Against this technique, Taijutsu was virtually useless, making the Hyuga Clan dread encountering them.
Even the Uchiha found them challenging.
The only counter to the Water Transformation Technique was Lightning Release.
"Meow~ Don't we have any Lightning Release ninjas on our side?" Raj asked, puzzled by Tsunade's grim expression.
"To deal with the Water Transformation Technique, why not just send in ninjas who can use Lightning Release?"
Konoha's Lightning Release skills weren't exceptional, but surely they could find someone capable.
"We do, but..." Tsunade glanced at Kakashi, her meaning clear.
While Lightning Release users existed, none currently possessed high-level Lightning Release skills.
The strongest among them were only at the Elite Chunin rank, and even at that level, Kakashi's combat prowess was considered relatively strong.
Lightning Release is indeed effective against the Water Transformation Technique, but the Hozuki Clan aren't fools.
They wouldn't just stand there and let someone unleash Lightning Release on them.
Ninja warfare isn't a duel.
Take this operation, for example.
Four Hozuki clan members are coordinating with an elite squad.
The squad uses Water Release ninjutsu to create cover, while the Hozuki members conceal themselves within the water, launching surprise assassinations and swift retreats.
If they encounter Lightning Release ninjas, the elite squad will help defend against them.
"Lady Tsunade, please let me join Raj on this mission. I promise I won't..." Kakashi began, then gritted his teeth and swallowed the words 'hold him back.'
Raj was staring at him, his gaze practically screaming, 'You really think you won't hold me back? Think about it again.
Really think about it.'
"Kakashi, your Lightning Release ninjutsu would be useless in this situation..." Rin hesitated, but ultimately spoke the truth.
Though it stung, it was for his own good.
Tsunade sighed.
"Kakashi, you have excellent potential. In another two or three years, you might be ready for missions of this caliber. But right now, you're still too weak. Konoha hasn't reached the point where we need to send children like you into battle."
'Except for Raj.'
A cat's age can't be compared to a human's.
Even if it's a Ninja Cat, it can't be compared to ordinary cats.
But this is a Ninja Cat who has likely absorbed Natural Energy and developed Sage Art Chakra within its body...
Tsunade was certain that Raj possessed a hidden legacy from the Ninja Cat Realm.
Compared to him, Kakashi truly paled in comparison.
"Meow~ I'm going to take a bath now," Raj said, stretching lazily.
Having finished his report, he immediately headed for the bath; the stench of blood was making him uncomfortable.
"I'm going out to train," Kakashi said, his mood heavy.
This feeling of powerlessness and uselessness was suffocating him.
Ever since obtaining the Lightning Blade, he had been trying to figure out how to wield it effectively, but after all this time, he still had no breakthrough.
Raj left and walked toward the nearby stream.
As he bathed, he pondered the situation.
He hadn't fought the Hozuki Clan before.
Though he knew from the manga how formidable their Water Transformation Technique was, he hadn't realized just how troublesome it would be.
Aside from Lightning Release, he couldn't think of many effective countermeasures.
Raj pondered that he needed to prepare a countermeasure, regardless of whether he would encounter the Hozuki Clan again.
He needed to have a Lightning Release ninjutsu ready, otherwise, if he ran into a lone Hozuki clan member, he wouldn't even be able to earn any points.
But his talent for Lightning Release...
The lowest-rank Lightning Release: Earth Run required 9,000 points.
'This price is fucking outrageous!'
He had only spent a little over 5,000 points on Superhuman Strength.
If it weren't absolutely necessary, he would never have considered exchanging for Lightning Release in the first place.
Raj estimated that even if he used Chakra Paper, his Lightning Release affinity might not even manifest.
'No way. Spending over 9,000 points would be a complete waste.'
He secretly resolved to ask Kakashi for a secret technique to potentially lower the price.
If he could shave off around 2,000 points, he would grit his teeth and make the exchange.
Kakashi was sitting in an open area outside the camp.
He wasn't practicing swordsmanship or ninjutsu, just sitting there as if deep in thought.
Raj sauntered over, glanced at Kakashi, and lazily squatted down beside him.
"What are you doing sitting here?"
Kakashi shot him a cold glare.
Even with his mask on, his annoyance was palpable.
'Is it really necessary...?'
Raj was speechless.
'He knew he could be a bit... much sometimes, but wasn't it for their own good?'
Even if he was trying to farm Points, Kakashi had hardly any left anyway.
He grumbled inwardly, then lifted his head and said disdainfully, "Meow~ I was just trying to help you. If you don't appreciate it, fine."
"Help me?"
Kakashi's eyes lit up briefly before dimming again.
'This cat's such a jerk. How could he possibly want to help me? He's probably just planning another prank...'
'Yeah, why would he genuinely want to help me?'
With a sigh, the silver-haired boy said listlessly, "Raj, I'm not in the mood to play today. I'm trying to figure out how to get stronger!"
"Getting stronger requires the right methods, meow~!"
Raj shook the water off his fur and strutted back toward the camp to rest.
Without Kakashi, he could still ask others about the secret to Earth Run.
It wasn't some high-level technique; a small amount of battle merit would be enough to learn it.
But for Kakashi...
"Wait!"
After a few seconds of hesitation, Kakashi finally called out to stop him.
"What do you want to know?"
'Meow? Tch, Kakashi's as troublesome as ever.'
Raj sharpened his claws, then decided to cut to the chase.
"Meow~ I want to train my Lightning Release Chakra's nature transformation, so I need a little help from you."
"Lightning Release?"
Kakashi was thoroughly confused.
'What kind of trick is this? Can cats even learn Lightning Release Ninjutsu on their own?'
"Meow~," Raj nodded, then opened its
Raj opened its mouth and spat out a stream of water, followed by another Iron Cannonball infused with Wind Release Chakra.
The Chakra used wasn't much, so the power was limited, but Kakashi could sense a subtle difference.
After pondering for a moment, he mused, "Are you suggesting I combine Ninjutsu with other techniques? Like my sword..."
'Hey, kid, are you even listening? I'm asking about my own stuff here!'
Raj raised a paw, considering whether to slap him awake, but seeing Kakashi's dejected mood, it swallowed its annoyance.