"Raiton: Kirin!"
Without even moving his hands, Kazama unleashed an even more powerful Lightning Release technique that crashed down with a thunderous roar.
Darui had been closely watching Kazama's movements, wary of him forming hand seals for a counterattack.
But now, Kazama stood completely still, yet somehow summoned a Lightning Release technique that surged toward Darui with deadly intent.
Caught off guard, Darui was struck in an instant.
The Kirin, being the pinnacle of Lightning Release techniques, was not only immensely powerful but also infused with the force of strange flames.
As a result, the arena itself was reduced to rubble.
"Holy crap! Is this guy even human? How can he unleash such a terrifying Lightning Release technique?"
"Isn't he a Konoha ninja? How does he know such a powerful Lightning Release jutsu?"
The crowd, who had previously looked down on Kazama, was now left speechless, their jaws dropping at his performance.
"This Kazama kid is something else!"
Up in the stands, the Fourth Raikage was not only shocked by Kazama's use of Raiton: Kirin but even more stunned by the fact that Kazama hadn't formed any hand seals to perform the technique.
"Did he form seals so fast I couldn't see them? Or… no way! How could there be a ninja in this world who can cast jutsu without hand seals?"
The Fourth Raikage pondered for a long time but couldn't make sense of it.
With no answers, he turned his attention back to the battle below.
As the smoke cleared, Darui, who had been hit by Raiton: Kirin, was still standing.
His body was now wrapped in crackling lightning energy.
It turned out he had activated his Lightning Release Armor to block Kazama's attack.
But while he could fend off the Lightning Release, he couldn't stop the strange flames attached to it.
As a result, Darui's body was covered in wounds, battered and bruised.
"Sorry, I underestimated you earlier. Raiton: Black Panther!"
A leopard-shaped bolt of black lightning shot toward Kazama.
"He's even using the Third Raikage's Black Lightning! Looks like Darui's been pushed to his limit by this opponent!"
"Kazama's done for! Darui inherited the Third Raikage's Black Lightning. No one can withstand that technique!"
The same person who'd been badmouthing Kazama now spoke with absolute confidence.
"And what if Kazama doesn't lose?"
By now, some in the crowd had started rooting for Kazama, impressed by the incredible strength he'd shown.
"If Kazama doesn't lose, I'll eat crap right here!"
Ding! Successfully absorbed Raiton: Black Panther. Congratulations, Host, for acquiring Raiton: Black Chain Panther! You can now unleash multiple leopard-shaped black lightning bolts, with the number depending on the amount of chakra in your body.
Ding! Absorb four more jutsu to unlock the eighth type of strange flame!
"Now, let's see how you like my Raiton: Black Chain Panther!"
With a casual wave of his hand, Kazama summoned dozens of leopard-shaped black lightning bolts.
"You! How can you use Black Lightning?"
Seeing Kazama's technique, Darui stumbled back several steps in shock.
The Third Raikage's Black Lightning was a technique only Darui had inherited.
Even the current Fourth Raikage couldn't use it.
Yet here was a ninja from Konoha performing their village's secret technique.
How could Darui not be stunned?
"Lord Fourth Raikage, this Kazama guy is using Black Lightning! Did he steal our Kumogakure's secret technique? I'll send someone to arrest him and interrogate him immediately!"
"Calm down!"
The Fourth Raikage quickly stopped his subordinate.
"I can use Water Release. Does that mean I stole Kirigakure's secrets too?"
"But…"
The subordinate was left speechless by the Raikage's words.
"The Third Raikage never left a single word about how to master Black Lightning. It's a technique you can only comprehend on your own. How could a Konoha ninja steal it? He's clearly just a genius with incredible talent, destined to master Black Lightning. Stand down!"
Despite his rough appearance, the Fourth Raikage was remarkably open-minded, handling matters with reason and fairness.
"Time to eat crap!"
The crowd below the arena burst into laughter, mocking the ninja who'd made the bold promise earlier.
"Where am I supposed to find crap here? Maybe another day!"
"Another day, my ass! I'm feeling a stomachache coming on. Come with me, haha!"
The crowd dragged the guy off, still laughing.
"Attack!"
With Kazama's command, the dozens of leopard-shaped black lightning bolts shot toward Darui in an instant.
Kazama's main goal now was to force Darui to use Ranton (Storm Release) so he could absorb it.
Otherwise, he could've ended the fight with a few punches and kicks, knocking Darui out of the arena long ago.