In terms of effectiveness, taijutsu is undoubtedly a highly practical combat method.
Precise, efficient, and lethal—these are the defining characteristics of high-level taijutsu. For any ninja, facing a true taijutsu master in a one-on-one fight is an incredibly thorny issue. And for a mature ninja like Might Guy, who could proficiently utilize a high-tier taijutsu like the Eight Inner Gates, they were practically unbeatable in a one on one.
Compared to various ninjutsu, taijutsu is generally more low-profile and unpretentious. Without added special effects, its visual impact is limited.
But this doesn't mean taijutsu isn't spectacular to watch; in reality, it's highly entertaining.
Amidst the massive horde of Hidden Mist ninjas, Student White Yaksha was spinning, leaping, he... ahem...
In the eyes of the Konoha ninjas, Hagoromo charged into the enemy formation completely alone. He would either vanish into the enemy crowd or leap up into their line of sight. Whether launching lethal strikes, crippling blows, or ineffective attacks that were completely blocked, he almost always hit and retreated before the enemy could react.
Striking and moving instantly. Let alone engaging in a drawn out brawl, he basically never even stuck around to deliver a second strike.
He was in constant motion, never pausing at any location for even a moment.
Hagoromo darted through the enemy crowd like a swimming fish, constantly disrupting their deployment. At the same time, this made it impossible for the enemy to unleash area-of-effect ninjutsu on him.
Because wherever Hagoromo was, there were bound to be Hidden Mist ninjas, and more than just one.
If they unleashed an ultimate move in this situation, Hagoromo definitely wouldn't be the only one to die. More importantly, given this guy's sharp footwork, they were afraid an ultimate move wouldn't even hit him. That would just equate to wiping out their own people for nothing.
Not dying at the hands of the enemy, but being concentrated fired upon by your own people... did anyone consider the feelings of the dead comrades?
Moreover, Hagoromo wasn't the only one currently brawling with the Hidden Mist ninjas. Shisui of the Body Flicker, who had charged in before him, was inflicting casualties no less severe than Hagoromo—or rather, even greater.
So far, Hagoromo hadn't transformed into his Raichu form yet, making him highly suspected of slacking off. Shisui, however, was genuinely putting in the effort, as evidenced by the Great Fireballs he unleashed from time to time.
The Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu had always been the biggest signature of the Uchiha clan—second only to the Sharingan. Considering the awakening rate of the Sharingan, it should perhaps be called the Uchiha clan's universally representative ninjutsu.
As an Uchiha, you could get away with not having the Sharingan, but you absolutely had to know the Great Fireball.
Compared to Hagoromo, Shisui's range of movement wasn't as vast. Benefiting from his innate, high-spec, high-speed, high-definition dual-lens cameras, his defensive capabilities were clearly stronger... You really couldn't compete with that level of kinetic vision.
Furthermore, once he found himself surrounded, a simple glance from those crimson eyes with three tomoe produced an paralyzing effect.
After unleashing an instant genjutsu, no matter what kind of attack the enemies were preparing, they would immediately freeze. Then, they would just wait for Shisui to come over and slit their throats... When necessary, he could even control the enemies and make them slit their own throats.
Whether these eyes were cursed or not was beside the point; they were undeniably incredibly convenient.
This was exactly why the Uchiha were so powerful, and precisely why they appeared on so many people's capture lists.
There were plenty of people who wanted to add these eyes to their life's menu, and there was no shortage of those willing to put those capture plans into action—some of whom had even succeeded.
Seeing that the Konoha ninjas who charged in hadn't immediately launched an attack but instead stood there frozen, Hagoromo instantly felt the urge to curse their mothers.
What the hell are you staring at? Attack already!
He had no idea that everyone was busy admiring the heroic and dashing figures of the White Yaksha and Shisui of the Body Flicker, practically ready to sing songs in there praise.
Even if he did know, Hagoromo would still curse their mothers.
Damn it, he had forsaken vanity for violence here, what else was there to look at? Get over here and start mopping up the enemies!
Fortunately, as Konoha ninjas, they still possessed professional ethics and competence. They wouldn't actively screw over their own people. The daze only lasted for a few seconds before they launched their attack on the enemy.
Seeing that his own people hadn't gone completely stupid, Hagoromo breathed a sigh of relief.
Since the main force had arrived, he planned to quietly retreat to their backlines and switch his assault tactics to a sniper role... For him, taking cheap shots and firing cold arrows was much easier and more efficient.
However, just as he was about to brush off his clothes and leave, things proved to not be so simple.
Leaving after showing off? Since when were there such good deals?
"Move aside, let me handle this guy!"
High energy reaction detected! And the opponent threw a salted fish at you! He could faintly feel the air disturbance behind him and heard the sound of something tearing through the air. Based on this alone, Hagoromo could deduce that a heavy weapon was incoming from behind!
Shifting his body rapidly sideways, Hagoromo moved like a ghost, dodging the strike. Hooking his right middle finger, he pulled a kunai from the ninja pouch on his leg and casually slit the throat of an enemy next to him.
Only after he completed this entire sequence of actions did the heavy boom of something smashing into the ground ring out.
Hagoromo finally turned around to see exactly who was behind him.
Looking from the bottom up, the first thing he saw was the cracked earth.
Next was a massive, incredibly thick broadsword wrapped in white bandages, its front end embedded in the ground.
And the single hand wielding it.
The owner of the arm was a burly, orange-haired man who looked remarkably like Jiraiya's summoning beast.
"..."
Hagoromo felt he probably knew who this person was. Not only had he seen him in the Bingo Book, but he had also secretly peeked at him from afar once before.
Coincidentally, the opponent also knew exactly who Hagoromo was.
"A white mask and hair, carrying an iron gourd on your back... You're one of the duo that took out Juzo Biwa, aren't you? The Konoha ninja who almost severely injured Yagura using some special method... that's you too, isn't it?"
Severely injured? If he had taken a direct hit from that, unless he had the physical durability of the Raikage, he would have exploded, okay? Well, I suppose that counts as a severe injury, seeing as they wouldn't have been able to piece him back together.
Hagoromo wasn't surprised that the man recognized him; his intel was bound to be exposed eventually. Staring at the greatsword Samehada, he said in an unbothered tone, "The Greatsword Samehada... Of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Fuguki Suikazan?"
Anyone capable of wielding such a heavy weapon with one arm was clearly not simple.
Hagoromo didn't know much about Samehada, let alone the fact that it was a living salted fish. While the opponent's strength was noteworthy, it didn't mean he had to retreat.
If he were being surrounded by multiple members of the Seven Swordsmen, Hagoromo would probably turn around and leave. But in a one-on-one fight, He wouldn't lose easily.
A friendly reminder for Fuguki Suikazan: it's not too late to run now. As the saying goes, those who fight the White yaksha don't meet a good end.
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