Chapter 55: The Birth of Thunder

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That night, through the relentless training of thousands of Shadow Clones, Naruto achieved the ability to perform Chidori without hand seals!

Even though Naruto was an extraordinary individual, the continuous battles and grueling training had finally drained his chakra reserves.

After resting for a day to recover, he regained his strength. While assisting Kisame in searching the seas, he resumed his training.

Three days later, Naruto had mastered various shape transformations of Chidori, becoming an expert in Lightning Release!

But being an expert was only the starting point.

Next, Naruto threw himself into the sleepless and tireless pursuit of mastering Purple Lightning!

The process, however, was not smooth.

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

First, Yin Release, which he had not possessed in his previous life, was an unfamiliar domain for Naruto.

Second, he struggled to determine the precise ratio of Yin Release to incorporate.

This led to slow progress in the early stages.

Fortunately, his past experience in balancing chakra during his training with the Tailed Beast Bomb proved invaluable at this critical moment.

After repeated trial and error, Naruto finally grasped the key!

That night, Naruto stood on the muddy ground, his left hand battered and bruised, surrounded by a sphere of crackling purple lightning!

Before him stood ten Shadow Clones.

Naruto raised his voice. "Come on!"

The ten Shadow Clones formed hand seals in unison.

"Lightning Release: Thunder Tiger Devastation!"

Roar!!!

Ten ordinary Lightning Release techniques transformed into lightning hounds, converging into a majestic lightning beast. Guided by the lightning ropes held by the Shadow Clones, the beast charged at Naruto's true body!

Swoosh!

Naruto casually swung his left hand, which was enveloped in Purple Lightning.

Roar!!!!

The lightning beast disintegrated with a pained cry. Not only that, but the purple arcs of electricity traveled along the lightning ropes, surging toward the Shadow Clones!

Poof! Poof! Poof!

All ten Shadow Clones vanished in puffs of white smoke.

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

Crackle!

The Purple Lightning dissipated from Naruto's left hand.

"Huff… Huff… Huff…" Naruto lay on the ground, panting heavily, but a smile spread across his face. "Finally, I've done it. Kakashi-sensei, this truly is your ultimate technique! Even with my current strength, it still took me a full ten days to fully master it!"

"Can you rest now?" Konan approached him.

"No, I need to strike while the iron is hot. I'll master the Lightning Release Chakra Mode in one go!"

Naruto sat up, pulling out the precious scroll from his robes. Unfazed by the muddy ground, he spread it out and once again gathered his chakra to perform the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Konan couldn't help but reflect inwardly. "If events had unfolded as they originally should have, the so-called Fourth Great Ninja War would already be nearing its end. But in the current ninja world, everything is just beginning…"

---

*Akatsuki's Hideout*

Whoosh!

A spiraling vortex appeared as Tobi emerged, throwing an unconscious captive onto the ground.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu rose from the ground, their gazes falling on the unconscious ninja.

White Zetsu exclaimed, "Oh? Isn't this Yamato from Konoha? Orochimaru's former test subject. Why did you bring him here?"

Tobi, walking toward a coat rack in the corner, replied, "I took a stroll through Konoha and noticed his Wood Release was quite impressive. I figured he'd be a good addition to your forces. Better to keep him here than risk someone else targeting him."

Black Zetsu muttered, "Heh, what a coincidence. Someone else seemed to have taken an interest in him too, but it looks like you got to him first."

However, Black Zetsu's cryptic remark didn't catch Tobi's attention.

Tobi reached the coat rack, removing his damp Akatsuki robe. "What about the intel I asked you to investigate?"

White Zetsu replied, "Ever since then, there's been no trace of Naruto."

Tobi shook the water from his robe and draped it over the rack. "Have you figured out why Naruto attacked Kumogakure?"

White Zetsu answered, "It seems it was all over a scroll—something called the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, if I'm not mistaken."

"Oh? That technique favored by the Raikage lineage? It enhances reflexes and physical abilities but can only be practiced by those with immense chakra reserves. It seems Naruto wants to rely on reflexes and speed to gain an edge."

Unconsciously, Tobi reached for his bare shoulder. The wound from sixteen years ago had long healed, yet it still ached faintly.

Black Zetsu's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Does it bring back unpleasant memories?"

"Hmph. That was then, this is now. Even if Minato were still alive, I'm confident I could defeat him now."

Swish! Tobi donned a fresh Akatsuki robe, turning back toward the others. "What about Sasuke?"

White Zetsu replied, "He's been relentlessly honing his new techniques. He felt restricted in the base, so he went outside to train."

Tobi walked over to a stone chair and sat down leisurely. "It seems his previous defeat has made him impatient."

White Zetsu hesitated. "Letting him continue to grow unchecked—couldn't that become a threat to us?"

Tobi adjusted his posture slightly, his eyes behind the mask glinting with depth. "No matter. Even if his ocular powers reach Madara's level, the gap in combat experience will cap his potential below Madara's."

A thought flickered through Tobi's mind, one he didn't voice aloud.

"Besides, even in the worst-case scenario—if we fail to reclaim the Rinnegan from Naruto—Sasuke awakening the Rinnegan would still ensure the Moon's Eye Plan can proceed."

White Zetsu asked, "Should I send my clones to scout Amegakure?"

Tobi pondered briefly. "No need. Sending White Zetsu into Amegakure might allow us to track Naruto's movements, but it also risks leaking information. Under the power of the Rinnegan's Human Path, even the safeguards I've placed using the Sharingan would be rendered useless."

White Zetsu shook his head. "What a shame. This looming war, and yet we lack sufficient intelligence on our enemy. It's unsettling."

Tobi's gaze grew resolute. "No rush. Time is on our side. When Konoha's reconstruction is complete, that will be the moment we launch a full-scale assault with Dark Akatsuki. After all, nothing embodies despair like the emptiness of something newly built, only to be reduced to zero."

Having acknowledged the existence of "Bright Akatsuki," Tobi now saw himself as the leader of "Dark Akatsuki," viewing Naruto as his equal—a rival he was determined to surpass.

---

*Amegakure, at dawn.*

Poof! Poof! Poof! All the Shadow Clones disappeared, returning their chakra and accumulated knowledge to the original body.

In the clearing, amidst the pouring rain.

Naruto, bare-chested, clenched his fists and closed his eyes.

Crackle!

Explosive Lightning Release chakra enveloped his entire body, forming a layer of purple lightning that resembled a cloak!

Purple Lightning Chakra Mode!

Konan's beautiful eyes trembled with awe. "What incredible chakra!"

Naruto clenched his fists, feeling the immense power coursing through him. "Yeah, this mode exceeds even my expectations! Now, even without Kurama's cooperation, I won't have any gaps in my combat strength."

"Hm?" Naruto looked up at the rain falling from the sky.

Through the rain he controlled with the Rain Tiger at Will Technique, he sensed the presence of a powerful chakra entering the village.

Konan's gaze sharpened. "What is it?"

Naruto smiled. "Orochimaru has finally returned. Without his presence, the next steps would've been difficult to manage."