*Chapter 24: The Heavenly Phenomenon Arrives*

"It's over."

The Toad Mouth Bind technique slowly dissipated, and Jiraiya emerged from it.

Behind him, the three ninja swords clattered helplessly to the ground. Raiga and Biwa Jūzō had already lost their lives.

Although Fuguki still clung to a sliver of life, there was a massive, twisted wound on his abdomen. On the wound, a unique Five Elements Seal was imprinted.

"Master Jiraiya."

Aburame Shibi quickly jogged over.

"Take the bodies of these two and the three ninja swords back."

Jiraiya spoke in a low voice, "Fuguki is the head of Kirigakure’s intelligence division. I’ve sealed his chakra. Take him back for interrogation."

"Yes, Master Jiraiya."

"What about Fugaku?"

"Lord Fugaku went after that Hōzuki Yoru."

Aburame Shibi explained, "Southeast direction. Initially, my kikaichū were tracking them, but they were destroyed midway. The two of them have most likely already started fighting."

"Chasing alone?"

Jiraiya furrowed his brows. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Fugaku—after all, anyone capable of becoming the Uchiha clan leader had formidable strength. Additionally, clans like theirs often had secret techniques to rely on. Jiraiya had great confidence in Fugaku, which was why he tasked him with dealing with the three ninja swords in the first place.

However, going after an opponent solo could lead to unforeseen accidents, especially when the opponent was that strange and dangerous youth.

"Hmm?!"

Both of them suddenly looked up, their eyes filled with shock as they gazed into the distant sky.

The once clear sky suddenly changed. Thick clouds covered the horizon, lightning crackled, and the air became so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Gale-force winds swept through, and in the blink of an eye, torrential rain poured down!

"What is this?!"

The scene before them left both of them utterly bewildered. How was this possible?!

This wasn’t the Land of Rain. Kumamoto Prefecture, within the Land of Fire, was a renowned tourist destination. The only notable thing about the place was its scenic beauty, with sunny skies and gentle weather.

How could it be that just a moment ago the sun was shining, and now the sky was covered with storm clouds, and rain was pouring down?!

"Something's wrong..."

"Wait! Master Jiraiya, that direction is where Lord Fugaku went!"

Aburame Shibi suddenly cried out in alarm.

Jiraiya's heart sank as he stared at the lightning-filled sky, his expression extremely grave.

For an ordinary person to create such a massive celestial phenomenon was simply impossible. Even forbidden techniques couldn’t cause something of this magnitude.

Unless...

Sage Arts!

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Jiraiya formed hand seals and created a shadow clone.

"Shibi, go with my clone and take these three swords, along with Fuguki, back to the base. I’ll go find Fugaku."

"Yes, Master Jiraiya!"

Aburame Shibi nodded solemnly and sealed the three ninja swords, along with the bodies of Biwa Jūzō and Raiga, into scrolls.

He then controlled his insects to pick up the unconscious Fuguki.

After exchanging a glance with Jiraiya, the clone and Aburame Shibi headed back toward the Konoha camp, while Jiraiya’s true body rushed toward the battlefield between Yoru and Uchiha Fugaku.

...

Meanwhile…

With the second stage of Susano'o now fully formed, the sky above suddenly became overcast, and the rain began to pour down in sheets.

The cascading rainwater fell like strings of beads, connecting the heavens and the earth. Cold, fierce winds howled, and within the Susano'o, Uchiha Fugaku felt a sudden chill, squinting his eyes involuntarily.

In his view, Yoru, who should have been on the brink of death, suddenly saw a geometric increase in his energy, with chakra surging inside him as well.

But the most critical thing was the sword in his hand!

Yes.

The changes in Hyōrinmaru had not escaped Fugaku’s three-tomoe Sharingan. What had once been an ordinary long sword now had a crescent-shaped chain attached to its hilt.

Moreover, ice crystals had appeared along the blade.

Wait… ice crystals?!

"Ice Pillar Flock!"

Yoru swung Hyōrinmaru sharply, and a barrage of ice bullets shot out, hurtling toward the colossal Susano'o.

Susano'o swung its blade, shattering all the ice spikes, but Uchiha Fugaku’s pupils shrank abruptly.

"Ice Release..."

"The intel said you hadn’t mastered Ice Release’s kekkei genkai. Did you awaken it under pressure, or have you been hiding it all along?" Uchiha Fugaku said in a deep voice. "But it’s a pity—this level of Ice Release won’t change your fate. In the face of the divine power of the Uchiha, the so-called Clan of Snow is nothing more than a joke!"

"Is that so?"

Yoru didn’t argue.

Compared to the direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, the core bloodline of the ninja world, the Uchiha Clan was indeed superior to the Clan of Snow. The Sharingan, whether in terms of potential or its base abilities, surpassed Ice Release.

However.

This isn't Ice Release!

"Ice Dragon’s Howl!"

Facing the incoming sword of Susano'o, Yoru didn’t retreat. He swung Hyōrinmaru, and a roaring ice dragon surged forth from the blade, colliding violently with Susano'o’s sword.

Fugaku’s expression turned cold. He increased his ocular power, prepared to shatter the ice dragon.

But in the next moment, his pupils contracted sharply in shock.

"Boom!!"

As expected, the fully-powered Susano'o easily shattered the ice dragon with a single slash. The ice dragon exploded, scattering countless ice fragments into the air.

However, the scattered ice shards suddenly expanded, with countless frost particles connecting and coalescing, forming a layer of ice on Susano'o’s body.

Susano'o’s movements noticeably slowed.

"Wait, it's mist?!"

Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brows.

Sensing something unusual, Fugaku looked up at the overcast sky and then stared intently at Yoru before him.

That member of the Snow Clan was now raising his sword high into the air, sending waves of cold energy skyward. The weather was changing rapidly.

The rain that had originally drenched Susano'o was now visibly turning into frost, spreading layer by layer, continuously restricting Susano'o’s movements.

As the temperature plummeted and Susano'o grew more sluggish, Uchiha Fugaku’s expression became increasingly grim.

If it were merely a thin layer of frost, Fugaku wouldn’t have been so shocked.

However, what started as a thin layer of frost quickly expanded into thick ice crystals, connecting and spreading. Within just a few breaths, the entire Susano'o was encased in a solid layer of ice!

"This kid is actually... controlling the weather?!"

Mastery over the forces of nature—how could this boy possibly wield such power?

(End of chapter)