Intense Battle

The smoke caused by the Great Fireball and Explosive Tag slowly dissipated as the wind blew.

The other two ninjas did not rashly charge into the smoke. Instead, they chose to wait for it to clear, and that decision cost them their best chance to rescue their teammate.

One of the white-haired ninjas clapped his hands.

[Kid, you're pretty capable! That idiot Watanabe was taken care of by you three just like that.]

As he spoke, he charged toward Haku and the other two with his companion.

[Water Release * Rippling Water Wave!]

The other ninja launched an attack first. Watching the enemy use Water Release Ninjutsu, Haku said to Uchiha Yu,

[He's a Water Release ninja, so he's somewhat effective against your Fire Style. That technique altered the terrain and consumed a great deal of Chakra. I'll deal with him alone. You and Raccoon handle the other ninja. He looks like a Taijutsu ninja, so focus on stalling him.]

[Okay! Be careful, and be ready to retreat at any time!]

Hyuga Riko also responded to Haku from the side.

[Bone Style * Ten Finger Bullets!]

[You still have time to chat? Looks like I haven't put enough pressure on you! Come play with me!]

Then, under the three people's astonished gazes, the white-haired ninja shot ten finger bones from his ten fingers. They streaked toward the three of them at incredible speed.

[He's from the Kaguya Clan. Be careful! Stall for time. The ninjas of their clan can't fight for long! If the battle drags on, they'll injure themselves!]

With the intelligence network of the Hyuga clan behind him, Hyuga Riko immediately recognized the white-haired ninja capable of firing finger bones as a member of the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure.

[Eight Trigrams * Rotation!]

A circle of white energy appeared around Hyuga Riko, and all the incoming finger bones were deflected.

[Not bad, kid from the Hyuga clan! You actually blocked it!]

Hearing the series of clinking sounds and seeing Hyuga Riko's smooth forehead, Kaguya Kyujin revealed a cruel smile.

[I never expected an ordinary mission to let me encounter a kid from the Main Family of the Hyuga clan. If I take you back, our clan will have the Byakugan from now on! Hahaha! Hehehe!]

[Dance of the Wire Flower!]

Then, as he charged toward the two girls, he pulled out his own spine.

After recognizing the white-haired ninja as a member of the Kaguya Clan, Haku was worried about Hyuga Riko and Uchiha Yu, but he did not let himself be distracted by the battle on their side. Haku understood that only by quickly defeating the Water Release ninja here—or shaking him off for a long time—could he go and support them.

[Come on! Let's finish this quickly!]

Haku watched the waterfall-like torrent rushing toward him, sparks flashing in his eyes. His muscles tensed, every one of them filled with explosive power, while uncontrolled Chakra steam radiated from his body after opening the Gate of Limit.

In a place Haku could not see, behind the enormous waterfall, the Kirigakure Ninja rapidly formed Hand Seals, muttering under his breath.

[Water Release * Water Dragon Bullet Technique!]

In an instant, a powerful current surged up from underground and charged forward like a giant dragon.

Haku bent his legs slightly, then pushed off violently, his body shooting forward like an arrow released from its bow.

Because he had opened the Eight Gates, Haku's Chakra was too explosive. Every step he took on the water blasted up a column of water, while the surrounding air rippled faintly from his rapid movement.

The instant he plunged into the torrent, Haku swung his fist. The air itself seemed to twist beneath his strength, and the waterfall exploded apart in an instant, sending water scattering in every direction.

The droplets struck his body, but before they could touch him, they were blown away by the Chakra steam. They made crisp sounds, yet could not cause him any real harm.

The moment he blasted the waterfall apart, Haku did not stop and continued charging forward. As he passed through the water mist, he saw that the Kirigakure Ninja had already released the Water Dragon Bullet.

Without hesitation, he continued his advance. Opening the Gate of Limit while pushing his body beyond its limits would not last long.

The instant he neared the water dragon, he sidestepped and deftly avoided the impact of the current. Then, he charged toward the enemy at incredible speed, raising his fist and smashing it toward him with the force of a raging gale.

The Kirigakure Village Water Release ninja wore a blue ninja uniform that fluttered slightly in the wind. Perhaps because the two consecutive large-scale Water Release techniques had consumed too much Chakra and stamina, he did not move. A profound calm—or perhaps deathly stillness—filled his eyes.

[Pfft!]

Haku dodged the enemy's raised attacking palm, and his fist sank into the ninja's body! [Huh?] The sensation was wrong, but before Haku could think any further—

[Splash!]

A burst of water splattered from Haku's fist.

[Huh? A Water Clone?]

The enemy dissolved into splashing water, and Haku realized that the ninja before him was not the real body. Before Haku could react, he suddenly felt a chill sweep over him from behind.

[Water Release * Water Prison Technique!]

[Hehe! I've got you!]

The ninja suddenly appeared behind Haku, trapping him in water.

As time passed, Haku discovered that he could not forcibly break free from the Water Prison Technique with his current strength, so he deactivated the Eight Gates.