Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

After the Yin Seal was fully released, Raiden's Thunder Armor darkened in hue, shifting from lavender to a deep, ominous purple. Excess chakra, now materialized into a tangible force, radiated outward from Raiden's core.

As Raiden extended his hand, dozens of thunder arrows formed and shot toward Chiyo. The sky above her became shrouded in a storm of lightning.

"What a terrifying attack! How can we stop this?"

"Quickly! Protect Lady Chiyo! Use Earth Style—build an earth wall!"

"We're doomed! We'll die under this!"

The sheer force of Raiden's attack sent ripples of panic through the ranks of the Sand Shinobi. Younger ninjas cried out in terror, while the Jonin struggled to maintain composure and issue orders. Under such immense pressure, their defensive ninjutsu faltered, with only a few earthen walls managing to rise in front of Chiyo.

However, these defenses crumbled instantly as the thunder arrows pierced through them with ease. The remnants of the lightning barrage streaked toward Chiyo at blinding speed.

"There's no time!"

Rasa frantically manipulated his gold dust, attempting to shield Chiyo. Yet, the speed of Raiden's thunder arrows far outmatched his efforts. Before the golden shield could reach her, the lightning barrage tore through the remaining defenses and exploded where Chiyo stood.

The battlefield echoed with deafening blasts as smoke and dust engulfed the area. The anguished screams of Sand Shinobi reverberated, tightening Rasa's chest with dread. If Chiyo fell in this battle, the operation to intercept Raiden would be an utter failure. Even if Raiden were killed, the loss of Elder Chiyo would devastate Sand Shinobi's morale in the ongoing war against Konoha.

Unaware of Raiden's identity as Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa feared that even a Pyrrhic victory would leave them vulnerable in the long term.

Through the haze of his charged Thunder Armor, Raiden remained conscious despite the poison coursing through his veins. Seeing the aftermath of his attack, a faint smile played on his lips. A puppet master like Chiyo had no chance of surviving such a direct assault. Now, only Rasa and the barrier stood between Raiden and freedom.

Although the poison had not immediately incapacitated him, its effects were undeniable. His movements were sluggish, and his reactions dulled compared to their usual precision. Summoning his blade, Totsuka Blade, Raiden dashed into the smoke to confirm Chiyo's fate. His Kagura Mind Eye still detected her chakra—she was alive.

As the smoke began to clear, Chiyo and her defenders came into view.

"So, this is how she survived," Raiden muttered, narrowing his eyes.

In front of Chiyo stood a human wall—over a dozen Sand Shinobi who had shielded her from the lightning attack with their bodies. Now lifeless, they remained standing, propped up as grotesque monuments of sacrifice.

Chiyo stood behind the fallen Sand Shinobi, clutching the stump of her severed arm, her teeth gritted in defiance. Despite her injuries, she prepared for Raiden's next move, manipulating five puppets with her remaining hand.

"I underestimated Sand Shinobi's resolve," Raiden thought. "They're willing to bear such losses to protect her."

"If I want to escape, I must take her out!"

Raiden charged toward Chiyo, his blade slashing through the human barrier with ease. Within moments, he reached Chiyo, gripping his sword with both hands and driving it toward her heart. Yet, slowed by the poison, his attack lacked its usual speed, giving Chiyo a chance to respond.

With a flick of her fingers, two puppets intercepted the blade, while three more flanked Raiden, their weapons slicing toward him. Meanwhile, behind Raiden, Rasa's gold dust surged like a towering sandstorm, closing in.

Seeing no time to evade, Raiden channeled more chakra into his Thunder Armor, intensifying its protective barrier. Lightning extended from the Totsuka Blade, piercing through the two defending puppets and driving toward Chiyo's chest.

"Chidori Sharp Spear!"

The puppets' weapons struck Raiden simultaneously, failing to penetrate his Thunder Armor but slamming him into the ground with immense force. Despite the disruption, Raiden's spear struck true, impaling Chiyo's chest.

"Elder Chiyo!" Rasa shouted in alarm, redirecting his gold dust. The metallic particles rapidly enveloped Raiden, forming a towering pyramid around him. Sealed within the Gold Dust Pyramid, Raiden was completely cut off.

As the structure stabilized, Rasa hurried to Chiyo's side. Her condition was critical, and the sight of her bloodied figure sent waves of unease through him.

"Quickly! Find a medical ninja!" Rasa barked at the remaining Sand Shinobi. Within moments, Chiyo was escorted away by dozens of ninjas, rushing her to the rear for treatment.

"Rasa, how is Elder Chiyo?" Karura arrived, her voice tinged with worry as she watched Chiyo being carried off.

"She's gravely injured. I don't know if she'll survive," Rasa replied grimly. His gaze shifted to the Gold Dust Pyramid, his expression darkening.

"And the Konoha ninja? Did you kill him?" Karura asked, her eyes narrowing as she studied the sealed structure.

"He's trapped," Rasa confirmed. "I've already called for the sealing team to reinforce it. His chakra feels faint, but there's a strong force within that's attempting to break through."

Inside the Gold Dust Pyramid, Raiden sat cross-legged, surrounded by four shadow clones forming a Four Violet Flames Formation. This barrier shielded him from the crushing weight of the gold dust and blocked Rasa from sensing his chakra.

The poison still lingered in Raiden's body, but the pyramid provided an unexpected advantage. Isolated from the outside world, he could focus on gathering nature energy without interference.

"I must escape before the poison takes hold," Raiden resolved. Strengthening his will, he began channeling the power of Sage Mode.

(End of this chapter)