Hearing such an arrogant declaration, Hayashi couldn't help but laugh. The last person this conceited had been Uchiha Yama, and the grass on his grave was already two feet high. Of course, those who spoke so boldly usually had the skill to back it up.
Hayashi narrowed his eyes, studying the man before him. He wore a Hidden Mist headband, his skin dark, long black hair flowing, his upper body wrapped in white bandages, a mysterious smile on his face, and in his hands, two uniquely shaped short swords—the lightning blades, Kiba.
"So it's Kurotsuchi Raiga, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and wielder of the lightning blades. No wonder you're so arrogant." Hayashi put on a faint smile. "How has the Third Mizukage been lately?"
Raiga stopped, raising an eyebrow. "You know the Third Mizukage?"
"Of course. He and I are old acquaintances. I even hosted him during his visit to Konoha."
A playful glint appeared in Raiga's eyes as he laughed. "Funny that your old acquaintance sent me to kill you."
"Then that's truly a shame," Hayashi said lightly. "Your relationship must be terrible if he sent you here to die."
"Heh, kid. Time to show you what the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are truly capable of!"
With that, Raiga swung his twin blades. The air around them crackled as arcs of electricity surged outward, and a burst of chakra propelled him forward.
Hayashi didn't back down. Chidori lit in his hand, and he charged.
Raiga's eyes narrowed. Intelligence on Chidori had long been updated in the Ninja Cards. Its power was undeniably top-tier among Lightning Release jutsu. But the lightning blades seemed to savor the challenge. Raiga's speed surged, closing the ten-meter gap instantly.
Hayashi's Sharingan tracked the blade with precision, dodging the first strike and crouching to stab at Raiga's chest.
Raiga had anticipated it, tapping the ground and twisting sideways to evade, swinging the blade again—missing once more.
Hayashi pressed forward, palms glowing with Lightning Release. "Chidori Current!"
The current surged along his arms, flowing into the backs of the twin blades. Twisting his waist, he spun, his left leg striking toward Raiga's head like a whip wreathed in lightning. A perfectly timed strike, but the Chidori Current vanished midair, absorbed.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"
Raiga formed a small blue sphere of lightning at the tips of his blades. Sensing the danger, Hayashi released the blades and kicked off, retreating. The lightning ball streaked toward him, six Kunai intercepting midair. Hayashi formed a hand seal, detonating the exploding tags. The impact diverted the lightning, sending it crashing into the ground, leaving a massive crater.
"Can it absorb Chakra?" Hayashi frowned. He had suffered a slight disadvantage—his Chidori, meant to hit unerringly, had been absorbed.
Earth Release layered over his arms remained unaffected. "It can only absorb Lightning Release," he realized, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Ordinary weapons only conducted Chakra, but these seven great swords were in a class of their own. Samehada could even return absorbed Chakra to its wielder—like a power bank fueled by the Nine-Tails itself.
Hayashi's lips curved. Although he didn't use ninja blades, Kakashi surely would. A teacher couldn't refuse a meeting gift.
He shouted at Raiga, "Nice blades. I'll take them!"
Raiga blinked, incredulous. "Kid, you're serious?"
"Do I look like someone who jokes?"
Heh. Raiga sneered, "Then take them if you dare."
"Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky. Hayashi didn't have time to overthink, kicking off the ground and retreating. The bolts struck repeatedly, leaving deep craters.
As he side-stepped, Hayashi observed Raiga's technique. The lightning blades could channel his chakra to summon lightning from the sky. Speedy and unpredictable, but ultimately powered by Raiga's chakra, not natural lightning. A true lightning master could exploit that—Hayashi's Qilin technique in a storm would end the fight instantly.
Raiga's chakra began to wane. Hayashi saw his opening. Chidori lit once more, and he surged forward. Raiga lifted his blades, preparing to absorb it—but Hayashi had anticipated this.
Chidori dissipated, palms pressed firmly on the backs of the twin blades. Black markings spread from his hands, encasing the swords.
"What—!" Raiga's connection to the blades was severed. No longer could he channel lightning into them.
"This was a sealing technique for the White Fang. Consider yourself lucky," Hayashi said, twisting his waist and delivering a left-leg kick wreathed in lightning.
Raiga abandoned his now powerless blades and retreated. But a shadow flitted behind him. A brilliant flash of lightning erupted—Hayashi's Shadow Clone, silently formed earlier, charged with Chidori.
The blade pierced Raiga's chest. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fallen.
"As expected… most of the Seven Swordsmen's reputation rests on Kisame, and the current Kisame is still just a boy," Hayashi muttered, picking up the lightning blades. He spat disdainfully on Raiga's body.
"Just flashy, useless tricks," he said, shaking his head.
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