"Get out here!"
With his Byakugan activated, nothing could hide from Neji. He snorted coldly toward Kisame's hiding place.
"The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, huh? What a nuisance."
Naturally, Kisame knew all about Konoha's clan of Byakugan users.
Since those eyes had already exposed him, he stepped out without a care.
Kisame revealed himself, standing on a branch with Samehada slung over his shoulder.
"Those clothes... he's from the Akatsuki. What did he sneak into the village for?"
Hinata recognized his affiliation and immediately grew wary.
"Even Konoha's brats know about the Akatsuki..."
Kisame was a little speechless. With his identity exposed too, he dropped the small talk and pointed Samehada toward the nearby Shopping Street, beginning his threat. "If you don't want to see rivers of blood, hand over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."
A howling blast of wind pressure suddenly erupted. The experienced Kisame instantly sensed something wrong and hastily pulled his sword back to shield himself.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!
A powerful vacuum palm strike blasted Kisame down along with the tree. Stunned, he had yet to get up when a lightning-fast figure appeared before him.
Neji had no intention of wasting words on him. Green waves of energy surged around his body.
Eight Gates Released Formation, third gate!
The speed granted by the Eight Gates Released Formation brought Neji right up to Kisame before he could even roll over. Veins bulged beside his Byakugan as an invisible Eight Trigrams barrier began to unfold.
This brat is no pushover!
Kisame realized he had been careless. This Hyuga Clan brat was no weaker than Hidan—he might even be stronger!
Kisame reacted quickly. He decided to take the attack head-on if necessary and have Samehada devour his opponent's chakra first. He swung his sword, and Neji, unaware of Samehada's ability, instinctively turned