Thunder defense?!
Thor was now enveloped in a swirling aura of lightning, practically a living ball of electricity. That meant if Ryuuto slashed with the Bloody March Sickle, the current would course back through the weapon and into his own body. A lethal feedback loop.
Ryuuto had anticipated this. But he didn't care. Never mind — just split Thor's head anyway.
He swung, but Thor caught the handle of the sickle. ZAP! Lightning shot along the weapon, electrocuting Ryuuto.
Before Ryuuto could recover, a second attack came from behind — Loki, still tethered as Ryuuto's puppet, flailed with uncontrolled strength. Ryuuto stumbled back a few meters, momentarily stunned.
"Brother… I'm sorry. I can't control myself," Loki murmured, his voice filled with helpless regret.
Thor scowled, frustrated. His plan to eliminate Ryuuto first had been foiled by Loki's reckless interference. Fortunately, it was just a fist attack; a sword or blade could have seriously injured Ryuuto.
Ryuuto flexed his numb arms and thought fast. Thor's lightning defense made any melee attack suicidal. Every strike risked channeling electricity back into him. The solution: keep distance, avoid contact, and control the battlefield.
But Thor wasn't giving him a break. He slammed Mjolnir into the ground, sending a crack rippling toward Ryuuto like a live serpent, arcs of lightning leaping from the fissure.
Hmm… Thor really hasn't lost his touch. Ryuuto couldn't help but admire his opponent's mastery over thunder.
He slammed the Bloody March Sickle upward, pressed his hands to the ground, and channeled Chakra through his body. "Earth Style — Earth-Moving Core!"
A massive chunk of soil rose to shield him from the lightning. The protective block was shredded instantly, but dust and debris clouded Thor's vision just long enough. Ryuuto's usual plan — flash behind Thor and attack — was now too risky. High-voltage electricity made any close maneuver potentially fatal.
Ryuuto gritted his teeth. How do I finish him? The Primordial Realm Stripping Technique was tempting, but he wanted to toy with Thor a little longer before ending things cleanly.
He concentrated, hands opening and closing — a glowing cube forming between his palms.
Thor, meanwhile, soared directly overhead, Mjolnir crackling like a comet. He'd seen this trick before — the cube's expansion could strip someone to their very molecules. But Thor also understood its limitations: speed could let him escape.
Ryuuto had no choice. He let the Primordial Realm Stripping Technique unfold.
Thor dove from above, lightning coiling around him like a living armor. Ryuuto shoved Loki forward as a shield. Mjolnir slammed into the puppet — obliterating it like paper — and a colossal shockwave erupted, leaving a crater over 100 meters wide. Thor stood at the center, victorious… yet unaware that Ryuuto was elsewhere, ready to strike.
"Don't hide, coward! Come out and face me!" Thor bellowed.
Ryuuto surged forward, palms glowing with Chakra. Thor laughed, seeing him approach unarmed. "Reckless fool! I'll send you flying west!"
Ryuuto's clone executed the Primordial Realm Stripping Technique behind Thor just as the hammer struck. A bang resounded — the clone vanished, and Thor realized he'd been tricked.
The realm around Thor expanded into a dense fog. Ryuuto thought he'd destroyed Thor completely, only to find him still standing outside the technique's zone… but bleeding, left arm gone.
"Thor, you think you can beat me? You should be running!" Ryuuto taunted, lips curling.
"Damn it! I am Thor! I will not flee, even if I die here!"
"Ambitious," Ryuuto replied with a sly grin. He wanted Thor to rage, to fight with pride. Perfect.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Five duplicates of Ryuuto materialized on either side, each poised to overwhelm the God of Thunder.