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Bang!!
In the forest, a figure was sent flying as if it had been hit by a train, limbs twisting and spinning like a windmill in the air, before eventually crashing into a tree, embedding itself into the trunk.
"..."
Hyuga Kumo emanated a fiery, cyan aura, with raindrops evaporating into mist from his overheated body.
He looked at the figure he had knocked away with his punch after opening the first gate, and a thought involuntarily crossed his mind.
Is that guy a comedian or something?
Originally, this shadow clone had already exhausted its chakra, yet that guy just kept talking from a distance while the real body hurriedly arrived, shrouded in the shadow cloak.
He thought it was someone formidable.
And this is all he's got?
"Your bloodline limit is Steel Release?" Hyuga Kumo asked bluntly. "Who gave you the audacity to stand in front of the Hyuga clan with such half-baked Steel Release?"
Crack, crack!
In the distance, Hiruko braced himself on either side, pulling himself out from the tree trunk.
His body glimmered with a metallic sheen, but his side was clearly sunken in, indicating that his flesh had been obliterated from within.
And that was him dodging instinctively; otherwise, his heart would have been shattered.
However, hearing Hyuga Kumo's taunts stirred up Hiruko's already fragile self-esteem, causing a metallic taste to rise in his throat, heavy breaths becoming tainted with blood.
"Damn it! I knew that bastard Orochimaru wouldn't be so kind!"
With just that one strike, Hiruko recognized that this guy was far from the pushover Orochimaru had described.
The Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique, a secret jutsu he had developed, could fuse a ninja or summoning beast with his own body and even absorb the chakra of bloodline users to obtain their abilities.
The bloodlines he possessed were Steel Release and Swift Release, allowing him to easily achieve a level of physical defense that could withstand blades and swords. His normal speed matched the use of Body Flicker Technique, making ordinary taijutsu-type ninjas no match for him.
Yet this guy before him was nothing like the typical Hyuga clan members.
Hiruko had once been a Leaf ninja and thus had some understanding of the Hyuga clan. He had thought himself to be outside the attack range, but he never expected this guy to release Gentle Fist techniques from afar.
He could feel that his stomach, intestines, and liver had all been smashed; the Steel Release he had fused with was nothing but a joke against that punch's penetrating power.
This was nowhere near the "lucky trash" Orochimaru had painted him to be; he was clearly a freak from the Hyuga clan.
"Hm?"
Upon hearing Hiruko mention Orochimaru's name, Hyuga Kumo instinctively raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I see, I didn't expect Lord Orochimaru to still be alive. I thought he had died somewhere in a dark corner like a dead snake."
Hyuga Kumo easily recognized the distinct features of Hiruko.
Hiruko, an A-rank rogue ninja from the Leaf, was a former companion of the Legendary Three, although he lacked their talent. His heart was filled with insecurity, unwillingness, and jealousy, leading him to secretly conduct human experiments to develop the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique.
He had been pursued by Sarutobi Hiruzen, but managed to escape.
However, Hyuga Kumo hadn't anticipated Hiruko's connection with Orochimaru. But on second thought, it made sense; their research directions were indeed quite similar.
Orochimaru had once studied the physical body, only later delving into soul studies after intruding into the forbidden library.
"How's Lord Orochimaru doing these days?" Hyuga Kumo asked with a smile.
"..."
Hiruko narrowed his eyes but did not answer, his gaze sweeping over him.
He had originally thought that Orochimaru's monstrous transformation was due to the Third Hokage's influence.
Yet now, recalling the venomous and uncontainable resentment on Orochimaru's face when he mentioned this kid, it was likely that it was this brat who had caused Orochimaru to become what he was today.
But why?
Could it be just because of this kid's Byakugan?
"No, that can't be it; at least it's…"
As Hiruko thought this, he instinctively glanced into the distance, toward where the real Hyuga Kumo was heading.
He had no idea that it was Hyuga Kumo, but he could feel the terrifying aura that sent chills down his spine even from miles away.
As a cunning rat hiding here and there, he was all too familiar with the aura of a top predator. So without hesitation, he abandoned his original target and chose to pursue Hyuga Kumo.
"If I could have that kind of power, then even the Legendary Three and the Five Kage would kneel at my feet," Hiruko thought greedily.
Admittedly, Hiruko's character was quite twisted. While he envied the Legendary Three, he could not hide his ingrained insecurities and sensitivity.
When someone turns another into an obsession, they dress that person in finery or even deify them.
Thus, Hiruko's behavior was high-profile and exaggerated, and even when he finally perfected the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique, it wasn't aimed at subtle development but blatantly declaring his intention to initiate the Fourth Shinobi World War against the Leaf.
From an outsider's perspective, it seemed utterly foolish.
But if Hiruko didn't behave this way, he wouldn't be Hiruko, nor could he have developed the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique.
Greed was an inherent part of humanity; it was through desire and greed that humans could continue to survive in a brutal environment.
The essence of the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique was endless consumption, reflecting Hiruko's deepest desires.
What he sought was "existence," what he needed was others' "recognition," what he craved was others' "attention" — all to mask his own insecurities.
Even when declaring his intentions to incite the Fourth Shinobi World War, he proclaimed himself as "Hiruko, a ninja from the Leaf Village."
"That power does not belong to you."
Hyuga Kumo's Byakugan activated, gazing at the murky chakra within Hiruko, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in a flat tone.
Upon hearing those words, Hiruko snapped his head around, momentarily dazed before a sinister expression crept across his pale face.
"This is my power!" His entire face twisted. "It's the power of Hiruko!"
"No." Hyuga Kumo replied calmly. "That's power you've stolen."
Bang!!
"You're seeking death!"
Just as the enraged voice reached his ears, Hiruko's figure had already vanished from the spot, leaving nearly no trace, with only the sound of a piercing sonic boom echoing.
The ground where Hiruko had stood cracked, broken stones flying into the air as dust blossomed like flowers.
Kekkei Genkai: Swift Release.
Hyuga Kumo had already extended his palm, seemingly to grasp something as a black orb began to coalesce in his hand.
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