Deep within the dense forest, the bodies of three or four ninjas lay lifeless. Not far away, Hyuga Yuto was engaged in close combat with an enemy.
Hyuga Yuto's veins bulged around his eyes as his Byakugan easily captured the flow of the enemy's pale white chakra.
The Kumogakure ninja facing him was tall and dark-skinned, with powerful limbs.
Bam!
The Kumogakure ninja suddenly threw a punch. Hyuga Yuto raised his right arm to block it. The immense force poured onto his arm, causing Hyuga Yuto to sway, but he did not retreat.
"This brat..." Shock flashed through the Kumogakure ninja's mind.
It was well-known that the majority of ninjas from Kumogakure Village were experts in kenjutsu and taijutsu, with a greater emphasis on physical prowess than other villages.
The kid before him was clearly underage. Although the Hyuga clan also valued taijutsu, he was able to match him in pure strength...
Shock and hesitation occurred simultaneously in a split second.
To be fair, the tall Kumogakure ninja was a competent warrior. Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained his fighting stance well, and the silver-white lightning chakra coiled around his hands still exuded immense power.
However, in Hyuga Yuto's Byakugan vision, the enemy's chakra had become disordered in that instant. Countless tiny vortexes had appeared in the originally orderly "streams" flowing through his meridians.
For a ninja, chakra was the most obvious manifestation of their physical and mental state.
This momentary hesitation was difficult to detect, and it was even more challenging to launch a surprise attack during this opportunity. Only a master could achieve it.
Hyuga Yuto was such a master.
He stomped his foot heavily and charged forward with even greater speed than before. The fierce force acted on the ground, instantly creating a small crater.
The two were already engaged in close combat. With Hyuga Yuto's sudden burst, he instantly "drilled" into the enemy's embrace.
The Kumogakure ninja was startled and instinctively jumped back, trying to create distance. But his thoughts had been scattered just now, and the mobilization of his chakra was a beat slower.
Hyuga Yuto had already completely entered his embrace.
In the narrow space, his well-trained palm struck the Kumogakure ninja's chest fiercely.
The Hyuga's chakra poured out, blasting through the Kumogakure ninja's skin, shattering his flesh, meridians, internal organs, acupoints, and nerves...
— Gentle Fist!
"Ugh..."
The Kumogakure ninja screamed in pain and flew backward until he crashed into a large tree.
The moment he hit the tree, Hyuga Yuto appeared in front of him with a flicker and extended a finger, pointing at the Kumogakure ninja's left chest. Chakra erupted again, shattering his heart.
"Pfft..." The Kumogakure ninja's groans grew weaker. In his final moments, he looked up at the Konoha ninja who had taken his life and said in a faint voice:
"At this age... you are Konoha's... Hyuga's Jewel... Ha... truly living up to your reputation..."
Hyuga Yuto looked at him calmly until the Kumogakure ninja breathed his last.
After confirming the enemy's death, he immediately deactivated his Byakugan. The veins around his eyes disappeared, and his eyes returned to their snowy white color.
He leaned against the tree, gasping for breath, his expression exhausted.
Although the Byakugan's consumption was not as significant as the Sharingan, keeping it activated for a long time was still a burden on the body.
Ten minutes had passed since the initial assault by Sugizaki Tetsujiro, the chaotic battle between the two groups, and the subsequent scattering into individual duels.
Three enemies had already died at Hyuga Yuto's hands, including the elite Chunin from Kumogakure Village just now.
Although Hyuga Yuto had always trained diligently, his close combat skills were considered the best among his peers, and he had perfectly executed many missions, even earning the reputation of "Hyuga's Jewel".
But he was ultimately only twelve years old and still growing. Prolonged battles took a toll on his body.
"Phew..."
He took a few deep breaths and pulled out a few Soldier Pills from the small pouch at his waist, stuffing them into his mouth.
"I can't rest here. If the Jonin on their side frees up, things will get really bad..."
Hyuga Yuto muttered to himself. Without having time to deal with the bodies of the Kumogakure ninja and his Konoha comrades on the ground, he quickly ran towards the left front.
When he arrived at that battlefield, Hyuga Yuto did not rush to reveal himself. Instead, he hid first, activated his Byakugan, and carefully observed.
Sugizaki Tetsujiro and a Konoha Genin stood back to back, surrounded by five Kumogakure ninjas. The bodies of dead ninjas lay scattered on the ground, one of them wearing a Konoha forehead protector.
By this point in the battle, only Hyuga Yuto, Sugizaki Tetsujiro, and Genin Sato Mashuhiro remained on the Konoha side, while five Kumogakure ninjas were left.
Hyuga Yuto did not choose to jump out now. Instead, he patiently circled around from behind, keeping his distance, and arrived at the side of the Kumogakure Jonin.
He was very careful, moving silently. While he was still sneaking, the two sides facing off began to fight again.
"Lightning Release: Earth Walking!"
The Kumogakure Jonin quickly formed hand seals and pressed his hands on the ground. Silver-white lightning erupted from the center of his palms, covering the entire forest floor for dozens of meters. Countless electric arcs, like agile little snakes, were fierce and abnormal.
Sugizaki Tetsujiro and the Konoha Genin both leaped up, landing on the trees.
"Damn it." Hyuga Yuto, who was watching the battle from a distance, furrowed his brows.
As expected, the moment the two Konoha ninjas jumped up, all the Kumogakure ninjas charged towards them.
Amidst the flashing lightning, the Kumogakure Jonin crazily entangled Sugizaki Tetsujiro, while the other four Kumogakure Chunin attacked the remaining Konoha ninja.
Their moves were ruthless, exchanging injuries for injuries. In just a few blinks, several bloody cuts appeared on the Konoha ninja's body.
They were trying to quickly decide the battle with overwhelming force, first eliminating the weaker enemy so that all five of them could focus on besieging Sugizaki Tetsujiro!
Sugizaki Tetsujiro's face was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip from it. He stopped conserving chakra and attacked the enemy with all his might, but they were both Jonin of similar level, so it was difficult to determine a winner in a short time.
While he was locked in a stalemate, the Konoha Genin was already in grave danger. One against four was almost certain death for an ordinary ninja.
"Ah...!"
As expected, a Kumogakure Chunin seized the opportunity, drew his sheathed ninjato, and suddenly erupted with a samurai's "Iaijutsu" technique, fiercely severing the Konoha Genin's left arm.
The Konoha ninja screamed in terror, his cries echoing through the forest.
Sugizaki Tetsujiro gritted his teeth but was helpless.
The Kumogakure Jonin he was facing was overjoyed, knowing that his four subordinates would soon be able to kill the enemy and join him in surrounding this troublesome Konoha Jonin.
However, just as he was feeling ecstatic and slightly relaxed, a sudden change occurred.
A hidden whooshing sound came from behind his head, the hiss of a kunai cutting through the air.
Following that were a young man's rapid and fierce double fists, and the vicious and ruthless chakra wrapped around them.
Hyuga Yuto had once again seized the opportunity.
Just like the Kumogakure ninjas, Hyuga Yuto also believed that taking out their key figure first was the key to victory.
As long as they killed this sole Jonin, the Kumogakure ninjas would have no power to resist!