Chapter 167: Neji and Hinata Hyūga vs. Kidōmaru and Zaku Abumi
The dense forest surrounding the Sasuke Recovery Team felt more like a maze with each passing second. As they neared their target, the tension rose. Their mission was clear, but the Sound Four wasn't going to make it easy for them.
Just ahead, Kidōmaru, the spider-like shinobi of the Sound Four, stepped forward, his six arms gleaming ominously in the fading light. He smirked, clearly confident in his abilities. "You've caught up quicker than I thought, but it won't matter." With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his chakra-infused webbing, sending strands of it flying toward the team.
The sticky webs wrapped around the trees and snaked toward the Konoha shinobi, ensnaring them with precision. The recovery team struggled, but the webbing was too strong.
"Looks like I get to have some fun," Kidōmaru said with a wicked grin. His eyes scanned the group, settling on Naruto. "Let's see how you handle this, shadow clone boy."
As Kidōmaru began to toy with the team, he focused on Naruto, using his webs to methodically take out Naruto's shadow clones one by one. Each time he eliminated one, the real Naruto remained hidden among them. But Kidōmaru was patient, slowly whittling away at the clones. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he pulled another clone into his trap.
"You really think you can outsmart me with these?" Kidōmaru taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. He grinned as he lunged toward what he thought was the real Naruto, only to find yet another clone dissolving in a puff of smoke.
Naruto, who had managed to sneak behind Kidōmaru, launched an attack, but Kidōmaru dodged at the last moment, his webs ensnaring Naruto mid-air. The sinister shinobi laughed as he closed in on Naruto, ready to deliver a killing blow.
Just as his hand reached for Naruto's throat, a swift blur of movement stopped him.
Hinata Hyūga, moving with incredible speed and grace, freed herself from the webbing and intercepted Kidōmaru's attack, landing a powerful Gentle Fist strike to his chest. "Stay away from him!" she shouted, her lavender eyes blazing with determination.
With Naruto free, she swiftly scooped him up, carrying him to safety despite his protests. "I can walk, you know!" Naruto muttered, though he appreciated her help.
Hinata set Naruto down gently, then turned to face Kidōmaru. Neji, who had also broken free using her Gentle Fist, quickly dismantled the webs trapping the rest of the team. Her sharp, calculated movements left no web intact.
"Go on without us," Neji ordered the rest of the team, her voice calm but commanding. She knew this was a fight they had to handle on their own. "These one-on-one fights seem to be a trend with them. We'll deal with this."
Shikamaru hesitated but trusted Neji's instincts. He nodded and signaled for the others to follow. "Stay safe," he said before leading Naruto, Kiba, Rock Lee, and Sai further ahead in pursuit of Sasuke.
Neji turned to Hinata, who remained by her side. Her usually composed face softened, only slightly, as she spoke. "You don't have to stay, Hinata. I can handle this."
But Hinata, her gentle eyes filled with resolve, shook her head. "I'm staying. We're family, Neji. Let's do this together."
Neji sighed, rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth to argue but paused as Malik's voice rang clearly in her mind. "Be nice to her."
She blinked, exasperation coloring her expression as she mentally replied, "Are you being serious right now?"
"Yes. And I love you," Malik responded, his tone playful even in the seriousness of the moment.
Neji felt a smirk tug at her lips, despite herself. "I love you too. Now stop distracting me, I need to focus." She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, and turned to Hinata.
"Fine, do what you want," Neji said with a shrug, though her tone carried a bit more warmth than before. There was no more time for banter; they had a battle to face.
Across from them, Kidōmaru flexed his six arms, his confident smirk unwavering. "Two Hyūga, huh? This should be fun."
But before Kidōmaru could fully engage, another figure appeared beside him—Zaku Abumi, his bandaged arms already twitching with anticipation. Zaku, with his sonic air pressure techniques, grinned darkly. "Looks like I get to join the party."
Neji's eyes narrowed. She sent a sharp glance at Hinata, who had already activated her Byakugan, her chakra flaring. They stood shoulder to shoulder, both prepared to face their opponents.
Kidōmaru, sensing the challenge before him, moved first. He sent a barrage of webs toward the two Hyūga, aiming to trap them in his sticky threads. Neji, with the precision of a seasoned fighter, dodged and began calculating her next move. Meanwhile, Hinata gracefully danced through the attacks, her movements fluid and deliberate.
As Neji darted forward, she activated her Gentle Fist, targeting Kidōmaru's chakra points. The spider-like shinobi blocked with his hardened webs, but Neji's strikes were quick, finding small openings in his defense. With each hit, she disrupted his chakra flow, slowing his movements.
On the other side of the battlefield, Zaku targeted Hinata, his air pressure blasts whistling through the air. Hinata dodged effortlessly, her Byakugan allowing her to see every attack before it landed. She focused her chakra into her palms, readying her Gentle Fist to counter.
The two Hyūga moved as a unit, their synchronicity as cousins almost palpable. Where Neji's attacks were precise and devastating, Hinata's were fluid and graceful, complementing each other perfectly.
Kidōmaru snarled, growing frustrated as Neji's strikes continued to break through his defenses. "You Hyūga think you can just overpower me with those fancy moves?" he growled, his six arms spreading wide as he summoned more webs, this time reinforced with chakra.
Zaku, meanwhile, attempted to flank Hinata with a powerful air blast, but Hinata twirled gracefully, her chakra spinning in a protective dome as she used her Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation to deflect the attack. The wind scattered harmlessly against her technique.
"We don't need to overpower you," Neji said coldly as she closed in on Kidōmaru. "We only need to outthink you."
With a final strike to Kidōmaru's chest, Neji sent him stumbling back, his chakra disrupted and his movements sluggish. At the same time, Hinata struck Zaku with a flurry of Gentle Fist blows, her attacks precise and relentless. Zaku gasped for air as his chakra points were sealed, his ability to use his air techniques cut off.
Neji and Hinata stood tall, their Byakugan still activated, their opponents lying defeated at their feet. Though the battle had been fierce, they had proven their strength as members of the Hyūga clan.
As they caught their breath, Neji glanced over at Hinata, her eyes softening for a brief moment. "You did well," she said, her voice quieter than before.
Hinata smiled, her exhaustion evident but her spirit unbroken. "So did you."
Chapter 167: Neji and Hinata Hyūga vs. Kidōmaru and Zaku Abumi Part 1
Kidōmaru's chakra flared as he rose to his feet, the intensity of his presence sending a wave of tension through the forest. His smirk widened as he spat a thick golden liquid into his palm, chewing the substance briefly before spitting it out again. As soon as the liquid made contact with the air, it solidified into a durable, chakra-blocking metal.
"Think you're tough because you can break out of my webs?" Kidōmaru sneered, his voice filled with contempt. "Let's see how you handle this!"
With practiced ease, Kidōmaru formed the metal into makeshift weapons. His six arms moved rapidly, fashioning the golden substance into kunai, arrows, and even armor that covered his body. The hardened material glinted menacingly in the dim forest light, promising devastation with every strike.
At first, Kidōmaru was certain that Neji would be easy prey. He sent a volley of webs at her, the strands flying through the air with deadly precision. His confidence grew as he watched the webs entangle both Neji and Hinata, pinning them to a large tree. "Looks like it's over for you, Hyūga," he mocked, taking a step forward.
But Neji, unfazed, closed her eyes briefly, gathering her chakra. With a sharp exhale, she unleashed a burst of chakra through her palms, shattering the webbing that held her and Hinata. Kidōmaru's eyes widened as Neji dashed toward him with impressive speed, her palms glowing with chakra. "Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Neji's hands moved in a blur, striking at Kidōmaru's vital points. However, her attacks bounced off his metal armor, barely leaving a scratch. Kidōmaru grinned. "Nice try, but this armor isn't something your Gentle Fist can break through."
Realizing that close combat was not going to work, Neji immediately leaped back, landing beside Hinata. "His armor blocks chakra-based attacks. We need a new approach."
Hinata nodded, her Byakugan already active, analyzing the battlefield. "He's staying back now. He thinks distance will give him the upper hand."
And indeed, Kidōmaru had retreated to a higher vantage point, taking cover in the trees. He shot webs from above, trying to pin them down again. But Neji and Hinata were ready this time. Their Byakugan allowed them to see the webs before they even touched the ground.
"Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven!" Neji shouted, spinning rapidly in place, creating a protective barrier of swirling chakra. Hinata mirrored her cousin's movements, and together, they deflected Kidōmaru's attacks, sending the webs flying harmlessly into the trees.
Kidōmaru scowled, realizing he needed to step up his game. He activated the first stage of his cursed seal, black markings spreading across his body, enhancing his strength and speed. His chakra spiked, the air around him becoming thick with malice. "I've had enough of this. Time to take you seriously."
With a flick of his wrist, Kidōmaru shot a web toward Zaku Abumi, who had been watching the battle unfold from the sidelines. The web wrapped around Zaku, pulling him up into a tree, cocooning him tightly in its sticky embrace.
Zaku's eyes widened in surprise. "What the hell, Kidōmaru?!"
Kidōmaru snickered. "Relax, Zaku. I respect your abilities, but let's be honest—you would've just gotten in the way. Consider this a favor."
Zaku grumbled, unable to free himself from the webbing, but he didn't argue further. Kidōmaru turned his attention back to Neji and Hinata, his golden bow now fully formed, an arrow already drawn.
Neji, sensing the shift in Kidōmaru's chakra, called out to Hinata. "Stay alert. He's more dangerous now."
Kidōmaru laughed, pulling the bowstring back even further. "Let's see how good your precious Byakugan really is!" He released the arrow, the projectile whizzing through the air with deadly speed, aimed directly at Neji.
But Neji was faster. Her Byakugan had already tracked the arrow's trajectory before it left the bowstring. She and Hinata dodged simultaneously, the arrow shattering a tree behind them with enough force to splinter the wood into pieces.
"His arrows are stronger than before," Hinata noted, her eyes narrowing. "We can't let him hit us."
Neji nodded. "We'll have to keep dodging until we find an opening."
The battle had entered a new, more dangerous phase. Kidōmaru, now in the first stage of his cursed seal, was attacking with deadly precision from a distance, his golden arrows and webs forcing Neji and Hinata to stay on the defensive. But the Hyūga cousins weren't done yet. They had a plan, and they knew they had to act quickly before Kidōmaru could overwhelm them.
As the fight raged on, the forest echoed with the sounds of webs slicing through the air, arrows whizzing past, and the steady rhythm of Neji and Hinata's movements as they prepared to strike back. The outcome of this battle would depend on their ability to outthink and outmaneuver Kidōmaru, who was now determined to end their lives.
Kidōmaru leaped from tree to tree, gaining height and distance over the two Hyūga. His mind raced with strategies, and as he reached a favorable vantage point, he summoned Kyodaigumo, a massive spider, to blanket Neji and Hinata with webbing. His plan was to prevent them from using their formidable Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven technique against him.
The giant spider dropped thick, sticky webbing over the battlefield, aiming to immobilize the two kunoichi. But the Hyūga cousins, quick on their feet and sharp with their Byakugan, slowed the descent of the webs with precise chakra control. Despite Kidōmaru's efforts, they dodged the attack, but it became clear that he had no intention of letting them rest.
"You can't escape forever, Hyūga!" Kidōmaru taunted as he continued his relentless assault, sending waves of spiders and kunai at the pair.
Neji and Hinata dodged, their Byakugan giving them an almost complete 360-degree field of vision. However, as the attacks increased, the two kunoichi found it harder to keep up with the barrage. In a moment of distraction, a kunai sliced across Neji's shoulder, drawing blood. She winced but stood firm, while Hinata mirrored her resilience.
Kidōmaru, ever observant, caught the subtle reactions and smirked. "I see it now... Even with your precious Byakugan, you're not invincible."
He tested his theory further, sending more kunai and spiders their way. This time, both Neji and Hinata failed to completely evade the attacks, each receiving minor wounds. Kidōmaru grinned, realizing he had discovered a fatal flaw. "So, the Byakugan does have a blind spot."
Emboldened by his discovery, Kidōmaru launched another series of rapid attacks. Neji and Hinata worked together, covering each other's weaknesses, but the onslaught was overwhelming. Kunai grazed Neji's side and Hinata's arm, both of them showing signs of fatigue. Their synchronized movements and teamwork were keeping them alive, but Kidōmaru was wearing them down.
"You've put up a decent fight," Kidōmaru said with a smirk, baiting them with overconfidence. "But it's over."
He signaled Kyodaigumo, which descended toward Neji, aiming to overwhelm her with its sheer size. Neji quickly repelled the spider with a powerful Gentle Fist strike, only for the creature to dissolve into webbing and reform mid-air. As Neji recovered, Kidōmaru sent a fresh barrage of kunai toward her, striking her in three places. Neji collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from her wounds.
"Neji!" Hinata cried, rushing to her cousin's side. She placed herself between Neji and Kidōmaru, her heart racing as she pushed her own exhaustion aside. Her chakra flared as she activated her Gentle Step Twin Fists, determined to protect them both.
Kidōmaru, entertained by the challenge, grinned wickedly. "It's been fun, Hyūga," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "But let's see how long you can last on your own."
Just as he prepared to focus all his attacks on Hinata, a rustling sound caught his attention. Neji stood again, her eyes fierce, refusing to let her injuries keep her down. Kidōmaru's grin faltered. "You're still standing?"
Neji wiped the blood from her lip and glared at him. "I told you before... I'll protect my comrades, no matter what."
Kidōmaru, intrigued and finally viewing Neji as a true challenge, activated the second stage of his cursed seal. His body transformed, muscles bulging as black markings spread across his skin. His chakra surged, more intense and violent than before. "Then let's make this interesting," he sneered, forming a massive golden bow and arrow from his chakra-infused webbing.
From his vantage point, Kidōmaru pulled back the bowstring and fired an arrow directly at Neji, aiming for her blind spot. Neji, sensing the danger, barely managed to shift her body, the arrow piercing through her shoulder instead of hitting a vital organ.
Kidōmaru's eyes widened in surprise. "You dodged?" he muttered. Realization dawned on him. "You're using chakra to sense attacks directed at your blind spot... Clever."
Hinata quickly moved to Neji's side, healing her cousin's wounds as fast as she could. But Kidōmaru wasn't done. He prepared another arrow, this one connected to him by a thread of webbing, allowing him to adjust its trajectory mid-flight.
"This next shot won't miss," he declared, drawing the bowstring tight.
As Kidōmaru fired, Neji and Hinata reacted swiftly, dodging through the trees. But Kidōmaru wasn't aiming for the trees—he was aiming to break through their defenses. The arrow whizzed through the forest, cutting through branches and trees with deadly precision, forcing the two Hyūga to constantly evade.
"You're only delaying the inevitable!" Kidōmaru laughed as he jumped higher into the treetops, preparing an even deadlier arrow. This one, spun with such velocity, was designed to tear through anything in its path. "This one's going straight through you both!"
He released the arrow with full force, confident it would finish the job. But just as it was about to strike, Neji shoved Hinata out of the way, the arrow embedding itself in Neji's side instead.
"Neji!" Hinata screamed, her heart dropping as she watched her cousin fall. But even in her wounded state, Neji's eyes remained focused.
In her final act of defiance, Neji grabbed the thread connecting the arrow to Kidōmaru. With a burst of chakra, she sent a surge back through the webbing, directly into Kidōmaru's body. The sudden shock of energy coursed through him, damaging his internal organs and causing him to collapse in the treetops.
Kidōmaru gasped in pain, fury flashing in his eyes as he clutched his chest. "How...?" he rasped, realizing he had been outmaneuvered. His body trembled as blood trickled from his mouth, the damage Neji had inflicted taking its toll.
Even though Kidōmaru could still move, his body was failing him. The realization hit hard—he had been outsmarted by the Hyūga.
Kidōmaru, believing Neji's final effort to be her last, began preparing another arrow, but his confidence was soon shattered. He watched in disgust as Hinata dashed off into the forest, disappearing from his sight.
"Running away? How disgraceful," Kidōmaru sneered, shaking his head in disappointment. He was so sure of his victory, and Hinata's apparent cowardice only cemented his belief that this fight was over. He dropped down from the trees and approached Neji's seemingly motionless body.
As he drew closer, his guard lowered, fully expecting the battle to be finished. But just as he was within striking range, Neji's eyes snapped open, her Byakugan glowing with intensity. With a swift, fluid motion, Neji's palm shot forward, her Gentle Fist connecting directly with Kidōmaru's heart.
"Eight Trigrams... Gentle Fist!" Neji shouted, her fingers laced with chakra. The strike sent a debilitating wave of chakra into Kidōmaru's body, instantly disrupting his chakra network.
Kidōmaru screamed in agony as the pain radiated through him. His body convulsed, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. "You...!" he choked out, unable to comprehend how Neji still had the strength to fight.
Neji wasted no time. She spun gracefully, her leg arcing through the air as she delivered a powerful kick to Kidōmaru's side, launching him upward into the air.
From the shadows of the trees, Hinata suddenly reappeared. With a fierce cry, she charged forward, her chakra blazing as she gathered energy into her palms. As Kidōmaru flew through the air, helpless from Neji's assault, Hinata leapt into the sky, her hands glowing with the power of their combined technique.
"Now, Neji!" Hinata shouted, her voice filled with determination.
Neji and Hinata moved in perfect sync. As Kidōmaru reached the peak of his fall, both Hyūga activated their most powerful technique: Twin Dragon Palm Strike.
Neji and Hinata stood back-to-back, their Byakugan fully activated, With a synchronized breath, they gathered their chakra into their palms, creating an aura of energy that swirled around their hands. The chakra coiled and twisted, forming the shape of two majestic dragons.
Blue energy crackled around their hands as the chakra dragons grew larger, their eyes glowing with power. The two spun in perfect harmony, their movements fluid, each rotation causing the dragons to grow more defined and powerful. In a single, unified motion, they thrust their palms forward, releasing the chakra dragons. The beasts roared as they surged toward Kidōmaru, leaving a dazzling trail of energy in their wake. The dragons collided with Kidōmaru mid-air, the force creating a massive explosion of chakra that rippled through the trees. Shockwaves shook the ground as the energy from the dragons disrupted his chakra network, leaving him helpless.
Kidōmaru was thrown violently through the air as the attack hit. His body slammed into the ground, utterly defeated. His cursed seal markings faded, and he reverted to his normal form, having expended all his chakra.
Blood trickled from Kidōmaru's mouth as he coughed weakly, barely able to speak. "How... How are you still alive?" he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper.
Neji stood over him, her face calm but determined. "I couldn't let my friends and family down," she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion creeping into her bones. "You pushed me further than I expected, and for that, I acknowledge your strength. You're the second-strongest opponent I've ever faced."
Kidōmaru's eyes widened, but a bitter smile crept onto his face as blood continued to spill from his lips. "Second, huh... Who was the first?"
"An Akatsuki member," Neji replied, her tone unwavering.
Kidōmaru chuckled weakly, each breath more strained than the last. "It doesn't matter... There's no saving Sasuke. He came to Orochimaru voluntarily. You'll never bring him back."
Neji's eyes flickered with resolve, but she remained silent, unwilling to give in to Kidōmaru's taunts.
Kidōmaru coughed again, his body starting to fade as his chakra flickered out like a dying flame. "You... You remind me of Kimimaro... Stubborn, refusing to die even when you should. But... even she would've struggled against this."
As his vision blurred, Kidōmaru's voice grew weaker. "Curse you... Hyūga..." he muttered, his last words laced with bitterness before his body disintegrated into light, leaving Neji and Hinata standing victorious over their fallen foe.
The battle was over. Neji and Hinata stood in the clearing, their bodies bruised and battered, but they had won. Neji looked over at her cousin, her expression softening slightly. "You did well," she said, her voice quieter than before.
Hinata smiled, though the exhaustion was evident on her face. "So did you."
With Kidōmaru and Zaku defeated, they knew they couldn't rest for long. Sasuke was still out there, and their team needed them. Neji nodded at Hinata, and together, they began making their way through the forest, ready for the next challenge that awaited them.
===
As the dust settled and the aftermath of the fierce battle began to clear, the forest grew quiet once more. Neji and Hinata, though battered and weary, stood victorious. The remnants of Kidōmaru's body had faded into light, leaving nothing but a memory of the brutal fight they had just endured.
Breathing heavily, Neji turned to Hinata. "It's over," she said quietly.
Hinata nodded, still catching her breath. "Yes… we did it."
But just as they were about to start making their way back to rejoin the others, a faint noise broke the silence—a muffled, irritated voice coming from above them.
"Uh… hello?! A little help here?!"
Both Hyūga cousins paused and looked up, confused.
There, wrapped tightly in Kidōmaru's webbing, was Zaku Abumi. He dangled from a high tree branch like a cocooned insect, wriggling around with an annoyed expression. His arms and legs were completely bound, his body stuck in the sticky strands of web. Despite the serious situation they had just endured, the sight of Zaku awkwardly hanging there, completely immobilized, was so ridiculous that it caught them both off guard.
"Seriously?! You're just going to leave me up here?!" Zaku huffed, kicking his legs slightly in an attempt to free himself, only managing to make himself sway back and forth like a piñata. "Kidōmaru wrapped me up like this 'for my own safety,' but this is not what I had in mind!"
Neji exchanged a glance with Hinata, both unsure how to react. Zaku's indignation, combined with the absurdity of his predicament, made it difficult to keep a straight face.
"Maybe we should… leave him there for a bit longer," Neji muttered, half-joking, as she rubbed her sore shoulder.
Hinata, despite her usual kind nature, couldn't help but suppress a giggle at Zaku's situation. "We should at least get him down," she said softly, but her smile gave away her amusement.
Zaku, now thoroughly irritated, glared down at them. "Yeah, sure, take your time. I'm just hanging out here, no big deal."
Neji rolled her eyes and leapt gracefully into the air, striking the webs with precision, freeing Zaku from his sticky prison. He fell unceremoniously to the ground with a thud, groaning as he landed in a heap.
"You're welcome," Neji said dryly.
Zaku grumbled, pulling strands of web off his clothes. "Yeah, yeah... Thanks, I guess."
As Zaku stood up, still picking the remaining webbing from his hair, Neji and Hinata exchanged a knowing look. Though the battle had been intense, this little moment of humor lightened the mood as they prepared to move forward once more.
"Next time," Zaku muttered as he trudged forward, "remind me to pick better teammates…"