Emperor Of White Lightning (CH 2)

A/N: This story is rated M for mature content not suitable for children.

This chapter was commissioned.

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Chapter 2: Growth and Evaluation

Flashback Scene Ahead

B-class Dungeon

Naruto turned his head to survey his surroundings, aware that a group of demon wolves was poised to strike. The alpha was concealed deep within the forest, but Uzumaki could sense its presence.

"Let's give this a shot," Naruto declared, inhaling deeply before releasing a stream of white flames fueled by mana from his mouth, proclaiming, "Flames of Destruction."

Contrary to Naruto's earlier belief, Baran does possess fire-based attacks; however, the Monarch chose not to reveal this to his host. One day, while at home, Naruto unexpectedly sneezed, resulting in white flames bursting from his mouth and causing significant destruction to his apartment's bathroom.

Following that, Naruto engaged in an extensive conversation with Baran, though it was more one-sided as the monarch paid little attention to him. Naruto speculated that Baran refrained from teaching him about the white flames because it was a unique technique that only he could wield. Now that Naruto had mastered it, it likely stung Baran's pride or something similar to see him using those white flames.

"Wow, that was impressive," Naruto said quietly. He had attempted to utilize the new abilities he acquired from merging with the mid-rank time spirit, and it went surprisingly well—perhaps even better than he expected. "This power might just give me an edge in battling formidable foes like the shadow monarch."

The white flames incinerated most of the white wolves, leaving just a handful and the alpha alive. The blonde couldn't help but grin at how much he had improved, all thanks to his time-manipulation abilities.

After Naruto took in the time spirit, he began contemplating how to enhance his skills rapidly. In his previous life, he utilized the shadow clone jutsu, which enabled him to master techniques quickly. However, he no longer possessed that ability. Instead, he had Baran and the powers granted by the time spirit to aid him.

"That's when I unintentionally discovered a method to accelerate my growth," Naruto reflected as he replayed his battle in an A-rank Dungeon filled with unexpectedly powerful succubi. Suddenly, the world around him shifted, and he found himself back in the Dungeon, witnessing his past self face off against three succubi. "Initially, I believed I was in my Mindscape, but I soon realized it was a temporal shift that allowed me to watch my earlier fight. I could observe my actions and even participate to correct my mistakes and enhance my skills."

It wasn't the shadow clone technique, but rather the temporal system that Naruto created, which proved to be equally beneficial in certain ways. It allowed him to reflect on his past errors and identify his opponents' vulnerabilities, enabling him to avoid repeating those mistakes in the future.

"I can also participate in the battle, which is a nice advantage," Naruto reflected as he recalled the surprise he felt when he made contact with his past self and merged with him. He had to confront the final succubus, but by that time, he had already figured out their vulnerabilities and took advantage of them, finishing the fight more quickly than he had the first time.

Naruto swiftly avoided the threat he sensed approaching from behind. Activating his lightning cloak, he enhanced his speed to escape. When he glanced back, he saw the alpha wolf—a gigantic black werewolf—staring at him with its piercing red eyes.

"So you’ve decided to reveal yourself at last," Naruto remarked to the creature, which growled at him as if offended by his suggestion that it had been in hiding. "Alright, let’s wrap this up, big fella."

The two glared at each other, and in an instant, Naruto disappeared in a flash of white lightning, while the wolf vanished in a surge of wild, accelerated fury.

A few moments later, Naruto stood over the burning body of the alpha wolf. He had suffered a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious. The Uzumaki reflected on the mistakes he made during the fight and decided to utilize his temporal system to observe and improve himself for the future.

"You've performed admirably for a human," Baran remarked in a low tone, catching Naruto off guard since the demon monarch had been silent for quite some time. "However, I've been pondering something: your Sage power allows you to summon spirits, which are essentially the conscious physical embodiments of reality. Why limit yourself to merging with just a time spirit? Is it possible for you to separate from it and harness the abilities of other spirits as well?"

Naruto was left in shock by Baran's words; he had never considered that perspective before. He had been so consumed with mastering the powers of the time spirit and Baran that he hadn't taken the time to examine his own magical skills and the limitations of his Sage abilities.

SLAP

Naruto smacked his forehead in frustration, repeating “idiot, idiot, idiot.” The Uzumaki lamented how he failed to consider this option for himself. It reminded him of his previous life when he trained with Jiraiya, where he prioritized his tenant's power over developing his own. “But if I can harness and combine with other spirits, the potential is limitless,” he thought.

The idea of harnessing the abilities of the spirits of light, darkness, fire, earth, wind, water, lightning, life, and time sent a thrill of excitement through Naruto. He envisioned a level of power that would elevate him beyond any hunter in the world, transforming him into a being that rivals the monarchs and rulers.

Flashback Scene End

Korean Hunters Association

Training Facility

"Well, look who finally showed up, brat," Go Gunhee remarked with a big smile. He wasn't by himself in the training facility; there were a number of hunters with him, and Naruto suspected they were there to assess whether he was strong enough to lead his own guild. "You sure took your time getting here," the old man teased.

"Sure, I would have arrived earlier if someone had given me a heads up that reporters were waiting outside to catch me off guard," Naruto remarked, shooting a glare at Go Gunhee, who chuckled, revealing that he intentionally withheld that information from Naruto. "I'll make you pay for that, old man."

"Go ahead and give it your all, kid," Gunhee replied, brushing off Naruto's threat. His demeanor shifted to a more serious tone as he signaled to the silent hunters nearby, who had been observing their exchange. "To demonstrate your abilities to the world, you need to select two opponents and confront them. Winning isn't necessary; all you need to do is prove that you’re worthy of your S rank."

"So, I get to pick my opponents?" Naruto inquired, receiving a nod from Go Gunhee. He surveyed the S-rank Hunters, noting their various strengths; some radiated an intimidating aura while others concealed their true abilities. "Okay, I’ll go with those two."

"Ah, so you've picked Hwang Dong-Su and Eunseok," Go Gunhee remarked, observing Naruto's selection of adversaries. "Is there a specific reason behind your choices?"

"Absolutely," Naruto responded, while Dong-Su smirked at him with an air of confidence as if he had already secured victory. "That guy seems like a jerk, so I'm going to take him down. As for Eunseok, I just picked him randomly."

"Sounds like something you would do," Gunhee said quietly while shaking his head. Dong-Su shot an angry look at Naruto for his remark, but the blonde hunter seemed unfazed. "So, who do you want to take on first?"

"I'd prefer to take on Eunseok first and leave that jerk for last," Naruto said with a smirk, noticing Dong-Su clenching his jaw. He would have lunged at him if he hadn’t known it would lead to more trouble than it was worth.

"Okay, head to the training area and we can start," Go Gunhee instructed as Naruto and Eunseok made their way down to the training floor together, while Go Gunhee and the other hunters ascended to the observation deck to watch the match.

Observation Floor

"That damn punk," Dong-Su grumbled under his breath as Naruto strolled off with Eunseok, while the other hunter headed upstairs to watch the match. "If Eunseok doesn’t put him in his place, I sure as hell will!"

Go Gunhee couldn’t help but chuckle when he heard this! It’s fantastic to see Dong-Su so pumped up for the challenge. This enthusiasm will definitely spice up the match with Naruto, especially if the spirited blonde hunter manages to triumph over Eunseok. What an exciting showdown that promises to be!

Choi Jong-In let out a sigh upon hearing Dong-Su's words, "You're behaving like a typical thug." The fire mage hunter remarked. Dong-Su shot him a glare and was ready to confront him directly, but he quickly noticed that all the other S-rank hunters were watching, prompting him to retreat.

"Listen up, you pathetic nerd, just stay out of my face!" Dong-Su snapped, turning away from everyone. He realized he didn't stand a chance against the entire squad of S-rank hunters, so he decided to just brush them off and ignore their nonsense.

"Hey everyone, let’s take a deep breath and remember we’re all in this together as friends!" Min Byung-Gyu chimed in, eager to keep the peace and avoid any scuffles. He really doesn’t like fighting at all, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him when Naruto passed him by for the match—after all, he’s an S rank hunter, but his true talent is in healing!

Baek Yoonho inquired, showing little interest in the conflict with Dong-Su, "What are your thoughts on Naruto's performance, Go Gunhee? I've heard rumors about him soloing Dungeons, but there are no official records detailing his abilities aside from his lightning attacks."

"Are you concerned about your friend Eunseok?" Go Gunhee asked with a knowing grin. Yoonho was attempting to gather details about Naruto from him, but he didn't really have much insight into the blonde either. "I can't tell you much about the kid, but I can say this: he's definitely strong."

Lim Tae-Gyu remarked while glancing down at Naruto and Eunseok, who were seated across from each other, awaiting the signal to begin. "So, you think highly of the kid, huh?" The archer felt uncertain about what was to come, but if Go Gunhee recognized something unique in Naruto, he must be extraordinary.

Ma Dong-Wook expressed his lack of admiration for Naruto, noting that he didn't appear very muscular. "He must be a mage-type hunter," he concluded.

Choi Jong-In remarked, "It sounds like you're implying that mage-type hunters are inferior, Ma Dong-Wook. If I recall correctly, I'm stronger than you." He expressed his frustration over some hunters' tendency to underestimate mage-type hunters, who are often perceived as weak in close combat situations.

Baek Yoonho chose not to join the discussion, understanding that although he specialized in close-range combat, Mage-type hunters could be just as perilous, if not more so, than those who excelled in melee fighting.

Dong-Su glared at Naruto, still furious with the fucker. A wicked grin spread across his face as he imagined tearing that blonde bastard to shreds. He almost hoped Eunseok would lose to the punk so he could have the opportunity to shatter every bone in his body.

Training Facility

As Naruto and Eunseok entered the training room, the door closed securely behind them. The hunter moved to the center of the room and turned to face them.

Eunseok expressed his curiosity, saying, "I've heard you're skilled in Lightning magic." He gazed intently at Naruto and added, "I also practice lightning magic, so is that the reason you selected me to gauge your abilities?"

Naruto smiled at Eunseok's comment and felt Baran awaken inside him. "To be truthful, you may not be the strongest here, but you’re certainly not the weakest," the Uzumaki remarked, his eyes sparking with energy. "and yes I chose you to see how you use lightning magic differs from my own."

The two competitors exchanged determined glances, eager to determine who excelled in lightning magic. They stood by, anticipating the countdown displayed on a screen in the center of the room, marking the start of their challenge from ten seconds.

3..2...1..Start

The moment the monitor lit up with the word "start," the two competitors sprang into action. Naruto's body crackled with electricity, while Eunseok unleashed bolts of lightning from his hands, targeting the Uzumaki directly.

BOOM

The fortified chamber trembled as Eunseok's strike created a cloud of smoke, causing minimal harm aside from a few scorch marks. The S-class hunter was concerned that she might have overexerted herself by using one of her more powerful abilities against Naruto. However, when the smoke dissipated, the blonde was nowhere to be seen.

"That was a pretty decent strike," Naruto's voice chimed in from above, prompting Eunseok to glance upward. He was surprised to find the Uzumaki hanging upside down from the ceiling, using his electricity to stick to the metal surface like a magnet. "That would’ve stung if it had connected with me."

Eunseok felt a wave of relief wash over him when he realized he hadn't injured or unintentionally killed his opponent, which sparked a surge of excitement within him because he hadn't noticed or sensed any movement from his opponent at all.

"You have more strength than you're showing," Eunseok remarked, observing Naruto's every move, now aware that the Uzumaki could move faster than he could perceive or possess a similar ability. "You might as well surrender now because I'm about to unleash my full power."

"I never back down or surrender, so bring it on—I'll defeat you," Naruto declared with confidence as he focused his energy, causing the white lightning surrounding him to form into armor.

"Very well, don't hold me responsible if you meet your end," Eunseok declared as he summoned his power, lightning erupting around him. Unlike Naruto, he directed the bolts towards the blonde, declaring, "Heaven's Judgement.

Naruto observed the lightning bolts falling toward him in slow motion due to his lightning armor, which enhanced his speed and reaction time. For a brief moment, time appeared to freeze, allowing the Uzumaki to effortlessly evade his opponent's strike.

Among the spectators, many were astonished by the blonde hunter's swift movements. Eunseok's assaults were no small feat; he was regarded as one of the fastest hunters globally, and only the most skilled hunters could evade his lightning-fast attacks, although there were a few capable of blocking them.

"Is that all you've got?" Naruto said with a smirk as he provoked his opponent, skillfully getting closer to Eunseok while avoiding the lightning strikes. "If that's the case, you might as well quit now.

"I'm only beginning," Eunseok said, returning a grin that suggested he was relishing the match, enjoying the opportunity to battle someone who wielded the same element as him, though in a manner he never anticipated.

Eunseok utilized his Lightning skill like many mages, preferring to engage in combat from a distance. He was quicker than most hunters and had physical strength comparable to lower-ranked ones. In contrast, Naruto employed his lightning skill to enhance his abilities in close combat, despite being a mage type himself. Essentially, Eunseok focused on long-range attacks, while Naruto specialized in close-range confrontations.

"Let's amp things up," Eunseok declared, lifting his hands toward the ceiling as dark clouds began to gather. Naruto was taken aback; it appeared his foe was about to unleash a storm of lightning on him. With the ceiling now shrouded in clouds crackling with electricity, there would be no way to evade "Divine Retribution."

"You better not be defeated by this human, or I swear I'll end us both," Baran warned from inside Naruto, who chose to disregard the warning. He had no intention of losing. The Uzumaki attempted to close the gap between himself and his foe, but the opponent was aware of his advantage in ranged combat and worked to maintain it, driving the blonde hunter back with a lightning assault. While the attack didn't inflict significant harm on Naruto, it was enough to keep him at a distance long enough for the storm clouds above to gather power.

Naruto gazed up at the sky as the clouds crackled with lightning, realizing what he needed to do. He clasped his right wrist with his left hand and began to channel the lightning into his palms. "I never imagined I’d find myself thanking that lazy bastard Kakashi, and you too, Sasuke. Watching this technique used on me so many times allowed me to replicate it using mana." As the lightning bolt descended toward him, his aura surged with energy, and he rushed forward with a fierce shout, "Chidori!"

The battlefield resonated with the chirping of birds, illuminated by a dazzling light as two opposing forces collided. When the brilliance faded, the confrontation had concluded, leaving Naruto standing before Eunseok, his hand enveloped in electricity just inches away from his rival.

"The first match is awarded to Naruto Uzumaki," Go Gunhee's voice echoed from the speaker. He, along with the other hunters, had witnessed the event unfold. Naruto sliced through Eunseok's lightning and, with incredible speed, reached his opponent in an instant. If this had been a real battle, Eunseok would have been defeated. "Not too shabby, kid. Are you ready for another round, or do you need a breather?"

"Let's wrap this up, old man," Naruto said as he canceled his Chidori right after being announced the winner, much to Eunseok's relief. "Bring in that idiot Dong-Su; I'll finish this quickly, I have more important things to attend to."

Dong-Su was already heading towards the battlefield, a wicked grin on his face. He was eager to take down that blonde bastard and, if he played his cards right, he could make it seem like an unfortunate accident while eliminating him.

Observation Floor

"The fight was short," Lim Tae-Gyu remarked, watching Naruto closely. If the blonde hunter continued his assault, Eunseok would be finished. "But I suppose that's just the way it goes."

In high-stakes battles, the conflict often concludes in mere minutes, or even seconds, depending on various elements such as speed, the initial blunder made by one side, or sheer chance.

"I’m astonished that a mage-type fights in that manner," Ma Dong-Wook remarked, observing Naruto with newfound curiosity. The way the blonde fought and the strength he demonstrated were unlike any other mage-type hunter he had encountered before.

"That caught me off guard," Choi Jong-In remarked while reflecting on the battle. "Eunseok wasn't fully committed, but I could see that Naruto wasn't either. However, the fact that Naruto's attack easily surpassed Eunseok's demonstrates that he operates on a whole different level."

The other hunters concurred with the fire mage hunter, recognizing that in battles between individuals with comparable skills, the one possessing greater mana or superior abilities would emerge victorious.

"I’m worried about the upcoming match, Chairman," Min Byung-Gyu expressed, noting the hostile aura emanating from Dong-Su, which was also felt by the others. He had no intention of going down there to assess Naruto's strength, but rather to inflict harm on the blonde hunter. "We should call off the next match; Naruto has already proven himself to be powerful, and there's no reason for any more pointless fighting."

"Min Byung-Gyu might be right to be concerned about the next match, chairman," Baek Yoonho said as he watched Dong-Su enter the training area while Eunseok left. He had a violent aura around him. "Dong-Su is looking to do some damage or even kill Naruto; we should stop the match."

The other hunters observed Go Gunhee, whose expression was emotionless until a smile broke across his face, as if he had just caught a private joke. "No, the next match will proceed as scheduled. There's no need to worry; Naruto will be alright. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility," declared the chairman of the hunter guild, turning his attention to the upcoming match as the countdown began.

3...2..1..Start

Chapter End

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A/N: I've been contemplating the direction of this story. In my view, Solo Leveling lacks a strong plot. The main character gains the power of one of the most formidable beings in the universe and a system that enhances his abilities with each battle. There's also an element of time travel involved. I'm considering whether I should have Naruto establish a guild to attract the most attractive women from the Solo Leveling universe, leading them into Dungeons with some variations on the original storyline. Alternatively, I could have Naruto not form a guild and instead encounter various women from the Solo Leveling universe, allowing the plot to evolve from there. I'd love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment if you have any ideas! I might craft a plot based on what the majority of you prefer for this story's direction. Thanks for your support, and see you later!