Chapter 63: Unbound Yet Tethered

Lightning Release is a versatile technique with strong destructive power and speed. It can also be applied to oneself, but this last use is the most difficult to master. The high-speed operation stimulated by lightning requires not only a robust physical constitution but also eyes comparable to the Sharingan; otherwise, it can be harmful.

The Raikage of the Cloud Village, who does not possess the Sharingan, has developed a different approach. They focus on refining their physical bodies to the utmost extent. In this way, during high-speed movement, they are completely unafraid of any obstacles. Their powerful physical strength combined with the penetrating power of Lightning Release can break through any barriers in their path, so there is no need to worry about their eyes not keeping up.

Ye Zi doesn't have the Sharingan, nor does he possess the same level of physical prowess as the Raikage. However, his eyes are capable of dynamic vision comparable to the Sharingan, and although his physical condition isn't as formidable, he has exceptional endurance.

Combining these two advantages, Ye Zi uses Lightning Release to stimulate his cells, causing his power to increase geometrically. The only downside is that his chakra is running low.

However, at this moment, he finds a way to compensate for this shortcoming.

He looked at the Iwa ninja charging towards him and displayed a terrifying smile. Electrical currents suddenly enveloped his entire body. A bolt of lightning streaked through the forest, passing by the Iwa ninja, and stopped to reveal Ye Zi's figure.

Pfft!

A blood arrow shot from the Iwa ninja's neck, and he fell to the ground dead.

Ye Zi no longer suppressed his chakra and didn't care about the damage to his cells. His speed increased to a terrifying level, and the air was filled with a faint burnt smell.

"…" The remaining people were astonished and speechless. Despite being elite jōnin, they felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness in the face of this terrifying speed.

This speed, while not as fast as Minato's Flying Thunder God technique, was not far behind. Moreover, with the addition of Lightning Release, in some respects, Ye Zi's destructive power was even more frightening than Minato's Flying Thunder God technique.

After killing that Iwa ninja, Ye Zi did not stop but moved on to attack the next one. The next Iwa ninja was killed before his Body Replacement Technique seal was even completed. Once again, Ye Zi ate the meat from this ninja's abdomen to replenish his chakra.

Like a man-eating demon from hell, the Iwa ninjas, who once had the upper hand, were reduced to mere fish on a chopping board, and the situation turned into a one-sided slaughter.

Each time Ye Zi killed an Iwa ninja, his body was damaged to some extent, but he didn't mind. He thought these injuries could be healed after the battle.

Under the fearful gaze of most of the Konoha side, Ye Zi would kill one person and then devour a piece of flesh. This scene was unprecedented and unheard of. The name "monster" had already deeply etched into their minds.

Kushina and Minato had extremely complex expressions at this moment.

Ye Zi's performance had overturned their perceptions—so bloody, so terrifying.

However, it was undeniable that Ye Zi was fighting for them. No matter how it was done, he was fighting to protect them.

Kushina, Minato, Kato Dan, Ino-Shika-Cho, and the revived Kōri Uchiha clearly recognized this, so they did not show Ye Zi the blatant disdain others did but looked at him with complex emotions.

The one-sided battle soon ended, leaving a field of corpses like the Asura hell.

Ye Zi was covered in blood and emitting a strong, pungent smell. Even his Raiga had turned blood-red.

Breathing heavily, he looked at the severed limbs and arms around him, remaining silent. He could feel the strange gazes from behind, piercing his back.

Though he thought he could ignore such looks, he still didn't dare to turn around.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of loneliness rising from his heart. Since arriving in this world, he had become accustomed to solitude and had always been determined to walk alone in one direction.

But at this moment, he truly hated this feeling, as if he had been forgotten by the world.

He stood there silently, with a pool of blood already spread beneath his feet.

It seemed there was an invisible barrier between Ye Zi and the Konoha side. Kato Dan's gaze was slightly hesitant as he opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

Minato silently watched Ye Zi's back, his expression complex, with a hint of admiration.

Kushina suddenly walked up to Ye Zi. Under everyone's watchful eyes, she gently embraced Ye Zi's waist, pressing her cheek against his blood-soaked back, and softly said, "Thank you."

Ye Zi was momentarily stunned and lowered his head.

That "thank you" was so familiar, so unforgettable.

Whether it was the night when he almost lost his life or this very moment.

He began to understand a little.

Why he couldn't let go of Kushina.

Kushina and Rui had differing personalities—north and south—but they had similar appearances. At times, they would overlap.

Ye Zi was concerned about Rui on Earth, and Kushina provided a sense of comforting longing.

At that moment, seeing Kushina covered in blood, he couldn't suppress his anger.

This was an emotion that arose automatically, like a reflex, even though he knew Kushina was not Rui.

Kushina was not Rui, to be precise, not Rui from Earth.

Yet, Ye Zi, unconsciously, had superimposed a shadow of Rui onto Kushina.

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