章 118: Duel with the Mizukage: Battle for Supremacy (1)
As Hikari quickly approached the heart of Kirigakure next, his mind briefly wandered to the enigmatic Hoshigaki clan, spurred by his recent encounter with Kisame.
He speculated about the origins of their unique abilities, pondering if an ancient founder of the Hoshigaki might have employed a secret Yang Release technique to merge his essence with that of a shark.
Such a transformation would have been advantageous in the aquatic terrain that defined their region, possibly leading to genetic adaptations that were passed down through generations.
Hikari theorized that this mystical union might explain the shark-like features evident in Kisame and the substantial chakra reserves he had witnessed.
Perhaps, he mused, the Yang Release technique triggered an additional mutation that enhanced their chakra capacity, making members of the Hoshigaki clan formidable warriors uniquely adapted to their environment.
With these thoughts in mind, Hikari refocused on the mission at hand. Using his Byakugan, he scanned ahead, surveying the layout of Kirigakure and assessing the ongoing battles.
He was particularly concerned about the status of the Kaguya and Yuki clans, wondering how effective they had been in massacring the entire Hoshigaki and Hozuki clans, who were staunch supporters of the current Mizukage.
His eyes pierced through the architecture and the flurry of activity, trying to gauge the extent of their progress. Were they effectively suppressing these key players?
However, just as Hikari was adjusting his strategy based on his observations of the present, already chaotic and evolving situation inside Kirigakure, thanks to Kaguya and Yuhi's group intrusion there, his Byakugan caught a sudden and unusual movement from the other side.
A high-pressure stream of water was shooting through the air, heading directly toward his position on the ink eagle. Riding atop this liquid torrent was an old man dressed in the official robes of the Mizukage.
He appeared to be around the age of the Hyuga Patriarch, with long, black hair flowing down to his back. Notably, his eyes lacked visible pupils, giving the impression of blindness, yet his mastery over the water stream suggested otherwise for some reason.
Hikari instantly recognized that this was the Mizukage himself, intent on intercepting him before he could reach the heart of the village.
The Mizukage's expression was one of fierce determination and anger, clearly prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect his domain.
As the Mizukage drew closer, the power of his jutsu became evident. The water stream he manipulated was both a weapon and a mode of transport, showcasing his profound chakra control and expertise in water-based techniques.
This was no ordinary opponent; Hikari immediately noted his ability to fight effectively despite his apparent blindness hinted at extraordinary sensory skills or alternative methods of perception, likely enhanced by his vast experience.
As the distance closed between them, Hikari braced for impact, his focus sharp as he prepared to counter the imminent threat head-on. The battle that was about to unfold would undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in their campaign.
As the distance between them rapidly closed, the Third Mizukage intensified his approach. His demeanor was one of utter resolve, a clear testament to his commitment to defending Kirigakure at all costs.
Concentrating his power, the water around his arm coalesced into a spiraling, drill-like structure. Driven by his formidable chakra control, the water became dense and sharp, resembling a giant, piercing drill.
It was not only large but crafted with such precision that its tip seemed capable of cutting through the toughest materials — a deadly weapon of water made solid by sheer will and chakra manipulation.
As he prepared to launch this fearsome attack, the Mizukage's voice boomed across the distance, carried by the wind and the spray of the water, "You didn't stop messing with us over and over again. You even dare to lead an invasion into Kirigakure and challenge its very heart and authority right now!",
He thundered, his voice filled with a menacing calm, "I will personally see to your end now, kekkei-genkai 'spoiled' brat. Feel honored. Prepare to face the depth of Kirigakure's resolve!"
With those words, the Mizukage thrust his arm forward, and the water drill surged with incredible speed toward Hikari.
As the Third Mizukage surged toward him, Hikari's Byakugan afforded him a crystal-clear view of the attack and the Mizukage himself.
His keen eyes pierced through the outer facade, analyzing the elder's internal chakra system and physical condition.
Despite the powerful display, Hikari noted signs of age and decay that typically afflicted even the most formidable shinobi in their later years.
'How on Earth did this old man garner such respect and remain Mizukage even during this age? He's around Setsuna and Hirayoshi's age and not even a proper Kage-level shinobi, judging by all of this. He's practically one foot in the grave...',
Hikari mused internally. He also noted that the Mizukage's body and chakra pathways showed signs of significant wear, yet his control over his jutsu was nothing short of masterful.
Hikari responded aloud with a mix of disdain and genuine curiosity, "Geezer, you should go back to your slumber. This village is in worse shape than I thought if they consider a fossil like you the strongest here. Move out of my way!",
Even as he spoke, Hikari was gathering his own chakra, a wind element swirling around his arm to form a counteracting drill.
"But your chakra control is truly amazing, the best I've ever seen after myself...", Hikari continued, his tone shifting slightly to acknowledge the skill before him, "To swirl the water to such an extent that it becomes sharp, hard, and dangerous to the majority of shinobi...",
"How do you manage that without Byakugan? No, despite lacking both of your eyes altogether. Don't tell me you have spent your entire life perfecting just this one technique or something along those lines.",
"You should also be quite an expert in the Water Release conceptually and intimately.", Hikari added as he noticed the quite long trail of water that brought the old man up there near him.
As the distance closed between Hikari and the Mizukage, the old man remained stoically silent, his focus entirely on the impending clash. Just as their techniques were about to collide, Hikari tensed, a sudden realization dawning on him,
'How could this be... Not good!', He thought, noticing an unexpected surge in the power of the Mizukage's water drill. It intensified rapidly, gaining a formidable edge that looked set to overpower his wind drill.
Reacting swiftly, Hikari activated his Byakugan's special mode, allowing him to perceive natural energy.
To his astonishment, he discovered that the Mizukage was also incorporating natural energy into his attack at this time.
With no time to ponder the implications of this revelation, Hikari quickly channeled natural energy into his wind drill, enhancing its power to match the escalating threat.
The air around them crackled with the collision of these two massive forces, each infused with natural energy, creating a spectacle of swirling winds and spiraling water in the sky.
The impact of their clash was explosive, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Both techniques met with such force that the surrounding mist was blown away, revealing a clear sky for a brief moment.
The collision created a blinding light that enveloped both Hikari and the Mizukage, obscuring them from view.
When the light dissipated, both shinobi were seen falling towards the ground, their energy temporarily spent from the monumental clash.
They hit the ground with tremendous force, each rolling away from the impact site to regain their footing.
The earth around them was scarred and upheaved, witnessing the intensity of their short, almost instant clash.
But, in a remarkable display of skill and resilience, and to make the matter even more strange, both Hikari and the Mizukage mitigated the impact of their crash landing in weirdly similar ways using their mastery over their respective elements and chakra control skills.
Hikari surrounded himself with an armor of swirling wind, a protective vortex that cushioned his fall by dispersing the kinetic energy around him.
Simultaneously, the Mizukage conjured an armor of spiraling water, creating a fluid barrier that absorbed the shock and minimized the physical repercussions of their descent.
This parallel use of chakra fully demonstrated their high-level mastery and underscored the similarities in their abilities to control chakra with world-leading precision.
The armors of wind and water still shimmered around their forms, highlighting their power's intense yet controlled nature.
As they regained their composure, the air around them tingled with the residual energy of their clash.
クリエイターの想い 
Hanma_Jack
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