Chapter 114: S-Rank Forbidden Jutsu, Lightning Style: Kirin [First Update]

[As night falls, longings inevitably well up.]

BOOM!!

A thunderous roar erupted from behind the valley. Massive boulders tumbled down as a colossal flying ship slowly ascended into the air. It was entirely golden, as if cast from solid gold, with dozens of gigantic oars on both sides of its wings churning the atmosphere.

"Is this... the Ark Maxim?"

Shu Mingyuan’s mind tightened. The Ark Maxim was an aerial vessel Enel had constructed using the gold of Shandora, powered by his own lightning abilities—a ship capable of flying to the infinite earth known as the moon.

"Blue Sea brat, God cannot be killed! So what if your abilities can land a hit on me? I am the one and only God of Lightning in this world!"

Enel roared, transforming into a dazzling bolt of lightning and appearing at the prow of the Ark Maxim. As the ship rapidly gained altitude, the distance between him and the earth grew ever wider.

He stood before a massive golden pillar, extending his palms. Instantly, boundless lightning poured into the golden apparatus. Black clouds began to form, swirling and merging in the sky until they coalesced into a vast, shadow-casting expanse that blotted out the sun.

The black clouds churned, and countless massive bolts of lightning, radiating a terrifying aura, slithered through the clouds like serpents.

Standing at the bow, Enel clutched his golden staff and laughed maniacally.

The thundercloud created by the Ark Maxim was immense, containing an unfathomable amount of destructive electrical energy. The air for a hundred miles around was assimilated by the current; the thundercloud acted like a giant magnet, drawing in powerful charges from all directions. Consequently, it continued to expand wildly until it covered the entire sky island, reaching a critical point.

Gan Fall, the former God, gazed at the near-infinite thundercloud. Shu Mingyuan’s words flashed through his mind, leaving him filled with horror. That man, Enel, actually intended to destroy the sky island! This madman—what would become of the countless lives dwelling upon it?

"Blue Sea brat, go and fall into hell along with the sky island!"

"Ten Thousand Volts: Amaru!"

Enel pointed his staff, and countless bolts of lightning rained down from the sky. In an instant, mountain rocks split, towering ancient trees were obliterated, and raging fires ignited across many parts of Upper Yard.

The coast of Angel Island bore the brunt of the lightning. Almost none of the residents' homes were spared. Angel Island, constructed entirely of sky clouds, proved fragile against such apocalyptic thunder. The entire island held out for only a moment before being torn asunder by the ten thousand bolts falling from the heavens.

Fortunately, thanks to Gan Fall's prior warning, most of the sky island natives had fled to the sea clouds. Otherwise, under this catastrophe, fewer than one in ten would have survived.

Watching their homeland perish, countless people covered their faces and wept. But what could they do? The enemy was a God! The God of Lightning who held dominion over the world's storms!

Bolts of lightning struck fiercely at Shu Mingyuan, but he merely gripped his Chidori Blade, slashing again and again, severing every bolt that came his way.

"Blue Sea brat, Angel Island is finished, do you see? This is my true power. In the face of a God's might, all resistance is futile! You have merely delayed your own death!"

"Next is Upper Yard. This island, which defies the natural order and should not exist in the sky, shall also be cast down from the heavens!"

The thunderclouds roiled incessantly. Lightning converged, and a massive pillar of electricity, over a hundred yards in diameter, descended from the sky in the horrified gaze of many, striking the earth.

"Could it be... is the holy land of Upper Yard finally to be destroyed as well?"

Bitter smiles spread across countless faces. Amidst it all, only Shu Mingyuan seemed to see through it all; a dismissive, cold sneer remained on his face, as if mocking Enel’s ignorance.

One second, two seconds... a full minute passed.

Contrary to the scene of annihilation everyone had imagined, the thick earth of Upper Yard did not even shudder. It simply, fearlessly absorbed everything, including the lightning that carried the power to destroy the world.

"What an idiot. You think mere lightning can sink an island with such thick, solid ground?" Shu Mingyuan mocked.

Enel remained unfazed, his face twisted into a savage grin. "So what if it doesn't break? As long as I kill all of you, I remain the greatest God!"

"Prepare to embrace fear! Blue Sea brat—Raigo!"

Enel fired a bolt of lightning into the pitch-black clouds. Instantly, the massive thundercloud began to flicker with erratic light. It started to compress violently, the vast cloud that covered the entire sky island churning with layers of guttural roars. The spectacle was truly apocalyptic.

Watching this world-ending scene, a flash of inspiration suddenly surged through Shu Mingyuan’s mind. In that instant, it was as if he had experienced an awakening; countless mysteries regarding lightning flowed into his consciousness.

The first ninjutsu he had ever come into contact with was the Lightning Release: Chidori, and it was also the technique he was most proficient in. Over the past six months, he had become increasingly adept with Lightning Release, yet since arriving on Jaya, he had sensed a bottleneck. Once crossed, his understanding of Lightning Release would surely ascend to a new realm.

However, he had been unable to breach that thin, tangible barrier—until he arrived on the sky island and witnessed Enel’s lightning. Suddenly, everything became clear; he realized the sky island was perhaps his true opportunity.

This was the fundamental reason he had chosen to fight Enel. Enel’s mastery of lightning was divine; if not for his own existence as a "cheat" with a system, Enel’s abilities would be nearly invincible.

Having endured so many lightning strikes, Shu Mingyuan’s comprehension deepened. He felt he was only one step away! And now, with the appearance of Enel’s Raigo, the final spark of enlightenment had arrived.

"Congratulations to the host for comprehending the mysteries of Lightning Release. You have acquired the Forbidden Lightning Jutsu: Kirin! Based on the intensity of the technique, Kirin is judged as an S-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu. Reward: 100,000 Justice Points!"

The familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind. His eyes became incredibly bright, as if countless bolts of thunder were being born and dying within them.

It was actually the forbidden jutsu, Kirin!

Shu Mingyuan was ecstatic. The essence of the Lightning Release: Kirin was clear to him in an instant. This powerful technique, developed by Sasuke, utilized the power of natural lightning, channeled through the guide of a Chidori, to be wielded at his command!

Shu Mingyuan looked up at the rapidly shrinking black clouds in the sky. He sheathed his Chidori Blade, his palm immediately covered in powerful electrical currents. A formless power seemed to radiate into the entire black cloud high above. The thundercloud created by Enel was forcefully split into two.

A dazzling beam of sunlight shone through the breach in the clouds, as if the very sky had been rent asunder!

"Enel, I have endured your lightning attacks many times. This time, it is your turn to experience the power of my lightning."

In the next moment, Shu Mingyuan’s cold, emotionless voice escaped his lips.

"S-rank Forbidden Jutsu: Lightning Release—Kirin!"