Chapter 364: The Thunder God's Trial
Although Sasuke's Lightning Release: Kirin had come to an end, the thunderclouds overhead still hadn't dispersed.
"Something's not right!"
Sasuke abruptly realized something and quickly leapt back. At that moment, a bolt of lightning shot down from the clouds and struck the surface of the lake.
Activating his Sharingan, Sasuke strained to see what was happening.
It wasn't just lightning—it was a person! Or more precisely, a being that resembled both lightning and a human.
The Thunder Stone floated out from Sasuke's chest and drifted toward the suddenly-appearing figure.
"Who are you?!"
Sasuke drew his Kusanagi Sword, his face filled with caution.
"Lei Yi," the figure answered, holding the Thunder Stone in his hand. He then returned it to Sasuke and said, "Since the Thunder Stone has acknowledged you, that means you're qualified to receive my power. Now begins the first trial—defeat my remnant image."
The moment his words fell, Lei Yi transformed into lightning and charged at Sasuke.
Lightning Strike.
Electricity crackled from Lei Yi's clawed hand as he slashed at Sasuke. Reacting in time, Sasuke raised his blade to block and simultaneously activated Chidori Current, coating his Kusanagi Sword with lightning.
Flash Strike.
Just as Sasuke blocked with his sword, Lei Yi's attack exploded into a flash of light that sent Sasuke flying. He barely managed to stop himself by driving his sword into the ground. The point of impact on his body ached faintly.
Yanking the Kusanagi Sword free from the ground and ignoring the pain coursing through his body, Sasuke charged again.
Discharge.
Electric currents surged out from Lei Yi's body.
"Chidori Current!"
Lightning also erupted from Sasuke as he closed the distance. But realizing his technique wasn't stopping Sasuke's advance, Lei Yi immediately began to retreat.
Sasuke reversed his grip and hurled the Kusanagi Sword, forming hand seals as he did: "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
The high-speed stream of fire surged along the sword, boosting its momentum as it rocketed toward Lei Yi.
Lightning Flash!
Seeing he couldn't evade, Lei Yi transformed into lightning and vanished from the sword's path.
Sasuke's Sharingan tracked the lightning-form Lei Yi carefully, anticipating where he would reappear.
"Amaterasu!"
A perfect prediction—he caught the exact moment Lei Yi landed. The Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto him, and black flames burst forth, latching onto Lei Yi's body. The inextinguishable flames would burn until their target was utterly reduced to ash.
Blinding Radiance!
Blinding light erupted from Lei Yi's body, dispelling the black flames of Amaterasu entirely. Sasuke instinctively shut his eyes, revealing only his Rinnegan as he stared forward at Lei Yi.
"So even Amaterasu doesn't work..."
Sasuke muttered to himself while planning his next move. So far, every one of his attacks had been neutralized by Lei Yi, while defending against Lei Yi's strikes had proved extremely difficult.
I can't let him dictate the rhythm of the fight. Sasuke instantly made up his mind and charged again—this time, splitting into over a dozen Shadow Clones.
The real Sasuke suddenly stopped, extended his left hand toward Lei Yi, and called out: "Universal Pull!"
Lei Yi was abruptly yanked toward Sasuke, and the surrounding Shadow Clones quickly encircled both of them.
Shadow Shuriken Technique!
A single shuriken split into hundreds, each one infused with Lightning Release chakra via Chidori Current.
With meticulous observation through his Sharingan, Sasuke swapped places with the Kusanagi Sword he had previously thrown—using his Rinnegan's Heavenly Hand Power the moment the barrage was about to hit him.
A thunderous explosion rang out.
One by one, Sasuke's Shadow Clones vanished. The real Sasuke stared intently at the blast zone.
Thunder and Lightning Clash.
Bolts of lightning crackled loudly around Lei Yi, shielding him from the Shadow Shuriken barrage.
"Too bad. If that's all you've got, then this trial is over."
Instant Thunder Flash!
Lei Yi's form became a thick bolt of lightning, launching toward Sasuke at extreme speed, accompanied by a deafening thunderclap.
Susanoo!
Sasuke summoned his complete-body Susanoo, drawing twin blades and slashing toward Lei Yi.
But the lightning beam pierced through Susanoo's chest, blasting a pillar of light into the heavens.
Domain of Thunder.
"Where is this place?"
Suddenly transported to an unfamiliar world, Sasuke cautiously surveyed his surroundings.
"This is the Thunder God's Domain. Here, I'll give you the reward for completing the first trial."
The reward for clearing the first trial: the Wings of the Thunder God.
"What's the second trial?" Sasuke asked immediately.
"To obtain the Thunder God's Power, you must acquire three components: the Breath of the Thunder God, the Power of the Thunder God, and the Wrath of the Thunder God. The Wings of the Thunder God represent the Breath. The Thunder Stone is the Power. As for the Wrath—you must defeat Gaia's Phantom to obtain it."
As Lei Yi spoke, a battle-ready phantom of Gaia appeared in the Thunder God's Domain.
Faster. Stronger. In a blink, Gaia appeared behind Sasuke.
Smash Strike!
Even though he was on guard, Sasuke was still sent flying.
"You'd better be careful—Gaia won't hold back like I did," Lei Yi warned from the side.
And sure enough, as Lei Yi had said, Gaia wasted no time pressing his advantage, unleashing a flurry of close-range attacks.
If Lei Yi was a ninjutsu-based fighter, then Gaia was pure taijutsu.
Susanoo!
As Gaia closed in, Sasuke once again summoned his Susanoo.
Penetrating Force!
Gaia's palm struck the skeletal frame of Susanoo and sent Sasuke flying out from within it. The Susanoo crumbled and vanished.
"Hey, the Wings of the Thunder God! Use them already!"
Lei Yi, unable to stand watching any longer, reminded him.
"The Wings of the Thunder God?"
Sasuke took out the wing-shaped emblem and stared at it.
Lightning coiled around his body, lifting him into the air. The light completely engulfed him, forming a radiant sphere.
Gaia didn't strike. He silently observed, preferring a fair battle over an easy victory.
The sphere of lightning gradually dimmed as its energy was absorbed—revealing a new form: Sasuke possessed by Lei Yi's spirit.
Spirit Possession: 100% Sync with Lei Yi's Power.
Instant Thunder Flash!
From the sky, Sasuke dove down toward Gaia in a lightning beam.
"Didn't expect him to go all-out right away. He might actually be Gaia's type… Wait a second—he was charging up inside that lightning sphere just now? That's so sneaky."
Lei Yi murmured as he turned his gaze to Gaia.
Right now, Gaia was in his purest, most refined state—the pinnacle of unarmed might.
Earth-Shattering Strike!
With surging battle spirit, Gaia unleashed a powerful kick toward Sasuke's descending lightning form.
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[WN Powerstone Event Ends.]