Seeing Hyuga Aoki already trapped in a genjutsu and seemingly unconscious, the Main Branch elder was overjoyed and immediately tried to wrench free from Hyuga Aoki's hand around his throat.
But just then, Hyuga Aoki, who had fallen into a daze, suddenly recovered.
"So fast?"
The Main Branch elder was thoroughly shocked. From the moment Hyuga Aoki fell under the genjutsu to the moment he broke free, only one or two breaths had passed.
In such a short time, let alone killing his enemy to save himself, he did not even have time to pry apart the restraint around his neck and cry out for help.
"Gasp, gasp..."
Hyuga Aoki panted heavily. The exhilaration of revenge was gone from his face, replaced by an unmistakable, profound exhaustion.
The weariness seemed to originate from his soul itself, and his entire body radiated weakness.
"Fast?!" Hearing the Main Branch elder's earlier astonishment, Hyuga Aoki snarled, "I spent three whole days in that damned genjutsu!"
Sensing the icy killing intent in Hyuga Aoki's voice, the Main Branch elder instantly understood that Hyuga Aoki would never spare him. He tried to seize the chance to pry open Hyuga Aoki's arm around his throat, fighting for his last sliver of hope.
At that moment, Hyuga Aoki tightened his grip and glared viciously at the Main Branch elder. "You idiot!"
As the pressure around his neck grew heavier and heavier, the Main Branch elder's face flushed red again. He wailed, "N-no, it has nothing to do with me! I don't know what just happened either! I wasn't plotting against you!"
"Since you know nothing, then die!"
Crack...
With that, Hyuga Aoki viciously crushed the Main Branch elder's neck.
Yet as he looked at the enemy before him, now dead, Hyuga Aoki felt little joy despite finally