章 100: Through the Eyes of the Byakugan: Tracing The Enemy
Hikari soon set out toward the target's last known location, utilizing his finely honed, probably even world-leading chakra control to mask his presence completely. This skill was crucial, as any leakage of chakra could alert enemy sensors to his approach, and he didn't want that in any way, shape, or form. His movement then turned very swift and silent.
As he moved, Hikari reflected on the limited information he had about his target. He knew only that this Kirigakure shinobi possessed chakra reserves indicative of an Elite Jonin and that he operated somewhat independently within their forces, serving as some kind of a sub-leader, similar to Hikari's own role.
Despite the scant details, Hikari was confident in his ability to adapt on the fly, as he was a more advanced shinobi overall. He planned to close the distance quickly, then try to find his precise location with his Byakugan and observe his target discreetly, gathering any additional intelligence that might inform his later approach or reveal any vulnerabilities.
After several hours of meticulous movement and consistent scanning with his Byakugan, which is 50km long-range and 'telescopic' at its current peak limit, Hikari finally located his target somewhere near the last reported coordinates.
Intriguingly, the jonin seemed to maintain a consistent proximity to nearby rivers, a pattern that caught Hikari's attention. He knew that while water bodies could enhance Water Release techniques, Kirigakure ninjas were required to remain mobile to effectively cover all the blind spots present on their front lines.
'This is strange...', Hikari mused internally, 'Ordinary Kiri shinobi shouldn't need to stay so close to water bodies just to strengthen their Water Release jutsu, especially when mobility is crucial. Wait! Close to rivers...',
He recalled a piece of intelligence warning them to be cautious around bodies of water, particularly because members of the Hozuki clan could utilize their famous Hydrification techniques to formidable effect in such environments. The Hozuki clan also produced the Second Mizukage and some other famous shinobi later in the original story's trajectory.
Piecing together these observations, Hikari hypothesized that his target might be a member of the famous Hozuki clan, known for their ability to liquefy their bodies, making them exceptionally dangerous near various water sources, and probably a leading member at that due to his commanding position.
It was possible that he remained close to this river always as he had the most strength there and because, possibly, he even used himself as bait to catch some enemy elite off-guard, like Hikari, with his overcharged Hydrification and nearby reinforcement coming soon, too.
But, despite this realization adding a layer of complexity and potential danger to his mission, on top of already existing concerns about having to 'finish his target off' very quickly before the nearby reinforcements came, Hikari's confidence in his own abilities remained unshaken.
Hikari stealthily closed the distance between himself and the target, moving with such finesse that his presence remained unnoticed until he was almost upon the Kirigakure jonin.
However, the target, a seasoned male ninja in his mid-forties, eventually sensed the approaching threat at the last moment. With practiced agility, he then positioned himself strategically in the center of a meandering jungle river, clearly choosing this spot for its tactical advantages.
The river, bordered by dense foliage and thick undergrowth, flowed gently through the lush jungle, providing a natural barrier and a fluid medium that could be manipulated by a skilled Water Release user.
The target stood on the shimmering water with chakra, his stance firm and alert, ready to harness the river's potential. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the water's surface and creating a serene yet charged atmosphere.
The setting not only provided the ninja with unlimited resources to fuel his Water Release techniques but also offered numerous escape and attack routes, making him a formidable opponent in this terrain.
With the river burbling softly in the background and the occasional call of a distant bird piercing the quiet, the scene was deceptively peaceful. Yet, both combatants were acutely aware of the deadly dance about to unfold, each calculating the best moment to strike.
Hikari launched himself forward with incredible speed next, using his Wind Release on his legs externally to propel himself more. This enhanced the velocity of his current full-on Body Flicker technique, which he learned from Sakumo to do well recently. He aimed to close the distance between himself and the target in the blink of an eye.
Meanwhile, the target, a distinguished older man with grayish-blue hair, watched as the young boy made his advance. Despite the initial surprise of Hikari's youthful appearance and the lack of explicit Konoha-style military attire—except for the forehead protector—his attire was unmistakably that of the Hyuga clan, traditional-style kimono, although marked by a dark blue, just like his hair, and his pure white eyes also further confirmed his Hyuga status.
As Hikari soared across the river's surface, the man assessed him with a critical eye, 'Great speed, probably even exceeding mine, despite his young age, should be very rare for his clan...', He mused internally, a hint of respect flickering in his expression,
'This must be some kind of prodigy from the Hyuga clan. But is he underestimating me so much as to engage me directly in this body of water? Is he crazy?',
His thoughts were laced with both astonishment and tactical recalibration. He was preparing himself for an encounter that could prove more challenging than he initially expected.
As the enemy surged toward him, the Hozuki clan patriarch knew that his first priority was to contain this young and formidable opponent.
With practiced ease, he quickly formed hand signs, channeling his chakra into the surrounding water. Drawing deeply from the river itself, he executed the B-rank "Water Release: Water Formation Wall" technique.
The water beneath him churned and surged upward, creating a massive, towering wall of swirling, turbulent water. This defensive maneuver was designed not only to block incoming attacks but also to disrupt his assailant's momentum, potentially opening up opportunities for counterstrikes.
The patriarch's precise control over the water ensured that the barrier was both swift and substantial, rising with a forceful roar that resonated through the jungle air.
The patriarch stood ready behind his watery shield; his eyes fixed on Hikari. He gauged his reaction and prepared for the next move in their high-stakes duel.
Despite the impressive Water Formation Wall rising before him, Hikari, still in mid-air, remained unfazed. With a swift rotating motion, he unleashed a more casual version of his Wind Release: Rotation.
The technique generated a powerful gust of wind that spiraled towards the towering wall of water, effectively dispersing it with its sheer force. The water droplets scattered into a mist around him as he continued his advance, undeterred.
The Hozuki patriarch, witnessing the effortless dismantling of his defensive technique, was taken aback by Hikari's prowess.
Realizing that defensive measures alone would not suffice against such a formidable opponent, he knew he needed to escalate his approach. Without hesitation, he swiftly transitioned to a more aggressive tactic.
Rapidly forming another series of hand signs, the patriarch channeled a significant amount of chakra, drawing more vigorously from the water around him. He executed the "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique," a more offensive and powerful B-level jutsu.
A massive, serpentine dragon made entirely of water emerged from the river, roaring and twisting as it surged toward Hikari with tremendous force and speed.
The dragon's scales glistened under the sunlight, and its eyes seemed to blaze with a life of their own as it aimed to strike Hikari with lethal precision.
However, as the water dragon barreled towards him with daunting speed and force, Hikari calmly prepared his counterattack. He quickly molded his chakra into a small, dense sphere.
With expert timing, Hikari launched the chakra-filled sphere towards the oncoming water dragon. The sphere cut through the air with a whistling sound, a blur of deadly energy aimed directly at the heart of the liquid beast.
As it collided with the dragon, the sphere exploded on impact, unleashing a devastating burst of wind energy.
The explosion expanded into a full-sized Rotation, resembling a tempest in its ferocity. The powerful winds spun outwards with such intensity that they not only sliced through the water dragon, dissipating it back into the river from which it came, but also cleared a wide radius around Hikari, repelling anything in its vicinity.
Leaves and debris caught in the tumultuous wind were flung away, and the surface of the river rippled violently under the force of the blast.
By the time the Water Dragon had been dispersed, Hikari had already closed the distance between himself and the Hozuki patriarch at an astonishing speed.
The patriarch barely had time to process the young Hyuga's previous technique before Hikari was already upon him.
Realizing the imminent threat, the patriarch's mind raced, and he instinctively thought, "Not good!", He understood all too well the peril of allowing a Hyuga, especially one as skilled as this one, to get too close.
In a desperate move to defend himself and gain distance, the Hozuki patriarch resorted to a unique clan technique.
Positioning his hand to mimic a gun, he utilized the Hydrification Technique to compress a drop of water in his index finger.
This technique, known for its lethality, allowed him to fire the compressed water with a force and speed akin to a gunshot.
Rapidly he executed multiple shots in quick succession, directing them toward Hikari with deadly precision.
クリエイターの想い 
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