In the top floor of the Rain Village's tower, Naruto sipped hot tea while reading the newly acquired scroll.

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, a B-rank jutsu, similar in rank to the Shadow Clone Technique. It's not because it's weak, but because, despite its moderate difficulty, its practical effect is limited for most ninjas. Yes, for most ninjas..."

Naruto paused, setting down his teacup. "In other words, both techniques are designed for the few who possess 'vast chakra reserves.'"

Konan approached, refilling Naruto's tea with a playful tone. "Like you, who can summon dozens of creatures and keep a major village at bay for half the night without breaking a sweat?"

Naruto looked up. "Konan-nee, I know you're teasing, but at least smile... Come to think of it, I've never seen you smile."

Konan thought for a moment. "Really? I remember smiling many times."

Naruto scratched his head. "Sorry, I didn't notice... How about you smile for me now?"

Konan hesitated. "Is that an order from the 'leader'?"

"Ahem..." Naruto coughed. "Let's say it is."

"Since it's an order, alright."

Konan set the teapot down.

"..." Naruto sipped his tea, watching Konan intently.

"Ha." Konan took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, then pulled the corners of her mouth into a smile.

"Pfft...!" Naruto couldn't help it, spraying tea. "What is that, a manual smile? Sorry, Konan-nee, it's just too funny!"

"I can't force myself to smile..." Konan let go, watching Naruto laugh heartily, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

After the brief moment, Konan put away the tea set, turning serious. "It's about time to rest. You didn't sleep last night, right?"

Naruto said, "I'm not tired."

Konan looked at the scroll on the table. "Are you planning to train this jutsu right away?"

Naruto replied, "Mastering it is simple, just a night's work. But first, I need to complete a preliminary task."

Konan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? What kind of task..."

Rumble...!

A flash of lightning followed by rolling thunder.

Naruto gazed deeply at the rain outside the tower. "I need to master 'Purple Lightning' first!"

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Konan frowned, searching her memory but finding no mention of 'Purple Lightning.' "Purple Lightning? I've never heard of such a Lightning Release."

Naruto rested his chin on his hand, speaking low. "Konan-nee, I've shown you memories of the future, but many details weren't included."

"During the Fourth Great Ninja War, we sealed Kaguya together, and Kakashi Hatake lost his Sharingan in that battle."

Konan pondered. "Kakashi Hatake is famous for his Chidori combined with the Sharingan. Losing the Sharingan must have been a devastating blow to his strength..."

Naruto smiled. "Yes, but after that, he became the Sixth Hokage of Konoha, not just by seniority, but by real strength."

"In the years following the war, he developed 'Purple Lightning,' a new weapon born from extending the nature transformation of Lightning Release."

"Purple Lightning's power is beyond imagination. Even without the high-speed charge of Chidori, it surpasses Chidori's power, no longer needing the Sharingan. Kakashi's strength even exceeded his past self..."

Naruto continued, "Honestly, that Lightning Release tempted me, but I didn't meet the conditions back then."

Konan asked, "What conditions?"

Naruto said, "First, I have the Lightning attribute but am not skilled in using Lightning Release. This can be overcome with practice. The real issue is the second condition: I lacked the 'Yin Release' chakra transformation. [Note: Yin Release is different from Yin-Yang Release, they are fundamentally distinct]"

Konan asked, "Do you have it now?"

Naruto raised his left hand, covering his right eye. "Yes, the power of the Uchiha is the pinnacle of Yin Release. Shisui's Sharingan, besides its Kotoamatsukami ability, also gave me the Yin Release I lacked. Now the conditions are met, it's time to master Lightning Release and elevate it to 'Purple Lightning'!"

Konan said, "But you mentioned Kakashi took years to develop Purple Lightning."

Naruto smiled. "Developing is one thing, learning is another. My father took years to develop the Rasengan, but I mastered it in a week... Besides, I have a unique advantage in training: the Shadow Clone Technique!"

Konan's expression was slightly resigned. "So, another sleepless night?"

Naruto stood up. "Yes, but Konan-nee, don't stay in the rain with me this time, or you'll catch a cold again."

A flash of emotion crossed Konan's eyes. She brushed her bangs aside, regaining her usual cool demeanor.

She emphasized, "I didn't catch a cold from the rain, but from overusing paper clones, increasing chakra consumption and exposure to rain."

"Hmm, you don't seem like someone who'd catch a cold. This time, I won't hold an umbrella for you and your clones..."

Naruto was surprised. "Huh, Konan-nee, aren't you going to sleep?"

Konan said, "No, in Akatsuki, I got used to sleeping an hour a day."

"Alright then..."

Naruto smiled wryly, his cloak fluttering as he leaped from the tower.

Konan watched him fall through the rain, thinking, "Naruto, you're the bridge to the future of the ninja world. I couldn't protect them before, so this time, I'll be the pillar supporting you!"

Splash...!!

Konan followed him into the rain.

Naruto formed hand seals.

—Ninja Art: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof...!

In the pouring rain, nearly a thousand shadow clones appeared in white smoke.

"Although I've practiced other nature transformations since the war, I'm still surprisingly unskilled in Lightning Release. Let's start by mastering it...!"

Swish!

Naruto's main body formed a series of seals, gripping his left wrist with his right hand.

—Lightning Release: Chidori!

Crackle...!

Intense lightning wrapped around Naruto's left hand, emitting the chirping of a thousand birds!

Naruto's clones followed suit!

Crackle... Crackle...!!

The chirping of 'thousand' birds filled the night!

Naruto shouted, "Alright everyone, let's master 'Chidori' to the point where we don't need hand seals!!"

The clones responded enthusiastically!

"Let's do it~~~~!!"

"Ganbatte~~~~!!"

"Call me Uzumaki Kakashi~~~!!"

"Call me Uzumaki Sasuke~~~!!"

Tonight, another sleepless night...