Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The dark red chakra, solidified into a physical form, enveloped Roshi's entire body, radiating a terrifying aura and scorching the air around him. Roshi struggled to control the second stage of his transformation, his emotions becoming increasingly volatile under the influence of the Four-Tails' chakra.

Roar!

With a ferocious and bloodthirsty roar, Roshi stomped the ground, leaving cracks and shallow pools of lava in his wake as he charged directly at Ye Zi, cutting through the air with alarming speed.

The fusion of his Lava Armor and Tailed Beast Cloak made Roshi nearly untouchable, his mere presence dangerous enough to cause severe burns on contact. Even a slight brush with the Tailed Beast Cloak would deal significant damage.

Roshi was incredibly fast, and in his current state, Ye Zi knew that severing Roshi's limbs wouldn't be easy. While Roshi's resilience meant he wouldn't die easily even when gravely injured, capturing him alive required fully subduing his berserk state.

Zap!

Roshi's ferocious charge collided with Ye Zi's body, only for it to disperse into countless lightning threads that scattered in all directions. Roshi skidded to a halt, his feet digging into the stone surface and leaving behind a trail of molten rock. Meanwhile, the scattered lightning threads hovered only a few inches away from him, seemingly drawn to his body.

Sensing the electric chakra crackling around him, Roshi turned his head and glared at the tiny lightning threads surrounding him. Just as he prepared to use the Tailed Beast Chakra to destroy them, Ye Zi, standing twenty meters away, raised his left hand. A beam of lightning shot from his palm, aimed directly at Roshi.

The sudden chakra surge caught Roshi's attention just as the lightning beam struck his crimson Tailed Beast Cloak.

In that instant, the previously insignificant lightning threads expanded into thick, three-finger-wide arcs of electricity, forming a net that enveloped Roshi and tightened around him.

Sizzle!

The electrified net dug into Roshi's deep red Tailed Beast Cloak, causing his entire body to emit steam as black smoke rose from his charred skin.

Roshi roared in agony, thrashing about with immense strength, stretching the lightning net like rubber. However, despite his best efforts, he couldn't break free immediately. His violent struggles only caused the electric net to dig deeper into his flesh, leaving behind burns. However, the Tailed Beast Chakra was healing his injuries as fast as they were being inflicted.

This technique was a Lightning Release designed to counter close-combat fighters. It required sharp reflexes and swift hand seals to form a lightning clone that would absorb an enemy's attack. Once the clone was destroyed, it would release lightning threads that lingered around the target for a few seconds. During that time, if lightning chakra was injected into the threads, they would expand into a net to trap the target.

In normal circumstances, this technique could tear a taijutsu specialist apart, but Roshi's Tailed Beast Cloak made him more resilient. Even though the net couldn't completely restrain him, it caused enough harm to slow him down. However, Ye Zi knew that the Tailed Beast's healing was countering the damage.

"This is a Tailed Beast's second stage after all... His offense and defense are both terrifying. But I have the upper hand, and you won't escape this time!"

Ye Zi maintained control of the lightning net with one hand, while his other hand grasped his sword, Chijin, its blade crackling with an intense surge of lightning chakra. His muscles tensed as he hurled the sword toward Roshi.

Chijin, now imbued with concentrated lightning chakra, sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning. Just as Roshi broke free from the lightning net, the blade pierced his chest and pinned him to a nearby rock wall.

The crimson Tailed Beast Cloak surrounding Roshi rippled with lightning, causing his body to tremble. His eyes, filled with fury, glared at Ye Zi with murderous intent.

Inside Roshi's inner mind, the Four-Tails bellowed, sensing the imminent danger. "You stubborn fool! Let me out!"

Roshi, though barely holding onto control, was determined not to lose himself to the Four-Tails. He gritted his teeth and ignored the beast's shouting, unwilling to relinquish control of his body.

Although the sword Ye Zi used wasn't Eihō, the immense lightning chakra it carried was enough to paralyze Roshi for a moment.

"This should keep him down for a little while longer. Now for the final step..." Ye Zi said, forming hand seals as he rushed toward Roshi.

Wood Release: Forest of Branching Roots!

Massive tree roots burst from the rock wall, wrapping tightly around Roshi's body. More wooden tendrils followed, layering over the roots to form a bizarre structure that completely restrained him.

"It's not enough..." Ye Zi muttered, his eyes narrowing as he increased the chakra output to ensure the wood wouldn't burn away from Roshi's Lava Release.

Inside Roshi's mindscape, the Four-Tails slammed its massive palm against the bars of its prison. "You're going to die if you don't let me out, you stubborn old man!"

Roshi remained silent, staring ahead with a grim determination. Even if it meant death, he would not let the Four-Tails take over his body.

The wooden tendrils that covered Roshi's body began to sprout leaves, signaling that the Wood Release had taken effect. The growing branches spread rapidly, covering the entire rock face.

Seeing this, Ye Zi stopped channeling chakra into the technique.

The appearance of leaves indicated that the Wood Release had started draining Roshi's chakra. Now, it was only a matter of time before Roshi fell unconscious.

From a distance, Shin and Kotoe watched as Ye Zi decisively subdued the Four-Tails Jinchūriki. It was as if they had only been bystanders, playing no real role in the battle.

Both Shin and Kotoe felt a renewed sense of awe for Ye Zi's strength, but they also came to realize just how far behind they were. In a battle of this level, they had been virtually useless.

With heavy hearts, they approached Ye Zi.

Kotoe's eyes lingered on Ye Zi's face, where burns marred his cheek.

Sensing her gaze, Ye Zi glanced at her and said calmly, "It's just a minor burn. Nothing serious."

As he spoke, the burn on his face was already beginning to heal. Even without medical ninjutsu, it would soon disappear on its own. Ye Zi didn't care if it left a scar; it was of no consequence to him.

"The Four-Tails has been captured," Ye Zi said, a rare hint of excitement flickering in his eyes as he observed the now-still wooden tendrils.

Kotoe and Shin exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of disappointment. They had accompanied Ye Zi, but the battle had unfolded without their involvement. It wasn't something they could take lightly.

Drip.

Suddenly, a drop of rain fell on Ye Zi's face.

The cool sensation made him wipe his face and look up at the sky. At some point, dark clouds had gathered above.

A few moments later, the light rain turned into a downpour.

Ye Zi stood there, head raised, letting the rain fall over his black eyes. He didn't close them. Instead, he silently watched the rain as it poured down from the sky.

At long last… he had taken the first step to success.

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Currently on Chapter 304 - Targetting the One-Tails and a Certain Leaf Shinobi