Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!

The Byakugan's X-ray vision is formidable, but it is severely hampered underwater, especially in the dead of night. For Hyuga Anan, his Byakugan's penetration range had dropped to less than thirty meters. Of course, this was still far superior to an ordinary person, who would be unable to see even a meter ahead in the dark, murky depths, even if the water were crystal clear.

A murderous intent rapidly closed in on Li Tong!

As an elite Chunin, Hyuga Anan possessed exceptional control over his body; even while moving underwater, he did not stir up significant ripples.

The four Anbu ninjas remained at their posts. They had seen Li Tong bathing, swimming, and diving, but they had not raised their guard. After all, they couldn't be expected to crouch right beside him while he bathed; that would be going too far.

In truth, every Anbu ninja harbored the same thought: this dual-colored eyed brat from Amegakure was destined to die eventually, it was only a matter of time. The Hokage hadn't even assigned enough personnel to provide him with full protection.

Consequently, these Anbu ninjas were not even operating at a fraction of their full alertness.

The night was silent and still, with only fallen leaves drifting on the wind.

No one knew that Li Tong, deep beneath the water, had already fallen into a vortex of death.

At the bottom of the lake, Li Tong squatted on the sandy floor, eyes wide, scanning his surroundings.

"Treasure hunting" was actually quite fun!

Li Tong had already discovered a broken stone statue, a rusted iron bucket, chains covered in algae, and over a dozen rusted kunai at the bottom of the lake. However, he didn't pick any of them up, as they were all "junk" and held no meaning to him.

He was still searching!

This body of his could hold its breath for up to five minutes. Back in Konoha, even a Jonin would find it impossible to go that long without breathing, provided they weren't using ninjutsu.

Hyuga Anan was closing in rapidly from behind!

With the distance now less than ten meters, he kicked off the ground with both feet, his speed surging violently.

Li Tong sensed something approaching from behind; the anomalous water currents alerted him. He whipped his head around. His right eye saw only darkness, but his left eye—the Eye of True Sight—clearly saw Hyuga Anan lunging for the kill!

It's him again! Li Tong was startled.

You can't see me, brat! Hyuga Anan sneered in his heart. So what if he sensed something unusual? If he couldn't see anything, he wouldn't be on guard. Three seconds later, it would be his time to die!

Damn it! Li Tong's heart tightened. This was the center of the lake, and the depth from the surface to the bottom was over ten meters. Li Tong wouldn't be able to reach the surface before Hyuga Anan struck!

Ten meters!

Eight meters!

Five meters!

Three meters!

As Hyuga Anan drew closer, Li Tong's tensed nerves made time seem to slow down in a trance-like state. He became exceptionally clear-headed, and scenes flashed through his mind like light and shadow. These were memory fragments from the original owner of this body—scenes of assassinations, counter-assassinations, life-and-death struggles, and desperate battles.

The cold blade had already reached Li Tong, drawing closer and closer to his neck.

Li Tong wasn't even wearing clothes; he had no weapons on him!

Seeming to draw upon every ounce of his strength at this critical, thousand-jun moment, Li Tong twisted his body and ducked, narrowly dodging the blade Hyuga Anan had aimed at his throat! Hyuga Anan's expression shifted slightly; he hadn't expected Li Tong to react in time. He swung his blade back, stabbing toward Li Tong's heart.

A savage grin curled the corners of Hyuga Anan's mouth. He had won!

The underwater environment imposed limitations on both of them.

As an elite Chunin of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Anan had achieved mastery in the Gentle Fist Technique, but the resistance of the water hindered his strikes. He couldn't punch or palm-strike quickly, and he couldn't generate enough force—which was precisely why he was using a blade.

But likewise, Li Tong was also affected by the water's resistance, making it impossible to move quickly or easily execute ninjutsu.

Both were in the same boat!

It had to be close-quarters combat!

Hyuga Anan was a taijutsu specialist; he would crush a ninja of the same rank in close combat on land, let alone underwater!

The short blade flashed with a chilling light as it slashed at Li Tong again and again. Despite the water's resistance, each strike was fast. Li Tong pushed this body to its absolute limit, narrowly dodging three consecutive slashes!

The fourth strike!

Hyuga Anan stabbed at Li Tong's throat again!

Li Tong dodged, but Hyuga Anan suddenly changed his move, slashing across Li Tong's shoulder and drawing a spray of blood. Hyuga Anan's face lit up with joy, and he brought the blade down toward Li Tong's head!

Li Tong couldn't dodge!

The injury to his shoulder prevented his arm from moving flexibly, making it difficult 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 the bubbles churning before his mouth.

Damn it! You forced my hand! I hope my chakra is enough... Li Tong's expression hardened; he was a man with a powerful will to survive! As he thought this, Li Tong seemed to exhaust every ounce of his strength. Before the blade could strike his head, he raised both hands, pointing his ten fingers directly at Hyuga Anan!

The distance between them was extremely close!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Churning explosions erupted from the tips of Li Tong's fingers, as if he had fired a gun underwater. Ten bullets shot out from his fingertips, trailing white lines, and instantly pierced through Hyuga Anan's body!

"Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"

This was the strongest ability Li Tong had obtained from his Awakening Gift Pack—the Kekkei Genkai possessed by the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure in the Land of Water: Shikotsumyaku!

At that moment, Hyuga Anan, who had been about to hack Li Tong to death, was struck as if by a heavy impact. He flew backward, his blade slipping from his hand and spinning away. Blood poured from his chest and back, staining the surrounding lake water red.

As for Li Tong, who had unleashed the Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, his vision went black, and he nearly fainted. The chakra he had recovered on the shore was now completely bottomed out! It was nearly exhausted!

Insufficient chakra was Li Tong's biggest problem right now.

Fortunately, it was enough for one use of Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, so he hadn't died from chakra exhaustion!

Hyuga Anan stared at Li Tong with eyes full of disbelief, his body retreating continuously until the light faded from his gaze. The moment he died, his body began to glow, and over a dozen cards flew out from his corpse, hovering above it.

"Ding! Host has completed a cross-rank kill. 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 choked on water; his bottomed-out chakra had left him weak, and the wound on his shoulder was also taking its toll.

After thrashing about underwater, Li Tong ignored the corpse and the cards, instead darting directly upward and swimming fast.

Splash!

The surface of Lake Heart churned as Li Tong broke through, gasping for air while staring up at the moon!