First Battle at Thunder Port Establishes Might, Cloud Canyon Trial Begins the Journey

The sea breeze at the port of the Land of Lightning carried the scorched scent of electricity. Three Lightning Style: Earth Flow techniques instantly spread across the ground, and cyan-blue currents slithered toward Su Ye and his two companions like venomous snakes. Su Ye's gaze sharpened; as his Rinne Sharingan whirled, pale purple chakra condensed into light patterns beneath his feet. The moment the currents touched these patterns, they were forcibly twisted in direction, channeled through the gaps in the port's reefs and into the sea, splashing up a sky full of electrified spray.

"The essence of Lightning Style is charge conduction; as long as you alter the trajectory of the energy flow, you can break it." Before Su Ye's voice had even faded, the lead Lightning ninja leaped up, wielding the Thunder Blade: Fang. The blade was wreathed in high-density lightning chakra as he slashed toward Sasuke. Sasuke did not retreat but advanced instead, the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword manifesting in his palm. As the crimson-gold flames collided with the cyan-blue lightning, a sizzling sound erupted, and the current on the blade was forced into retreat by the searing heat.

"What kind of flame is this?" The Lightning ninja's face was full of shock; he had never seen a fire capable of suppressing Lightning Style. Sasuke sneered, flicking his wrist, and the flames spread along the blade, threatening the ninja's face. Just then, the other two Lightning ninjas simultaneously unleashed the Lightning Style: Lightning Ball technique, sending two basketball-sized spheres of electricity toward Sasuke's back. Seeing this, Naruto's golden chakra erupted instantly, activating Nine-Tails Mode. A prototype Tailed Beast Bomb condensed in his palm, striking the lightning balls with precision and shattering them into a sky full of sparks.

Su Ye teleported behind the lead Lightning ninja, his pale purple chakra condensing into a palm that he pressed lightly against the man's shoulder. The power of the Rinne surged through the ninja's chakra meridians, instantly sealing his lightning conduction. The Thunder Blade: Fang fell from the ninja's hand with a clatter, and he collapsed to his knees, his body drained of strength. "We are not here to provoke the Thunder Clan; we only wish to pass the Thunder God Trial and obtain the Thunder God Pearl." Su Ye's voice carried an unquestionable weight. "If you insist on blocking us, you will only give the remnants of the Shadow of the Ancient God an opportunity to strike."

The Lightning ninjas exchanged glances, and the leader struggled to his feet, looking at the three with a complex expression. "I am Darui, a direct guard to the Raikage. Your strength is indeed formidable, but the Thunder God Trial is a secret matter of the Thunder Clan. I must first report this to our clan leader, Lord Thunder Fang." With that, Darui took out a communication scroll, quickly recorded the situation, and activated it with lightning chakra. The scroll transformed into a bolt of electricity and streaked toward Cloud Thunder Gorge.

Half an hour later, rapid footsteps echoed from outside the port. A burly man wreathed in violent lightning chakra approached, wearing the Raikage's hat and bearing the unique markings of the Thunder Clan on his face—this was the clan leader, Thunder Fang. "So, you are the ones who want to participate in the Thunder God Trial?" Thunder Fang's voice was like a peal of thunder, causing the reefs at the port to tremble slightly. His Byakugan (it is established here that Thunder Fang is of mixed Thunder Clan and Hyuga descent, possessing partial Byakugan abilities) swept over the three, and when he saw Su Ye's Rinne Sharingan, a flicker of wariness crossed his eyes.

"The Six Paths Secret Record states that the Thunder God Pearl is one of the five great Bloodline Treasures. Now that the Shadow of the Ancient God is about to awaken, only by gathering all the treasures can we prevent the catastrophe." Sasuke handed the Six Paths Secret Record to Thunder Fang; the entries regarding the Thunder God Pearl glowed with a red light. Thunder Fang flipped through the record, his brows gradually furrowing. "I have heard the legends of the Shadow of the Ancient God, but I never expected them to be true. However, the Thunder God Trial is incredibly perilous; in the last hundred years, fewer than ten members of the Thunder Clan have passed it."

"We have a reason why we must pass." Naruto stepped forward, his golden chakra resonating with the Uzumaki Sealing Stone within him, causing a pale blue light to emanate from his body. Thunder Fang felt the power of the sealing stone, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. "The sealing power of the Uzumaki clan... it seems you truly have obtained the Uzumaki Sealing Stone. Very well, I will give you a chance. In three days, the Thunder God Trial will begin at Cloud Thunder Gorge. If you pass the three trials, the Thunder God Pearl is yours; if you fail, you shall remain in Cloud Thunder Gorge forever, becoming sacrifices to the Thunder God."

The three followed Thunder Fang toward Cloud Thunder Gorge, and the sights along the way left them in awe. The peaks on either side of the gorge towered into the clouds, wreathed in dense, tangled lightning that formed a natural barrier. At the bottom of the gorge flowed a turbulent river, the water itself carrying faint traces of lightning chakra, while countless rocks flickering with electricity floated upon its surface.

"This is the site of the Thunder God Trial." Thunder Fang pointed to three platforms in the center of the gorge. "The first stage, 'Power of Thunder,' is filled with Thunder God Pillars. You must survive for half an hour among the pillars while resisting lightning attacks. The second stage, 'Speed of Light,' requires you to catch the moving Thunder God Bird amidst the gorge's lightning storms. The third stage, 'Will of the Thunder God,' is to face my full-power attack and endure for the time it takes for one incense stick to burn."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Thunder God Trial officially began. Su Ye, Sasuke, and Naruto stood on the platform for the first stage. Suddenly, the surrounding Thunder God Pillars lit up, and countless bolts of lightning shot from them, forming a massive electric net that enveloped the three. "The intensity of these lightning bolts will gradually increase," Thunder Fang's voice echoed from above the gorge. "If you cannot hold on, shout that you give up."

Naruto activated Nine-Tails Mode, his golden chakra forming a shield around him; the lightning struck the shield, sending ripples across its surface. "Passive defense is not the answer!" Sasuke shouted, swinging the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword. Crimson-gold flames formed a wall of fire in front of him, incinerating the incoming lightning. Su Ye operated his Rinne Sharingan, seeing through the energy nodes of the Thunder God Pillars. His pale purple chakra condensed into a sword, and he precisely severed several of the weakest pillars, creating a gap in the electric net.

Just then, a giant Thunder God Pillar rose in the center of the platform, and a bolt of lightning as thick as a barrel struck toward Su Ye. Su Ye's pupils constricted; he teleported to Sasuke's side and injected his Rinne power into the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword. The crimson-gold flames and pale purple chakra intertwined to form a three-colored beam of light, forcibly splitting the giant lightning bolt. "The intensity of this lightning is already approaching a Tailed Beast Bomb!" Naruto was shocked; he could feel the energy within the lightning continuing to climb.

The half-hour felt like an ordeal, and when the final bolt of lightning dissipated, all three were panting heavily. Thunder Fang flew down from above the gorge, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "The first stage is passed. Next is the second stage: you must catch the Thunder God Bird in the gorge within one hour. Remember, the Thunder God Bird is faster than lightning, and it releases paralyzing electricity. Once struck, you will lose the ability to move."

No sooner had he spoken than a giant bird, entirely condensed from lightning, flew out from the depths of the gorge. As its wings flapped, countless tiny bolts of lightning rained down upon the three. Naruto was the first to give chase, his Nine-Tails chakra condensing into air currents beneath his feet as he transformed into a streak of golden light. "Wait for me!" Sasuke injected the power of the golden Fire Seed into his legs, his speed instantly increasing several times over as he followed close behind. Su Ye utilized space-time ninjutsu, teleporting repeatedly in an attempt to close the distance to the Thunder God Bird.

The Thunder God Bird sensed its pursuers, suddenly turning to release a wide-range paralyzing lightning strike. Naruto reacted quickly, forming a barrier of golden chakra, but the lightning still pierced through, leaving his body slightly numb. Sasuke seized the opportunity to accelerate, slashing his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword toward the bird's wing. The bird flapped its wings, dodging the attack while firing a bolt of lightning at Sasuke. Su Ye teleported in front of Sasuke, absorbing the lightning with his Rinne power while condensing pale purple chakra into chains to bind the bird's talons.

"Now!" Naruto leaped up, a Tailed Beast Bomb condensing in his palm, and slammed it into the bird's back. The Thunder God Bird let out a shrill cry, its body gradually dissipating until it transformed into a feather patterned with lightning. Sasuke reached out to catch the feather, and the Six Paths Secret Record opened automatically. The feather merged into the pages, and a line of text appeared: "Second stage passed. The test of the 'Will of the Thunder God' begins."

The three arrived at the platform for the third stage, where Thunder Fang was already waiting. He removed his hat, and the lightning chakra surrounding his body became violent to the extreme, the air around him ionizing and crackling with "zizi" sounds. "My Lightning Style: Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop has shattered the defenses of Tailed Beasts," Thunder Fang's voice carried a heavy pressure. "If you can endure for the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, you pass the trial."

Before he had finished speaking, Thunder Fang launched his attack. His body transformed into a streak of light, his speed reaching its peak, and his fist, wreathed in violent lightning chakra, struck toward Su Ye. Su Ye operated his Rinne Sharingan, barely catching Thunder Fang's trajectory, and teleported to dodge while condensing a shield of pale purple chakra. With a loud "bang," the shield was shattered by Thunder Fang's punch, and Su Ye was knocked back several steps, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Sasuke and Naruto launched their attacks simultaneously, the flames of the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword and Naruto's Tailed Beast Bomb striking toward Thunder Fang. Thunder Fang did not dodge, instead forming hand seals: "Lightning Style: Lightning Armor!" A layer of high-density lightning chakra covered his entire body; the flames and the Tailed Beast Bomb struck the armor but failed to cause any damage. "Is this the Thunder Clan's strongest defense?" Sasuke's brows were locked in a frown; he could feel the chakra within the armor constantly compressing.

Thunder Fang turned and struck toward Naruto, his fist carrying world-shattering power. Naruto activated the full Nine-Tails Mode, his Tailed Beast Cloak covering his body as he met Thunder Fang's punch head-on. With a "crack," a sharp pain shot through Naruto's arm, and the lightning from the armor spread along the cloak, attempting to paralyze his nerves. Su Ye teleported behind Thunder Fang, injecting Rinne power into his palm and striking toward the center of Thunder Fang's back. Thunder Fang sensed the attack, and his armor erupted, blasting Su Ye away.

"This can't go on!" Sasuke suddenly recalled an entry in the Six Paths Secret Record. "The weakness of the Lightning Armor is the gap in the chakra flow! Su Ye, use the Rinne Sharingan to find his chakra nodes; Naruto, use the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone to disrupt his chakra!" Su Ye immediately activated the Rinne Sharingan, his pale purple ocular power piercing through the armor to clearly see the trajectory of Thunder Fang's chakra flow. "At the third rib on the left chest, the chakra flow is the slowest!"

Naruto injected the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone into his Tailed Beast Bomb, pale blue sealing runes wrapping around the golden sphere of chakra as he blasted it toward Thunder Fang's left chest. Thunder Fang sensed the danger and tried to dodge, but Su Ye had already teleported to his side, using his Rinne power to restrict his movement. The Tailed Beast Bomb struck Thunder Fang's left chest with precision, the sealing runes erupting instantly and causing the chakra on the Lightning Armor to fall into chaos.

Sasuke seized the opportunity, the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword condensing the full power of the golden Fire Seed as the crimson-gold flames transformed into a long sword, slashing at Thunder Fang's armor. With a "bang," a gap was cleaved into the armor, and Thunder Fang, having suffered a heavy blow, retreated several steps. At that moment, the time for the incense stick to burn ended. Thunder Fang looked at the three, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You have passed the Thunder God Trial."

Thunder Fang led the three to a temple deep within Cloud Thunder Gorge. On a stone platform in the center of the temple, a sphere entirely condensed from lightning floated—this was the Thunder God Pearl. "The Thunder God Pearl is yours." Thunder Fang handed the pearl to Su Ye. "But I have one request: if you go to war with the Shadow of the Ancient God, the Thunder Clan is willing to send all our combat forces to support you." Su Ye took the Thunder God Pearl, and as his pale purple chakra intertwined with the lightning power, it formed a dazzling light. "Thank you, Clan Leader. The peace of the ninja world requires us to protect it together."

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the temple. Darui ran in, looking panicked. "Clan Leader, it's bad! Remnants of the Shadow of the Ancient God have attacked the Thunder Clan's base and taken the clan's secret treasure—the Thunder God Hammer!" Thunder Fang's expression changed drastically; the Thunder God Hammer was a divine artifact capable of amplifying the power of the Thunder God Pearl. If it fell into the hands of the remnants, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Su Ye and his companions exchanged glances, their expressions grave. "It seems they had their eyes on the Thunder Clan all along." Sasuke gripped the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword tightly. "According to the Six Paths Secret Record, the Thunder God Hammer can be used in conjunction with the Thunder God Pearl to unleash world-shattering lightning power. We must retrieve the hammer as soon as possible." Thunder Fang nodded, quickly gathering the Thunder Clan ninjas and rushing toward the base.

When they arrived at the Thunder Clan's base, the area was already in ruins. Dozens of Thunder Clan ninjas lay on the ground, and a man in a black cloak, wielding the Thunder God Hammer, was locked in fierce combat with several Lightning ninjas. Seeing Su Ye and the others, the man sneered. "I didn't expect you to pass the Thunder God Trial. But it doesn't matter; with the Thunder God Hammer, even without the Thunder God Pearl, I can contribute enough power to Lord Shadow of the Ancient God."

The man raised the Thunder God Hammer, and violent lightning power surged toward the group. Su Ye operated his Rinne Sharingan, his pale purple chakra condensing into a barrier to block the lightning while he teleported behind the man. He injected Rinne power into his palm and struck toward the man's back. However, the man was prepared, swinging the Thunder God Hammer horizontally toward Su Ye. Su Ye could not dodge in time, was struck by the wind of the hammer, and sent flying backward.

Sasuke and Naruto launched their attacks simultaneously, crimson-gold flames and a golden Tailed Beast Bomb striking toward the man. The man swung the Thunder God Hammer, and the lightning power formed a barrier that blocked all their attacks. "It's useless!" the man laughed wildly. "The Thunder God Hammer can absorb the lightning power of heaven and earth; the stronger your attacks, the stronger my power becomes."

Su Ye climbed up from the ground, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. He fused the Thunder God Pearl with his Rinne power, and as the pale purple chakra intertwined with the lightning, it formed a long sword. "Sasuke, use the golden Fire Seed power to strengthen my sword; Naruto, use the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone to restrict his Thunder God Hammer!" Sasuke and Naruto immediately complied, crimson-gold flames and pale blue sealing runes condensing onto the sword.

Su Ye leaped up, the long sword carrying the power of the three elements as he slashed toward the man. The man raised the Thunder God Hammer to block, and as the three-fold power collided with the lightning, the entire Thunder Clan base shook violently. "Impossible!" the man's face was filled with disbelief; the lightning power on the Thunder God Hammer was actually being suppressed by the three-fold power. Su Ye flicked his wrist, the long sword sliding through a gap in the hammer and severing the man's arm.

The Thunder God Hammer fell to the ground with a clatter, and the man let out a miserable scream before dissipating into a wisp of black mist. Thunder Fang stepped forward, picked up the Thunder God Hammer, and handed it to Su Ye. "Take this hammer as well. Only you can unleash its true power." Su Ye took the Thunder God Hammer, feeling the lightning power contained within it, and a strong sense of responsibility surged in his heart.

"We have already obtained three of the five great Bloodline Treasures." Sasuke opened the Six Paths Secret Record, and information about the final treasure appeared on the page: "The final treasure, the Earth Crystal of the Earth Clan, is hidden deep within Iwagakure in the Land of Earth. According to the records, the Earth Crystal is guarded by the Tsuchikage himself. To obtain it, one must pass the Earth Trial of Iwagakure."

Naruto clenched his fists, a determined light shining in his eyes. "No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, we must persevere. The peace of the ninja world is in our hands." Su Ye nodded, his Rinne Sharingan gazing toward the Land of Earth. He could feel that the aura of the Shadow of the Ancient God was growing stronger; a final battle was about to begin.

Thunder Fang prepared the fastest means of transport for the three—the Thunder Hawk. The three mounted the hawk and flew toward Iwagakure in the Land of Earth. Along the way, Su Ye continuously refined the power of the Thunder God Pearl and the Thunder God Hammer, his Rinne power and lightning power gradually merging, resulting in a qualitative leap in his strength. Sasuke and Naruto were also constantly honing their coordination, their golden Fire Seed power, Nine-Tails chakra, and the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone working together with increasing synergy.

When the Thunder Hawk arrived above Iwagakure, a massive Earth Style barrier blocked their path. A ninja dressed in Iwagakure attire flew out from behind the barrier, wielding Earth Style ninja tools and looking at the three with vigilance. "Who goes there? Iwagakure is not a place for outsiders to intrude at will!" Su Ye stepped forward, taking out the Six Paths Secret Record and the Thunder God Pearl. "We have come for the Earth Crystal of the Earth Clan and wish to participate in the Earth Trial." The ninja's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing the Thunder God Pearl. "I must report this to Lord Tsuchikage; wait here." With that, the ninja turned and flew deep into Iwagakure.

The three landed on a hill outside Iwagakure, looking toward the village in the distance. Iwagakure was built against the mountains, its houses all constructed of stone, and the entire village exuded an aura of weight and stability. "The Earth Trial of the Earth Clan must be related to defense and strength," Naruto said, sensing the chakra within his body. "I have the power of the Nine-Tails; I should be able to handle it." Sasuke nodded, the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword vibrating slightly in his palm, as if anticipating a new challenge.

Su Ye closed his eyes, operating his Rinne power to sense the aura deep within Iwagakure. He could feel a powerful Earth Style chakra, a power that was steady and heavy, as immovable as the earth itself. "The Tsuchikage's strength is likely even greater than Thunder Fang's," Su Ye opened his eyes, a flicker of gravity in his gaze. "This Earth Trial will be the most difficult challenge we have faced yet."

Before long, the gates of Iwagakure slowly opened. A short, stout man exuding Earth Style chakra walked out, wearing the Tsuchikage's hat and bearing the markings of Iwagakure on his face—this was the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. "So, you are the ones who want to participate in the Earth Trial?" Ōnoki's voice carried authority. "The Earth Crystal is a treasure of the Earth Clan, bearing the earth power of the Land of Earth. To obtain it, you must prove you have the qualifications to protect it."

"We have already passed the Byakugan trial and the Thunder God Trial, obtaining the Byakugan Glazed Bead, the Uzumaki Sealing Stone, and the Thunder God Pearl." Sasuke took out the three treasures, their light intertwining to illuminate the entire hill. Ōnoki's eyes flashed with surprise as he saw the treasures. "I didn't expect you to have gathered three. Very well, I will give you a chance. In three days, the Earth Trial will begin. If you pass, the Earth Crystal is yours; if you fail, you shall remain in Iwagakure forever, becoming a part of the earth." With that, Ōnoki turned and walked into Iwagakure, and the Earth Style barrier slowly closed.

The three exchanged glances, a determined light flashing in their eyes. "We must obtain the final treasure!" Su Ye gripped the Thunder God Hammer in his hand, pale purple chakra and lightning power intertwining. Sasuke and Naruto also released their chakra simultaneously, crimson-gold flames and golden...