The Hyuga Clan's Most Feared Enemy

Shigushan Mountain, a gentle slope forest below the summit.

Clashing blades and swords, killing intent filled the air.

Over fifty Kirigakure Shinobi, under Suikazan Fuguki's command, charged fearlessly towards Hyuga Ritsu and Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui's Teleportation Technique had truly reached a state of perfection. His speed was comparable to the Yellow Flash, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. After slashing the throats of two Kirigakure Shinobi with his short katana, he dodged incoming blades and appeared behind Hyuga Ritsu in the blink of an eye.

His scarlet eyes darted around. Wherever his gaze fell, the Kirigakure Shinobi averted their eyes, none daring to meet his gaze.

He complained with a hint of jest, "Senior Ritsu, there are quite a lot of them!"

"Even Body Flicker Shisui is afraid?"

Hyuga Ritsu asked with a smile, simultaneously unleashing an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm. It sent a Kirigakure Shinobi flying back, spitting blood. Two white bones protruded from his shoulders, deflecting two incoming blades.

"It's not fear, but it's tiring! Forget fifty people, even fifty pigs would take some effort to kill!"

Uchiha Shisui seized an unlucky individual who hadn't looked away in time. The moment their eyes met, he cast a genjutsu, pulling their consciousness into an abyss. His leaping body lost control and crashed to the ground with a "thud."

A Kirigakure Shinobi quickly pulled his companion back and attempted to break the genjutsu, but ordinary methods of disrupting chakra flow were useless against a Sharingan genjutsu.

"Then take it easy and help me keep an eye on that prodigy from the Hozuki clan. Don't let him interfere. The Water Transformation Technique is too disgusting for me. In exchange, I'll handle the rest of these Kirigakure Shinobi!"

"Huh? Really?"

"What? Worried I can't handle it?"

"Since Senior Ritsu says so, I'll obey."

Uchiha Shisui still had a tiny bit of worry in his heart, but since Hyuga Ritsu had requested it, he didn't refuse after thinking about it. After all, Senior Ritsu was not the same as before.

If it were the Senior Ritsu he knew before, he would likely not be able to handle an ambush by so many Kirigakure Shinobi. But now, Senior Ritsu had gained the Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku. He wasn't sure how much stronger he had become.

Therefore, It was better to follow Senior Ritsu's instructions and help watch Hozuki Mangetsu, an enemy who was the worst possible match for Senior Ritsu.

When he first heard Hyuga Ritsu's proposal, he almost burst out laughing.

This was because the Water Transformation Technique of the Hozuki clan was truly the most disgusting enemy for ninjas of the Hyuga clan. The Hozuki clan was a prominent family in Kirigakure, possessing the secret technique "Water Transformation Technique." The core mystery of this secret technique was to transform the body into water, thus rendering it completely immune to all physical attacks.

This was undoubtedly the most troublesome enemy for the Hyuga clan, as their Gentle Fist was purely physical. Pressure point attacks were meaningless against members of the Hozuki clan whose bodies could turn into water.

Even more infuriating was that Senior Ritsu's Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai combat style was also purely physical, offering no counter to the Hozuki clan's Water Transformation Technique.

"Shisui, thank you for your trouble."

Hyuga Ritsu said with gratitude.

Although his initial plan was for Uchiha Shisui to take the lead while he provided support, he had encountered Hozuki Mangetsu, who seemed specifically sent to target him.

This deliberate malice ignited his killing intent. After confirming that there were no more Kirigakure Shinobi hiding within a ten-kilometer radius, he changed his mind. He decided to exert himself, vent his anger on these damned Kirigakure Shinobi, and also test his limits through this high-intensity practical combat.

Hyuga Ritsu and Uchiha Shisui's conversation was not deliberately hushed. As they spoke, they were still engaging in combat with the numerous Kirigakure Shinobi. Their distances varied, so they could only speak as loudly as possible.

Then, Their conversation sounded exceptionally arrogant to the ears of the Kirigakure Shinobi!

Hozuki Mangetsu was in a good mood. The enemy's aversion and wariness towards him were equivalent to an acknowledgment of his threat, which he considered a compliment!

He rotated his beautiful amethyst-like pupils and glanced at Suikazan Fuguki beside him, mockingly saying, "Fuguki, what do you plan to do? They said they're going to deal with everyone except me!"

"Hmph! Do you really think having two Kekkei Genkai makes you invincible?"

Suikazan Fuguki snorted coldly, displeased. He was also annoyed by Hozuki Mangetsu's instigation and said grumpily, "Mangetsu, stop provoking me. You worry about yourself first! Body Flicker Shisui isn't that easy to deal with!"

Saying this, he removed the large sword, Samehada, wrapped in bandages from his back. His muscles tensed slightly as he prepared for battle.

Because Uchiha Shisui, like a phantom, had used his Teleportation Technique to break out of the encirclement of over forty Kirigakure Shinobi. Although it looked like he was heading towards Hozuki Mangetsu, Suikazan Fuguki had seen too many feints like this!

"Sharingan! It's truly disgusting!"

Hozuki Mangetsu's face contorted in pain as he cursed.

Just as Hyuga Ritsu struggled against the Hozuki clan's Water Transformation Technique, he was equally troubled by the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. In fact, few in the ninja world could face the Sharingan without fear.

The Sharingan's genjutsu was truly terrifying. While his Water Transformation Technique could defend against physical attacks, it was utterly useless against genjutsu.

"Fuguki, let's switch? I'll go kill Hyuga Ritsu for you, and you lead your men to surround and attack Uchiha Shisui!"

"Shut up, Uchiha Shisui is already here!"

Suikazan Fuguki roared, rejecting Hozuki Mangetsu's suggestion to switch opponents. He was also very troubled by the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. Fighting against Uchiha clan members made him feel constrained and extremely uncomfortable. He would let that brat Hozuki Mangetsu suffer first.

After he finished dealing with Hyuga Ritsu, he would come help surround and kill Uchiha Shisui—of course, he knew this thought was somewhat wishful thinking. By the time they dealt with Hyuga Ritsu, Uchiha Shisui would likely flee immediately. With Body Flicker Shisui's speed, they might not be able to catch him.

"Fuguki, you bastard!"

Hozuki Mangetsu cursed angrily.

He was originally ordered by the Mizukage to investigate what Suikazan Fuguki was up to. But through this back-and-forth, he had inexplicably become Suikazan Fuguki's helper and had to face a terrifying enemy like Uchiha Shisui.

This was truly frustrating!

What was even more frustrating and made him want to vomit blood was that he had to face Uchiha Shisui head-on. If he abandoned the fight now, Suikazan Fuguki might escape with his life, but the other Kirigakure Shinobi would surely die in vain.

"Flounder Release!"

Hozuki Mangetsu wielded his twin swords, which formed a flounder shape when closed, blocking Uchiha Shisui's sharp blade, which crackled with lightning.

"Damn it, it's Lightning Release again!"

This prodigy, beloved by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure, cursed again as he looked at the arcing blade. His Hozuki clan's Water Transformation Technique was most vulnerable to Lightning Release Techniques.