Encountering such a genius disciple like Killer Bee, Fukai felt like a complete failure as a teacher. He looked at the thoughtful Killer Bee and asked:
"Do you know why this is?"
"Why? Even though both are infused with lightning chakra, the difference is still so big," Killer Bee looked up and asked Fukai.
Fukai didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of lightning?"
Killer Bee nodded, "Lightning beats earth, but it's at a disadvantage against wind, so its weakness is wind."
Fukai nodded and said,"That's correct. Lightning is indeed at a disadvantage compared to wind. But in fact, lightning release can generate high-frequency vibration waves, which gives it piercing power that surpasses wind release. This is another way of using lightning release in combination with ninja tools. Just now, I used lightning attached to the kunai to create high-frequency vibration waves, which gave it such strong penetration. Compared to your method, you merely infused the weapon with lightning, so naturally your penetration wasn't as strong."
After hearing this, Killer Bee's eyes lit up and he exclaimed in realization, "So that's how it is! I get it now." At this moment, Killer Bee suddenly remembered—wasn't this technique something he himself had used in the original story?
"Good." Seeing that his disciple had understood, Fukai continued:
"Once you've mastered the slash from earlier, I'll teach you the next method of combining lightning release with ninja tools. For now, start practicing! Time waits for no one."
"Yes, teacher! I'll start right away," Killer Bee responded. He then drew his blade and began practicing alone.
Wind Blade!
Whoosh! A slash shot toward a bird in the sky. The bird didn't seem to sense the danger and kept flying. The slash grazed past it and disappeared into the sky. Startled, the bird let out a cry and quickly flew elsewhere.
Watching Killer Bee's attack, Fukai nodded in evaluation:"Not bad, not bad—you've made some progress again."
Wind Blade! Killer Bee shouted again.
And so, Killer Bee continued to practice his slashes while traveling, reflecting and refining the technique in hopes of mastering it.
Time flew by. Several hours passed.
Wind Blade!
Whoosh! A sharp crescent-shaped wind slash shot into the sky. A pained cry rang out, and a small bird dropped from the sky.
Seeing Killer Bee's steadily improving swordsmanship, even the well-traveled Fukai was amazed by his terrifying talent for learning.
"That's enough. Your swordsmanship is nearly proficient. What's left is to put it into practice in actual combat. Try to be able to release slashes instinctively. When we reach the mission site, I'll teach you how to further combine lightning release with ninja tools."
Phew… Hearing his teacher's words, Killer Bee let out a breath. After training for hours, he was truly exhausted. If not for his unique physique that could automatically restore stamina and chakra, he would've collapsed from exhaustion long ago. Now was the perfect time to rest a bit.
Seeing Killer Bee catching his breath, A asked with concern,"Bee, want big bro to carry you for a bit?"
"No need, big bro. I'll recover soon," Killer Bee replied.
"Alright. But if you really can't keep going, just say so. There's no shame in that," A said before continuing forward.
Hearing his big brother's concern, Killer Bee felt warm inside and replied,"Don't worry, big bro. I won't push myself too hard."
In the western border forest of the Land of Lightning, a sensor-type ninja wearing a Hidden Rock forehead protector said to the few people in front of him:
"Captain, a three-man team is rapidly approaching us. Two of them are jōnin, and the third is a child. But that kid has chakra levels comparable to an elite chūnin."
"Got it." The man addressed as captain took out a scroll and said,"This is the enemy patrol strength and shift schedule for Sector CED on the Land of Lightning's border. Take this and go ahead. The four of us will handle that team and catch up with you afterward."
"Yes, sir." The sensor ninja took the scroll, turned around, and with a few leaps vanished into the dense forest.
"En, that kid's yours later. We'll use jutsu to scatter them and then pick them off one by one…"
"No problem," the man named En replied."Be careful on your end too. After all, they're still jōnin."
"We know," another ninja responded.
By now, the sun was leaning westward. As the group moved through the forest, Killer Bee called out,"Big bro, are we almost there yet?"
A responded, "We're almost there. Speed up a bit and we might make it before dark."
"Got it," Fukai replied as well, picking up the pace.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Suddenly, a low shout rang out, and dozens—if not hundreds—of shuriken came flying toward them like a storm.
Tatatat! The three of them instantly scattered like lightning.Thunk thunk thunk! The sound of shuriken embedding into trees followed.
Fire Release: Fireball Flame Bullet!
Whoosh! Just as Killer Bee landed, a blast of scorching heat rushed toward him. A fireball came speeding at him, forcing him to quickly use a substitution technique to dodge.Boom! The fireball slammed into a tree trunk and exploded.
Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!Meanwhile, as Fukai and A dodged the shuriken, an earth-style jutsu was already charging at them. They had no choice but to separate further.Rumble! Several ancient trees were destroyed by the earth dragon.
A combination of a shuriken shadow clone jutsu, a fire release, and an earth release—three well-timed attacks successfully separated the trio. A and Fukai's first instinct was to regroup with Killer Bee, especially since the enemy targeting him was a chūnin, and Killer Bee hadn't experienced real combat yet. They were naturally very worried. But with two jōnin blocking their way, they had no choice but to shift focus and deal with the threats in front of them.
Lightning Roar Slash!
Fukai swung his sword with one hand, and lightning flashed. Several lightning birds formed from chakra shot toward the enemy at high speed.
Body Flicker Technique!
The enemy let out a low shout.Whoosh! In an instant, the man vanished.
Boom!A massive explosion followed. Several ancient trees hit by the lightning birds exploded into splinters and debris.
"You seem really worried about your comrades, huh? Don't worry—En will finish off that kid soon. And you'll get to see him again very soon," the Iwagakure shinobi, who had dodged the attack using the Body Flicker Technique, stood calmly in an open area nearby. His eyes looked at Fukai like he was already a dead man.
Lightning Roar Slash!The only reply he got was another powerful lightning slash.
Earth Release: Fissure Palm!Almost at the same time, cracks burst open on the ground beneath Fukai's feet, rapidly spreading toward him.