At dawn, atop the Dahe River.
Aozora stood on a small boat, flipping through a newly acquired scroll as the vessel drifted gently along with the current.
Akatsuki's stockpile was indeed rich. Perhaps unwilling to lose face in front of Aozora—a prodigy from a noble family—Konan had recommended several rare Ninjutsu techniques.
Aozora struck gold with two techniques—one was Lightning Clone, the other Kujaku (Peacock Method).
Compared to common clones like Shadow Clone, Water Clone, and Earth Clone, Lightning Clone was much rarer. Even among Cloud ninja, few mastered this technique for creating duplicates using Lightning Release chakra.
Kujaku was a prize obtained after Akatsuki eliminated a ninja from the Star Ninja Village. Despite its name implying something related to peacocks, it actually referred to Chakra Activation. The user would transform their own chakra into peacock-feather-like wings behind their back, and could also use different chakra forms for attacks.
This might appeal to average ninja, but for Nagato and Konan, it was practically useless—hence why they carelessly tossed it into storage.
Aozora wasn't planning to fully master Kujaku either; he was simply intrigued by its Chakra Activation and Chakra Shape Transformation.
Aozora felt his current strength was approaching or even reaching Kage-level, yet he still hadn't truly mastered a genuine S-ranked Ninjutsu.
True S-ranked Ninjutsu must have both Shape Manipulation and Nature Transformation perfected.
Homura Chakra had already reached the pinnacle of Fire Release nature transformation, which allowed [Great Fire Dragon Jutsu] to reach the power level of an A-ranked Ultimate Art.
Only after enhancing it further with Sage Chakra could Aozora use a B-ranked technique capable of matching S-ranked ones.
As his mastery of the Nine Breaths of Breath Control deepened, the power of his Fire Release techniques could grow even stronger—but Aozora knew such progress wouldn't happen quickly.
It was like studying—raising your score from ninety to a hundred was far harder than going from sixty to ninety.
With slow progress in Chakra Nature Transformation, Aozora decided to focus on improving his Chakra Shape Manipulation—to develop S-ranked techniques and strengthen his overall power.
In truth, Aozora was aware of a shortcut—the Rasengan.
Spinning a Rasengan wasn't hard; with his chakra control, he could probably master it in no time. Then, infusing it with Homura Chakra could allow him to create S-ranked jutsu.
However, he chose not to go down this path.
Firstly, while forming the Rasengan was simple, adding Homura Chakra into it was extremely dangerous.
Even infusing Wind Release chakra into it had once severely injured Naruto. If he injected higher quality chakra, one mistake could cause Aozora to spontaneously combust on the spot.
Secondly, Rasengan-based techniques were intended for close-range combat. Aozora saw himself always as a mage, engaging in melee only when necessary for survival reasons.
Therefore, rather than crafting spheres, Aozora preferred refining Great Fire Dragon Jutsu with additional shape manipulation elements—even incorporating aspects from the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
In his vision, the fire dragon created using Homura Chakra would possess intelligence like shadow clones, freely maneuvering and transforming its fiery form at will.
With the indomitable nature of Yakton, once the fire dragon emerges, it won't stop until its target perishes—it's undoubtedly an S-rank ninja technique.
Yet even with Yakton chakra, it still lacks the solidity found in other chakra natures. Since no such technique as a Fire Bunshin exists in the ninja world, Aozora's ninjutsu development progress had been heartbreakingly slow.
The recently acquired Kujaku method and Lightning Bunshin technique, however, could greatly accelerate Aozora's development.
As he flipped through the scroll, Aozora didn't notice the small boat had already reached the riverbank. Suddenly, he furrowed his brows and rolled up the parchment.
"Come out, Kisame!"
Though uncertain who exactly hid beneath the water surface, among Akatsuki members, the one with the strongest Water Release ability should be Kisame Hoshigaki, the recent recruit.
Emerging slowly from the water, Kisame looked like a failed attempt at a shark demon form.
Not far from the two, a bright green snake glided across the river surface, eyes never leaving Aozora.
From atop a large tree by the riverside, half a figure gradually appeared, followed by the emergence of a spatial vortex beside him. Out stepped Obito, settling himself on a tree branch.
Zetsu asked, "Was it you who sent Kisame to test Aozora?"
Obito nodded slightly, "Yes. I always feel there is some mystery surrounding Aozora, and I've sensed danger from him before."
Zetsu responded, "Do you think Kisame can determine his real strength? Remember, Biwa Juzo died at Aozora's hands—he was also one of Mist's Seven Legendary Katanas..."
Obito disagreed, "The Seven Legendary Katanas aren't all equal. Besides, this place has dense waterways, which will give Kisame more advantages."
After hearing Obito's explanation, Zetsu nodded slowly.
On the Dahe River, where shifting tides decide outcomes, any power gap between Aozora and Kisame would likely be neutralized.
Standing atop the moving water, Kisame gripped Samehada in hand and asked, "So you were the one who killed Biwa Juzo?"
Aozora calmly nodded, "One strike pierced straight through his heart. I made sure he didn't suffer too much."
Kisame replied, "I suppose I should thank you for putting him out of his misery."
Aozora drew his long sword from behind, saying, "No need. He's already paid me back!"
"Decapitating Sword?" Kisame's eyes flared with anger.
Aozora performed a quick flourish of the blade, coolly replying, "This sword is called Drinking Blood—it was forged using the Cleaver Sword, so it cuts hair effortlessly. Unfortunately, the Mist's Seven Legendary Katanas are no more."
Now that the Cleaver Sword had been reforged, there could never again be the Mist's Seven Legendary Katanas. At most, they'd only have six.
Kisame's feelings toward Mist were complex—while deeply resentful of the bloody mist era that slaughtered his compatriots, he couldn't entirely sever the emotional ties nurtured by his homeland.
Aozora's words enraged him completely, causing his shark-like teeth to grind together.
"Uchiha brat, today I'll see just how capable you are of killing Biwa Juzo. Please go all-out—if not, I promise to make your death extremely unpleasant!"
Shaking his head slightly, Aozora sighed softly, "So will Mist's Seven Legendary Katanas really be down to just five by the end of today?"
"Arrogant!"
Without hesitation, Kisame revealed himself completely. His hands moved faster than shadows, swiftly forming seals.
"Suiton..."
Aozora slightly shook his head, thinking inwardly that as expected, this old-fashioned guy would still seal right up until the last second.
[Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!]
[Great Fireball Jutsu], brilliant as the midday sun, erupted from Aozora's mouth, creating towering waves across the water's surface as it surged toward Kisame.
The sudden release of the Great Fireball caught Kisame off guard, halting the A-ranked ninjutsu he was weaving.
Instead of retreating immediately, he dropped the technique he'd started and swiftly shifted hand seals, barely summoning [Spiral Water Wall] as the orange fireball surged forward.
Hiss——!
The C-ranked Fire Release clashed with the B-ranked Water Release.
The spiraling water wall met the blazing fireball head-on, instantly generating massive amounts of steam.
Then, the fireball shattered through the spiral water wall and struck Kisame square in the chest.
Fortunately, due to the weakening and deflection caused by the spiraling barrier, the orange fireball had lost much of its strength before impact—no major damage occurred.
However, the relentless orange flames instantly caught the cloak adorned with crimson clouds that Kisame wore, quickly spreading across his body.
"Guaaah—aaaaa—!"
With heat intense enough to melt metal into liquid, the orange fire caused nearby cells on Kisame's skin to rapidly die, peel away, and melt. The pain of Infernal Flame Consumption forced a pained roar from him.
Despite the searing agony, he calmly dove into the water—but although the river gradually weakened the orange fire, it continued burning stubbornly, heating the surrounding water to boiling point.
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