The air crackled with residual energy. Sasuke's three-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, its crimson gaze locked onto the enigmatic figure of Raiga Kurosuki.
The vibrant blue of his Chidori, channeled with precision into the very steel of his katana, pulsed against the twin violet glow emanating from Raiga's serrated Kiba blades. The clash of their weapons had sent a shockwave rippling through the immediate surroundings, kicking up dust and scattering loose debris.
"Who are you?" Raiga's voice was a low growl, laced with a hint of surprise. His grip tightened on the hilts of the Kiba, the jagged edges seeming to hum with contained lightning.
Sasuke offered no verbal response. He had no intention of engaging in pointless banter. His objective was clear, his resolve unwavering. With a swift backward leap, he created a momentary distance between them, his Sharingan already anticipating Raiga's next move. In a fluid motion, his hands formed the familiar seals.
"Fire Release : Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A torrent of scorching flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth, a swirling vortex of incandescent heat aimed directly at Raiga. The intensity of the jutsu was significant, far surpassing the standard Chunin level, a testament to Sasuke's dedicated training and inherent Uchiha talent.
Raiga, however, was no novice. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, tracked the approaching inferno. With a dismissive flick of his wrists, he swung the Kiba blades in a wide arc before him. The violet lightning crackling around them intensified, forming a shimmering barrier of pure electrical energy. The great fireball slammed into this barrier, the flames momentarily flaring before being violently dispersed, dissipating into harmless wisps of smoke and heat.
Raiga's gaze narrowed, his attention now fully focused on Sasuke's eyes. The unmistakable crimson with its swirling black tomoe could not be mistaken. "Sharingan… You're an Uchiha?" A flicker of surprise crossed his features, quickly replaced by a calculating look. "Why would Konoha send a shinobi after me? I would have thought Kirigakure would be the ones seeking retribution." His words carried a hint of his past, the baggage of a missing-nin from the Hidden Mist.
Again, Sasuke remained silent. Words were unnecessary. His actions would speak volumes. Gathering another surge of chakra, he channeled it into his lungs, the air around him shimmering with heat.
"Fire Release : Fire Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"
This time, the flames took a more focused and aggressive form, coalescing into the roaring visage of a dragon. Its fiery maw opened wide, unleashing a concentrated blast of intense heat and concussive force towards Raiga. The dragon's form writhed through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering heat haze in its wake.
Raiga met the incoming attack with a grim determination. He swung the Kiba blades in a precise counter-movement, the violet lightning erupting outwards in jagged lines.
"Lightning Fang!"
The crackling energy from the Kiba blades shot forth, not as a diffuse barrier this time, but as two ferocious bolts of pure lightning, shaped like the fangs of a predator. They sliced through the air with blinding speed, colliding head-on with the Fire Dragon Bullet.
The impact unleashed a violent explosion of fire and lightning, the two elemental forces colliding in a chaotic burst of energy that illuminated the twilight forest.
As the residual energy dissipated, both shinobi moved with practiced agility. Raiga closed the distance rapidly, the Kiba blades held in a combat-ready stance. Sasuke, too, advanced, the remnants of Chidori still flickering around his katana. The clash that followed was a whirlwind of steel and lightning.
The Kiba blades moved with a terrifying speed and unpredictable trajectory, each strike crackling with potent electrical energy. Raiga wielded them with a practiced ease, a testament to his years of experience and the unique properties of his weapons. Sasuke met each attack with his Chidori-infused katana, the concentrated lightning providing a sharp cutting edge and a disruptive electrical charge upon impact.
Sparks flew as the electrified steel of Sasuke's katana met the lightning-laced edges of the Kiba blades. The air filled with the sharp tang of ozone and the screech of metal against metal. Their movements were a blur, a deadly dance orchestrated by instinct and honed skill.
From within the folds of Raiga's dark cloak, two unique eyes darted back and forth, following Sasuke's every subtle movement. Ranmaru, his unique dojutsu providing Raiga with an almost precognitive awareness of his opponent's intentions, relayed instructions in hushed tones. "Left… high… parry to the right…"
Raiga's movements became even more precise, anticipating Sasuke's attacks before they fully materialized. Despite the raw power of Sasuke's Chidori and the keen edge of his katana, Raiga's ability to predict his strikes gave him a crucial advantage in the close-quarters combat. The Kiba blades, with their serrated edges and constant crackling energy, were a formidable defense and a deadly offense.
Sasuke pressed his attack, feinting high before aiming a low, sweeping strike. Raiga, guided by Ranmaru, effortlessly sidestepped the blow and retaliated with a swift, diagonal slash. Sasuke managed to block, the force of the impact reverberating through his arms. The Chidori flared erratically as it met the opposing lightning, the two energies fighting for dominance at the point of contact.
They traded blow after blow, a symphony of clashing metals and crackling energy echoing through the silent forest. Sasuke pushed his physical limits, his Sharingan working tirelessly to track Raiga's movements and anticipate his attacks. Yet, Raiga's precognitive advantage, courtesy of Ranmaru, consistently allowed him to stay one step ahead.
Then, it happened. During a particularly fierce exchange, Raiga's Kiba blades, crackling with an intense surge of "Lightning Fang," met Sasuke's katana at an oblique angle. The concentrated electrical energy from the Kiba blades focused on a single point along the katana's steel, overwhelming the Chidori's protective aura. A sharp, cracking sound echoed through the air.
Sasuke felt a sudden jolt, a jarring vibration that ran up his arms. His grip remained firm, but the weight and balance of his weapon felt… wrong. He instinctively leaped back, creating distance once more, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the damage.
His katana, the blade he had wielded with such precision and infused with his powerful lightning chakra, was now in two pieces. A clean, jagged break marked the point of impact, the tip of the blade clattering to the ground.
A flicker of something akin to satisfaction crossed Raiga's face. He lowered his Kiba blades slightly, the violet lightning still dancing around their edges. He observed Sasuke, who stood momentarily still, his Sharingan still active but his expression unreadable.
"Hmm… your weapon seems… inadequate," Raiga remarked, a grin slowly spreading across his features. "Such a flashy technique, that blue lightning of yours, yet it could not withstand the might of the Kiba blades. Tell me, young Uchiha," he continued, his voice laced with a mocking curiosity, "why have you come after me?"
Sasuke remained silent for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on the broken halves of his katana. There was no shock, no outward display of dismay. As Raiga had correctly surmised, Sasuke had been aware of the potential outcome. He understood the legendary sharpness and the potent lightning infusion of the Kiba blades. Even enhanced by his Chidori, his standard katana was not designed for prolonged direct confrontation against such formidable weapons.
His silence was not born of defeat, but of a deepening resolve. The sight of his broken blade only served to intensify the burning desire that had driven him to pursue Raiga in the first place. The Kiba blades… they were not merely powerful weapons; they were a symbol of the superior power he craved.
Breaking free from his brief internal contemplation, Sasuke finally lifted his gaze to meet Raiga's. The crimson of his Sharingan seemed to burn brighter, reflecting the unwavering determination within him.
"To claim what's mine," Sasuke stated, his voice low and steady, devoid of any trace of fear or hesitation. "The Kiba blades."
Raiga's grin vanished, replaced by a scowl of pure fury. "Yours?" he spat, his grip tightening fiercely on the hilts of his beloved weapons. "These blades are mine! I have earned them through blood and lightning!" His chakra flared violently, the violet energy around the Kiba blades intensifying to an almost blinding degree.
"Then try to take them!" Raiga roared, channeling an immense amount of chakra into his signature technique. The air around him crackled and shimmered with raw electrical power.
"Lightning Burial : Banquet Of Lightning!"
The ground beneath their feet began to tremble as bolts of pure violet lightning erupted from the earth, forming a chaotic and deadly web of energy that surged towards Sasuke, leaving no room for escape. Raiga's eyes, filled with a furious intensity, remained locked on the young Uchiha, confident that his most devastating jutsu would bring an end to their confrontation.