The Blade of Lightning

The underground training hall was dimly lit, its stone walls damp with condensation from the evening chill. Tetsuma Senju stood in the center, his breathing controlled, his focus sharp. He was on the brink of completing his most recent creation—Kusanagi no Tsurugi: Chidorigatana, a fusion of his Chidori-style lightning and the legendary Kusanagi blade.

This was the final test.

His hands moved fluidly, forming the necessary hand seals:

Tiger → Ox → Snake → Rat → Dragon → Dog → Horse → Tiger

The moment the last seal was completed, crackling blue lightning surged along the length of his sword, illuminating the chamber with an eerie glow. Sparks danced across the ground as the Chidori-enhanced blade hummed with deadly power.

Tonight, he would perfect it.

Before him stood several training dummies, each reinforced with chakra-infused stone. A normal sword would struggle to even dent them. But his blade? It had to prove its worth.

With a single step forward, Tetsuma vanished—Lightning Body Flicker Jutsu.

In an instant, he reappeared behind the first dummy, his Chidorigatana slicing effortlessly through stone. A clean cut. The dummy stood for only a moment before collapsing in half, severed without resistance.

A second dummy followed, then a third. Each strike was faster, sharper, perfection embodied in motion.

Tetsuma exhaled, satisfied.

"It's ready."

Just as he was about to sheath his blade, his senses flared.

Three chakra signatures. Approaching fast. Hostile.

Tetsuma instinctively wove hand seals:

Ox → Horse → Snake → Ram

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

A massive stone barrier shot up, blocking the entrance. He had bought himself a few seconds—but only that.

A moment later, the sound of metal slicing rock echoed through the chamber. They were inside.

From the shadows, three masked figures emerged, clad in dark armor. Their movements were precise, their presence lethal. Assassins.

Tetsuma narrowed his eyes.

"They're skilled. But not enough."

The Clash

The first enemy lunged forward, kunai gleaming with wind chakra. Tetsuma dodged, but sparks erupted as the wind-enhanced weapon clashed against his blade.

The second attacker moved in from the side, hand seals already formed.

Boar → Dog → Ram

"Wind Release: Pressure Blade!"

A slicing gust roared toward him, sharp enough to cut stone.

Tetsuma's response was instant. His hands blurred through counter-seals:

Snake → Ram → Tiger

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

His body hardened to the density of stone. The wind technique hit—but barely left a scratch.

Their surprise was their downfall.

With a flicker of movement, Tetsuma was gone.

Lightning Strikes Twice

The first assassin barely had time to turn before Tetsuma reappeared—his Chidorigatana slicing cleanly across his chest. Blood splattered against the stone floor as the enemy crumpled.

The second assassin tried to retreat, forming seals for another jutsu—but it was too late.

Tetsuma's hands moved again:

Tiger → Hare → Dragon

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

A massive dragon head of solid earth erupted from the ground, launching hardened mud projectiles at rapid speed. The assassin barely dodged the first—but the second shattered his ribs, sending him flying into the chamber wall.

Only one enemy remained.

Realizing his disadvantage, the final assassin turned to flee.

Tetsuma exhaled.

"Fool."

His hands formed a final set of seals:

Snake → Dog → Ram → Ox → Dragon

"Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"

A dome of rock erupted around the last assassin, trapping him inside.

Within moments, the sound of Chidori slicing through flesh filled the chamber.

Silence returned.

Tetsuma sheathed his blade, glancing at the fallen enemies. Who sent them? Why now?

One thing was clear—the shadows were moving.

And so was he.