The Chidori and the Lightning Armor gradually canceled each other out.
Naruto felt his fingertips barely scratch a layer of skin before his thrust could advance no further.
"What a sturdy defense. Even the Chidori can't pierce it."
A hint of surprise flashed in Naruto's eyes. This blond guy... could his Lightning Armor have already reached the level of the Raikage?
Thinking about it from another angle, this guy was Kage-level!
"Impressive Lightning Release. It even managed to paralyze my body slightly."
Suddenly, Dee changed his tone. "But this ends here. Die, brat."
As he spoke, Dee released the short blade in his hand, grabbing Naruto's collar with both hands. In an instant, the lightning surrounding his body intensified.
"Lightning Bomb!"
In the darkness of the forest, a sudden flash of intense blue light streaked by.
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion shattered the stone road beneath Dee's feet into countless fragments.
The Naruto in Dee's grasp suddenly dissolved into a puff of white smoke, revealing a cracked wooden log in its place.
"So sharp and quick-witted."
That brat managed to dislocate his joints at the exact moment I restrained him.
Then, timing it perfectly as he landed, he used the Substitution Jutsu...
A deep sense of wariness flashed in Dee's eyes. He decided that this brat couldn't be allowed to grow any further.
Gripping his short blade, Dee's speed surged dramatically. In a single leap, he appeared above Naruto.
Under the moonlight, the clash of metal against metal reverberated across the desolate wilderness.
The Flying Thunder God kunai clashed once again with Dee's short blade.
Naruto couldn't help but regret his haste. He had rushed out without bringing his Zanpakuto.
Using a small kunai against a standard weapon was a significant disadvantage—especially when his opponent was a brute with maxed-out strength.
With every clash, Naruto had to rely on finesse to redirect Dee's power before counterattacking.
"You're quite capable for a brat."
When his short blade could no longer force Naruto back even a step, Dee spoke with a tone of grudging admiration.
Naruto furrowed his brow slightly, his free left hand forming seals rapidly.
"One-handed seals!?"
Dee was momentarily stunned. In the Five Great Nations, the number of people capable of forming seals with one hand could be counted on one hand.
"Water Release: Secret Technique – Thousand Flying Water Needles!"
The air filled with countless water droplets that swiftly transformed into sharp needles, hurtling toward Dee.
Dee's gaze sharpened as he sheathed his blade and retreated at high speed.
The short blade in his hand seemed to produce afterimages as it deflected the incoming water needles one by one.
First Lightning Release, and now Water Release... If this brat were from the Hidden Cloud, he might have been able to inherit my Storm Release kekkei genkai.
With this thought, Dee sheathed his blade completely, signaling a lack of hostility as he spoke casually:
"Brat, why not join us in the Hidden Cloud Village? A genius like you dying here would be a waste."
Spreading his hands as if he understood, Dee added, "I know you're worried about those two girls. As a bodyguard to the Raikage, I promise on his behalf: if you join us, the two women are yours. How about it?"
---
Ding! Passive ability, Insight LV5 activated.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, on unlocking the Lightning Chakra Mode.
The system's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, making him pause briefly before glancing at Dee. A mischievous smile spread across his face.
Dee's face, which had been filled with a flattering expression, froze suddenly.
"What the—!"
He saw currents of electricity surging around Naruto's body, culminating in a brilliant burst of light as Naruto activated the mature form of the Lightning Chakra Mode.
Impossible...
"It seems we're on equal footing now," Naruto said with a slight shake of his head. "As for your proposal, why don't you go to hell and discuss it with your Raikage?"
"You brat—you're courting death!"
Hearing Naruto's rejection, Dee's killing intent surged. This brat couldn't be allowed to live; he would undoubtedly become a disaster in the future.
"Brat, you need to understand something: geniuses are only called geniuses because they are not yet strong."
With those words, Dee charged straight at Naruto.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
---
Once again, their weapons collided!
Using the force of the impact, Naruto delivered a swift kick, sending Dee flying. Simultaneously, Dee's Lightning Chakra Mode dissipated.
"Time's up. Play time's over"
Naruto's blue eyes shifted instantly to pale yellow, slitted pupils.
Under Dee's astonished gaze, Naruto exhaled a frosty breath, his entire body gradually coated in layers of ice.
"This is...!?" Dee instinctively sensed danger.
"Sage Art: Ice Release – Ice Age!"
Naruto didn't need to aim precisely—his target was the entire battlefield.
The oppressive, terrifying aura spread across the borders of the Land of Fire.
Dee's pupils contracted sharply. The lightning on his body surged to its peak.
In his vision, there was nothing but endless ice. A bone-deep chill seemed to etch itself into his very soul, overwhelming him in an instant.
He was nearly suffocating.
What kind of power is this? We aren't even on the same plane of existence...
Is this the power of a god?
---
Gazing at the frozen Dee, Naruto felt no urge to destroy him further. He stepped past the icy sculpture and moved forward.
"Crack!"
Within the frozen sculpture, Dee's black eyes shifted slightly. His body emitted a dark electrical current, shattering the ice with a loud crash.
=====================
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