Chapter 33: The Thunder and the Magma
"And what's wrong with that, Lord Black Whirlwind Raiga?" Uchiha Naoki's smile was bright and utterly unbothered. "I am stronger than you. I've taken a liking to your Kiba swords, and I plan to take them. That aligns perfectly with the rules of the shinobi world, doesn't it? Isn't the ninja world all about whose fist is bigger?"
His casual, matter-of-fact tone ignited a fury in Raiga. The man laughed, a harsh, angry sound. "Fine! You arrogant little brat! Then let me see if you have the skill to back up that mouth! I'll show you the grave consequences of provoking one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Uchiha Naoki, his body erupting with violent lightning. The twin Kiba swords swung forth. "Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"
A massive sphere of crackling electricity, akin to a Rasengan, condensed with incredible speed before Uchiha Naoki, already emitting a powerful, repulsive force.
BOOM!
Uchiha Naoki barely had time to react before the lightning ball struck him head-on, his form instantly submerged in the rolling, destructive thunder.
Witnessing this, Black Whirlwind Raiga let out a triumphant laugh as he stepped back, a sneer twisting his features. "And here I thought you were something special! All that big talk, and this is the result? You can't even withstand a single blow from me! In that case, just die!"
His expression turned stern as he plunged both swords into the earth. "Lightning Burial: Lightning Banquet!"
BOOM!
Immediately, several forked bolts of lightning, sharp as swords, viciously pierced through and tore at Uchiha Naoki's body.
From Raiga's perspective, the battle was over. Even Zabuza thought the same.
Facing Hiruko, Zabuza couldn't help but smirk cruelly. "I told you, your partner doesn't seem very capable. Now you're alone. You stand no chance. I'll give you two choices: die, or submit and serve me."
Hearing this, Sasori, from within Hiruko, let out a derisive snort. "I said, Zabuza Momochi, are you daydreaming?" He didn't even acknowledge the 'kunoichi' behind Zabuza, his voice rasping coldly from within Hiruko. "Just who do you think I am? And who do you think my partner is?"
Hiruko's iron tail lashed out with shocking force. Zabuza felt an irresistible power slam into him, forcing him to retreat hastily.
"Lord Zabuza!" The 'kunoichi' behind him, Haku, quickly moved to support him, his expression grave. "Lord Zabuza, there is only one man with such mastery of puppetry who would appear here."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Haku's face was deadly serious. "I'm afraid it's that genius puppeteer."
Zabuza's frown deepened. "It can't be…"
Haku confirmed his fear. "I'm afraid so, Lord Zabuza. The enemy before us is that very genius puppeteer, the S-Rank rogue ninja from Sunagakure, 'Sasori of the Red Sand.'"
Zabuza's pupils contracted violently, his expression instantly shifting to one of extreme wariness. A person's reputation often preceded them. Even though they were both S-Rank rogues, the other was the man who had successfully assassinated the Third Kazekage, renowned as the strongest. Their power levels were clearly not on the same tier. He had enough self-awareness to recognize that.
"You have a good eye, girl," Sasori's voice held a note of mocking approval. "More discerning than your master."
Hearing this, Zabuza snorted with displeasure. "So what if it's you?" He narrowed his eyes. "Even if I'm not your match alone, with Haku and Lord Raiga, I doubt even you, the Scarlet Sand Scorpion, will emerge unscathed!"
The 'kunoichi' beside him was indeed Haku, the Yuki clan survivor with the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.
Upon hearing this, Black Whirlwind Raiga's fighting spirit flared. "Heh! To think I'd encounter a legend like the Scarlet Sand Scorpion. I can't possibly let this opportunity pass. The sense of accomplishment from burying you with my own hands would be immense!"
But these words only made Hiruko, manipulated by Sasori, shake its head dismissively. "I just told you. Who do you think my partner is? Do you truly believe he's dead?"
As if on cue, Uchiha Naoki's lazy voice drifted from within the dissipating lightning. "After all, he is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. His abilities are quite decent."
They saw Uchiha Naoki's body had fully transformed into magma. The wounds torn by the lightning were being filled in at a visible rate by the bubbling lava. "While not as potent as a Kage-level fighter's attacks, it's sufficient for a nice muscle-relaxing massage."
This scene left Black Whirlwind Raiga in disbelief. "How is this possible?! You're unharmed?!" Then, his face darkened into a thunderous scowl. His full-power attack was being dismissed as a mere massage? There was a limit to looking down on someone!
Even Zabuza's expression turned grim. "His entire body transformed into lava? What manner of Kekkei Genkai is this?"
Haku, staring at Uchiha Naoki's face, voiced the realization with a shock. "It's Konoha's S-Rank rogue ninja, 'Uchiha Naoki'!"
The moment the name was spoken, the expressions of both Zabuza and Raiga shifted dramatically. "Another S-Rank rogue?!" They knew exactly what that title entailed. This was an enemy whose strength was, at a minimum, on par with their own. And with the Scarlet Sand Scorpion as well… their chances of victory had just plummeted.
"Oh? Recognized me, have you?" Uchiha Naoki's gaze settled on Haku, a smile playing on his lips. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Haku." He then turned his attention back to Black Whirlwind Raiga, his smile widening. "Well then, shall we continue, Lord Raiga? I've decided I really want those lightning swords of yours."
With that, his body fully liquefied into a torrent of magma, and he charged forward.
His arrogant words and immediate resumption of the fight sent Raiga into a fresh rage. "You insolent brat! Your arrogance will be your undoing! If you want a fight, I'll show you the true power of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
A terrifying shell of lightning enveloped him once more. "Lightning Release: Lightning Tornado!"
Thunder roared from every direction, instantly transforming the area into a sea of churning lightning. Sasori and Zabuza's group were forced to retreat further to avoid the electrified onslaught.
"You're an S-Rank rogue, just like me! Where do you find the audacity to think you can simply take my swords?!" Raiga bellowed over the storm. "Do you think you're as strong as the Scarlet Sand Scorpion?!"
The very lightning from the heavens seemed to gather upon him, coalescing into a terrifying dragon of pure thunder that stretched from the sky to the earth. This thunder dragon storm, capable of scouring the land clean, swept forth with annihilating force toward Uchiha Naoki. Before this colossal beast of lightning, Uchiha Naoki appeared as small and insignificant as an ant.
Even the Scarlet Sand Scorpion couldn't help but murmur in appreciation at the sight. "So this is the power of a Seven Ninja Swordsman. Truly formidable." He knew he would need to summon the Third Kazekage to properly counter such an attack.
"Excellent! Magnificent spirit!" Uchiha Naoki praised loudly, facing the roaring thunder dragon that seemed to lock down the very space around him.
Then, a wave of intensely hot, red energy erupted from his body, causing the ambient temperature to skyrocket. His molten form bubbled and swelled rapidly, his arm transforming into a colossal, glowing limb that he swung forward with earth-shattering force. "Great Eruption!"
BOOM!
Fire met Thunder.
In that instant, storms howled and the earth trembled. Crimson and white light divided the world between them. The terrifying, scorching power of magma warred against the shredding, chaotic force of lightning, jointly ravaging the landscape in a cataclysmic clash of elements.