That night, with the intense training of thousands of shadow clones, Naruto achieved the ability to perform Chidori without hand seals!

Despite his immense chakra reserves, Naruto was still human. After days of relentless training and missions, his chakra was finally depleted.

After a day's rest, he regained his strength and resumed training while assisting Kisame in searching the ocean.

Three days later, he mastered various forms of Chidori, becoming an expert in Lightning Release!

But being an expert was just the beginning.

Next, Naruto began the arduous training for 'Purple Lightning' without rest!

This process was not smooth.

Purple Lightning required the integration of an appropriate proportion of 'Yin Release' into the Lightning Release.

Firstly, Yin Release was an unfamiliar field for Naruto, as he didn't possess it in his previous life.

Secondly, he struggled to determine the correct proportion of Yin Release to integrate.

This led to slow progress initially.

Fortunately, his experience in balancing chakra during his training with the Tailed Beast Bomb helped him...

After numerous trials and errors, Naruto finally grasped the technique!

That night, Naruto stood on muddy ground, his left hand, covered in wounds, crackling with purple lightning!

In front of him were ten shadow clones!

Naruto shouted, "Come on...!"

The ten shadow clones formed hand seals together!

—Lightning Release: Lightning Tiger Killing!

"Roar...!!!"

Ten ordinary Lightning Release techniques combined into a majestic lightning beast, charging at the original Naruto under the guidance of the clones' lightning ropes!

Slash!

But Naruto casually swung his left hand, covered in 'Purple Lightning.'

"Roar...!!!!"

The lightning beast disintegrated with a scream, and the purple arcs of electricity traveled along the lightning ropes, reaching the shadow clones!

Poof! Poof! Poof...!!

All ten shadow clones vanished in white smoke.

This was the pinnacle of Lightning Release... the power of Purple Lightning!

Crackle!

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

The Purple Lightning dissipated from Naruto's left hand.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha..." He lay on the ground, panting heavily, but smiling. "Finally succeeded... Kakashi-sensei, this is truly your strongest technique! It took me ten days to master it!"

"Can you rest now?"

Konan approached.

"No, I need to strike while the iron is hot and master the 'Lightning Release Chakra Mode'!"

Naruto sat up, taking out the precious scroll and spreading it out in the muddy ground. He then gathered chakra and performed the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu again!

Konan thought to herself: If things had gone as originally planned, the Fourth Great Ninja War would be nearing its end. But for the current ninja world, everything is just beginning...

In the Akatsuki's hideout.

Swirl!

Obito appeared, throwing the captive he carried onto the ground!

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

Black and White Zetsu emerged from the ground, looking at the unconscious ninja.

White Zetsu said, "Oh? Isn't this Konoha's Yamato? Orochimaru's experiment. Why did you bring him here?"

Obito replied as he walked towards the coat rack in the corner, "I went to Konoha for a reconnaissance and saw his Wood Release was impressive, so I brought him along to enhance your strength. Better to have him here than risk someone else getting to him..."

Black Zetsu murmured, "Heh, what a coincidence. Someone else seemed interested in him too, but you got to him first~."

But Obito didn't pay attention to Black Zetsu's cryptic words.

Obito reached the coat rack, removing his wet Akatsuki cloak, and asked White Zetsu, "What about the information I asked you to gather?"

White Zetsu said, "No news of Naruto since then..."

Obito shook the water from his cloak and hung it up. "Did you figure out Naruto's purpose for attacking the Hidden Cloud?"

White Zetsu said, "It seems it was all for a scroll called 'Lightning Release Chakra Mode.'"

"Oh? The technique favored by the Raikages? It enhances reflexes and the body but can only be practiced by those with strong chakra. It seems Naruto aims to win with reflexes and speed..."

Obito unconsciously touched his bare shoulder, where a sixteen-year-old wound had long healed but still ached.

Watching him, Black Zetsu said meaningfully, "Does it bring back unpleasant memories?"

"Hmph, times have changed. Even if Minato were alive, I'd be confident in defeating him!"

Swish! Donning a new Akatsuki cloak, he turned. "Where's Sasuke?"

White Zetsu said, "He's refining his new techniques. He went outside, fearing this base wouldn't suffice."

Obito walked to a stone chair, sitting down slowly. "It seems his previous defeat made him impatient..."

White Zetsu worried, "Letting him grow unchecked, won't it be detrimental to us?"

Obito adjusted his posture, his eyes deep under the mask. "No matter. Even if his ocular power reaches Madara's level, the gap in combat experience will cap his potential below Madara's..." A thought crossed Obito's mind but remained unspoken.

Moreover, even if the worst happens and we can't reclaim the Rinnegan from Naruto, if Sasuke awakens the Rinnegan, the Moon's Eye Plan can still proceed.

White Zetsu asked, "Should I send my clones to scout the Rain Village?"

Obito pondered, "No need. While White Zetsu infiltrating the Rain Village could track Naruto, it risks information leaks. Under the Rinnegan's Human Path, even my Sharingan's safeguards might be useless..."

White Zetsu shook his head. "What a pity... This feeling of impending war without enough intel on the enemy is unsettling."

Obito's gaze was deep. "No rush. There's plenty of time. When Konoha's reconstruction is complete, 'Dark Akatsuki' will launch a full-scale attack! After all, the emptiness of something new, starting from zero, is true 'despair'!"

Acknowledging 'Myoshin's' existence, Obito began to see himself as 'Dark Akatsuki,' viewing Naruto as an equal and intending to challenge him!

...

Rain Village, at dawn.

Poof! Poof! Poof...! All the shadow clones vanished, returning chakra and learning experiences to the original!

In the open space, under the heavy rain.

Naruto stood shirtless, clenching his fists, eyes closed.

Crackle...!

Explosive Lightning Release chakra enveloped him, forming a layer of purple lightning armor!

—Purple Lightning Chakra Mode!

Konan's eyes widened in awe. "Such powerful chakra...!"

Naruto clenched his fists, feeling the power. "Yes, this mode is even more incredible than I expected! Even if Kurama doesn't cooperate for now, I won't have a gap in my combat strength..."

"Hmm?" Naruto looked up at the rain.

Through his Rain Tiger at Will Technique, he sensed a powerful chakra entering.

Konan's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?"

Naruto smiled. "Orochimaru is finally back. Things would be difficult without him for what's next..."