"Kirigakure shinobi?"
Upon seeing the forehead protectors of the approaching ninja, Hyūga Satoshi's expression darkened slightly.
And another thing...
If you're truly sorry, then don't stand on the opposing side!
What's the point of saying 'sorry'? Are they looking down on us?
Inuzuka Midori held her trembling ninken, Gukumaru, close to her chest. A thought crossed her mind, making her face tense up.
"Kirigakure… Could they be the ones our sensei warned us about?"
"Two people are approaching this way." Aburame Seikō listened to the information his insects relayed, his tone neither optimistic nor relaxed. "One of them… is terrifying."
"Ah, don't worry. They won't make a move. Probably."
Mukumo had been listening to their whispered conversation, his expression unreadable.
"Also, I'd appreciate it if you didn't ignore me."
Satoshi and his teammates exchanged quick glances and subtle hand signals to determine their strategy.
"Scatter!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Midori and Seikō leaped into the air, darting toward Mukumo from opposite sides!
Mukumo remained still, carefully observing them. He wanted to see what these three Konoha genin were capable of.
His abilities worked best when reacting to enemy moves.
From his initial observations, in their previous battle against the Amegakure team:
The girl fought using a secret technique that coordinated with her ninken.
The one with sunglasses used insects capable of absorbing chakra.
Tap. Tap.
Midori and Seikō landed on either side of Mukumo—but instead of attacking, they unexpectedly dashed forward, ignoring the fact that they had seemingly 'surrounded' him!
"Nani?"
Mukumo turned in surprise, watching as the two darted past him.
"Later, sucker!" Midori stuck her tongue out playfully as she glanced back at him. "We're out of here—bye-bye!"
Not only did they have intel from their sensei, but based on their own perception, this Kirigakure team was trouble.
They had just finished a battle with the Amegakure shinobi, meaning their stamina and chakra were already depleted. Worse, there was a high possibility that the Kirigakure team had already gathered intel on them.
A quick analysis of the situation led to one conclusion—retreat was the best option!
Damn it. They tricked me.
The one in the green coat and sunglasses—the one wearing number 55.
Mukumo narrowed his eyes, raising his hands to pull them back—
But there was still one left.
"I'll take you out first!"
His teammates were merely distractions.
Hyūga Satoshi suddenly closed the distance in a flash, attacking Mukumo head-on!
If this Kirigakure shinobi was their team's sensory or reconnaissance specialist—and with a wide detection range at that—then taking him out was crucial to their escape!
They needed to get rid of him, then move at full speed to avoid pursuit and reach the watchtower!
With his Byakugan, Satoshi could see Mukumo's chakra points with absolute clarity!
He spread his hands, taking the signature stance of the Hyūga Clan's taijutsu.
"Gentle Fist!"
His first strike landed on a chakra point in Mukumo's shoulder. With his Byakugan, he could see Mukumo's chakra flowing toward his hands.
Without hesitation, Satoshi followed up with a rapid series of palm strikes, each one aimed precisely at Mukumo's vital chakra nodes!
"Nice!"
Midori turned her head and saw her teammate's attack land successfully. Excited, she cheered,
"Hah! Guess the Kirigakure ninja aren't so tough after all!"
Seikō, however, remained more composed.
The moment Satoshi landed his first strike, Seikō felt something was off.
This Kirigakure shinobi had taken a full set of Gentle Fist strikes—yet he seemed completely unfazed.
In fact, not only was he unharmed, Mukumo showed no signs of chakra disruption.
Satoshi's eyes widened as he took a step back. His Byakugan confirmed that Mukumo's chakra flow remained perfectly normal, completely unaffected by the attacks.
"What?!"
Satoshi and Midori's faces paled. He had taken the full brunt of the Gentle Fist technique—and yet he could still use jutsu like nothing had happened!
"Impossible…!"
The Hyūga prided themselves on their techniques, unable to believe their clan's signature strikes had failed.
"Watch out!"
Seikō yanked Midori backward just in time. The misty arms extended from Mukumo's body, sweeping toward them like ghostly tendrils.
Mukumo's expression remained impassive as he controlled the Cloud Release mist to strike again, this time aiming at Seikō.
Realizing that he was the target, Seikō glanced down at his number tag, his brows furrowing. This was getting troublesome.
He swiftly dodged the misty appendage.
"Damn it! You think I'm just gonna let you push me around?!"
Midori had fallen to the ground, caked in dirt. Wiping her mouth, her frustration boiled over.
"Time to show you what I'm made of!"
"Four Legs Technique!"
Midori dropped to all fours, her chakra surging. Her nails sharpened like claws, her teeth bared like a wild animal.
Mukumo stood still, his calm eyes watching her. He wasn't moving at all.
"Don't underestimate me! Passing Fang!"
Midori roared, spinning rapidly into a whirlwind, tearing toward Mukumo. Her speed, enhanced by her clan's secret techniques, made her a blur as she struck him head-on—
And passed straight through him.
There was no resistance at all.
It felt even less substantial than striking cotton.
"What the—?!"
Midori stopped her technique, landing beside Satoshi. "What the hell just happened?!"
"His ability… it's related to that mist." Satoshi scowled. "His body can become intangible. That's why my Gentle Fist didn't work."
His expression darkened as realization dawned. "Could this be… a Kekkei Genkai?"
"Physical attacks might not work on him," Seikō called out. "Change tactics! Cover me!"
A swarm of kikaichū erupted from Seikō's sleeves, forming a dense black cloud that clashed with the mist.
The insects immediately latched onto the mist, devouring the chakra-infused vapor.
If physical attacks were useless, then neither Gentle Fist nor Beast Mimicry would work. Their only hope was Seikō's chakra-consuming insects.
"Damn it, we ran into our worst matchup…"
Satoshi and Midori exchanged glances before springing into action.
"Passing Fang!"
"Gentle Fist!"
Midori spun through the mist tendrils, slicing them apart, while Satoshi struck with precise palm thrusts, disrupting Mukumo's attack.
Mukumo watched as the three of them coordinated their defense, pushing forward toward him.
The kikaichū swarmed him hungrily, sensing his chakra as a feast.
These Konoha genin were much stronger than the Sunagakure team from earlier.
The insects completely engulfed Mukumo, leaving him trapped inside the writhing mass.
Cloud Release: Cloud Form—Fire.
Fwoosh!
In an instant, the harmless mist ignited, turning into blazing crimson flames.
The kikaichū caught in the fire burned away instantly, their frail bodies unable to withstand the sudden heat.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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