Hello, Drinor here. I'm happy to publish a new Chapter of The Purple Flash of Kumo.
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The following 12 chapters are already available to Patrons.
Chapter 48, Chapter 49, Chapter 50, Chapter 51, Chapter 52, Chapter 53, Chapter 54, Chapter 55, Chapter 56, Chapter 57, Chapter 58, and Chapter 59 are already available for Patrons.
The acrid smell of burnt flesh hung heavy in the air as the last wisps of Itachi's devastating fire jutsu dissipated. Chunks of the bridge had been reduced to slag, forcing everyone to adjust their footing on the unstable surface. Through the settling smoke, Kisame's massive frame loomed, Yugito's unconscious form draped carelessly over his shoulder.
"Let her go!" Naruto's voice cracked with rage, purple lightning crackling around his clenched fists. His eyes flickered between their natural blue and a burning crimson that made Kakashi's visible eye widen slightly.
"Where's Omoi?" Naruto demanded, cutting off Kakashi's observation. "He was with Yugito! What did you do to him?"
Kisame's shark-like grin widened. "Oh, the annoying kid with the sword? The one who told the little girl to run away, the same one?" He chuckled darkly. "Let's just say he's in a better place now."
The purple lightning around Naruto intensified, causing the air itself to crackle. "If you have hurt him, I'll—"
"You'll what?" Kisame shifted Yugito's weight, causing her to groan. "Your little light show is impressive, kid, but Samehada's already tasted unique chakra today. It wouldn't mind seconds."
Itachi regarded the group with an unnervingly calm expression. "We have no quarrel with most of you. We're only here for Naruto Yotsuki."
"Interesting." Sai's emotionless voice cut through the tension as he landed his ink bird nearby. "What would two S-rank missing-nin want with a Kumo genin?"
Kisame's shark-like grin widened, sharp teeth glinting. "Oh? The little corpse wants to know our business?" He shifted Yugito's weight, causing her to groan softly. "Why don't you come closer and—"
"That's enough, Kisame." Itachi's quiet voice carried more authority than a shout. His eyes never left Naruto, though he seemed deliberately avoiding using his Sharingan. "Their reasons for curiosity are irrelevant to our mission."
Darui stepped forward, positioning himself between Naruto and the Akatsuki members. Black lightning began to dance along his unique sword, its dark crackle a sharp contrast to Naruto's purple discharge.
"You know who I am?" Darui's usually lazy drawl held an edge of steel.
"Darui of the Black Lightning." Itachi inclined his head slightly. "Your reputation precedes you. The apprentice of the Third Raikage, master of the Black Lightning techniques. Your presence is an inconvience."
Kisame's grin turned predatory as he studied Darui's sword. "Oho? Samehada's getting excited. It's been a while since it tasted unique lightning. Want to see which is stronger – your fancy sword or mine?"
"How dull." Darui's grip tightened on his blade. "Last chance. Release Yugito and leave. Now."
Movement drew everyone's attention as Zabuza took an unsteady step forward, his massive blade gleaming with moisture from the mist. Blood still dripped from his wounded arm, but his stance was resolute.
"Kisame." Zabuza's voice was rough. "Still playing errand boy for whoever pays the most?"
"Zabuza, Zabuza." Kisame shook his head in mock disappointment. "At least I moved up in the world. Look at you – taking contracts from trash like Gato? The Seven Swordsmen really have fallen."
"Enough talk!" The raw hatred in Sasuke's voice made everyone but Itachi tense. The young Uchiha's Sharingan blazed as he glared at his brother. "ITACHI!"
"Sasuke, don't—" Kakashi started, but Sasuke was already moving, hands flashing through signs.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Multiple fireballs streaked toward Itachi, who didn't even bother to move. The flames passed harmlessly through his form, revealing it as a genjutsu. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as the real Itachi appeared behind him.
"Foolish little brother." The words were barely a whisper. "You're still too weak."
A single strike to the back of Sasuke's neck dropped him unconscious causing him to fall on his face on the concrete that made the floor of the bridge.
"Anyone else want to try something stupid?" Kisame asked cheerfully, adjusting his grip on Yugito. "No? Then maybe we can get down to business. Hand over the Yotsuki brat, and we'll be on our way."
"Over my dead body." Darui's black lightning intensified.
"That can be arranged." Kisame's free hand moved to Samehada's hilt.
"Both of you, stop." Itachi's command froze everyone in place. His Sharingan activated at last, three tomoe spinning lazily. "Naruto Yotsuki. You have two choices. Come with us willingly, and your sensei will not be harmed. Refuse, and we'll take you by force."
"Like hell!" Naruto's purple lightning surged brighter, the killing intent rolling off him making even Kisame raise an eyebrow. "I'm going to make you regret touching Yugito!"
"Naruto." Darui's voice was sharp. "Stand down. You're not ready for this fight."
"Listen to your sensei, kid." Kisame's grin turned vicious. "Although I wouldn't mind if you tried something. Samehada's still hungry after draining your girlfriend here."
Haku appeared silently beside Sasuke's unconscious form, her movements still pained from Darui's lightning, but her stance was protective; she grabbed him and took him a little further away from Itachi and Kisame. Ice began forming around her despite her injuries, reacting to her intent.
"How diplomatic of you, Itachi," Kakashi spoke up, his own Sharingan uncovered now. "But you're forgetting something important."
Itachi's eyes shifted slightly to his former ANBU captain. "Oh?"
"You're assuming we'd let either of you leave this bridge alive." Kakashi's lightning blade sparked to life, its blue-white glow joining the display of black and purple already illuminating the misty air.
A ghost of a smile touched Itachi's lips. "How nostalgic, Kakashi. But you're exhausted from fighting Zabuza, and we both know you can't maintain that jutsu for long. Besides..." His eyes shifted meaningfully to Naruto. "There are things you don't understand about this situation."
"Then enlighten us," Sai suggested, his brush poised over his scroll. "Why does your organization want Naruto Yotsuki?"
Kisame opened his mouth to respond, but Itachi cut him off. "That information is not relevant to this encounter."
The tension stretched taut as lightning of three different colors – black, purple, and blue-white – crackled in the pre-dawn air. Zabuza's killing intent joined the mix as he raised his executioner's blade despite his injuries.
Red chakra began to leak from Naruto's body as his eyes fixed on Yugito's unconscious form. Without warning, he exploded forward, purple lightning trailing behind him like violent wings.
"GIVE HER BACK!" Naruto roared, his voice carrying an inhuman edge.
Kisame's grin widened as he prepared to meet the charge, but Itachi moved first. He appeared in front of Naruto so quickly that it seemed like a teleportation.
"Your opponent is me, Naruto Yotsuki." Itachi's voice remained calm despite the killing intent radiating from Naruto.
Naruto tried to dodge around him, but Itachi matched his movement perfectly. "Get out of my way! This is between me and the fish face!"
"No," Itachi replied simply. "It's between you and me."
"Then I'll go through you!" Purple lightning concentrated around Naruto's fist as he threw a punch at Itachi's face.
Itachi caught the strike bare-handed, seemingly unaffected by the lightning. "Your mastery of Purple Lightning is impressive for your age. But you're still decades too early to challenge me."
"Lightning Blade!" Kakashi's voice cut through the tension as he appeared behind Itachi, his signature technique aimed at the Uchiha's back.
Zabuza's massive sword swung in from the other side, forcing Itachi to release Naruto and leap back. The Konoha Jonin, Naruto, and the Mist nin now surrounded Itachi, and Darui was rushing towards Itachi.
"My, my," Kisame chuckled, shifting Yugito's weight on his shoulder before throwing her behind him. "Four against one seems a bit unfair, don't you think?" He raised Samehada with his free hand. "Why don't I even those odds?"
Darui moved to support Naruto, but Kisame intercepted him with frightening speed. "Your fight's with me, Black Panther. Let Itachi handle the brats."
"Naruto," Darui called out, never taking his eyes off Kisame, "be careful. Don't let your anger—"
"Too late for warnings!" Kisame's blade swept down, forcing Darui to block. The impact sent shockwaves through the bridge.
Darui had faced many opponents in his career as an S-rank shinobi, but something about Kisame Hoshigaki set his teeth on edge. Either way, this was going to be anything but dull.
"Your first mistake," Darui said, channeling black lightning through his blade, "was coming here alone."
Kisame's shark-like grin widened. "Alone? Who said I was alone? Itachi's right—"
Darui struck before he could finish, crossing the distance in a flash of black electricity. His unique sword hummed with power as it clashed against Samehada's scales. The impact sent ripples through the air, and Darui immediately noticed something wrong – the black lightning coating his blade was being absorbed into Kisame's weapon.
"Surprised?" Kisame pushed forward, forcing Darui to disengage. "Samehada doesn't just cut – it shaves and devours chakra!"
So that's how he took down Yugito, Darui thought, reassessing his strategy. Direct chakra attacks would be worse than useless – they'd only make Kisame stronger. He needed to be smarter about this.
"Black Lightning Style: Shadow Current!" Darui slammed his free hand into the bridge, sending waves of dark electricity coursing through the concrete. But instead of aiming for Kisame directly, he targeted the puddles of water left from Zabuza's mist technique.
Kisame leaped back, but not before the electricity sparked up through the water, singeing his cloak. "Clever! But not clever enough!" He formed hand signs with remarkable speed. "Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!"
A massive shark made of water erupted from the side of the bridge, forcing Darui to dodge. The moment his concentration broke, the black lightning dissipated. He's good, Darui admitted to himself. Every move I make, he's already thinking two steps ahead.
"What's wrong, Kumo's Black Panther?" Kisame taunted, sending another water shark that Darui barely avoided. "Getting tired already?"
Darui didn't waste breath responding. Instead, he began cycling chakra through his sword in a pattern the Third Raikage had taught him – not releasing it, but letting it build. The blade began to hum with an almost musical note.
"Oh? Something new?" Kisame said with a wide grin. "Show me!"
"Black Lightning Style: Storm Cleaver!" Darui swung his sword in a horizontal arc, releasing not a wave of lightning, but a concentrated beam of darkness that cut through Kisame's water techniques like they weren't there.
For the first time, Kisame's grin faltered as he was forced to use Samehada to block. The sword's scales rippled, trying to absorb the attack, but this wasn't pure chakra – it was something else.
"What is this?" Kisame grunted, actually being pushed back. "Samehada can't absorb it completely!"
Darui allowed himself a small smirk. "The Third Raikage didn't just teach me black lightning. He taught me how to infuse it with natural energy." His blade's humming grew louder. "Your sword can absorb chakra, but natural energy? That's a bit harder to digest."
Kisame's eyes narrowed, real interest showing now. "So the rumors about that sword were true. The Black Blade of Kumo, said to be able to cut through anything – even chakra itself."
"Want to test that theory?" Darui pressed forward, his blade's dark energy starting to crack Samehada's scales.
But Kisame wasn't an S-rank ninja for nothing. "Water Style: Great Exploding Water Shockwave!"
The bridge suddenly flooded with a massive volume of water, forcing Darui to channel chakra to his feet to maintain his footing. Kisame used a hand to direct the water into a swirling vortex around them.
This is bad, Darui thought, watching Kisame's gills flutter. In water, his strength doubles. And with all this conductivity... He couldn't risk using lightning techniques now without potentially hitting Yugito. He had noticed that Yugito was inside the dome.
"Now then," Kisame's voice echoed through the water dome, "let's see how well you swim!"
Sharks made of water began forming in the vortex, circling Darui with increasing speed. Each time he cut one down with his sword, two more appeared. And all the while, Kisame was using Samehada to absorb more and more of Darui's chakra through the water itself.
Think, Darui commanded himself, deflecting another shark. There has to be a way... His eyes fell on his sword's blade, still humming with that strange frequency. The Third Raikage's words came back to him:
"Black lightning isn't just about power, Darui. It's about understanding the fundamental nature of energy itself. In its purest form, it can disrupt any other energy pattern – even break the bonds holding molecules together."
Worth a shot, Darui decided. He stopped fighting the water sharks and instead plunged his humming blade deep into the vortex's base. "Black Lightning Style: Molecular Severance!"
The blade's humming reached a fever pitch, and suddenly the water around it began to separate into hydrogen and oxygen. The reaction created a chain effect, spreading through Kisame's technique.
"What the—" Kisame's eyes widened as his water dome began literally coming apart at a molecular level.
Darui didn't waste the opening. Channeling every bit of remaining chakra into his legs, he burst through the destabilizing water wall, sword aimed straight for Kisame's chest. "Black Lightning Style: Panther's Fang!"
Samehada moved to intercept, but Darui's blade was vibrating at exactly the right frequency. It slid between Samehada's scales, drawing a spray of blood from Kisame's shoulder.
But the victory was short-lived. Even as Darui's blade bit deep, Samehada's bandages wrapped around his arm like tentacles. Kisame's grin turned feral. "Gotcha."
Pain exploded through Darui's body as Samehada began draining his chakra directly. He could feel his techniques failing, the black lightning flickering and dying. With the last of his strength, he channeled everything he had left into one final technique.
"Black Lightning Style: Negative Pulse!"
The technique wasn't meant to attack – it was meant to disrupt chakra absorption. For a crucial moment, Samehada's drain reversed, causing the sword to recoil violently. Both warriors stumbled back, blood dripping from their respective wounds.
Kisame looked down at his injured shoulder, then at Darui with newfound respect. "Not bad, Kumo-nin. You actually made Samehada nervous. Been a while since anyone's done that."
Darui stayed silent, trying to control his breathing. That last exchange had cost him nearly everything. His chakra reserves were dangerously low, and his right arm was numb where Samehada had grabbed him. But he'd achieved what he wanted – proof that Kisame could be hurt, that Samehada could be overcome.
Just have to hope the others saw it too, he thought, raising his sword despite his exhaustion. Because I've got maybe one good strike left in me if that doesn't work. I need to use the Inner Gates.
"Still want to go?" Kisame said with a wide grin and wincing slightly, blood dripping from his wound. "I'm game if you are. Though I should warn you – Samehada's pretty angry now. Next time it bites, it might not let go."
So dull, Darui thought, but his mind was racing. He'd learned more about Kisame's abilities in these few minutes than most shinobi learned in their entire lives. If he survived this, that information would be invaluable to Kumo. The question was: could he risk another exchange in his current state?
The decision was taken from him as a massive surge of red chakra exploded from elsewhere on the bridge. Both warriors turned to see Naruto, now surrounded by a visible cloak of the Nine-Tails' power, charging straight for Itachi.
"Well," Kisame sighed, though his grin never wavered, "looks like playtime's over. Rain check on our dance, Black Panther?"
Darui's only response was to shift his stance, ready to move the moment an opening presented itself. He might be running on empty, but as long as he was conscious, he wasn't giving up on saving his student.
Earlier
Naruto's blood boiled as he watched Itachi casually dodge Zabuza's massive blade. The Uchiha hadn't even activated his Sharingan yet, treating three experienced shinobi like academy students. The red chakra simmering beneath Naruto's skin pushed to be released, but he forced it down. Not yet. He needed to think clearly.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Zabuza's hands flashed through signs, pulling moisture from the mist to form a massive serpentine dragon.
Kakashi's hands moved simultaneously, perfectly copying the technique. Two water dragons roared toward Itachi from different angles.
Perfect opening! Naruto thought, channeling purple lightning through his arms. "Thunder Needle!"
The concentrated bolt of violet electricity shot through the gap between the water dragons, aimed at Itachi's chest. It was a perfect three-way attack – if Itachi dodged the dragons, he'd be hit by lightning. If he avoided the lightning, the dragons would crush him.
Itachi didn't move.
The attacks connected in a spectacular explosion of water and electricity, sending steam billowing across the bridge. Naruto's enhanced senses picked up movement through the cloud.
"Behind you!" he shouted to Zabuza, but it was too late.
Itachi emerged from the steam like a ghost, one hand striking precise points on Zabuza's spine. The Demon of the Mist crashed to his knees, his sword clattering beside him.
"Pressure points," Itachi explained calmly, stepping away from Zabuza's form. "The human body has seven hundred and eight of them. I've memorized them all."
"Master Zabuza!" Haku's voice cracked with desperation. She appeared behind Itachi, senbon needles gleaming between her fingers.
Itachi's head turned slightly, his eyes finally shifting to crimson. One look was all it took – Haku collapsed mid-attack, trapped in whatever genjutsu Itachi had cast.
"Your loyalty is admirable," Itachi said to her unconscious form. "But foolish."
The red chakra surged harder under Naruto's skin. His allies were being taken down one by one, and his friends, Yugito and Omoi, were in danger. The rage built with each passing second.
"Naruto-san." Kakashi's voice was tense as he moved to stand beside him. "You need to leave. Find Darui-san and—"
"I'm not running!" Purple lightning crackled around Naruto's clenched fists. "He hurt my friends!"
"Listen to your senior, Naruto Yotsuki." Itachi's eyes returned to their normal black. "This isn't a battle you can win."
"SHUT UP!" Naruto charged forward, his lightning taking on a reddish tinge as more of the Nine-Tails' chakra leaked out. "Purple Lightning Style: Thunder Beast Tracking Fang!"
A wolf-like construct of purple lightning formed around Naruto's arm as he struck at Itachi. The Uchiha dodged with minimal movement, but Naruto had expected that. The lightning wolf detached from his arm, turning to pursue Itachi independently.
Kakashi didn't waste the opening. "Lightning Blade!" He burst from the opposite direction, his signature technique aimed at Itachi's blind spot.
For a moment, it seemed they had him. The thunder wolf approached from one side, Kakashi's Lightning Blade from the other, and Naruto himself launched a third attack from the front.
"Impressive coordination," Itachi acknowledged. Then he moved.
What happened next was almost too fast for Naruto to follow. Itachi seemed to flow between their attacks like water, and each movement was precise and economical. The thunder wolf dissipated as Itachi disrupted its chakra with a touch. Kakashi's Lightning Blade was redirected into the bridge with a subtle shift of Kakashi's shoulder.
And then Itachi was inside Naruto's guard, one finger pressed against his forehead.
"Your techniques are strong," Itachi said softly. "But you telegraph your moves too obviously. Your anger makes you predictable."
Naruto snarled, letting more of the Nine-Tails' chakra leak out. His eyes burned crimson, pupils becoming slits. "I'll show you predictable!"
He formed a cross seal, one Jiraiya had taught him. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Twenty clones appeared, each crackling with purple lightning tinged red by the Nine-Tails' chakra. They attacked in waves, coordinating their movements to drive Itachi back.
"The Shadow Clone Technique," Itachi observed, dismantling clones with precise strikes. "Fitting, given your heritage."
The comment made Naruto's anger spike higher. More red chakra leaked out, forming a visible shroud around his body. His clones' attacks became more ferocious, their lightning strikes leaving scorched craters in the bridge.
Kakashi watched the display with growing concern. The chakra emanating from Naruto was unmistakable – he'd felt it once before, fifteen years ago. So that's why they want him, he realized. But why would a Kumo Shinobi have Kyuubi Chakra!?
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!" Itachi's voice cut through Naruto's assault. A blast of pure chakra dispersed the remaining clones and sent Naruto skidding backward.
"The Hyuga clan technique?" Kakashi's visible eye widened. "How did you—"
"I've copied many jutsus," Itachi replied. "Though not as many as you, Kakashi."
His Sharingan activated again, three tomoe spinning as he turned to face Kakashi. "Shall we finish this?"
"Naruto, go help Darui. This isn't—"
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Multiple fireballs erupted from Itachi's mouth, forcing them to separate.
What followed was a display of skill that made Naruto's breath catch. Kakashi and Itachi moved like mirror images, each predicting and countering the other's moves. Ninjutsu of every element filled the air as they drew on their vast arsenals of copied techniques.
But Naruto could see the difference in their stamina. Kakashi was already exhausted from fighting Zabuza, while Itachi seemed fresh as ever. Each exchange left Kakashi breathing harder, his movements becoming fractionally slower.
"Your Sharingan is impressive, Kakashi," Itachi commented as they clashed again. "But it drains you too quickly. You never had the bloodline to properly sustain it."
"Maybe," Kakashi admitted, jumping back to catch his breath. "But I've learned a few tricks of my own. Lightning Style: Lightning Beast Running Jutsu!"
A wolf made of pure lightning, similar to but distinct from Naruto's technique, charged toward Itachi. But instead of dodging, Itachi's hands formed unfamiliar signs.
"Barrier Technique: Uchiha Reflection." A translucent barrier appeared, catching Kakashi's lightning wolf and sending it hurtling back at its creator.
Kakashi's eye widened in shock as his own technique struck him full force. He crashed to the ground, electricity coursing through his body.
Naruto could do nothing but watch, even after training for three months under Yoruichi. He was still so weak.
Something inside him snapped.
Red chakra exploded outward, forming a dense shroud around his body. His features became more feral, nails lengthening into claws. Behind him, two tails of pure chakra manifested, whipping the air into a frenzy.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" The voice that emerged was a mixture of Naruto's and Kyuubi.
Purple lightning crackled around his transformed state, but it was different now. The usually pristine violet color was shot through with crimson streaks, and it moved with a wild, uncontrolled fury that matched its wielder's rage.
Itachi finally turned his full attention to Naruto, his Sharingan analyzing the transformation. "So this is the power of the Nine-Tails combined with Purple Lightning. Interesting."
"SHUT UP AND DIE!" Naruto thrust his right hand forward. The purple-red lightning concentrated there, growing and taking shape until it formed a massive bolt the size of his entire arm. The bridge beneath his feet began to crack from the sheer power being channeled.
For the first time, Itachi's expression showed genuine interest. "Show me, then. Show me the power that makes you worth capturing."
The bridge erupted in violet and crimson light as Naruto charged, his roar of fury drowning out even the sound of his lightning.
If you want to Read 12 More Chapters Right Now. Search 'patreon.com/Drinor' on Websearch