"…"
Under the faint moonlight filtering through the night sky, Yūruī's pupils constricted as he stared at the black figure before him. His right hand was still numb from blocking the strike, and his powerful body tensed completely.
A Konoha shinobi? The thought flashed through his mind, but he dismissed it immediately. No. That outfit doesn't belong to a Konoha ninja.
The pitch-black robe concealed the figure's entire body, radiating a deep, malicious presence that made Yūruī feel as if his teeth were being hollowed out from within.
If this were a Konoha shinobi, there would be no need to hide his appearance. A simple intrusion signal would have trapped him completely.
So it's a fellow intruder?
With that realization, Yūruī narrowed his eyes. This was his only chance.
He had no time to waste. The man clearly had no intention of letting him pass. He had to kill him right now.
Without a word, both of them moved at the same instant, charging toward each other.
Two figures blurred like striking whips, impossible to tell who was faster.
All that could be heard were two terrifying howls slicing through the wind—anything in their path would be shredded.
The next moment, the falling leaves between them were sliced apart as their blades clashed.
Clang!
Brilliant sparks exploded between them, bursting and scattering through the dark forest.
The kunai and short blade locked edge to edge. Yūruī stared at the figure mere inches away, but he couldn't make out the face hidden within the shadows, as if it swallowed all light.
Where did this guy come from? And how did he know to wait here in advance?
Before Yūruī could analyze the opponent's identity, Hyūga Kumokawa flicked his short blade away. Yūruī's kunai did the same. A chain of sparks flew from the edges, carving arcs of light through the air.
Cling! Cling! Clang!!
Sharp metal rang against sharp metal.
Sparks bloomed like brilliant fireworks, raining down beautifully like silver blossoms on iron.
Yūruī could clearly sense that the person before him wasn't particularly skilled in swordsmanship. The only reason they could hold their own was because of superior speed and raw power.
Just give me a little more time…
But as their blades continued to clash, that thought quickly vanished. Yūruī's expression grew uglier by the second.
He realized the opponent's blade was becoming sharper and sharper.
It was as if the man was using Yūruī's own weapon to sharpen his.
Is this bastard using me to train his sword skills?!
The chilling realization struck him, but before he could react—
Schlick.
Warm blood slid down, soaking his face.
A thin red line crept across his cheek, splitting open bit by bit until it stopped at his cheekbone.
Feeling the stinging pain, Yūruī's pupils trembled violently.
In just a few short minutes, the opponent's swordsmanship had improved from crude to the point where he could actually wound him?
"That's enough."
The hoarse voice snapped Yūruī out of his daze.
Hyūga Kumokawa gripped the blade in one hand while his other formed seals. At the same time, he slashed toward Yūruī.
Their blades collided once more with a piercing screech.
But this time, what scattered wasn't sparks.
It was crackling blue lightning.
Lightning Release: Chidori Blade.
The sound of arcing electricity filled the air. Lightning crawled along Kumokawa's short blade and rapidly spread through the connected kunai.
"Gah!!"
The paralyzing pain of electricity flooding his body forced Yūruī's mouth wide open, but he couldn't make a sound. All the strength drained from his limbs, along with his earlier composure.
The terror of the mission failing. The terror of dying for nothing…
No! No! Not like this!
They were so close! Just one final step!
Who the hell was this guy?!
Hyūga Kumokawa didn't give Yūruī any more time to spiral in fear. He slowly raised one hand, condensing his spiritual power into a glowing blue orb in his palm.
Spiritual Puppet—this was the ability he had awakened when his kekkei genkai reached the second stage at 20.1%. It was the same power Ōtsutsuki Toneri had used to control others' wills and read their thoughts.
"Sleep well."
Meeting Yūruī's gaze filled with pain and terror, Hyūga Kumokawa leaned in slightly and smiled faintly. "Your mission… I'll complete it for you using your own body."
Schlick!!
The moment the words left his mouth, Hyūga Kumokawa pressed his palm into Yūruī's chest. Ripples spread across the surface as the light orb and his hand sank in as if submerging into mud.
A few moments later, he stepped back and withdrew his hand from the chest. The lightning chakra around his blade dissipated.
"…"
Yūruī stood motionless before him, his eyes gradually turning vacant.
"Interesting," Hyūga Kumokawa murmured, eyes flickering. "So this is what it feels like to use this ability for the first time."
He could clearly feel the connection forming between himself and Yūruī. This technique felt somewhat similar to the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique.
The Mind Body Switch Technique concentrated spiritual energy into a point and projected it to take over the opponent's body.
However, that was only a C-rank mid-to-close range support ninjutsu. The released spiritual energy usually traveled in a straight line, severely limiting its range and accuracy.
Moreover, if the spiritual energy missed its target, it couldn't quickly return to the user's body. The caster would be left completely defenseless. If the opponent countered, the user's own body would suffer damage as well—making it extremely risky.
But the Spiritual Puppet that Ōtsutsuki Toneri had used on Hinata—and which Hyūga Kumokawa now possessed—was different.
It was more like the Shadow Clone Technique, splitting off a portion of chakra and spiritual energy to create an independent entity. Not only was there no distance limit, but he could control the "puppet" with perfect precision and even grant it a degree of autonomous action.
Looks like I'll need to collect a few more puppets if the chance arises.
The thought crossed Hyūga Kumokawa's mind, but right now, the most important matter was the Hyūga clan.
He tested his control over Yūruī. The vacant eyes regained focus, and the next moment, the man dropped to one knee in respect.
"Master."
"Go," Hyūga Kumokawa said softly. "Do what you need to do."
"Yes, Master."
'Yūruī' bowed his head in acknowledgment, then stood up and vanished from the scene using the Body Flicker Technique.
After he left, Hyūga Kumokawa stood silently within the shadowy forest. The woods were quiet, filled only with the gentle rustle of leaves and flowing water.
Until soft footsteps approached from afar. Hyūga Hizashi emerged from the tree shadows behind him.
Hizashi knew exactly why he had been called here. His face, identical to his brother's, was filled with complex emotions.
In the darkness, Hyūga Kumokawa lifted his head.
"It's time, are you ready?"