Senyu's blood boiled as he saw Kushina Uzumaki on the ground, her vibrant red hair being pulled, tears streaming down her face.
He had sworn to protect her smile—no matter what.
Lightning Release chakra crackled around him, static hissing in the air as his posture dipped into a combat stance. His eyes, bloodshot with fury, locked onto the Chūnin who had dared to lay a hand on her.
The Chūnin's expression shifted from arrogance to dread. He had only recently mastered a single C-rank jutsu. But the lightning dancing around Senyu's body? That was no academy trick—it radiated killing intent and high-tier ninjutsu execution.
In a panic, the Chūnin released Kushina's hair and formed rapid hand seals. "Earth Release: Rock Pillar Spear!"
A jagged spike erupted from the ground beneath Senyu—but it was too slow.
With a simple sidestep, Senyu dodged the attack. His thumb pressed against the katana's tsuba, easing the blade slightly from its sheath.
"Breath of Lightning, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash."
The word "flash" had barely left his lips when Senyu vanished in a streak of blue light. Thunder roared a half-second later.
The Chūnin only registered a flash of lightning before his world exploded into pain. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he collapsed, his chest caved in, ribs shattered from the sheer force of the impact—even though Senyu had struck with the back of his blade.
"Brother!"
A younger genin nearby stared in shock. Just a second ago, his brother was upright. Now he was curled on the ground, spasming, blood trickling from his lips.
Then came the crackle of thunder—again.
He turned slowly and saw Senyu, holding Kushina protectively in his arms, eyes glowing with fury. The younger genin's body went rigid. His legs buckled, and he hit the dirt with a thud, eyes wide in terror.
The injured Chūnin wheezed in disbelief. That was the back of the blade… and I still can't move?! Lightning-natured chakra paralyzed his limbs. This kid's still in the Academy! How does he have this kind of power?!
Kushina, still in Senyu's arms, stared up at him, stunned. He looked terrifying—wild-eyed, electrified, seething—but to her, he was beautiful. Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
Senyu whispered, "Wait for me here, Kushina."
He gently placed her on the ground and drew his katana fully. The blade gleamed with chakra as he walked toward the injured Chūnin and his terrified little brother.
The two scrambled backward, panic etched on their faces.
"W-What are you doing?!" the genin cried. "The village rules say you can't attack your comrades!"
Senyu bared his teeth. "Comrades? You call that assaulting a comrade?" His voice dropped into a low snarl. "Don't worry—I won't kill you. I'll just break every limb."
He raised his sword—
A kunai whistled through the air toward him.
With a flick of his blade, Senyu knocked it aside effortlessly. His gaze snapped toward the source.
Minato Namikaze stood on a tree branch, kunai pouch open, face serious. "That's enough, Senyu. They've paid the price."
Senyu's voice was cold. "You've been watching this whole time?"
Minato hesitated.
He had. He followed Kushina after seeing her run off, curious and… interested. But he hadn't expected a Chūnin to attack her. Sure, that younger genin had always been a pain, and Kushina routinely beat him in sparring—but this?
Minato didn't know how to step in. He hadn't defended the boy when Kushina beat him before. And now he wasn't sure if defending Kushina would be fair either. He always tried to get along with everyone.
Senyu scoffed. "So you watched her suffer and did nothing. And now that I'm retaliating, you interfere? Wow, Namikaze. Real noble of you."
Minato quickly said, "It's not like that!"
"Not like that?" Senyu gestured to the kunai on the ground. "This yours?"
"No! That kunai was his!" Minato pointed to the tree. "He threw it at Kushina—he missed and nailed the bark."
Senyu's eyes widened, and his rage reignited. "They threw a real kunai at her?!"
His grip on the katana tightened. This time, the blade faced forward.
"I'm cutting off their hands and feet."
Lightning surged again as Senyu bolted forward.
"Damn it!" Minato cursed and leapt down, intercepting the strike just in time. His kunai deflected Senyu's sword inches from the Chūnin's leg. The wounded ninja let out a sob—he'd almost lost a limb.
"Senyu!" Minato growled. "You'll be punished if you go through with this!"
Senyu's voice was low and sharp. "So what? They nearly killed her. And you—Mr. Golden Boy—stood by like a coward. Don't act righteous now."
"If you want to be a spectator, then stay out of my way. If you're going to defend them, I'll cut you down too!"
Minato's face tightened. "They're still Leaf shinobi! We can't turn on each other!"
Senyu sneered. "Ah, I see. They're your 'comrades'—but Kushina isn't. Got it."
"Breath of Lightning, Second Form: Inadama."
A five-strike combo rained down in a zigzag pattern, mimicking a lightning bolt crashing to earth.
Minato's body tensed. His instincts kicked in—barely dodging with a backward roll. The wind from the strikes shaved bark from nearby trees.
He scrambled to his feet, heart pounding. He's fast. Even faster than when he used Thunderclap and Flash. If I can't predict his movements, I'm done.