Chương 23: 23. Unleashing the Storm(3)
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The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting dappled shadows through the leaves. The morning was slipping away, but Renji's determination never wavered. He was driven by the need to prove himself, not just to Kira, but to the entire Eclipse team. As their leader, he couldn't afford to be left behind.
After several more attempts, Renji finally managed to stay aloft for a few seconds, taking two, then three steps in the air before he had to land. His body was exhausted, his muscles burning from the effort, but the exhilaration of finally making progress gave him the energy to keep going.
"That's it," Kira encouraged, seeing the improvement. "You're starting to get it. Now, try to focus on making those steps smoother and more fluid. The key to Geppo is not just the ability to stay in the air, but to move through it as naturally as you would on the ground."
Renji nodded, though his breathing was labored. He knew he was close, and he was determined to push through the exhaustion. He gathered his chakra once more, focusing on the sensation of lifting himself into the air.
He kicked off the ground, rising into the sky. This time, as he kicked off the air, he felt the technique come together more naturally. The steps were smoother, the movement more fluid. He was still not as graceful or as controlled as Kira, but he was improving, and that improvement spurred him on.
Kira watched with a small smile, pleased with Renji's progress. He had known that Geppo wouldn't be easy to learn, but Renji's determination was unwavering, and that was what mattered most.
After several more attempts, Renji finally managed to stay aloft long enough to take several steps in a row, moving in a small arc before landing back on the ground. He was panting, his body drenched in sweat, but there was a look of satisfaction on his face.
"Well done," Kira said, clapping a hand on Renji's shoulder. "You're making great progress. Keep practicing like this, and you'll have Geppo mastered before you know it."
Renji smiled, though he was clearly exhausted. "Thank you, Kira. I'll keep working at it."
Kira nodded, satisfied. "Good. Remember, as the leader of the Eclipse, it's important that you stay ahead of the others. They look to you for guidance, and your progress will inspire them to push themselves even harder."
Renji understood what Kira was implying. He knew that his position as the leader meant he had to set the example, to be the first to master new techniques so that he could effectively train the others.
"I won't let you down," Renji said, determination etched into his features.
"I know you won't," Kira replied. "We'll continue this training every day until you're comfortable with Geppo. Once you've mastered it, you'll be able to teach the others and lead them with confidence."
They spent the rest of the morning continuing their training, with Renji practicing Geppo under Kira's watchful eye. Each attempt brought him closer to mastering the technique, and though the progress was slow, it was steady.
As the sun reached its zenith, Kira called an end to the session. Renji was clearly exhausted, his body pushed to its limits, but he was also filled with a sense of accomplishment.
"Rest for now," Kira advised. "Your body needs time to recover. We'll continue tomorrow."
Renji nodded, grateful for the reprieve. "Thank you, Kira. I'll be ready."
As they made their way back to the compound, Kira couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in Renji's progress. He knew that Geppo was a challenging technique, one that required not just physical strength but mental fortitude. And Renji had shown both in abundance.
Kira's thoughts, however, also drifted to the future—the challenges that lay ahead, the techniques still to be mastered, and the looming mission to obtain the Ryūmyaku. But for now, he focused on the present, on building the strength and skills needed to face whatever came next.
---
Later that day, Hiroshi sought out Kira, his curiosity about the training field incident still unresolved. He found Kira in one of the side chambers of the compound, reviewing scrolls and making notes on the Eclipse members' progress.
"Kira," Hiroshi greeted, stepping into the room.
Kira looked up, surprised to see his grandfather. "Grandfather, what brings you here?"
Hiroshi took a seat across from Kira, his expression serious. "I visited the training field this morning. The one you use. It was... in quite a state."
Kira's eyes flickered with recognition, but he maintained his composure. "I apologize if it caused concern."
Hiroshi shook his head. "I'm not concerned, Kira. I'm curious. The damage was extensive—charred ground, deep cracks. It looked as if a lightning storm had passed through. But I know better. It was no storm."
Kira knew there was no point in hiding the truth from his grandfather. Hiroshi was perceptive and experienced, and he had always been supportive of Kira's ambitions.
"It was part of my training," Kira admitted. "I've been working on a new technique—Thunder Breathing. It's... powerful, but difficult to control."
Hiroshi's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded in understanding. "Thunder Breathing, you say? I've never heard of such a technique. But if it's as powerful as it sounds, I can understand the results I saw. Surely can be on the same level as the Water Breathing Technique, Kira you're really a blessing to our clan"
Kira smiled slightly. "Thank you for your praise Grandpa. Thunder breathing....It's a challenging technique, but I believe it will be an asset to our clan. I just need more time to master it, it's even more powerful than the Water Breathing Technique."
Hiroshi regarded his grandson with a mixture of pride and caution. "You've always pushed yourself to the limits, Kira. Just be careful not to go too far. Power is important, but control is just as vital."
Kira nodded, appreciating his grandfather's wisdom. "I understand. I'll be careful."
Hiroshi smiled, a rare warmth in his eyes. "Good. You're the future of our clan, Kira. I trust you'll lead us well."
With that, Hiroshi stood and placed a reassuring hand on Kira's shoulder before leaving the room. Kira watched him go, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders once more.
But as he returned to his work, his thoughts were clear. He knew what needed to be done, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
The path ahead was long and uncertain, but Kira was ready for it. With the power of the Thunder Breathing technique and the support of his clan, he would continue to push forward, no matter the challenges that lay in his way.
The sky was overcast as Kira slipped out of the Kozuki compound, the thick clouds overhead casting a dull, gray light over the village. The air was heavy with the promise of rain, the wind picking up as he made his way toward the secluded woods on the outskirts of Konoha. This was the perfect setting for what he intended to practice—a technique so powerful, so destructive, that he couldn't risk unleashing it anywhere near the village.
Kira's heart was heavy with anticipation, his mind focused on the task ahead. He had been mastering the various forms of Thunder Breathing, pushing his body to its limits to control the raw, untamed power of lightning. But today was different. Today, he would attempt to harness the seventh and final form: Honoikazuchi no Kami—the Flaming Thunder God.
This technique was unlike any other. It was said to summon the power of a storm, channeling it through the user's body and sword to unleash a devastating attack. The sheer force of the technique was enough to obliterate anything in its path, and Kira knew that mastering it would be both a triumph and a danger.
As he entered the woods, Kira found a clearing surrounded by towering trees, their branches swaying ominously in the wind. The ground was soft and damp from previous rains, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and pine. This place was isolated, far from any prying eyes, and perfect for what he needed to do.
Kira took a deep breath, steadying himself. He could feel the electricity in the air, the crackle of energy that always accompanied a storm. The clouds above were dark and roiling, as if nature itself sensed the power he was about to unleash.
He unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming even in the dim light, and took his stance in the center of the clearing. His breathing was steady, his mind focused. He had practiced this technique in theory, but he had never attempted to execute it in full. The risks were immense, but so too were the rewards.
Kira closed his eyes, allowing his chakra to flow through him, gathering in his legs, his arms, his sword. He could feel the energy building, a storm within him, ready to be released. The world around him seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of his heartbeat and the rising wind.
"Thunder Breathing: Seventh Form—Honoikazuchi no Kami!" Kira shouted, his voice echoing through the trees.
In an instant, Kira propelled himself forward with blinding speed, his sword raised high. The air around him crackled with electricity, the very atmosphere charged with raw, untamed power. As he moved, the clouds above seemed to respond, a bolt of lightning streaking down from the sky to strike his blade.
The energy of the storm surged through Kira's body, the power of the heavens channeled through his sword. He swung the blade down with all his might, the lightning-infused strike cutting through the air with a deafening roar.
The moment the blade made contact with the ground, the world exploded.
A massive bolt of lightning erupted from the point of impact, tearing through the earth with a force that shook the ground. The blast was instantaneous, a blinding flash of light and a concussive wave of energy that radiated out in all directions. The trees around the clearing were blown back, their trunks snapping like twigs under the force of the explosion.
The ground itself was ripped apart, deep fissures opening up as the earth was torn asunder. The blast radius was immense, extending far beyond the clearing, the shockwave flattening everything in its path. The sky was lit up with a brilliant, electric blue, the clouds roiling and churning as if the storm had been awakened by the technique.
Kira was thrown back by the force of the explosion, his body slamming into the ground with a bone-jarring impact. He lay there for a moment, his vision blurred, his ears ringing from the deafening roar of the blast. His body felt numb, his muscles trembling from the sheer power he had unleashed.
Slowly, Kira pushed himself up, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked around at the devastation, his eyes widening in shock and awe. The clearing was gone, replaced by a massive crater, the ground scorched black and still smoking from the lightning strike. The trees that had once surrounded the clearing were either blown apart or uprooted, their remains scattered like kindling.
The air was thick with the smell of ozone and burnt earth, the aftermath of the technique still lingering in the atmosphere. The clouds above were still dark and ominous, but the storm seemed to have abated, the lightning retreating back into the sky.
Kira stood there, breathing heavily, his mind reeling from what he had just done. The power of *Honoikazuchi no Kami* was beyond anything he had ever experienced, a force of nature that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The technique had unleashed the full fury of a storm, channeled through his body and sword, and the destruction it had wrought was undeniable.
He looked down at his hands, his fingers still tingling with residual energy. The sword in his hand felt heavier than before, as if it too had been affected by the technique. Kira's mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions—pride at having executed such a powerful technique, but also fear at the sheer devastation it had caused.
"This... this is what I'm capable of?" Kira thought, his heart pounding in his chest. "This is the power I've been seeking, but... it's more than I ever imagined."
For the first time, Kira felt a flicker of doubt. The power of Honoikazuchi no Kami(Flaming Thunder God)was immense, but it was also uncontrollable, destructive. He had intended to master this technique, to use it as a weapon, but now he wasn't so sure. The devastation it had caused—the crater, the ruined forest—was a reminder of the dangers of wielding such power.
Kira's mind raced as he considered the implications. If he had unleashed this technique in battle, the consequences would have been catastrophic. There would be no distinction between friend and foe, no control over the devastation it would cause.
"Can I really use this?" he wondered, his thoughts heavy with uncertainty. "Can I really control this power without destroying everything around me?"
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The technique was powerful, yes, but it was also a part of him now. He had summoned the storm, wielded its power, and survived the aftermath. That was no small feat. But with great power came great responsibility, and Kira knew that he would need to be careful, to use this technique only when absolutely necessary.
As the adrenaline began to fade, Kira felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. His muscles ached, his body protesting the strain he had put it through. But more than the physical fatigue was the mental toll—the realization of what he had unleashed, and the consequences of wielding such power.
Kira sheathed his sword, his movements slow and deliberate. The clearing was unrecognizable, the devastation a stark reminder of the power he had harnessed. But despite the destruction, Kira knew that this was just another step in his journey. He had sought power, and he had found it. Now, it was up to him to control it, to wield it wisely.
He turned and began to walk back toward the village, his steps heavy with the weight of what he had done. The sky above was still overcast, the clouds hanging low and dark, as if the storm was watching him, waiting for his next move.
As Kira made his way through the woods, the reality of what he had accomplished began to sink in. He had mastered Honoikazuchi no Kami (Flaming Thunder God), the ultimate form of Thunder Breathing. The power of the storm was his to command, but it was a power that came with consequences.
Kira's mind was filled with thoughts and questions, doubts and resolutions. He knew that this was a turning point, a moment that would define the path he would take from here on out. The power he had sought was within his grasp, but now he had to decide how to use it.
The world was vast, and the future uncertain, but one thing was clear—Kira had crossed a threshold. The power of the storm was his, and with it came the responsibility to wield it wisely. The road ahead was long and fraught with challenges, but Kira was ready to face them, no matter the cost.
And as the first drops of rain began to fall, Kira disappeared into the shadows of the forest, his heart filled with resolve and the knowledge that the storm within him had only just begun
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