Koto Kenichi's chest heaved violently. Like a wounded beast, he refused to believe his own ears!
His eyes glinted with venom and hatred.
He glared fixedly at Genji.
Although Kirigakure's ninjas followed orders, they were also bloodthirsty. If you made them unhappy, defecting from the village was perfectly ordinary.
And right now, Koto Kenichi was deeply unhappy!
"Koto Kenichi, this is for Kirigakure. It's for the village."
Genji's voice was calm, and his murky eyes seemed able to see right through Koto Kenichi.
"Any personal feelings are insignificant compared to Kirigakure's development."
His voice was detached.
He was like a machine, utterly devoid of emotion.
But Mei Terumi was moved. She knew all too well that the old man before her had sacrificed everything for Kirigakure!
Genji's three sons had died on the battlefield, and his wife had been brutally murdered by the enemy. Now Genji was all alone, having lost everything. Everything he did now was for Kirigakure's development and future!
"That's enough, Kenichi. I'm willing, Lord Genji!"
Mei Terumi's eyes were resolute. "For Kirigakure, I'm willing to make any sacrifice. Please tell me what I need to do!"
Her gaze turned toward the wild figure on the battlefield.
Being with a man like him might be the best choice she could make in her life.
Or perhaps... it was the only chance she would ever get to choose.
"You'll regret this sooner or later!"
Koto Kenichi's face darkened. He threw those words over his shoulder and fled in disgrace.
But the hatred in his eyes sent a chill through everyone who saw it.
On the battlefield.
Boom!
Hyuga Kagami roared excitedly. "Armament Haki!"
Whum!
Not only had the Great Hammer turned pitch-black, but his arms had, too, as though they were the hardest weapons in the world.
Terrifying blue lightning began to flicker across the hammer, arcs of electricity coiling around Hyuga Kagami!
He looked like a thunder god from the heavens!
"Thunder Bagua!"
He let out a roar, and the muscles in his arms swelled!
The clothes on his upper body ripped apart, scattering like fluttering strips of silk. His powerful physique, broad chest, and well-defined abs were revealed to everyone!
Even more startling, Hyuga Kagami's height... was visibly increasing!
He grew to a hundred and eighty-two centimeters!
His presence grew even more imposing. Broad-backed and powerfully built, he radiated terrifying strength!
Boom!
He brought the hammer crashing down!
"Bring it on! I acknowledge you!"
Karatachi Yagura laughed. This battle was exhilarating—a real man's fight!
Every blow landed, with none of that flashy nonsense.
"Coral Palm!"
He roared, and the two of them's attacks destroyed the entire Mizukage Building, exposing the hidden room inside.
Hyuga Kagami flashed forward.
He landed in the hidden room of the Mizukage Building.
[Task 4: Sign in at the Mizukage's Office in Kirigakure!] [Task Reward: Observation Haki!] [Ding! Congratulations, host. Task completed!] [Observation Haki: One of the three types of Haki in One Piece. It sharpens the user's five senses, allowing them to sense the presence of nearby living beings and changes in their emotions. It can also be used to predict and evade danger!]
Whum!
A strange power appeared in his mind. Hyuga Kagami felt as though he'd gained another organ, like a "mind's eye"!
His senses became sharper, and by observing an enemy's every subtle reaction, he could predict their movements!
"With my current strength and power, I can go toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast."
Hyuga Kagami had a thorough understanding of his own abilities. At full power, he could even suppress the Three-Tails!
"And that's without mastering Conqueror's Haki or pushing the Fish-Fish Fruit to its limits."
The system had granted him the Fish-Fish Fruit.
He could use it normally, and even use it the way Kaido had, based on his memories.
But developing the Fish-Fish Fruit's power would take time!
And so would his own growth.
"Did I grow taller again because I pushed the Fish-Fish Fruit's power further?"
He looked at his torn clothes and couldn't help laughing.
Now, he was already a centimeter taller than Hatake Kakashi!
"You've earned my respect, but you're no match for me!"
Karatachi Yagura stared coldly at Hyuga Kagami. "But because of your strength, I'll leave your corpse intact!"
As ninjas, they were enemies.
He wasn't going to let his opponent live!
"Sorry, but you don't have that opportunity anymore."
Hyuga Kagami looked down at Karatachi Yagura, his Byakugan activating in an instant!
"Byakugan: Genjutsu Release!"
The Byakugan could see the flow of chakra inside someone's body. So when Karatachi Yagura had been subjected to Uchiha Obito's genjutsu, Hyuga Kagami had naturally seen right through it.
Whum!
As the genjutsu was dispelled.
The ferocity and malice in Karatachi Yagura gradually faded. The crimson chakra covering his body disappeared, and he returned to his normal form.
His body swayed, his face filled with disbelief and confusion.
He looked as if he couldn't believe it: I wanted to fight you like a real man, but you ambushed me!
"I've already got my sign-in reward. Only an idiot would keep fighting you."
Hyuga Kagami remained calm.
He watched as Karatachi Yagura's body trembled. His eyes gradually cleared, and his expression softened until he looked like an elegant, refined gentleman.
His face was pale. He looked at the countless Mist Ninja around him, as well as Genji, who stood on guard as if facing a great enemy.
"Genji, what happened?"
Karatachi Yagura furrowed his brows. "Why are you all here? And why was the Mizukage Building destroyed?"
His expression darkened!
But even with the Mizukage Building destroyed, he was no longer as vicious and brutal as he had been moments before!
Suddenly, his face changed!
"I remember now... I met a man wearing a Spiral Mask. After he used genjutsu to control me..."
Karatachi Yagura's expression turned unbearably grim, full of pain.
He covered his face like a... sinner, his whole body trembling!
"I... I... used evil methods to control Kirigakure and turned it into the Village of the Bloody Mist. This was all my fault!"
His face twisted with pain. He couldn't forgive himself.
Genji sighed, then slowly walked forward. He turned and bowed deeply to Hyuga Kagami. "Mr. Kagami, thank you for everything you've done for Kirigakure. From this day on, Kirigakure will be Konoha's most steadfast ally!"
"You've worked hard. Please go and rest for now."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two Mist Ninja appeared with a rush of wind, ready to escort Hyuga Kagami and the others to rest.
They were being shown the door, because what came next would involve Kirigakure's secrets... and its shame!
The Mizukage of Kirigakure had been controlled by someone for years!
"Genji, you're mistaken, aren't you?"
Hyuga Kagami raised an eyebrow, his gaze as imposing as a dragon's!
He looked down at Genji. "We still haven't settled the score for setting us up!"
Heh.
He hadn't forgotten how the Mist Ninja had stood by and done nothing just now.
That old bastard was a sneaky one!
In an instant!
The air turned icy!
Every Mist Ninja stared at Hyuga Kagami in disbelief, their gazes gradually turning cold!
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