The Ineffective Gentle Fist and the Hokage's Office's Cold-Eyed Analysis

Inside the Hokage's Office, the air was filled with the fragrant aroma of premium tea leaves steeping.

Outside the window, Konoha was gradually awakening in the morning light, peaceful and serene.

Yet inside, the enormous Water Mirror formed from Chakra was broadcasting, in real time, a living hell far away in Kyoto.

Blood, severed limbs, collapsed pavilions and towers, and twelve "Heroic Spirits" rampaging like demon gods.

Baishi's fingertips gently stroked the smooth wall of his teacup. The emerald Tea Soup within reflected his unfathomably calm eyes.

The shrill screams and violent roars of energy coming from the Water Mirror seemed like nothing more than insignificant background noise in this peaceful morning.

His gaze rested calmly upon the battlefield in the Water Mirror, like a god looking down upon a chessboard.

Kyoto, the ruins of the Daimyo Residence.

"Rotation!"

Another elite member of the Hyuga Branch Family unleashed all of his Chakra in desperation.

The azure sphere of Chakra spun like a high-speed top, protecting him firmly at its center. Countless bone spikes and claws swung at him were sent flying away the instant they touched the barrier of Rotation, repelled by its violent spinning force.

Yet there was not a trace of relief on the Hyuga ninja's face. Instead, an even deeper despair appeared.

Because he could clearly see that the Wolf-Headed Monster whose attack he had just deflected had not suffered a single wound. On the contrary, the ominous blood-red glow around its body became more sinister and solid the instant it came into contact with the Chakra of Rotation!

They were... devouring Chakra!

That horrifying thought struck the minds of every Hyuga clansman present like lightning.

It was not an illusion!

Every Gentle Fist attack, every Air Palm blast—the Chakra that seemed to have achieved nothing