The clash of power echoed through the valley, thunder rolling in the distance as if drawn to Luxus' presence. His golden eyes gleamed with a wild intensity, and his smirk widened as the three Senju regrouped after their failed assault. He rolled his shoulders, blood dripping from a shallow cut on his arm, but his stance remained relaxed, almost casual.
"You three are good," Luxus said, his voice steady but laced with amusement. "Your coordination, precision, and sheer tenacity—admirable. Almost makes me think you're more than just wandering bandits."
The Senju leader's jaw tightened, his comrades exchanging glances. They moved again, seamlessly switching tactics. The first rushed Luxus with a barrage of taijutsu strikes, his hands glowing with chakra to enhance the impact.
"Earth Style: Iron Fist!" he shouted, his punches leaving deep dents in the ground where Luxus dodged.
Luxus countered with his own blend of taijutsu, his movements fluid yet devastating. His fists crackled with lightning, each strike sending shocks through the air. When their blows connected, the ground trembled beneath their feet.
The second Senju didn't miss the opportunity, weaving hand seals at blinding speed. "Water Style: Crushing Wave!" A torrent of water erupted from her palms, surging toward Luxus with relentless force.
Luxus leaped back, landing lightly on a jagged rock as his hands formed seals. "Lightning Style: Arc Surge!" A web of electricity shot out, colliding with the water and dispersing it into harmless mist.
From above, the third Senju attacked. "Fire Style: Ember Barrage!" A volley of blazing fireballs rained down, the heat singeing the air as they homed in on Luxus.
Luxus laughed, a sound both mocking and exhilarated. "You're getting creative. I like that." He slammed his palm into the ground. "Earth Style: Static Ridge!" The earth beneath him rose sharply, deflecting the fireballs and sending the attacker tumbling backward.
"You're no ordinary opponent," the Senju leader said, his voice tense but respectful. "But don't think we'll give up."
Luxus tilted his head, a playful grin on his face. "Give up? That's not what I'm asking for." His tone shifted, growing serious. "I wonder, though—what do you gain from trespassing here? Thunder Valley doesn't take kindly to uninvited guests. Perhaps you're looking for something... or someone?"
The Senju froze briefly, their surprise hidden but not entirely gone. Luxus continued, stepping forward deliberately.
"Let me offer you some advice," he said, his voice dropping to a warning. "This valley is alive. Every step you take, it watches. Every breath you draw, it listens. You're not fighting just me—you're fighting Thunder itself. And trust me, it has no mercy for enemies. But…"
Luxus paused, his smirk softening into something almost genuine. "For a friend? We're far more welcoming. So tell me, which are you?"
The Senju leader's gaze hardened, and the three attacked in unison, their synergy flawless. One feigned a high strike while another aimed low, forcing Luxus into a defensive position. The third unleashed a flurry of fireballs, creating an overwhelming battlefield.
Luxus didn't back down. His movements were sharp, calculated, and precise. He spun through the attacks, countering with bursts of lightning that left scorch marks in the ground. His strikes landed with enough force to shatter stone, yet he never aimed for fatal blows.
The battle raged on, each exchange growing fiercer. Luxus took a few hits—a well-aimed kunai grazed his thigh, and a water jet slammed into his side—but he pressed forward, his resolve unshaken.
One by one, the Senju fell. The first succumbed to a powerful blow to the chest, Luxus' lightning-infused punch knocking him unconscious. The second was caught in a sweeping kick that sent her crashing into the rocks, her head lolling as darkness overtook her.
The leader fought the hardest, his fire-style techniques creating barriers and weapons in a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand. Luxus admired his tenacity but ended the fight with a spinning lightning strike that disarmed and incapacitated him.
As the leader collapsed to his knees, Luxus caught him by the collar, his golden eyes locking onto the man's. "You're strong. All of you are. But strength alone won't save you if you choose the wrong path."
He gently lowered the man to the ground, his smirk returning. "Consider this a warning. Next time, I might not be so kind."
Luxus straightened, brushing dirt from his arms. His wounds ached, blood staining his clothes, but the energy in his stance remained undiminished. He turned toward Ken and Erumi, who had watched the entire battle in stunned silence.
"It's done," Luxus called, his tone lighter now. He glanced at Erumi, his eyes conveying an unspoken instruction. "Take care of them."
Erumi hesitated for a brief moment, then moved toward the fallen Senju. Her hands began to glow with a soft violet hue—distinct from the standard green of healing jutsu. The energy pulsed and crackled faintly, like controlled thunder, as it sealed the bleeding wounds and stabilized their injuries.
Ken watched with sharp focus, his expression a mixture of awe and curiosity. The precision required to combine elemental affinity with healing techniques was extraordinary, and the violet chakra sparkled in the foggy light, emphasizing the unique mastery Erumi displayed.
"These are surface-level treatments," Erumi muttered, her voice calm but firm as she worked. "They'll recover enough to move, but I'm not fixing everything. They're not our allies."
Luxus smirked faintly, leaning against a nearby tree. "No need to overdo it. Just enough to send them crawling back home."
As Erumi finished, she stepped back, exhaling softly. The faint exhaustion from the intricate chakra work was visible but controlled.
"Good work," Luxus said, his tone carrying a rare note of approval. "Now, let's head back."
Behind them, the fog thickened, shrouding the unconscious Senju in a veil of mystery as Luxus and his companions disappeared into the shadows of Thunder Valley.