You're Getting Anxious?

Deep in the forests of the Land of Whirlpools, Ao was leading five Kirigakure ninjas in a rapid advance.

Yet every one of them wore a solemn expression, because they were getting closer and closer to the border of the Land of Fire.

"Captain, we've been at peace for so long already. Why are we still carrying out a mission like this?"

At last, one of the Kirigakure ninjas could not hold back any longer. He looked at Ao at the front and asked in a low voice.

"I don't know either, but this is the Mizukage's order."

Ao shook his head at that and spoke calmly.

"So don't ask any more questions. Let's do what we're supposed to do."

"Yes!"

Although the Kirigakure ninjas still had their doubts, the Mizukage's name had been invoked, so they could not say much more.

Ao glanced at the people behind him and could not help sighing inwardly.

He himself did not understand this mission, especially at a time like this!

With Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura expanding the Bloody Mist Policy, Kirigakure was anything but peaceful internally.

First, Zabuza had failed to assassinate the Mizukage and defected. Then the Kaguya Clan had also joined the "chicken dinner competition."

The Kaguya Clan had simply been unlucky. The prepared Mizukage had wiped them out in retaliation.

After that, more bloodline clans were destroyed one after another, while the cruelty and distortion of the Bloody Mist Policy left more and more people dissatisfied.

Under such circumstances, Ao felt that remaining in Kirigakure to stabilize the situation would have been best.

Instead, they had actually been sent to the Land of Fire on a mission?

"Sigh..."

Ao sighed silently in his heart, but ninjas still had to obey orders, especially when those orders came from the Mizukage.

Yet he had already formed an idea. If we really run into serious trouble, then I...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Just as he was thinking, several sounds of air being torn apart suddenly rang out from the forest. A dense barrage of kunai shot toward them!

Ao came back to his senses instantly and shouted.

"Watch out, it's an ambush!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, waves of Chakra fluctuations appeared on the kunai.

Boom, boom, boom—

A series of violent explosions suddenly thundered through the dense forest. In an instant, the flames swallowed them all!

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

They were all elite Kirigakure ninjas, however, and the Land of Whirlpools was right by the sea. Such an environment favored them.

In the blink of an eye, they immediately used Water Release.

The surging wall of water collided with the oncoming flames, sending steam billowing into the sky.

For a moment, the steam enveloped everyone.

"Byakugan, activate!"

Ao immediately released the seal on his right eye, his gaze rapidly sweeping across the surroundings.

"One at nine o'clock, one at twelve, one at three. They're all Anbu from Konoha!"

Crackle, crackle—

But as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the sound of thunder roaring. Immediately afterward came a comrade's scream.

On the other side, he watched with his own eyes as a section of tree vine flew toward them and pierced straight through one of his comrades!

"Chidori, Wood Release..."

Ao's expression changed. He did not know who the Wood Release user was, but the one using Chidori was definitely Hatake Kakashi!

Ao had already been resistant to this mission, and now he did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately shouted.

"Everyone, retreat!"

"Leave? I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

As soon as he finished speaking, an Anbu who looked like a young man had already charged in front of him.

Chakra that resembled a pair of fierce lions had gathered around his hands and was already smashing toward Ao!

"Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists?"

Ao raised his brows. He had seen this technique before.

The former owner of his Byakugan had known this technique as well!

"Is he from the Hyuga Main Family?"

He murmured inwardly, and suddenly an idea formed in his mind.

Kakashi and the Wood Release user were clearly extremely troublesome. If they encountered those two, they might not be able to escape!

But if we take a hostage...

His gaze immediately narrowed slightly. He was not afraid of the Hyuga. After all, he had the title of "Byakugan Killer"!

Boom—

The punch struck down, and even the ground was shaken by the force of the wind, leaving a crater.

But Ao had already leaped into the air. Having made his decision, he let out a cold snort.

"You really chose the wrong opponent."

In an instant, his Chakra surged wildly and gathered in his hand. The next moment, he swung it out rapidly.

"Water Release: Azure Dragon Palm!"

After obtaining the Byakugan, he had combined its properties with the Water Release he excelled at.

This had given him a completely new and unique fighting style!

"Eight Trigrams Palm: Style One."

Hyuga Makoto was not flustered after his attack missed. He immediately raised his hand and struck with his palm.

Bang—

At the instant fist and palm collided, Ao's body suddenly dispersed, transforming into a wave of water.

The wave rapidly wrapped toward Hyuga Makoto, while Ao's figure reappeared on the other side.

"Kid, you're still too green. Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

Looking at the fierce wave of water rushing toward him, Hyuga Makoto's gaze flickered slightly. The next moment, he suddenly turned his fist.

Whoom—

The Chakra-filled fist swung out again, and ripples immediately spread across the wave of water that was closing in.

Then the wave could no longer maintain its form. With a splash, it scattered across the ground!

"How is that possible..."

A look of astonishment appeared on Ao's face. He was not surprised that the boy had seen through his technique.

After all, with the Byakugan, one could see many things.

He had already prepared to take advantage of the opening when the boy dodged the Water Prison Technique and launch an attack!

Yet the boy had not dodged. Instead, he had casually shattered Ao's technique with a single strike?

Was it luck?

But before he could think further, Hyuga Makoto charged toward him again.

The fist filled with powerful Chakra let out a series of humming sounds in the air.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Ao immediately formed hand seals, and a huge water dragon roared out.

However, Hyuga Makoto only glanced at it. When the water dragon drew near, he swung his fist again!

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm."

Chakra formed an invisible shock wave in the air. The roaring water dragon suddenly halted.

The next moment, the water dragon split in two and once again became a puddle of stagnant water on the ground!

"This guy really isn't right!"

Ao had now completely realized that something was wrong, but he could not understand what was happening at all.

Hyuga Makoto, however, had no intention of explaining. He himself was also extremely surprised and excited!

So this is the power of the Tenseigan...

Hyuga Makoto had activated the Tenseigan!

Although he had not gone out to buy any colored contact lenses, the Anbu mask was designed to block the eyes without affecting one's vision.

He had no need to worry about exposing his eyes, and he had truly experienced the effects of the Tenseigan!

Although its development is only at one percent, it can already provide extraordinary insight...

He did not know what the Sharingan was like, but his Tenseigan allowed him to precisely track the direction of his opponent's Chakra flow.

It could even clearly observe the signs of muscle contraction. By combining these minute changes, he could instantly determine his opponent's intentions.

The same applied to techniques. He could quickly see through their structure. All he had to do was attack their Core, and he could destroy the technique!

With this enhancement, he fought more smoothly the longer the battle continued, and his suppressive force grew stronger and stronger.

Ao, meanwhile, became increasingly miserable, and his mind grew more and more confused.

How is this guy different from the Hyuga I've encountered before?

Hyuga Makoto's chaotic attacks had already left him scrambling. Most troublesome of all was...

Why can this guy predict my movements?

Every time he attacked, his opponent had already prepared in advance. Even when he tried to feint, it seemed as if the other party could see through it instantly!

He had the Byakugan too. He could also see through the flow of Chakra.

But he simply could not do this!

Moreover, he had discovered another problem.

Why do I always feel as if my Byakugan is being suppressed?

Ao truly could not understand it, but he had no time to think about it now.

He had not forgotten the predicament of his subordinates. If he did not find a way to restrain this guy quickly, they really might not be able to leave!

At this thought, a ruthless look surfaced on Ao's face.

Since he could not gain the advantage through such "precise" exchanges, he would simply overwhelm him with brute force!

After blocking Hyuga Makoto's attack once again, the Chakra within his body surged wildly.

Yet before he could make his move, Hyuga Makoto suddenly raised his head and spoke softly.

"What is it? Are you getting anxious?"

"..."