In the dense forest of the Land of Whirlpools, Ao was leading five Kirigakure ninjas in a rapid dash.
However, all of them had solemn expressions, because they were getting closer and closer to the border of the Land of Fire.
"Captain, the armistice has been in effect for so long, why do we still have to execute such a mission?"
Finally, a Kirigakure ninja couldn't hold back anymore. He looked at Ao at the very front and asked in a low voice.
"I don't know either, but this is Lord Mizukage's order."
Hearing this, Ao couldn't help but shake his head and spoke calmly.
"So don't ask any more questions. Let's just do what we are supposed to do."
"Yes!"
Although the group of Kirigakure ninjas still had doubts, since the Mizukage's name had been brought out, they couldn't say much more.
Ao glanced at the crowd behind him, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He actually didn't understand this kind of mission either, especially at this time!
With the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, expanding the Blood Mist policy, the internal situation in Kirigakure was not peaceful.
First, Momochi Zabuza failed in his assassination attempt on the Mizukage and defected. Subsequently, the Kaguya Clan also participated in the 'Battle Royale'.
Unfortunately, the Kaguya Clan was unlucky and was wiped out by the prepared Mizukage in a counterattack.
Afterwards, more Kekkei Genkai clans were successively destroyed, and the cruelty and distortion of the Blood Mist policy also caused more and more people to become dissatisfied.
Under such a general environment, Ao felt that the best thing for them was to stay in Kirigakure to stabilize the situation.
As a result, they were actually sent to the Land of Fire to execute a mission?
"Sigh..."
Ao sighed silently in his heart, but ninjas still had to obey, especially since this was the Mizukage's order.
However, a thought also formed in his mind. If they truly encountered huge trouble, then he would...
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Just as he was thinking, the sound of several objects piercing the wind suddenly came from the forest, and a dense swarm of kunai shot towards them!
This instantly brought him back to reality, and he simultaneously shouted loudly.
"Careful, it's an ambush!"
But as soon as his voice fell, waves of chakra fluctuations also appeared on these kunai.
Boom, boom, boom—
A series of fierce explosions suddenly resounded through the dense forest, and the explosive flames instantly engulfed them!
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
However, they were all elites of Kirigakure, and the Land of Whirlpools was bordered by the sea, so this kind of environment was advantageous to them.
In just an instant, they immediately executed Water Release.
The surging water wall crashed against the turbulent flames, sending a sky full of steam rising up.
For a moment, this steam enveloped everyone.
"Byakugan, open!"
Ao immediately released the seal on his right eye, and his gaze rapidly scanned the surroundings.
"One at 9 o'clock, one at 12 o'clock, one at 3 o'clock. They are all Konoha Anbu!"
Bzz, bzz, bzz—
But just as his voice fell, he instantly heard the roaring sound of thunder, followed closely by the miserable scream of a comrade.
On the other side, he saw with his own eyes a tree vine leaping over, instantly piercing through the body of another comrade!
"Chidori, Wood Release..."
Ao's expression changed somewhat. He didn't know who the Wood Release user was, but the one using Chidori was definitely Hatake Kakashi!
Already somewhat resistant to this mission in his heart, Ao didn't hesitate at all at this moment. He immediately shouted loudly.
"Everyone, retreat quickly!"
"Want to leave? I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
Just as his voice fell, he saw an Anbu member who looked like a youth had already rushed in front of him.
Chakra resembling a fierce lion condensed on his hands, and he had already blasted towards him!
"Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists?"
Ao raised an eyebrow. He had seen this kind of move before.
The former owner of this Byakugan of his also knew this kind of move!
"A member of the Hyuga Main House?"
He murmured inwardly, and suddenly a thought popped into his head.
Kakashi and the Wood Release user were clearly exceptionally tricky. Encountering these two, they might not necessarily be able to escape!
"But if we have a hostage in hand..."
His gaze instantly became slightly narrowed. He wasn't afraid of the Hyuga; after all, he held the title of 'Byakugan Killer'!
Boom—
With a single punch, the ground was shaken by the wind of the fist, creating a crater.
But Ao had already leaped up. He made a decision and coldly snorted.
"You really picked the wrong opponent."
In an instant, his chakra surged madly and gathered in his hand. In the next moment, he swung it out rapidly.
"Water Release: Azure Dragon Palm!"
After obtaining the Byakugan, he combined the characteristics of the Byakugan with the Water Release he excelled at.
This gave him a completely new and unique combat style!
"Eight Trigrams Palm: First Stance."
Hyuga Makoto didn't panic when his move missed. He immediately raised his hand and delivered a palm strike.
Bang—
At the moment the fist and palm crossed, Ao's body suddenly dispersed and turned into a wave of water.
This wave of water quickly wrapped towards Hyuga Makoto. At the same time, Ao's figure reappeared on the other side.
"Kid, you're still too green. Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
Looking at this fiercely approaching water wave, Hyuga Makoto's eyes flickered slightly. In the next moment, the wind of his fist suddenly shifted.
Hum—
That fist covered in chakra swung out once again, and the incoming water wave instantly rippled in the air.
Subsequently, this wave of water could no longer condense, and with a 'splash', it scattered all over the ground!
"How is this possible..."
A look of astonishment surfaced on Ao's face. He wasn't surprised that this kid discovered his trick.
After all, with the Byakugan, one can see many things.
He had already prepared for the opening when this kid dodged the Water Prison Jutsu to launch an attack!
But as a result, this kid actually didn't dodge, but casually struck and shattered his jutsu?
"Luck?"
But before he had time to think more about it, Hyuga Makoto had already rushed towards him again.
That fist carrying robust chakra hummed in the air.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Ao immediately formed hand seals, and a massive water dragon roared out.
However, Hyuga Makoto merely glanced at it, and when the water dragon got close to him, he swung his fist again!
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm."
Chakra formed an invisible impact in the air, and that roaring water dragon suddenly paused.
In the next instant, this water dragon split in half and turned into a pool of stagnant water on the ground once again!
"There's definitely something wrong with this guy!"
Ao had completely discovered the problem at this moment, but he entirely couldn't figure out what was going on.
But Hyuga Makoto wouldn't explain, and he himself was exceptionally surprised and excited!
"Is this the power of the Tenseigan..."
At this time, Hyuga Makoto had already activated the Tenseigan!
Although he didn't go buy colored contacts, the design of the Anbu mask inherently had the effect of covering the eyes without affecting vision.
He didn't need to worry about his eyes being exposed, and he had also genuinely experienced the effects of the Tenseigan!
"Although the development level is only 1%, it can already provide extraordinary insight..."
He didn't know what the Sharingan was like, but his Tenseigan allowed him to accurately capture the flow direction of his opponent's chakra.
He could even clearly observe the signs of muscle contraction. By combining these subtle changes, he could instantly judge his opponent's intentions.
And it was the same for those jutsu. He could quickly see through their structure, and all he had to do was attack their core to destroy the jutsu!
With this kind of buff, his fighting became smoother and smoother, and his suppressive power grew stronger and stronger.
On the other hand, Ao felt increasingly uncomfortable, and his mind also became increasingly confused.
"Why is this guy different from the Hyuga I encountered before?"
The chaos in Hyuga Makoto's attack patterns had already made him somewhat flustered. The most fatal part was...
"Why can this guy predict my movements?"
Every time he made a move, the opponent was prepared in advance. Even if he tried to feint, it seemed to be instantly seen through!
He also had the Byakugan, and he could also see through chakra flow.
But he absolutely couldn't achieve this level!
Moreover, he also discovered one more thing.
"Why do I always feel like my Byakugan is being suppressed?"
Ao truly couldn't figure it out, but the current situation didn't allow him to think more about it either.
He hadn't forgotten the predicament of his subordinates. If he didn't quickly find a way to control this guy, they probably truly wouldn't be able to leave!
Thinking of this, a look of ruthlessness surfaced on Ao's face.
Since such 'delicate' combat couldn't gain an advantage, then he might as well use 'brute force'!
After blocking Hyuga Makoto's attack once again, the chakra within his body surged madly.
However, before he had time to strike, Hyuga Makoto suddenly looked up and spoke softly.
"What, are you getting anxious?"
"..."
....