After a satisfying meal prepared by Raiya and Kohana, the family spent time talking and enjoying each other's company. Laughter and conversation filled the room as they reminisced about past events and discussed their training and missions.
As the afternoon arrived, the Third Raikage led them to a secluded ANBU training ground. Since both Ron and Ay could cause Jonin-level destruction; he didn't want to issue a mission just to repair the training ground at their clan. Additionally, he preferred to keep Ron from appearing too publicly, even though most Jonin in the village already knew about him.
Before long, an ANBU operative arrived, bringing kunai and shuriken for the spar. Both Ay and Ron equipped themselves, as was customary for ninja combat.
The battle began swiftly. Ron remained wary, knowing that if Ay activated his Lightning Chakra Mode, he would become vastly stronger. As an Elite Jonin, Ay could already challenge weaker Kage-level opponents while using that mode. The Third Raikage had once told Ron that Ay was only one step away from true shadow-level power, if he maintained his training and underwent either a gradual or a life-and-death battle, with the transformation of his spiritual quality, he would reach that level.
Not wanting to engage recklessly, Ron used the Body Flicker Technique to create distance. Ay responded immediately, hurling kunai infused with lightning chakra. The kunai, supercharged with energy, streaked through the air at incredible speeds, fast enough to pierce through stone walls. The entire exchange happened in less than half a second.
Despite Ron's ability to use ninjutsu without hand seals, it still required training and integration into combat. But he was prepared.
With his right hand, he gathered Black Lightning, and in his left, Purple Lightning.
Dodging the first wave of kunai, Ron noticed more approaching rapidly. As he maneuvered through them, he called out:
"Yin-Style: Black Lightning Shield!"
A dense black barrier crackling with dark lightning formed around him, blocking the projectiles. Without hesitation, he followed up with another technique:
"Yin-Style: Purple Lightning Fall!"
From his left hand, numerous arcs of purple lightning erupted like a storm, surging toward Ay in unpredictable patterns.
Many ninjas shout out ninjutsu names to form an image in their head, to better activate the ninjutsu, of course, Ron was only doing so in his mind.
Ay was unfazed. Without activating Lightning Chakra Mode, he instead enhanced his body's cells, boosting his physical speed and reflexes. Moving at blinding speed, he avoided the attack and closed the distance, his fist charged with lightning chakra.
Ron reacted instantly, forging a staff of pure energy. Its base was made of Black Lightning, with Purple Lightning coursing along its surface, crackling dangerously with each motion. Channeling chakra into his body, he braced himself.
Their battle intensified. Ay struck relentlessly with chakra-enhanced fists, his attacks transitioning seamlessly between Lightning Fist and Lightning Chop, two A-rank, seal-less techniques native to Kumogakure. Each blow damaged Ron's staff, but he continuously repaired it using his chakra.
Ron relied on his exceptional chakra control, using Air Stepping to maneuver midair and Life Return to adjust his body to Ay's attacks. He even reinforced his hair with chakra, forming a temporary shield. Meanwhile, he manipulated kunai mid-flight with electromagnetic fields or using purple lightning, attempting to distract Ay.
Yet, Ay's superior speed and strength kept him on the defensive.
After testing each other's abilities, they finally paused. At that moment, the Third Raikage, along with Raiya and Kohana, appeared nearby.
The Third Raikage folded his arms and asked, "Are you both ready?"
Ron and Ay exchanged a glance before nodding.
In the next instant, both activated Lightning Chakra Mode.
Their chakra surged, surrounding them with a brilliant blue aura crackling with electricity. The sheer pressure of their chakra energy caused the ground beneath them to crater slightly.
Excitement burned in their eyes. This was the fight they had been waiting for, one where they didn't have to hold back their raw power.
The battle resumed with terrifying speed.
Now, both of them moved at velocities surpassing even the Body Flicker Technique. Their enhanced bodies were not only physically stronger but also surrounded by an enchanting chakra layer, making every attack more devastating. Their aura acted as an extension of their movements applying force propelling their actions, enhancing their strikes and defenses.
They clashed hundreds of times in mere moments, their bodies flickering across the training ground. Each impact shook the air, sending shockwaves through the area. Despite Ron's skill, Ay's overwhelming strength and speed forced him to retreat slightly with each exchange. However, as long as he had chakra, he could keep fighting. Neither had inflicted serious damage yet, as they skillfully unloaded each other's attacks through sheer technique and movement.
Observing from the side, the Third Raikage thought,
"Both of them have reached an equal level in terms of Lightning Chakra Mode, but Ay's superior strength means Ron has to expend more chakra to compensate."
Realizing this, Ay increased the output of his chakra mode, pushing his strength to the next level. Ron, on the other hand, had already been pushing his physical limits, he couldn't output more chakra than Ay in this mode. He knew he needed to rely on his ninjutsu to gain an edge.
As they clashed again, Ron began feeling the strain. Each of Ay's strikes sent jolts of pain through his body. He knew he couldn't keep up this pace much longer.
"I can't keep going like this," he thought.
Breaking away, he created distance and activated a technique he had been developing:
"Purple Lightning: Chakra Mode!"
His usual blue lightning aura shifted to a deep violet. Now, every movement he made generated streaks of Purple Lightning that actively lashed out at Ay. While the technique forced Ay to expend more chakra, it wasn't enough to turn the tide, Ay didn't even need to activate his Lightning Armor to withstand it.
Ron knew that this ninjutsu would work exceptionally well on those who did not know lighting chakra mode, but against those who knew it was kind of useless, he still had access to S-rank techniques like the Spirit Sword, but this was a sparring session. Likewise, Ay wasn't using his full arsenal.
Before they could escalate further, the Third Raikage suddenly raised his hand, signaling them to stop.
"That's enough," he said, his deep voice cutting through the crackling of lightning in the air. "You both fought well. We should do more sparring like this. Next time, I want Bee to join in too. Too bad he's away on a mission. Ay, I know you and Bee train together, but it's better to test your combination techniques against a real opponent. With Ron joining, I can guide you all better."
He smirked. "Lately, even the ANBU Elite Jonin can't keep up with me. Once you reach the Shadow Level, and with Bee mastering the Tailed-Beast Chakra Mode, we'll have some real battles on our hands!"
As Raiya and Kohana checked to ensure that Ron and Ay were unharmed, the two brothers exchanged a look. The thought of sparring against their father made them hesitate.
The Third Raikage was in a league of his own. Even with Ron's Spirit Sword, it would be difficult to damage his Lightning Armor.
Both Ay and Ron sighed inwardly.
"The old man just wants to bully us..."
They couldn't help but picture their father effortlessly overwhelming them, beating them into the ground with sheer brute force.
For now, they had escaped that fate. But they knew, sooner or later, they'd have to face him.
And when that day came, it would hurt!