The Byakugan had powerful vision, but its abilities were severely limited underwater, especially at night. Hyuga Anan's Byakugan could see less than thirty meters ahead. Of course, that was still far beyond what an ordinary person could manage. In dark water, even if it was crystal clear, an ordinary person couldn't see a meter in front of them.
Murderous intent closed in on Li Tong!
As an elite Chunin, Hyuga Anan had incredible control over his body. Even moving underwater, he barely disturbed the water.
The four Anbu Ninja were still guarding their original positions. They had all seen Li Tong bathing, swimming, and diving, but hadn't become any more vigilant. They couldn't be expected to crouch right beside him and guard him even while he was bathing. That would be going too far.
In fact, every Anbu Ninja had the same thought: this Dual-Colored Eyes demon ninja from Amegakure was going to die sooner or later. The Hokage hadn't even assigned enough people to protect him properly.
So the Anbu Ninja weren't on full alert.
The night was quiet and wordless. Only fallen leaves drifted in the wind.
No one knew that Li Tong, beneath the water, had already been caught in a deadly trap.
At the bottom of the lake, Li Tong crouched on the sandy lakebed, eyes wide as he scanned his surroundings.
"Treasure hunting" was a lot of fun!
Li Tong had already found a broken stone statue, a rusty iron bucket, chains covered in algae, and more than ten rusty Kunai. But he hadn't picked any of them up. They were all junk, and there was no point in taking them.
He kept searching!
This body could hold its breath for up to five minutes. Even an elite Jonin in Konoha couldn't go that long without breathing unless they used a jutsu.
Hyuga Anan was rapidly closing in from behind!
He was less than ten meters away. He kicked off hard with both feet, gaining a sudden burst of speed.
Li Tong sensed something behind him. The unusual ripples in the water alerted him, and he spun around. His right eye saw only darkness, but his left eye, the True Sight Eye, caught sight of Hyuga Anan rushing in to kill him!
"Not him again!" Li Tong was startled.
You can't see me, demon! Hyuga Anan sneered inwardly. So what if Li Tong sensed something strange? He couldn't see a thing and wouldn't be on guard. In three seconds, he'd be dead!
Damn it! Li Tong's heart tightened. They were in the middle of the lake, with more than ten meters between the surface and the bottom. There was no way he could reach the surface before Hyuga Anan got to him!
Ten meters!
Eight meters!
Five meters!
Three meters!
Hyuga Anan was getting closer and closer. In that instant, as Li Tong's nerves tensed, time seemed to slow. His mind became unusually clear. Images flashed through his thoughts like streaks of light—fragments of the former owner of this body's memories. They were all about assassinations, counterassassinations, desperate fights to the death, and battles fought with one's life on the line.
The cold blade was already sweeping toward Li Tong, drawing closer and closer to his neck.
Li Tong wasn't even wearing clothes. He had no weapons on him!
As if summoning all his strength, Li Tong twisted sideways and bent back at the last possible moment, narrowly dodging the blade Hyuga Anan had swung at his neck! Hyuga Anan's expression shifted. He hadn't expected Li Tong to react in time. He drew his hand back and struck again, stabbing toward Li Tong's back.
A vicious smile curled Hyuga Anan's lips. He was sure to win!
The underwater environment restricted them both.
As an elite Chunin of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Anan had already mastered the Gentle Fist Technique. But the water's resistance limited his technique. He couldn't throw punches or strikes quickly, nor could he put any power behind them. That was why he was attacking with a blade!
But Li Tong was also affected by the water's resistance. He couldn't move quickly, and using a jutsu would be difficult.
They were both in the same situation!
All they could do was fight at close range!
Hyuga Anan was a Taijutsu ninja. Even on land, he could overpower ninja of the same rank in close combat, let alone underwater!
The short blade, glinting with a chilling light, slashed toward Li Tong again and again. The water slowed it down, but not by much. Li Tong pushed this body's strength to its limit and narrowly dodged three strikes in a row!
The fourth strike!
Hyuga Anan stabbed for Li Tong's throat again!
Li Tong swayed aside, but Hyuga Anan suddenly changed his move and slashed. The blade cut across Li Tong's shoulder, drawing a streak of blood. Hyuga Anan's face lit up with delight. He raised his blade and brought it down on Li Tong's head!
Li Tong couldn't dodge!
The wound in his shoulder kept him from moving his arm freely, and it was hard for him to adjust his body quickly.
"Die!" Hyuga Anan seemed to shout, but underwater, Li Tong couldn't hear him. He could only see bubbles churning in front of the man's mouth.
Damn it! You're forcing me to do this! I just hope I have enough chakra... Li Tong's expression turned fierce. He was a man with a powerful will to survive! As the thought crossed his mind, he summoned what strength he had left and raised both hands before the blade could strike his head. He pointed all ten fingers at Hyuga Anan!
They were extremely close!
Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh! Pssh!
Explosive bursts of air erupted from Li Tong's fingertips, as if someone had fired a gun underwater. Ten bullets shot from his fingers, trailing white streaks as they pierced straight through Hyuga Anan!
"Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"
This was the most powerful ability Li Tong had received from his awakening gift pack: the Kekkei Genkai held by the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure in the Land of Water, Shikotsumyaku!
Hyuga Anan, who had been about to cut Li Tong down, was struck as if by a powerful impact and sent flying backward. His blade slipped from his hand and spun off to the side. Blood poured from the front and back of his chest, staining the water around him red.
Li Tong's vision went black after using Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, and he nearly fainted. The chakra he'd recovered on the shore was now completely depleted—almost to the last drop!
His lack of chakra was his biggest problem right now.
Fortunately, he'd had enough chakra to use Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets once. He hadn't died from running out.
Hyuga Anan stared at Li Tong in disbelief as his body drifted backward. Soon, the light faded from his eyes. At the moment of his death, his body began to glow, and more than ten cards flew out of it, hovering above the corpse.
"Ding! The host has defeated an enemy of a higher rank. Reward: one B-Rank Ninjutsu Random Card!" The Card Emperor Sprite's notification sounded in Li Tong's ear at the same time.
Li Tong had swallowed water. Running out of chakra had left him weak, and the wound in his shoulder was making things worse.
He floundered underwater for a moment, ignoring the body and cards, then shot toward the surface, swimming as fast as he could.
Splash!
Water churned across the surface of the lake. Li Tong broke through and gazed up at the moon, gasping for breath.
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