Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Willow

On the mountaintop.

The earthen fort, having already endured several waves of Lightning Release Techniques and Explosive Tags, was on the verge of collapse.

Although the Kirigakure Shinobi were most skilled in Water Release Techniques, at the Jonin level, few would stubbornly focus on a single Chakra nature. They often developed multiple Chakra natures to enrich their combat methods and greatly enhance their adaptability to complex situations.

Among the Kirigakure Shinobi dispatched to attack the mountain, there was one Jonin and one Special Jonin proficient in Lightning Release Techniques.

"The fort walls are nearing their limit."

"We still have plenty of Explosive Tags, but we've truly run out of Barrier Talismans."

Inside the earthen fort, The Konoha ninjas described the current situation during breaks in the fighting.

After holding out for so long, the fort's defenses had been severely worn down, and it was only one step away from collapsing. Their supplies had also been significantly depleted. Of course, they had inflicted considerable casualties on the Kirigakure Shinobi; a total of four Kirigakure Shinobi had fallen on the mountain path, and three had retreated with injuries.

Meanwhile, they had suffered no casualties.

However, the Kirigakure Shinobi were numerous and still launching attacks with over ten shinobi constantly attempting to breach the defenses. Most importantly, the two Jonin leading them had their combat strength relatively intact, clearly preparing to break through the fort in one go and completely shatter the Shigushan Mountain defense line today.

"There's nothing more to say. Everyone, prepare to fight. We'll charge out together later!"

The inarticulate captain had also given up on saying any inspiring words. Once the fort collapsed, he would be the first to charge out and engage the Kirigakure Shinobi in close combat.

However, The Special Jonin from the Yamanaka Clan, who had been closing his eyes and using his clan's inherited Sensing Technique, suddenly showed a look of joy on his face. He opened his eyes and shouted, "Reinforcements have arrived! Reinforcements have arrived!"

"What?"

"Are they really here?"

"I thought headquarters had completely forgotten about us!"

In an instant, everyone felt as if they had been injected with adrenaline, becoming instantly invigorated. They chattered excitedly, releasing the pent-up pressure in their hearts, speaking somewhat carelessly.

"How many people have arrived?"

The captain asked, concerned.

"Two people!"

"Huh?"

The captain was stunned, and the cheers of his teammates instantly died down.

Only the Special Jonin from the Yamanaka Clan grinned, "What are you afraid of? Even though there are only two reinforcements, one of them is that Body Flicker Shisui!"

Body Flicker Shisui.

That name seemed to possess a peculiar magic.

It instantly erased the unease in everyone's hearts, rendering the difference in numbers insignificant in the face of that name.

At this moment, the Kirigakure Shinobi's assault also suddenly slowed. One Kirigakure Jonin had already formed seven or eight hand seals, seemingly preparing a powerful jutsu, but now they halted and abandoned it. Clearly, their sensory ninjas had also detected the arrival of Konoha ninja reinforcements.

However, it was also evident that opinions within the Kirigakure Shinobi were not unified. The two Jonin seemed to be arguing, and before they could reach a conclusion, two figures, one white and one black, flashed out from the forest like lightning.

The Kirigakure Shinobi reacted extremely quickly, launching a rain of shuriken and kunai at them.

But, These two figures did not slow down at all, nor did they attempt to defend themselves.

Under the astonished gazes of the Kirigakure Shinobi, these two Konoha ninjas, dressed in white and black respectively, twisted their bodies nimbly within the dense barrage of shuriken and kunai. Light as cranes, swift as leopards, not a single shuriken or kunai touched their bodies.

"Damn Byakugan and Sharingan!"

A Kirigakure Jonin cursed.

Although the Kirigakure Shinobi were all skilled in Water Release Techniques, the Kirigakure Jonin were no slouches. They were powerful and knowledgeable, aware that the Byakugan and Sharingan could easily discern the trajectories of shuriken and kunai. Unless the attack was so dense that evasion was impossible, such attacks were useless.

Furthermore, Because the Konoha reinforcements were from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, their most potent [Hidden Mist Technique] was completely rendered useless. The dense fog could not hinder the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan or the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan.

"Chunin, form a defensive formation and send a request for reinforcements!"

He commanded loudly.

Although they had the numerical advantage, and the Konoha reinforcements were only two people, one was a Hyuga and the other an Uchiha. Moreover, this Uchiha was the notorious Body Flicker Shisui. Just Body Flicker Shisui alone, and their dozen or so men might not be able to defeat him.

The other Jonin did not object. He quickly formed hand seals and released a Water Release Technique.

[Water Release: Water Clone]

The remaining puddles of water around their feet surged, instantly forming several tangible clones. The moment these Water Clones took shape, they picked up the scattered kunai on the ground and charged towards the two approaching Konoha ninjas.

"Trying to stall for time?"

Hyuga Ritsu understood their undisguised intention.

Water Clone was the weakest of all tangible clone techniques, possessing only one-tenth the strength of the original body, but it also consumed the least amount of Chakra among all tangible clone techniques.

If one were dealing with weaker opponents, this technique would be perfectly fine.

But when facing enemies of the same level, using Water Clones has only one purpose: to stall for time. Even weak Water Clones still possess the ability to kill, so they can't be ignored and require effort and time to deal with.

What's more, Water Clones consume little Chakra, allowing even a regular Jonin to easily create fifty to sixty of them.

"If it were before, dealing with these things would indeed be troublesome!"

Hyuga Ritsu exerted force under his feet, his running speed increasing. "But now, these things are meaningless to me!"

The moment his voice fell, Sharp, bone-white bones suddenly protruded from his palms, elbows, shoulders, knees, and other locations. Each bone was sixty centimeters long, fanning out like branches on a tree.

From a distance, He looked exactly like a hedgehog!

[Shikotsumyaku: Dance of Willow]

Hyuga Ritsu looked at the Kirigakure Shinobi Water Clones blocking his path. Without dodging or evading, his body swayed like a willow branch in the wind as he charged directly at them. The sharp bones easily pierced the bodies made of water, breaking their fragile Chakra balance and directly returning them to a mass of flowing water, splashing and wetting Hyuga Ritsu's clothes.

"Shikotsumyaku?!"

Two Jonin among the Kirigakure Shinobi were dumbfounded.

--How could it be Shikotsumyaku?

Isn't that the Kekkei Genkai belonging to the battle-crazed fanatics of the Kaguya Clan? Why would it appear on a Hyuga Clan member? Doesn't that mean the opponent possesses both Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku, two Kekkei Genkai?

Of course, While individuals possessing two Kekkei Genkai simultaneously are rare, they are not unheard of. Their Kirigakure has such a genius girl, but the girl's parents were from two prominent clans within their village that possessed Kekkei Genkai. It's understandable for their offspring to inherit two Kekkei Genkai.

But what's the situation with this monster in front of them?

Did a member of their village's Kaguya Clan elope with a member of Konoha's Hyuga Clan?