Hidden Cloud's Lightning Release Ninja Taijutsu

Fists collided with kunai!

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja and Sasuke Uchiha clashed fiercely!

Ever since Sasuke had devoted himself to training chakra control, his taijutsu had improved far beyond what it used to be. Fighting the burly man at close range completely stirred his fighting spirit!

Perhaps he was lacking somewhat in strength and speed, but in terms of taijutsu technique, Sasuke Uchiha was not inferior at all. His taijutsu was filled with Kakashi's style... using the least amount of strength and the smallest movements possible to expand the results.

A young Hidden Cloud Ninja said in surprise, "How is this possible? He's just a little Konoha Genin brat, yet he can withstand Captain Bukai's attacks?"

"Even if it's only for the moment, it's still astonishing..."

Another Hidden Cloud Ninja shook his head with a sigh. "Even I probably wouldn't be able to last any longer against Captain Bukai."

"After all, that brat is from the Uchiha Clan!"

Their companion explained softly, "That brat has already awakened the Sharingan. Isn't it only natural that he can keep fighting the captain? Besides, the captain's strongest technique is his Nintaijutsu!"

"(#`O′) Hey!"

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja pulled back and glared at his chatting subordinates, roaring, "What are you idiots standing around for? Go take care of that brat's teammates!"

Two small figures had already entered his field of vision.

The three Hidden Cloud Ninjas exchanged looks, drew their ninja blades, and leaped onto the trees before using the branches as footing to charge toward Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno.

"Sakura, get behind me."

Naruto Uzumaki stretched out an arm to shield Sakura behind him. Watching the three rapidly approaching figures, his eyes gradually darkened. "Charging at us so openly... you really don't think much of us, do you..."

A Rasengan suddenly spun into existence in his palm!

The gleaming chakra vortex instantly lit up Naruto's face!

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja swung his ninja blade to block Sasuke's attack. Raising his head and seeing that ball of chakra light, his expression abruptly changed. "That jutsu...?"

Naruto violently thrust the chakra vortex forward, knocking down one Hidden Cloud Ninja first, while he himself fell under the joint assault of the other two sword-wielding ninjas...

Clearly, this was what Naruto was worst at...

After narrowly dodging the two blades, Naruto Uzumaki suddenly brought his fingers together. "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Four Shadow Clones appeared beside him out of thin air. They split into pairs to intercept the Hidden Cloud Ninjas, with one clone serving as the main attacker while the other formed a Rasengan!

Clearly, this tactic was effective...

A trace of wariness flashed through the eyes of the two Hidden Cloud Ninjas. They exchanged glances, nodded, and charged forward again with their ninja blades in hand!

Surrounded by Naruto Uzumaki's Shadow Clones, the two Hidden Cloud Ninjas had nowhere to evade. They were struck by Rasengans one after another. Just as the battle was about to end, their bodies each transformed into lightning, taking all of Naruto's Shadow Clones down with them!

Sakura Haruno warned softly, "Naruto, those are Lightning Clones!"

"Sakura, come stand beside me."

Naruto Uzumaki formed a Rasengan in each hand, rapidly gathering chakra as he remained alert for enemies that might appear around them...

Two dark figures suddenly rose beneath the moonlight. Clearly, the two Hidden Cloud Ninjas had no intention of waiting for his jutsu to finish. Their ninja blades flashed as they chopped down at his head!

"Rasengan Impact Wave!"

Naruto Uzumaki raised both hands toward his enemies. The two chakra vortices in his palms instantly split open, and chakra shockwaves burst forth!

Two azure flashes streaked past, and the two Hidden Cloud Ninjas fell to the ground!

Naruto Uzumaki let out a breath, frowning. "I couldn't take out every enemy right away. The jutsu still isn't powerful enough..."

Sakura: "..."

At such a young age, and he was already not speaking human language?

Though Sakura Haruno could not help complaining about her teammate, her heart felt slightly bitter. Ever since they had left the village to carry out missions, she had always been the one being protected.

To put it harshly, she was Team Seven's Dead Last.

It was just that life in Team Seven had been far too pleasant. Sakura Haruno could stay by Sasuke's side whenever she wanted, watch him train, and hand him water and towels after he grew tired from training...

Naruto Uzumaki, who had always wanted to talk to her at the Ninja Academy, was now wholeheartedly focused on training and no longer bothered her and Sasuke much...

Although their Jonin instructor was not particularly reliable in terms of strength, his personality was quite kind. Her teammates were also all strong, and they were continuing to work harder and become stronger.

Sakura Haruno glanced at Naruto Uzumaki in front of her and Sasuke, who was still locked in fierce battle. With a silent sigh, she recalled the advice Kakashi Hatake had given her...

Her chakra control was excellent. She had the talent to become a Medical Ninja, and she could also heal her teammates' injuries.

Medical Ninjas played a major role. Even Sasuke Uchiha would not be able to ignore her existence in battle as he did now; instead, he would need her help.

Naruto Uzumaki paid no attention to Sakura's wandering thoughts. He looked toward the burly Hidden Cloud Ninja and Sasuke Uchiha, who were fighting in a tangle, and said coldly, "Hey, you. All your teammates have been defeated. Give up this pointless resistance!"

"Those three little idiots!"

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja cursed inwardly. He suddenly exerted force through his ninja blade and slashed down hard, knocking Sasuke, who was holding a kunai, back to the side!

Electric light gradually began to flicker across his body as he turned to Naruto Uzumaki. "Brat, do you know what you're saying?"

"If you're deaf, then forget it..."

Naruto Uzumaki extended his hand, rapidly condensing a chakra vortex within it. "Either way, I have no reason to repeat myself a second time..."

"What a sharp tongue!"

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja stomped on the ground and abruptly charged toward Naruto Uzumaki!

His speed was astonishingly fast. Empowered by Lightning Release Chakra, even the wind kicked up by his charge was enough to make people struggle for breath!

This was an old-school Jonin of Kumogakure!

Lightning Release Ninja Taijutsu—when ninjas fought at close quarters, Hidden Cloud Ninjas possessed strength and speed that ordinary ninjas from other villages could scarcely match!

Sasuke Uchiha noticed his path. Gritting his teeth, he gripped his kunai again and tried to block the enemy's advance. "Hey, I'm your opponent!"

"Get lost!"

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja kicked at Sasuke's chest!

Sasuke Uchiha smiled faintly. His scarlet Sharingan had already seen through the enemy's attack. What a childish move...

Sasuke Uchiha swung his kunai, about to attack the opening exposed by his opponent, when his chest felt as though it had been struck by a hammer. He flew backward!

"Sasuke!"

Sakura Haruno panicked and tried to rush over.

Naruto Uzumaki stopped her. "Sakura, don't go over there!"

"Don't come over!"

Sasuke Uchiha waved to stop his teammates from entering danger. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed at himself. "The Sharingan clearly saw through his movements, but my body's speed couldn't keep up?"

"Brat, your brain is pretty sharp. No wonder your body is so fragile..."

The burly Hidden Cloud Ninja sneered at Sasuke. "My legs are empowered by Lightning Release Chakra. In terms of both speed and strength, aside from Lord A and Lord B, no one can surpass me in Nintaijutsu!"

"Is that so?"

Naruto Uzumaki vaguely felt that he was bragging, but he did not know much about Kumogakure and could not find anything to refute. He grew increasingly wary.

Nintaijutsu was Kumogakure's signature...

Was this guy the third most powerful person in Kumogakure?

First update

Bukai: Let me tell you, in all of Kumogakure, aside from Lord A and Lord B, no one else is better than me!

Naruto Uzumaki: So you're the third most powerful person in Kumogakure?

Bukai: Hm? Mm-hmm, that's right!

Naruto Uzumaki: That'll be troublesome...

Samui: Don't listen to him bragging. Every Jonin who trains Nintaijutsu says that aside from the Fourth Raikage and Lord Killer B, no one can beat them!

Naruto Uzumaki: So he isn't the third most powerful person in Kumogakure?

Samui: ???? Every one of them thinks he's third, but in truth, they can't even rank thirtieth...