The day after Hui came to the front line, Kirigakure launched the largest test in history.
"Kui, almost all of Kirigakure are dispatched this time to harass us in different directions. At the same time, the two patriarchs, Kaguya and Mizunoyuki, lead the Kirigakure Jōnin to confront us head-on."
Uchiha Fuyue relayed the latest information to Hui. The meaning was self-evident—that he hoped Hui would join them.
"It seems that Kirigakure couldn't sit still after learning I was here, and launched this attack while I didn't have enough time to arrange anything."
As soon as his thoughts shifted, Hui understood the reason.
"However, so what? Since the war has started, let's make it more intense. It would be better for both sides to lose more."
Hui did not hesitate. He made his decision in an instant and followed Fuyue and the others to support.
"Move!"
Using the loss of Konoha ninja as a guide, Hui asked Fuyue for the approximate location of the enemy, then left the front line alone.
"Go to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen first. The Samehada is still in the hands of the wielder from the Hōzuki clan. Let's see if I can study it."
Hui had always been wary of abilities that could absorb others' chakra. Of course, this wasn't about Samehada, but about the techniques of the Rinnegan, the Six Paths, and the Ōtsutsuki. Their methods were truly problematic. Compared to them, Samehada was on the lower end.
Chakra was the source of Uchiha's power. This flaw had to be fixed before he could create a new energy system of his own.
Besides, Uchiha Kiyo never considered creating a new energy system. Not only was the possibility slim, but its very meaning was questionable.
What if you did develop a new energy?
Could it surpass chakra?
Chakra was already a highly advanced form of energy—the path to ascension!
A ninja who received basic training could use chakra to perform large-scale ninjutsu, and didn't even need to understand it deeply.
As long as the seal and chakra were mobilized properly—even in a simple, mechanical manner—everything would proceed naturally.
Abandoning such a system to cultivate something new would be utter foolishness. No, even a fool wouldn't choose that path.
Instead of wasting time developing new energy, it was better to create methods to resist those problematic abilities—or study their underlying principles. Maybe one day he could absorb others' chakra himself.
Even though he currently had a vast reserve of chakra, having more wasn't a bad thing, right?
"First, find the wielder of Samehada and see if I can take it."
Hiding in a secluded area, Hui used his Annihilation and Restoration Technique to contact Zhen.
While gathering intel, the two also needed to stagger their movements to avoid suspicion—after all, surviving a clash with Hui should not be something taken lightly.
Of course, he could fully reveal his strength, but that would mean exposing himself by fighting his own clone—no matter how you framed it, that was just plain idiotic.
Avoidable mistakes should be avoided.
On the other side, Zhen received Hui's memory transmission during his advance.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll go check something over there."
Leaving the team, Zhen also used the Annihilation and Restoration Technique to share what he knew.
"There's a member of the Hyuga Main Family over there. As expected, some developments follow inertia, or rather, this is the most reasonable outcome."
Among the Hyuga who came this time was a Main House ninja—the grandson of the Hyuga clan's chief elder, Hyuga Hikaru—who was currently undergoing training under the protection of three guards.
That was what Hui knew. But it was easy to assume that more Hyuga were protecting the Main House member in secret. The Hyuga valued the Byakugan bloodline far more than any other kekkei genkai.
However...
"There doesn't seem to be any sign of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen operating in that area."
Hui frowned after receiving the memory data about the Kirigakure ninja distribution from Zhen.
He was in the south, while the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were in the east.
Not only that—their movement range seemed oddly familiar.
...
"Isn't that the mission zone of Guy's team!"
Hui finally remembered why it looked familiar.
Because he knew the future, Hui paid special attention to Might Guy's movements. But he never thought that Guy's team would run into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen this time.
This time, it clearly happened because of Hui's presence.
"It seems that some things still happen even without plot constraints."
If Guy encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen early, then Might Duy's eventual self-sacrifice would also be accelerated.
Considering Duy's character, he would be protecting Guy constantly. Even if the timeline was off, Duy would likely still arrive in time like he did originally.
"I'll try to reach there. Maybe I can observe the Eight Gates Released Formation."
Hui changed direction and rushed toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Finger Piercing!"
As Hui moved, dozens of high-speed bone bullets shot toward him.
"Earth Style: Hardening Technique!"
He activated the Hardening Technique. At the same time, Earth-style chakra burst from his body, triggering a transformation in nature.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"The Kaguya Clan."
Hui stopped and released his sensory perception. He finally detected several figures in the distance.
When the Kaguya Patriarch saw Uchiha Kiyo's eyes, his pupils shrank violently.
But after a moment of shock, intense fighting spirit erupted from him.
The Kaguya clan were similar to the Uchiha in some ways—both had madness in their blood. For Uchiha, it came from the spiritual toll of the Sharingan. For the Kaguya, it was their overwhelming desire to fight, often manifesting as bloodlust.
These were the so-called battle maniacs. Seeing Uchiha Kiyo sparked the Patriarch's intent to challenge him.
Hui sneered.
Do you think bringing a bunch of people makes you a threat?
The Kaguya Patriarch wasn't stupid. He wouldn't challenge a shadow-level opponent one-on-one. But with enough backup, he clearly saw an opportunity to test Hui.
The four Kaguya clan members behind him were just as excited.
Among the five jōnin, three were elite jōnin.
That kind of formation was no joke even in a battle between shadow-level opponents.
Unfortunately, they picked the wrong enemy.
Was Hui the type of ninja who could be taken down by ninjutsu?
Well... okay, maybe if you threw ten shadow-levels at him.
But certainly not a handful of jōnin.
"Since you think your bones are so strong, let me see whether they're stronger than my spear."
Water Style was known for its versatility and power—but relying too much on one element wasn't ideal.
Favoritism in training would only result in imbalance.
Progress should be steady across the board, or else breakthroughs would be hard to come by.
After all, it took Hui a long time to raise Water Style to its current power level.
And his abilities in Shunshin and close combat were not to be underestimated.
He condensed Earth-style chakra into his hand. A spear materialized, gleaming with a dark sheen. Natural energy surged into it, reinforcing the weapon. Around the spear, chakra of both Earth and Water swirled to form a dense film.
With spear in hand, Hui was the first to strike.
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