Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

Boom... Boom... Boom... Boom...

The Thunderclap Bomb fell, shattering the ground even further. The purple lightning arcs spread out for more than ten meters...

"Ugh...!!!"

After taking the heavy blow, Raikage spat out a mouthful of blood. His lightning armor was now much weaker...

Naruto's arms trembled slightly as he remarked, "Wow, now that I'm really using this high-intensity Taijutsu, I realize my body still can't quite keep up with this mode. This is great; this is exactly why I need to keep training..." 

"Ugh...!" Raikage gritted his teeth and stood up with difficulty, quickly distancing himself from Naruto. He stared intently at the lightning surrounding Naruto and shouted, "How do you know this technique?!"

Naruto smiled. "Who knows?"

Raikage thought for a moment and suddenly realized. "It's Dodai!!! That bastard!!! When I get back to the village, I'm going to deal with him!!!"

Naruto advised, "Don't be ungrateful, Raikage. If it weren't for Dodai, your casualties would have been even greater!"

"Damn it!!" Raikage clenched his fists. Even though he had a short temper, he couldn't deny that Naruto was right! He then asked, "Your Lightning Release chakra mode, why is it different from mine? What's up with the purple lightning around you?!" 

Naruto smiled. "How about this? If you want to learn it, I can teach you slowly. But I hope you'll change your attitude and stop being so confrontational with me!"

Naruto's intentions were good, but for Raikage, a senior in Taijutsu, hearing advice from a beginner was an insult of the highest order!!

He was furious. "Don't be so arrogant, you're still far from it, young one...!"

"Young one?" Naruto replied meaningfully, "To be exact, not just you, even Onoki counts as one of my juniors. I just habitually use polite language..."

"Ridiculous, nonsense! Prepare to die!!!" 

Crack!

Raikage unleashed his full Lightning Release chakra, and even his hair stood on end!

Naruto was surprised. "Hmm? Your chakra is stronger than before. Looks like you've been working hard during this time...!!"

Raikage shouted, "All I think about every day is one thing: killing you, getting rid of Akatsuki, and avenging my beloved younger brother!"

Boom!!! He charged forward, his punch covered in lightning, directly aiming for Naruto's face...! — Thunder Fist!! 

Snap!

A flash of purple light, and Naruto dodged to the side...

"Hmm!?" Raikage was surprised. "In the past, only your father could dodge this technique, using reflexes and Flying Thunder God. But you're the first to dodge it with pure speed!"

Swish! Raikage quickly turned on the spot, changing his punch into an elbow! — Heavy Flow Strike!

Naruto crossed his arms and blocked in front of his chest!!

Boom!!! Raikage was stunned. "He... withstood it!?" 

This was a move that could only be countered with Shinra Tensei in the past!

Naruto said, "It's my turn to counter now!"

Snap! Snap! Lightning surged from both sides, and Naruto's Shadow Clones appeared, alternating and kicking Raikage into the air! Raikage, rising, was shocked. "Lightning Release Shadow Clone!?"

"To be precise, it's the Purple Lightning Shadow Clone!"

Crack! 

The clones vanished, and Naruto, enveloped in lightning, jumped up, grabbing Raikage...

Crack! Crack!!

The purple lightning around them flowed, wrapping around Raikage like ropes. Then, Naruto spun quickly, like a lightning top, crashing toward the ground! — Thunder Lotus!

Boom!!!!

The lightning top crashed through the earth, digging ten meters deep...! The final explosion of lightning sent Naruto flying into the air. He twisted his body and brought his right leg down like a battle axe, the purple lightning exploding at his heel, striking Raikage's chest! — Thunder Strike!

Boom...!!! The lightning pierced Raikage's lightning armor, leaving a deep wound on his chest!

"Don't underestimate Raikage!!!"

Raikage's face hardened as he endured the intense pain. He grabbed Naruto's ankle with his large hand, reversed their positions, and forcefully threw him toward the ground! 

"What!?" 

Boom!! 

Naruto landed hard on his back, slightly caught off guard. 

Raikage raised his leg high, focusing terrifying Lightning Release chakra on his foot before slamming it down violently. 

Thunderous Anger Axe of Righteous Lightning! 

Naruto smirked. 

"Wow, this is pretty thrilling, huh…" 

Shinra Tensei! 

Boom! 

A burst of repulsive force erupted…! 

Raikage's axe kick stopped mid-air, and his body was flung upward. The uneven force made him spin like a pendulum before he landed and stumbled ten steps back to regain his balance. 

His eyes were wide with anger. 

"That damn repulsive force again…!" 

Swoosh! 

Naruto used Flying Raijin to return to the surface from the deep crater. Flicking his cloak dramatically, he said: 

"I've got way more options than you…" 

Raikage, no fool himself, understood well that with Naruto's current form, combined with the Rinnegan and Flying Raijin, it was nearly impossible for him to land a hit. 

With a heavy gaze, he spoke. 

"Uzumaki Naruto, since you've already mastered our Kumogakure's ultimate technique, do you dare fight me like a real man—using pure Taijutsu—fair and square for one move?" 

Naruto tilted his head. 

"Oh? Trying to provoke me?" 

Raikage shouted. 

"Do you dare or not!?" 

Naruto rubbed his chin. 

"I have a condition…" 

Raikage's eyes lit up. 

"Name it!" 

Naruto lowered his hand from his chin. 

"If I fight you head-on for one move and win, you and Kumogakure must never trouble Sasuke again." 

Raikage sneered. 

"Hmph, I almost forgot about him! Fine, as long as you fight me fair and square without using any flashy tricks, even if you die by my hand, I'll leave Sasuke alone. I swear on the name of Raikage and the honor of the Yotsuki Clan! But only if Sasuke doesn't come looking for trouble with us first!" 

Naruto chuckled. 

"Deal!" 

But in his heart, he thought: Good. After all, we had some history in my past life, and I really don't want to kill you, A… 

"Hmph, get ready to die!!" 

Crackle, crackle! 

Raikage extended his right index finger, powerful Lightning Release chakra swirling into a sharp lightning spear at the tip. 

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. 

"That's the Third Raikage's ultimate spear, the One-Finger Hell Stab. He's mastered it? No wonder he's so confident." 

"Too late for regrets now…!!" 

Boom!! 

Raikage charged at full speed. 

"Here it comes…" 

Zap!! 

Purple lightning crackled wildly in Naruto's left palm as he rushed forward to meet Raikage head-on. 

He's not standing still? He's actually charging directly at me for a head-on clash? Such bravery is admirable, but… 

"Die, Uzumaki Naruto!!!" 

Swoosh! 

The lightning spear lunged forward, but Naruto dodged with the smallest of movements. 

Slash! 

The lightning spear grazed Naruto's mask, leaving a faint scratch. 

Thunderous Chidori! 

Slash! 

At the same time, Naruto's left hand, glowing with purple lightning, pierced through Raikage's shoulder! 

Raikage's eyes widened in shock. 

"How is this possible…!?" 

Zap…! 

Naruto spoke coldly. 

"You've lost, Raikage…" 

Slash! 

He steadied Raikage by the left shoulder with his right hand and slowly withdrew his lightning-covered left hand from Raikage's right shoulder. 

Crackle… 

"I… refuse to accept this…!" 

The lightning dissipated, and Raikage fell forward stiffly. 

Thud! 

The Taijutsu duel ended with Raikage's defeat. 

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