Crackle! The sharp sound of lightning echoed through the air. Kuroki flipped his wrist, producing a kunai that crackled with arcs of lightning.
Small currents of electricity danced across his body as well. In that instant, he infused the kunai with Lightning Release chakra while simultaneously using it to stimulate his own cells.
His speed surged to an astonishing level, and the power behind his strike increased just as dramatically.
This method of enhancing the body with Lightning Release was a signature technique of Kumogakure ninja. Against an average member of the Konoha Military Police Force, it would have been overwhelming.
Unfortunately for him, his opponent was anything but average.
Ryūjin's thoughts sharpened, and in an instant, he entered Sage Mode. His figure blurred, then vanished completely.
His speed far exceeded Kuroki's enhanced state.
"Oh no!" Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's expression shifted.
He had not expected a random Konoha officer to possess such power. A deep sense of danger rose within him.
Before he could react, a sharp slicing sound cut through the air.
Puchi!
Kuroki's throat was cleanly slit by the kunai in Ryūjin's hand.
At the brink of death, under immense pain, Kuroki's suppressed consciousness surged back.
"Hah…" he gasped, his body twisting unnaturally.
His will clashed violently with Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's control.
At the moment of death, a person could unleash unimaginable strength.
In that brief instant, Kuroki's willpower erupted, forcibly reclaiming control of his body.
A glowing orb was expelled from him.
"Oh no, I've lost control of one of my puppets!"
Inside the Cloud Village delegation's residence, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's face darkened. His vision abruptly cut off as Kuroki's sight vanished.
"Ugh… ugh…"
Kuroki clutched his throat, unable to form words. Moments later, he collapsed, lifeless.
Ryūjin stood still, staring at the corpse, his thoughts turning.
Kuroki's behavior before death had been strange. That final expression, shock, anger, unwillingness, it felt like a different person entirely.
And that glowing orb…
It felt familiar.
"It's a Spirit Orb. The one Ōtsutsuki Toneri used to control Hyuga Hinata."
Realization struck him.
So Toneri had already come to Earth.
That meant something even more interesting. If the Moon was involved, then his Sign-in System might extend there as well.
The Tenseigan…
Yeah right, that kind of power was hard to ignore.
A blur cut through the air.
Hyuga Hiashi appeared instantly, his presence sharp and tense.
His gaze swept the scene. One glance at the fallen Kuroki and Ryūjin standing nearby was enough.
"Hinata!"
He rushed forward, lifting Hyuga Hinata and quickly checking her condition. Only after confirming she was unharmed did he exhale in relief.
"You saved my daughter," Hiashi said, his voice steady but sincere.
Ryūjin waved it off. "Part of the job. No need to make it a big deal."
At the same time, his Sage Mode perception spread across Konoha.
"There you are."
Ōtsutsuki Shinichi and Toneri were instantly located.
"So that's it…"
Everything clicked into place.
Their suspicious behavior earlier, the targeting of Hinata, even the Cloud Village delegation's actions, it all lined up perfectly now.
They had been manipulated.
"Lord Hiashi, I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for further conversation, Ryūjin disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Killing a Kumogakure envoy meant nothing to him.
Back in his room, Ryūjin created a Shadow Clone before his main body slipped through space with Kamui.
He retrieved a crystal ball and activated the Telescope Technique.
The image formed quickly.
Two pairs of Byakugan appeared.
"It really is Ōtsutsuki Toneri."
Even as a child, Toneri's features were unmistakable.
Inside the residence, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi frowned.
"That feeling again…"
Someone was watching him.
And their plan had already failed.
"Toneri, we leave immediately."
His tone was decisive.
Konoha was far more dangerous than expected.
Toneri clenched his fists slightly but nodded.
They moved without hesitation.
Ryūjin watched them through the projection.
"Leaving already? Not happening."
The moment they withdrew, Shinichi released control over the remaining Kumogakure ninja, Rinkawa.
Memories flooded back.
Rinkawa froze, drenched in cold sweat.
"I was… controlled?"
Realization hit hard.
Soon after, reports reached him. Kuroki had attempted to kidnap Hyuga Hinata and was killed.
Rinkawa's expression hardened.
"This never happened. Kuroki did no such thing. Understood?"
The others nodded.
Moments later, Rinkawa appeared before Kuroki's corpse.
"Hyuga Clan Head, explain this. Did you kill him?" he demanded, voice sharp with accusation.
Hiashi remained composed. "You misunderstand. He kidnapped my daughter and attacked Konoha forces. He was killed in response."
The argument escalated quickly.
It did not take long before the matter reached the Hokage.
Meanwhile, far from the village, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi and Toneri arrived at their hidden aircraft.
"Are we really just leaving?" Toneri asked, unwilling to accept it.
Shinichi's voice was calm but firm.
"There are only three of us left. Your future matters more than this mission."
Toneri fell silent.
"Hyuga Hinata is suitable for you. When you are older, you can take her yourself."
Toneri nodded reluctantly.
They turned toward the aircraft.
"You came all this way and think you can leave just like that?"
A voice cut through the silence.
Shinichi turned sharply.
A spatial distortion twisted into existence.
Ryūjin stepped out.
"Toneri, stay behind me."
Shinichi activated his Byakugan, scanning everything.
"No need. It's just me," Ryūjin said casually.
Shinichi confirmed it.
Then his gaze sharpened. "You were the one watching me earlier."
Ryūjin nodded without hesitation. "Kidnapping someone for marriage is pathetic."
Shinichi's expression darkened.
"Who are you?"
"Just someone who wants to visit your home."
Shinichi let out a cold laugh. "You are not worthy."
With a swift motion, he summoned his puppets.
Bang, bang, bang!
Several Ōtsutsuki puppets appeared, surrounding Ryūjin.
Each one raised its palm, energy gathering rapidly.
"This is your last chance," Shinichi said.
Ryūjin shrugged. "I already answered you."
"Then die."
Energy orbs fired simultaneously.
Explosions of light closed in from all directions.
Ryūjin did not move.
"Magnet Release, Gold Dust."
Golden particles surged upward, forming a dense barrier.
Every attack was blocked effortlessly.
Shinichi's expression changed.
This opponent was far stronger than he had anticipated.
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