The Fourth Raikage's Lightning Style Chakra Mode—
Why not only increase speed, but also strengthen the body's toughness?
Because at super-high speeds, the body would otherwise be too fragile to withstand the strain.
The speed boost in Lightning Style Chakra Mode is essentially a Body Flicker Technique of the taijutsu type.
Flying Thunder God, on the other hand, is a space-time Body Flicker Technique.
Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker is considered an evasion-type Body Flicker Technique.
Generally, evasion-type instant movements don't cover very long distances.
On the one hand, the chakra consumption is immense. On the other, the greater the distance, the heavier the physical burden from such high-speed movement—something not everyone can endure.
But the Body Flicker Technique Yuichi used belonged to the escape type.
And yet, each flicker carried him more than twenty meters.
In just one breath, he could open a distance of fifty or sixty meters.
This speed was already beyond the reach of the Third Hokage.
"The physique of the Senju clan really is monstrous!"
Even the Third Hokage was unsettled.
He wasn't of the Senju clan, but both the First and Second Hokage possessed such inhuman physiques.
Yet for such a body to appear in Yuichi Nagano, a thin-blooded descendant several generations later—
This was nothing short of a miracle.
"Is this a gift from the gods?"
The Third Hokage thought silently, though a sharp light flickered in his eyes.
He grew fully serious.
Boom!
He suddenly stepped forward, dust bursting up behind him.
His eyes locked onto Yuichi.
In an instant, he closed in and drove his fist forward like a whirlwind, aiming straight for Yuichi.
Yuichi raised both hands to block.
Bang!
The impact sent him flying back.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
Whoosh!
Yuichi vanished again.
The Third Hokage's heart tightened slightly.
"This kid…"
With a sharp turn, he locked onto Yuichi's chakra fluctuations and darted after him.
Almost instantly, Yuichi's figure reappeared atop a wooden stake.
The Third Hokage pursued relentlessly.
Yuichi fought him briefly in close combat, then flickered away again.
The two figures flashed rapidly across the training ground.
The longer the fight went on, the more anxious the Hokage became.
Meanwhile, Yuichi grew more and more satisfied.
"It's hard to beat the Third Hokage, but if I want to leave, he can't stop me!"
Because—
"Lord Hokage!"
Two dark shadows suddenly appeared atop the fence surrounding the training ground.
Yuichi glanced at them briefly.
At that moment, the Hokage seized the opening and grabbed him.
The Third Hokage clasped Yuichi's arms firmly and exhaled lightly.
The two Anbu dropped down, scanning the devastated training ground first, then looking at Yuichi, who stood "restrained" before the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage, what is going on…?"
The Third Hokage replied evenly, "It's nothing. I was simply training ninjutsu with Yuichi."
Training ninjutsu!?
The two Anbu looked around again.
The massive crater in the center of the grounds… the torrent of water that had burst out moments ago, even destroying parts of the wall…
What kind of "training" caused such devastation?
If not for the nearby river, the flooding would have been disastrous.
More Anbu quickly arrived, flickering onto the surrounding walls.
In moments, a dozen figures had appeared, alarmed by the sounds of battle and Yuichi's S-rank ninjutsu.
The Third Hokage coughed lightly.
"Return to your posts. There's nothing to worry about here."
At his order, the Anbu nodded and vanished one by one.
The Hokage then turned back toward Yuichi, slowly releasing his grip.
"Yuichi, your performance truly surprised me."
His kind smile softened his stern face.
Yuichi lowered his head apologetically.
"Lord Hokage, I'm sorry… I damaged the area too badly."
The Hokage glanced at the ruined training ground. It was indeed a mess.
But that didn't matter. The grounds could be repaired.
What mattered was the gain—a genius with potential comparable to the Second Hokage.
"It's fine. I'll have it repaired."
His eyes narrowed.
"Yuichi, that ninjutsu you used earlier…"
Yuichi sighed inwardly. "As expected, he's going to ask."
But the next words stunned him.
"Water Style: Hard Vortex Water Blade… did you develop that yourself?"
Developed it… himself?
Did the Hokage not know of this technique?
Yet before, when he saw Yuichi use it, he hadn't been surprised at all.
That meant the Hokage already knew Yuichi possessed such a jutsu.
It was certain he had secretly sent people to observe him.
After all, three chakra natures alone weren't enough to warrant a personal visit from the Hokage.
No, what truly attracted his attention must have been Yuichi's S-rank ninjutsu—and possibly Wood Style.
If the Hokage ever discovered his Wood Style, it wouldn't be as simple as a casual visit.
So after that night, Yuichi had guessed the truth.
The Hokage hadn't discovered Wood Style yet.
But he must have seen Yuichi's Water Style practice—and even his S-rank ninjutsu.
That was why Yuichi never bothered hiding his Water Style.
Hiding it would only make the Hokage suspicious.
Revealing it, at least, proved he wasn't a spy from another village.
As long as he showed enough potential, the Hokage would nurture him rather than dispose of him.
But now, the Hokage's question reminded him of something.
"Water Style: Hard Vortex Water Blade is a technique from the game. In the original story, Second Hokage never used it. Maybe it doesn't even exist in this world."
That would explain why the Hokage never questioned how Yuichi learned it.
If one could create an S-rank Water Style ninjutsu, then mastering ordinary Water Styles would be trivial.
No matter how he obtained them—through scrolls or otherwise—it wasn't worth worrying about.
Yuichi smiled inwardly, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
His answer lit up the Hokage's eyes.
"An incredible ninjutsu, Yuichi. Your talent in Water Style may rival even that of the Second Hokage."
"The Second Hokage?"
"Yes. Aside from him, you are the most gifted Water Style user I have ever seen."
The Hokage clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
"Yuichi, what is your dream?"
There was only one answer he could give.
Yuichi looked at him with firm, determined eyes.
"I want to become Hokage, and protect Konoha!"
His bright expression and passionate voice rang with conviction.
The Third Hokage was very satisfied…