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On the smoke-choked island, the clone of Sasuke faced the man known as the strongest—the Third Raikage.
BOOM!!!
The white Kirin descended from the heavens, obliterating a mountain!
From the rubble, the Third Raikage rose, completely unharmed. He dusted off his arm, his tone casual. "Impressive quality and quantity in that Lightning Release… but your focus was lacking. It couldn't breach my defense."
The clone's eyes darkened.
The White Kirin. His ultimate move during his first major battle, used to destroy Sasori's tailed beast puppet. And it hadn't even scratched this man.
Throughout the ten-battle journey, the only Lightning Release surpassing the White Kirin was the 'Takemikazuchi' he'd comprehended during his fourth battle against Itachi—a Kirin armored by the Yatagarasu Susanoo, a storm of Susanoo shrapnel forged from lightning. Only Itachi, with the Yata Mirror, could withstand it head-on.
But right now… Sasuke couldn't manifest the Yatagarasu Susanoo. Takemikazuchi was impossible.
And even if he could… that scattered attack… might still fail against the Third's defense.
The Third Raikage raised his right arm. "If you have nothing more impressive to show… it's time for my finishing move."
CRACKLE!!!
He extended four fingers… then folded three inward, leaving only his middle finger pointed forward. The Lightning Release chakra covering it sharpened into a simple, unadorned spike.
That was… his proudest weapon. The strongest spear—Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite.
"Truth be told," the Raikage said calmly, "you needn't insist on matching me with Lightning Release. Use your Wood Release. Use that Susanoo from before. Use anything you wish. Frankly, no matter the opponent, I want them to go all out. A victory handed to me out of pity? I'd rather die."
He'd said it that plainly, huh?
The clone sighed inwardly. He lifted his right hand.
This technique… it wasn't fully baked during training. I wanted to keep it hidden, if possible. Looks like against the Third Raikage… I have to make this half-baked idea work.
Crackle…!
Vibrant blue lightning erupted from Sasuke's right palm.
The Raikage frowned. "That's just ordinary Lightning Release chakra. You're not using that white lightning?"
"That variant is harder to control," Sasuke replied. "It's not suitable for the 'shape transformation' I'm about to attempt."
"Shape transformation?" The Raikage's gaze intensified. "I can see you have a high talent for it. A shape transformation even you find difficult to master? Now I must see it!"
The smart ones among you have already guessed it. Yes—it was the fusion of Chidori and the Rasengan.
But here's the crucial distinction.
The nature transformation of the Rasengan… and the spiral-ization of the Chidori… they seemed similar, but were fundamentally different.
The former was about infusing different natures into a neutral, formless Rasengan.
Sasuke had seen this proven through Naruto's efforts in his past life.
No matter what nature was added, without exception, the result was the Rasenshuriken.
A long-range, thrown attack. Not what Sasuke wanted most.
What suited him was unparalleled visual acuity paired with a powerful, close-range piercing assault.
"I wanted to break free from the Rasenshuriken's form. I tried a hundred different approaches. All failed. Then, just before the eighth battle… it hit me."
"That's right. I changed the order. Release the Chidorifirst, then apply the Rasengan's spiral shape transformation to it."
"But the Chidori's form is already an extremely high-difficulty shape transformation built upon Lightning Release. To preserve its core essence while imposing the Rasengan's spiral shape… the difficulty was unimaginable. A full level harder than simple nature transformation for the Rasengan."
"A crude analogy: it's like trying to take a lump of dough and make it both a dumpling and a steamed bun at the same time. You end up with a misshapen mess. At this stage, it's simply not something human capability can achieve."
"Once again, the development of this new jutsu hit a dead end."
"I couldn't help but wonder… what would Naruto do?"
"Yes… the number one most unpredictable ninja. He always surprises you from the most unexpected angle."
"When he worked on the Rasengan's nature transformation… he thought of using shadow clones to help!"
"And I… have my own unique advantage. A power beyond mere physical strength!!"
"That's right. Since… human strength alone couldn't manage it… the method I arrived at was—"
WHOOSH…!!
The skeletal frame of the Susanoo blazed to life around the clone's body!!
"I'll use the Susanoo's brute force to shape it by sheer will!!!"
Shwoop!
Behind Sasuke, the Susanoo's two skeletal hands reached forward, clamping around the Chidori in his palm. They began to spin it—violently!!
The sight… stunned not only the Third Raikage, but every spectator on Pale Moon Island.
Suigetsu: "Hey, hey… is that really necessary?!"
Orochimaru: "It seems the internal arms race for jutsu innovation begins with Sasuke-kun. You'd best put in more effort, Suigetsu. Otherwise, the gap will only widen."
Crackle! Crackle…!!
The lightning in his palm, its energy wildly unstable from the forced shaping, teetered on the verge of collapse. But under the Susanoo's brute-force control, it stabilized into something absurd—a massive drill mounted on his right arm!!!
Clack.
The Susanoo vanished. Sasuke raised his sweat-drenched face, meeting the Raikage's wide-eyed stare.
"Sorry for the wait. The release process is… awkward. But the power shouldn't disappoint."
The Third Raikage snapped out of his stupor. His gaze fell to the lightning-bolt scar on his own right pectoral. "You've truly shown me something new. But… the only thing that can pierce my strongest shield is my own strongest spear. Your technique will be no exception."
The clone's voice was flat. "Then I'll shatter your strongest spear and your strongest shield."
"Oh?"
The Third Raikage's competitive spirit flared!!
"Bold words!! Let's test them!!"
BOOM…!!
He shattered the ground underfoot and shot forward, a single finger leading the charge like a thunderbolt!!
—Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite!!
Swish!
Sasuke's clone yanked at his collar and launched himself forward. As he charged, his right arm dragged a long, crackling trail of lightning behind it!!
—Chidori Spiral Sword!
CRACKOOOOOM…!!!
The moment they clashed, a deafening thunderclap erupted, stark against the distant fires.
There was no prolonged clash.
Snap.
Starting from the Raikage's lightning-clad fingertip, a spiral fracturing began. It twisted up his arm, shredding it to nothing.
The strongest spear… was obliterated.
"!?"
CRUNCH…!!
In the heart of the Raikage's shock, Sasuke took a final, decisive step forward. His lightning-wreathed arm plunged entirely through the man's torso…!!
KRA-KOOOM…!!
The penetration was followed by the Rasengan's signature explosion.
Crack-crack-crack-crack-CRACK…!!
The Third Raikage's body, which had never known defeat, disintegrated from the point of impact outward, consumed by erupting light.
Nothing remained.
The strongest shield… utterly defeated.
Slap.
Sasuke emerged from the settling dust, standing firm.
The lightning on his right palm faded. The arm he'd used to execute the technique withered, turning to decaying wood.
Behind him… the Third Raikage regenerated within the dust.
"I am… thoroughly impressed."
Sasuke glanced back. "A clone can't use that move twice. Killing you once was its limit."
A faint, satisfied smile touched the Raikage's lips. "Once was enough. Didn't I say? A loss handed to me out of pity? I'd rather die."
A soft, white glow enveloped the Raikage's form. The sign of a soul finding peace, ready to move on.
"You're leaving?" Sasuke asked.
"I considered myself peerless in the art of Lightning Release," the Raikage said, his voice growing distant. "My life's wish was for a battle like this. To fight with everything… and to lose. Uchiha Sasuke… thank you. You've granted a dead man his wish. The hunger and drive in your heart… they will see your own wish fulfilled."
Sasuke was taken aback. "You… know my wish?"
"I do not. But…" The Raikage's form grew brighter, his voice echoing. "A young man who respects his elders yet fights with such fire… cannot be an evil soul. I've still got an eye for character! Whatever burden you carry… I sincerely hope you see it through to the end!! Farewell!!"
WHOOSH!
In a flash of brilliant white light, the strongest Raikage departed for the pure lands.
"I am grateful for the lesson. And for your blessing."
Sasuke's clone bowed deeply toward the sky.
On Pale Moon Island, his brother Itachi watched, a profound warmth in his eyes. "Sasuke… no matter what lies ahead, I'll stand by you until the very end."
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