see a group of familiar faces approaching from the direction of Konoha—Minato, Nawaki, and Sarutobi-sensei, among others.
"Minato, Nawaki, Sarutobi-sensei, you're here!"
These chakra signatures were unmistakable.
"Raiden, is your battle over?" Nawaki asked as they approached.
Raiden smiled and was about to answer when, suddenly, Nawaki made a move. His right hand transformed into a wooden spike and stabbed toward Raiden's chest.
At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Minato, along with the others, quickly surrounded Raiden, launching Wood Release jutsu.
The ground beneath Raiden collapsed as countless vines wrapped around his legs, and Uchiha Madara emerged from underground once again, grabbing Raiden's throat.
In shock, Raiden glanced at Madara's gray left eye and instantly realized something.
But it was too late to escape the coordinated attacks.
(End of chapter.)