Killing Ao

Kirigakure had obtained some of the Uzumaki Clan's legacy, and the greatest part of it was Sealing Jutsu.

Ao had been one of its beneficiaries.

That was one reason he had been able to obtain the Byakugan. His Sealing Jutsu had allowed him to control the backlash from the Byakugan.

This Sealing Jutsu could block the penetration and erosion of ocular power. It was also this seal that had just let Ao sense Shinichi Hyuga's ocular power.

Ao had been involved in sealing the Three-Tails inside Rin Nohara.

For that, he had become a target of Obito Uchiha.

If Genji hadn't protected him, Obito Uchiha would have eliminated him long ago.

Because of this, Obito changed his plan.

He would make Ao taste the pain of losing someone dear to him, too.

Recently, Ao had watched his family and companions leave him one by one.

His child was currently at the Ninja Academy.

The Fourth Mizukage had ordered the Bloody Mist policy to be carried out.

It was then that Ao had noticed something strange about the Fourth Mizukage.

He began investigating the Fourth Mizukage.

Now, seeing the mask of Kirigakure's Anbu on Shinichi Hyuga's face, Ao mistook him for someone sent by the Fourth Mizukage to keep an eye on him.

But when he activated his Byakugan, he saw something unbelievable.

Though the seal on his Byakugan was still partly intact, he could nevertheless wield some of its power.

He could draw on as much of the Byakugan's power as possible without letting it harm his body.

Shinichi Hyuga's body seemed like a black hole.

The Byakugan's ocular power fell upon him and was completely absorbed.

Since when had Kirigakure had an Anbu Ninja like this?

Was he specifically here for me?

"Anbu, what does the Mizukage want? Is he trying to force me to rebel?"

Ao's face darkened, and panic stirred in his heart.

He felt more and more certain that the Mizukage was targeting him.

Now he had even sent an Anbu like this to ambush him...

"Ao, I'm here to take back what's mine!"

Shinichi Hyuga was slightly taken aback by Ao's words.

Had Ao mistaken him for someone sent by the Fourth Mizukage?

He'd gotten mixed up with Obito, that treacherous son, without meaning to. He'd have to finish this quickly.

Otherwise, the effect of making an example of him would be greatly diminished.

In that case, he might as well reveal himself.

He would cast off his former self for good. It was time for the Ajin to bare his fangs in this world.

His incomplete body had often held back his growth.

It was time for a transformation.

His fingers flew as he formed Hand Seals.

Snake--Ram--Monkey--Boar--Horse--Tiger

"Fire Release? Great Fireball Technique?"

Ao stared intently at his opponent's fingers, his confusion deepening.

Fire Release?

Few in Kirigakure were proficient in this ninjutsu.

This Anbu was actually using Fire Release against him.

His hands didn't stop moving.

"Water Release! Water Dragon Bullet!"

He formed Hand Seals.

A shallow puddle at his feet churned and surged upward.

An ugly water dragon rose from it.

Ssssss~~

The Water Dragon Bullet collided with the Great Fireball Technique.

A great deal of steam billowed out.

The entire Ninja Academy was plunged into a cloud of mist.

Though it was nearly evening, the commotion caused by the two had already drawn the village's attention.

A commotion broke out.

The sound of many approaching footsteps came from all around.

Kirigakure was already on edge because Obito was controlling the Fourth Mizukage. Now, this set the village ablaze.

Shinichi Hyuga stood motionless, concealed in the mist.

Kirigakure's ninja were skilled in assassination.

Especially in thick fog. But compared with the Byakugan, they were utterly outclassed.

That was why Kirigakure feared the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan so much. Their assassination techniques were useless against the Hyuga Clan.

This mist-shrouded battlefield was one Shinichi Hyuga had deliberately created.

Ao could rely on the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.

He could gain the upper hand on this battlefield, but only if he completely unsealed the Byakugan.

The thick fog could also hide Shinichi's true identity.

"Eye Armor: Release!"

A low growl rang out from within the mist.

Ao broke the seal on his Byakugan and unleashed its full power.

Now he could finally see who he was fighting.

He, too, had only one eye and was missing an arm.

"Noble Prince of Kicks—Shinichi Hyuga!"

Ao could hardly conceal his shock.

Why?

He couldn't understand why Shinichi Hyuga would risk so much to come to Kirigakure and ambush him.

Just to take back the Byakugan?

"Then should I call you the Byakugan Killer, Ao?"

Hearing his long-silent title, Shinichi Hyuga recalled Ao's title as well.

Ao had earned the name Byakugan Killer for hunting down members of the Hyuga Main Family and taking their Byakugan.

"Damn it. You're causing trouble at a time like this!"

At Ao's words, Shinichi Hyuga guessed what was on his mind.

As far as Ao was concerned, Shinichi Hyuga was far easier to handle than the Fourth Hokage's aggression.

Was he here to take back the Byakugan?

Could a cripple really have that kind of strength?

As he spoke, Ao's tone turned contemptuous.

"Since you recognized me, there's no point in hiding anymore. You've defiled the Byakugan!"

Shinichi Hyuga shook his head. Ao seemed to have a mistaken idea of his strength.

Did he think possessing the Byakugan meant he possessed the Hyuga Clan's abilities?

He had been dormant in the Ninja World for too long. No one feared a cripple anymore.

Even Ao, who hadn't noticed the Fourth Mizukage's strange behavior, dared to speak to him like that.

"Crescent Moon Kick!"

A powerful force erupted from Shinichi Hyuga's legs. He stomped a crater into the ground, and a crack raced toward Ao.

He shot forward.

Powerful chakra coated his leg.

This was originally a Karate kicking technique. In Kyogoku Makoto's memories, it was a finishing move that could decide a fight.

Shinichi Hyuga had now improved it and combined it with Air Palm.

He compressed the air into a cannon blast, adding the force of chakra.

"Taijutsu? Fool! Water Release: Water Cutter!"

Ao's fingers moved swiftly, and a bloodthirsty glint appeared in his eyes.

Using Taijutsu against ninjutsu—just like that fool with the Byakugan back then.

He could already see the flesh on Shinichi Hyuga's leg being sliced away, cut by cut.

A curtain of water formed around him as a protective barrier.

One water blade after another flew toward Shinichi Hyuga.

Clang~~

The sound of a collision rang out.

"This is Taijutsu?"

Ao couldn't hold back his gasp. Why was it nothing like what he'd expected?

In midair,

Shinichi Hyuga kicked three times, creating pale blue birds. Wind Release chakra formed blades of wind around them.

The two attacks collided.

A piercing sound rang out.

The wind blades battered the water blades, turning them into droplets that scattered and fell to the ground.

Thump~

Thump~

Thump~

Three Air Cannons struck Ao's throat, chest, and groin.

They left behind grotesque gashes.

The gasp he'd let out moments ago had been his final words.

Ao's life signs disappeared!