Chapter 15: Tsukimi-no-Mikoto
"It seems your growth is not as expected."
At the other end of the battlefield, Orochimaru watched Kakashi and Yamato with amusement.
His Aura was steady and his expression normal, but Kakashi and Yamato appeared somewhat battered.
"Especially you, Kakashi. You are the same now as you were when I left."
"..."
Neither Kakashi nor Yamato spoke; they were quickly adjusting their states.
However, they were also feeling anxious because Hyuga Makoto had clearly been drawn into a fight.
Even though they were exerting all their strength, Orochimaru remained completely at ease.
He gave them no opportunity to break through and create an escape route for Hyuga Makoto!
That feeling of powerlessness was truly indescribable for them.
"Although I'm a bit disappointed, it doesn't matter."
Orochimaru ignored their silence, licked his lips, and laughed hoarsely.
"I need to get a little more serious now. After all, I still need to retrieve my test subject."
As soon as the words fell, Orochimaru's Chakra surged again, and his figure moved accordingly!
"Be careful!"
Kakashi and Yamato immediately took defensive stances, but a drop of cold sweat trickled down their foreheads.
Because at this moment, Orochimaru seemed even more terrifying than before!
"Hmm?"
But just as they were fully focused, Orochimaru suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on the distance.
A moment later, Orochimaru frowned, let out a cold snort, and his figure abruptly changed direction, heading far away!
"What is... what's going on?"
Kakashi and Yamato were bewildered, but they dared not overthink it.
Because Orochimaru was heading in Hyuga Makoto's direction...
...
Boom—
In the dense forest of the Land of Whirlpools, Shinno finally stopped after breaking through several large trees in succession.
The intense pain made him cough up blood constantly, but seeing Hyuga Makoto approaching him again, he could only grit his teeth and struggle to get up.
"I can't keep going like this..."
As a physician, he knew very well that his internal organs had been shattered by that last blow.
If he didn't possess the technique for physical regeneration, he would be dead now!
"No wonder he could join the Anbu at such a young age. These Konoha bastards..."
He cursed inwardly, but his gaze couldn't help but sweep towards Orochimaru in the distance.
He knew clearly that Orochimaru wanted his secret technique for physical regeneration, which was why he intercepted Kakashi and the other one. But...
"If I don't'show my value,' he will abandon me without hesitation!"
He 'trusted' Orochimaru's character too much!
Watching the constantly approaching Hyuga Makoto, he finally made up his mind.
"Kid, it's rare for someone to push me to this point, so..."
He stared at Hyuga Makoto and shouted in a low voice. Instantly, the Chakra within his body erupted once more!
The wounds on his body began to writhe frantically, and with a burst of mist, they were completely healed.
And his already robust body became broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with bulging muscles!
Feeling the immense power within himself, he clenched his fists and roared.
"I will definitely let you live to watch me tear you apart!"
Buzz—
Shinno's speed also increased drastically. He even left behind an afterimage as he lunged violently toward Hyuga Makoto.
However, Hyuga Makoto was even calmer than before, merely adopting the starting posture of the Eight Trigrams Palms.
"You still think I'm the same as before?"
Seeing this, Shinno's lips curled up slightly, revealing a ferocious smile.
"This is good; it can end sooner!"
However, the moment he collided with Hyuga Makoto again, the smile froze on his face.
Bang—
There was another dull roar, accompanied by a visible shockwave rapidly spreading outward.
At the center of the shockwave, Hyuga Makoto blocked Shinno's full-power strike with just one hand held in a palm!
And beneath their feet, cracks like a spiderweb appeared and spread.
"This is... what's going on?"
Shinno's mind went blank; he completely failed to comprehend the scene before him.
He had already given his all; how could this guy still be calm and composed?
Even, seeming more relaxed than before?
"Very imposing, but..."
Just as he was most confused, Hyuga Makoto spoke again.
"But that's all."
In the next instant, he unleashed a sweeping leg kick.
"This speed..."
Shinno only saw an afterimage. The next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his face, and his entire body was sent flying backward!
Bang—
He crashed heavily onto the ground, which formed a large pit under the immense force.
Looking at the miserable Shinno, a smile appeared beneath Hyuga Makoto's mask.
"Is this the power of Tenseigan Chakra...?"
He was currently using 'Tsukimi-no-Mikoto'!
He had initially worried that using this technique might cause some issues.
But once he actually used it, he discovered something interesting.
"The 'Tsukimi-no-Mikoto' technique can control the amount of Tenseigan Chakra that descends!"
He didn't know if this was inherent to the technique or a change brought about by this recent enhancement, but it certainly helped him avoid a lot of trouble!
Moreover, he always had a suspicion regarding the energy supply inside the Moon.
"The Moon contains mountains, rivers, alternating sun and moon, as well as oceans and floating islands. These cannot exist without energy and operation."
Perhaps the Gedo Statue handled it before, but after Uchiha Madara summoned the Gedo Statue away, it was hard to say if the Tenseigan was now required!
"If that's the case, then my small-scale usage truly won't be discovered..."
Although he wasn't sure if his guess was correct, at least he wasn't being interfered with right now!
"And even a small amount is enough for me right now..."
Looking at Shinno, who had struggled back to his feet in the distance, he instantly rushed over!
The Chakra of the Moon's Tenseigan had enhanced him in all aspects.
"Especially since this power shares the same origin as me, controlling it is no different from controlling my own Chakra, and..."
Under the blessing of this power, he could slightly control the Yang Release and Yin Release within his body!
Both Yin Release and Yang Release could be integrated into techniques.
The secret arts of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, and Uchiha Madara's 'Yin Release: Lightning Strike,' were all like this.
Hyuga Makoto could also achieve this now; his Gentle Fist was an example!
"What in the world... is happening?"
But Shinno's mind was foggy. He had already reinforced himself again, so why hadn't the situation improved? Why had it gotten worse?
However, he didn't have time to think; Hyuga Makoto had arrived before him like a phantom!
"You look strong, but your condition is terrible."
Crack—
He struck out with his palm, and instantly felt a sharp pain in his chest. The sound of bones cracking echoed in his ears along with Hyuga Makoto's words.
But he couldn't react at all as Hyuga Makoto's Moves rapidly changed.
"You are forcibly stimulating cell division with Chakra to achieve rapid wound healing, quick Chakra recovery, and even a return to youth. It's just that..."
Bang—
Another violent impact distorted Shinno's body!
"It's just that the number of cell divisions is limited. Without a massive foundation of Chakra to support it, then..."
Boom—
Another palm struck. At this moment, Shinno couldn't even stand steadily; he directly knelt on the ground.
But that calm voice continued to echo in his mind like a nightmare.
"The more and harder you use it, the faster you approach death. How much longer can you hold on?"
"You..."
Shinno opened his mouth but only vomited a mouthful of blood. His body was already collapsing.
And collapsing along with it were his nerves; his secret had been completely seen through by Hyuga Makoto!
He indeed lacked a massive foundation of Chakra. He had no chance for a Tailed Beast.
But taking an alternative path, creating an 'Artificial Tailed Beast,' wasn't impossible.
According to reports, Konoha conducted experiments after founding the village, which was why he intended to go to Konoha.
But now, his dream seemed destined to shatter!
"However, I should thank you as well."
Hyuga Makoto paid no attention to Shinno's miserable state; he gathered Chakra again and spoke slowly.
"I've managed to clarify some things..."
He now understood why Orochimaru could never truly be killed and had to be sealed.
The Impure World Reincarnation had a three-year limit anyway, and during that time, it didn't matter how he used the forbidden technique of physical regeneration!
Only by using a Seal was there a chance to deal with him!
"Moreover, my judgment was correct..."
In Hyuga Makoto's eyes, he could already see Orochimaru charging toward them.
Therefore, without hesitation, he struck at Shinno again!
"No!"
Shinno let out a roar of despair; he truly couldn't withstand any more attacks now.
However, just as he reached his most desperate moment, a massive earth wall blocked the way in front of him...