After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 220

Chapter 220: Blazing Thunder Blade!

Karma

This ability wasn't solely targeting attacks directed at Sasuke himself. Unlike another fruit in the pirate seas called the Causality Fruit (Urouge's Devil Fruit), Karma couldn't convert enemy attacks one hundred percent into physical form and strength, then counter-attack with perfect efficiency. Its conversion rate wasn't particularly high, and it required specific conditions to be activated.

But this ability had its own advantages over straightforward defense.

That said, its application wasn't limited to actual physical attacks alone. Any form of damage to Sasuke—whether physical, spiritual, or thermal—activated his Calamity ability. The only difference was the scale and intensity. Whether from direct strikes, spiritual attacks, or lava burns, all sources of pain fed his power reserves and strengthened his body.

Feeling his physical enhancement kick in, Sasuke broke into a wide grin, eyes gleaming with battle lust.

"Chakra Mode? I know that too!"

Next instant, crackling lightning enveloped Sasuke's body, electricity dancing across his skin and clothes, illuminating the cave interior with harsh white light.

"This is—"

Rōshi recognized this familiar state immediately. His experience with many shinobi made recognition instantaneous. It was exactly the "Lightning Release Chakra Mode" from Kumo, the signature technique of the Raikage.

From early on, Naruto discovered Sasuke excelled not only in Fire Release techniques but also possessed certain natural talent in Lightning Release as well. Therefore, after copying this mode from Raikage Ai during their confrontation, he immediately taught it to Sasuke without hesitation.

Learning the concept of Lightning Release Chakra Mode wasn't particularly difficult. It relied more on daily accumulation and practice rather than complex theory. Like someone with poor physical condition, even with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, enhanced strength would be insufficient and couldn't last long. But for someone like Sasuke with exceptional physical conditioning and chakra reserves, the technique became devastatingly effective.

Bang!

Next moment, Sasuke kicked his foot into the rock wall, immediately causing countless cracks to spider-web across the entire mountainside. The compressed force shattered stone like glass, spreading across a vast area.

Both lightning and lava possessed extremely high temperatures. When falling debris landed on Sasuke and Rōshi, they were melted by the intense heat radiating from both powers.

Rōshi activated Four-Tails' chakra at the critical moment, feeling the threat escalate dramatically.

Not simply summoning one tail casually, but directly donning a full-tailed beast cloak, the garment of pure chakra forming around his body. Precisely because of this, he could barely withstand Sasuke's devastating kick.

"Lava Release: Magma Spikes!"

Rōshi wasn't just taking hits without fighting back passively. In tailed beast form, his lava temperature increased further, the heat becoming almost unbearable. With his shout, an extremely high temperature gathered in his palm, his entire arm turning bright red like molten metal. The scorching air currents from the heat made every hair on Sasuke's body stand on end, skin prickling from the wave of thermal energy.

He didn't yield either; his competitive spirit refused to surrender.

Coincidentally, recently Sasuke had researched a similar technique combination in his downtime. Calamity Fire and Lightning Release chakra rapidly intertwined, weaving together in an intricate dance of power.

Utilizing the "Lightning Cutter Technique" taught by Kakashi-sensei years ago, combined with Hōdō's calamity fire's penetrating properties, plus Lightning Release chakra's body-enhancement coverage mode. All these powers twined around Sasuke's arm in perfect synchronization.

Currently, Sasuke's arm has become a weapon of devastating power. Even carelessly dragging across mountainsides would separate them effortlessly into clean sections.

This technique was named "Blazing Thunder Blade!" from Naruto's suggested name during one of their training sessions.

Just for some reason, whenever mentioning this technique's name, Naruto's expression was always somewhat odd. Like wanting to laugh but not daring to, his eyes twinkling with amusement, he refused to share.

"Lava Release: Magma Spikes" and "Blazing Thunder Blade!" clashed in midair with terrifying force.

The convergence of electricity and flame instantly produced a fierce explosion that blew apart the cave's interior, sending rocks flying in all directions.

Sasuke flew backward directly, his entire body covered with burn scars crisscrossing his skin. Karma's feedback mechanism almost doubled his physical attributes at this moment of pain, pain converting directly into power.

But this also meant that the current Sasuke was truly gravely injured beneath the surface, his body pushed far beyond safe limits.

Meanwhile, Rōshi's form also flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground with bone-jarring impact. Compared to currently recovering Sasuke with Calamity Fire injection accelerating his healing, Rōshi looked considerably worse. His upper body and clothes were all blown to tatters, fabric shredded and hanging loosely.

Without the tailed beast cloak's protection, that last strike probably would have severed his arm completely, leaving him permanently maimed.

"Cough. I underestimated you, young one. Your strength is impressive."

Rōshi pushed himself up from the ground gradually, his momentum changing subtly. This meant he was about to unleash his secret technique, his trump card he'd been holding in reserve.

Sasuke's battle intent showed no decrease whatsoever. Lightning and fire formed armor again around his body, preparing for whatever came next.

At roughly several dozen meters from the battlefield, Naruto's group had converged, arriving in time to witness the escalation.

"Really don't need help?"

Asking this was recently joined Yugito, her voice carrying genuine concern.

Hearing this, before Naruto could speak, Jiraiya answered first, his weathered voice carrying the wisdom of experience.

"That kid Sasuke wouldn't appreciate your kindness anyway. After training all these days, let him get real combat experience. Besides, his target isn't inferior to Four-Tails Jinchūriki anyway. Both are formidable opponents."

Speaking, he turned to look at Naruto beside him, gauging his reaction.

"Besides, Naruto wouldn't let you interfere in their fight anyway, right?"

To this, Naruto displayed a huge smile, his expression confirming Jiraiya's assessment perfectly.

"That's obvious! Sasuke's having fun now."

Within the battlefield, with Rōshi's battle declaration, even more massive chakra surged from his body, radiating outward in visible waves of power.

His form rapidly began to transform from humanoid to a giant ape shape. Limbs grew thicker and more powerful, his stature increasing dramatically.

Complete Tailed Beast Form! Four-Tails in full manifestation—no longer just a cloak of chakra, but the full physical transformation.

This was power he'd successfully mastered after all these years of wandering alone, developing strength through isolation and constant training.

Bang bang bang bang!

The giant red ape reared up to its full height, dwarfing the cave. Its four tails' mere sweep could split mountains and crack stone, each tail moving with destructive potential.

Even after entering complete tailed beast form, Rōshi maintained his consciousness intact. His will remained strong enough to prevent falling into an uncontrolled rampage like many Jinchūriki experienced.

Now the physical comparison reversed dramatically. He towered over Sasuke, looking down at the young man from a position of obvious strength.

"Got any last words? Old me can relay them for you."

Rōshi's voice rumbled like distant thunder, heavy with the weight of his transformation.

Rōshi naturally understood Sasuke's formidable strength from their previous exchanges, but only what he'd observed so far. Complete tailed beast form was entirely different from before—a completely different tier of power.

"After I defeat you, I can listen to yours."

Facing Four-Tails' massive oppressive presence, Sasuke's smile widened impossibly. His confidence seemed unshaken by the size disparity before him.

Mangekyō Sharingan also rotated slowly under genuine death threat, three tomoe spinning in elegant circles as his eyes adapted to the escalating danger.

Though in pressure sensation still nowhere near Naruto's exaggerated degree of overwhelming presence, currently, Sasuke could feel that because Four-Tails Jinchūriki Rōshi posed a genuine death threat to him, his eyes held a power beginning to brew and grow deep within.

At a distance, sensing Sasuke's aura change and evolve, Naruto also chuckled knowingly.

"Yes, transform into a strong one before death, Sasuke."

"Lava Release: Flower Fruit Mountain!"

The giant ape pressed both palms down onto the ground with tremendous force. Instantly, massive lava transformed into rivers, completely covering the ground in flowing molten rock. Even with Hōdō's heat resistance, standing on such ground would suffer considerable damage, burning through even Devil Fruit defenses.

Sasuke unnaturally mimicked water-treading form, gathering his Armament Haki to his feet. Thus, he maintained footing on the impossible surface.

The next moment, Rōshi's attack arrived with terrifying speed.

The giant fist could cover half of Sasuke's body entirely. Sheer strength-wise, Four-Tails could even throw Gyūki-sized Eight-Tails off the battlefield if sufficiently enraged. Imagine the force behind this punch. Fortunately, Sasuke understood not to block it directly. Before the attack arrived, using Observation Haki to perceive its trajectory in advance, he slipped past like paper sliding through the air.

Then Sasuke simply switched to quadrupedal stance, running up Four-Tails' arm with practiced agility.

"Ha!"

A powerful knee strike was blocked by Four-Tails' extending tail, the appendage moving with surprising speed despite the body's massive size, missing the head target.

Next moment, lava sprayed from Four-Tails' mouth like an endless stream, seemingly about to completely cover Sasuke in molten rock.

Poof! After lava covered it, that figure dispersed into smoke.

"Shadow Clone? No..."

Rōshi's eyes narrowed as recognition dawned.

"Konoha's Shadow Clone Technique."

When Rōshi realized something was wrong, sound-stepped Sasuke already silently approached from behind using canine-creature footpads, a movement technique developed from his beast form training.

"Shave: Silent Steps!"

Then, Lightning Release and Calamity Fire converged again in a devastating combination.

Another Blazing Thunder Blade, deeply piercing Four-Tails' tail base, where Jinchūriki and beast connection remained most vulnerable.

Hiss.

Seeing this scene, everyone present drew sharp breaths of hot air, the temperature spike from the collision momentarily overwhelming.

Others looked at Naruto, expressions questioning without words: "Did you teach this too?"

Naruto seemed to understand their meaning perfectly, quickly defending his reputation.

"Don't misunderstand! This technique Sasuke learned from Kakashi-sensei. He's our former squad leader, jōnin."

Hearing this, even Jiraiya, who knew Kakashi, showed an expression of complete bewilderment—the famous "old man confused by modern technology" look frozen on his face.

I never imagined that Konoha's Hatake Kakashi was this kind of person, capable of teaching such advanced techniques.

Meanwhile, at Konoha, Kakashi, flipping through the newest "Intimate Paradise" book, suddenly sneezed violently, nearly dropping the precious volume.

"Hmm? Is someone talking about me?"

Completely unaware that his reputation was suffering damage in distant places, brand-new stories were being fabricated about his teaching methods and abilities.