Neji Hyuga used the Water Breathing sword technique, [Eleventh Form – Sōjutsu: Calm], entering a state of tranquil stillness.
Within the range his blade could reach, he formed a striking contrast with the approaching Lightning Storm Dragon Jutsu flashing through the air toward him.
One still, one moving violently.
At the moment the Lightning Storm Dragon entered Neji's sword range, it instantly disintegrated and scattered.
Uzumaki Sōnagi slightly widened his eyes in shock.
Nagi?
He hadn't expected Neji had already mastered this move.
This technique had been casually mentioned by Chinya back when Neji first started cultivating Water Breathing.
It was the most difficult among all Water Breathing sword techniques—a move capable of nullifying any technique whose attack range fell within its blade distance.
Although this "all" wasn't absolute, it could block attacks several times stronger. Even if completely blocking wasn't possible, the attack could be significantly weakened.
Only someone extremely attuned to Water Breathing with extraordinary talent could possibly grasp this technique.
Most of the audience couldn't understand how Uzumaki Sōnagi's seemingly powerful Lightning Storm Dragon had simply dissipated so effortlessly.
After all, Neji Hyuga didn't seem to have moved at all.
Hiashi Hyuga, observing with his Byakugan activated, wore an expression of profound astonishment.
"Around Neji, there is abundant water-nature chakra appearing chaotic yet following patterns. Once that lightning dragon entered his attack range, those water chakras sliced into it like blades, instantly tearing it apart.
Another absolute defense? No… This absolute defense surpasses even the Heavenly Spin."
Although Hiashi really didn't want to admit it, he couldn't help but acknowledge the truth—after all, facts speak louder than words. Just now, Neji's display of the Heavenly Spin had been perfectly standard.
Even such a textbook-perfect Heavenly Spin had been forcibly breached earlier by Uzumaki Sōnagi, who coated his blade with Lightning Release chakra, using extreme penetrative force.
Uzumaki Sōnagi kept unleashing the Five Nature Transformations, continuously bombarding Neji and putting on a dazzling show for the entire audience.
But without exception, the moment these attacks entered Neji's defensive range, they were all nullified.
With both hands on his thighs and panting heavily, Uzumaki Sōnagi shouted, "Hey, want to drop your technique and go head-to-head just once?"
Right now, Uzumaki Sōnagi felt deeply frustrated inside.
A lot of his moves weren't available to use right now anyway. And even if he could employ the Full Sword Forms of Thunder Breathing, he wasn't sure he could break through Neji's current technique.
Because once he entered Neji's attack range, his lightning attacks would certainly get nullified as well.
Unless he took Neji down with sheer speed before activating this move.
Looking somewhat amusedly at Uzumaki Sōnagi, Neji said, "I specialize in counterattacks after defending. You want me to go head-to-head with you? Do you think that's likely?"
Sōnagi snorted dismissively, "Hmph, I know, I was just talking off the cuff. Watch me smash your turtle shell!"
[Lightning Release Chakra Mode!]
Powerful electricity began swirling around Uzumaki Sōnagi's body.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato stared at Uzumaki Sōnagi in utter shock. "This is...a secret inherited nin-taijutsu developed by the Second Raikage of Kumo, which involves wrapping powerful lightning around the body for attack or defense. While in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode—also known as the Lightning Release Suit—the user gains extremely fast movement speed and strong damage resistance.
As a secret nin-taijutsu of Kumo, this technique was passed down by the Second Raikage to his disciple, the Third Raikage. The Third Raikage then taught it to his son, the Fourth Raikage. How did Rokumei from Otogakure learn it?"
Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, gave a light chuckle. "There's no need to be so surprised. For example, your village's Grand Fireball Technique, a hallmark of the Uchiha Clan for generations, is also widely known throughout the shinobi world."
Minato frowned. "But the Grand Fireball Technique is only a C-ranked jutsu. As long as someone remembers the hand seals, it's quite possible they could replicate and use it. However, Lightning Release Chakra Mode is an advanced nin-taijutsu famously known as the Lightning Release Suit. It's extremely difficult to master and cannot be as widespread as the Grand Fireball Technique."
Orochimaru interjected thoughtfully, "Is that so? From what I know, wasn't the Lightning Release Chakra Mode known by others besides the Raikages of Kumo? During the Third Great Ninja World War, wasn't there another person who knew it too? And he was a ninja from Konoha as well."
Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen both froze for a moment, simultaneously thinking of one person.
Chinya.
According to Chinya himself back then, during his battle with the Third Raikage, he had copied the Lightning Release Chakra Mode using his Sharingan, meaning Chinya could also wield Lightning Release Chakra.
Orochimaru's gaze turned toward the battlefield. "The outcome will be decided soon."
Shaking off their thoughts, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze turned their attention back to the battlefield.
Uzumaki Sōnagi, having activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, focused his Lightning Release chakra onto his ninja sword. Then, by activating his Lightning Release nature transformation, he boosted his cellular activity to achieve high-speed movement. Moving at astonishing speed, he charged directly to the limit of Neji Hyūga's attack range and slashed at him.
However, when Uzumaki Sōnagi's blade entered Neji Hyūga's attack range, the Lightning Release chakra concentrated on his ninja sword instantly dissipated.
But this only meant the chakra on the sword had vanished; at this point, Uzumaki Sōnagi himself was still outside Neji Hyūga's attack range.
With a powerful forward stomp, Uzumaki Sōnagi used the momentum to deliver a full-force strike at Neji Hyūga.
But the next second left Uzumaki Sōnagi utterly dumbfounded.
Neji Hyūga still hadn't moved, but Uzumaki Sōnagi could clearly feel a force repelling his blade. At the same time, because he had now entered Neji Hyūga's attack range, all the Lightning Release chakra on his body completely dissipated, causing his speed to drop dramatically.
"It's over. You've lost."
[Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash.]
Neji Hyūga swiftly swung his blade horizontally in a straight slash, bringing the edge to rest right in front of Uzumaki Sōnagi's neck.
Uzumaki Sōnagi stared blankly at Neji Hyūga.
Did he really just lose like that?
Coming to his senses, Uzumaki Sōnagi said with obvious dissatisfaction, "Losing like this really grates on me."
Neji Hyuga sheathed his Ninja Sword. "Complaining won't change anything. The result speaks for itself. He thinks you've gotten too full of yourself, so he sent me to pour some cold water over you and bring you back down to earth."
Uzumaki Sōnagi muttered, "Me, full of myself? When have I ever acted like that? I've always stayed humble, haven't I?"
Genma Shiranui, who served as the proctor, stepped forward and announced, "The first match has ended. The winner is Neji Hyuga!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the spectator stands.
That first fight was absolutely electrifying — it really got everyone fired up.
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