"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Hyuga Soushu's torch pole and A's fists clashed violently, even producing a crisp metallic sound like striking steel!
A's physical strength was indeed as rigid and resilient as steel while still maintaining finesse.
Hyuga Soushu's polearm combat techniques were self-developed through trial and battlefield experience, integrating elements of the Gentle Fist style. However, compared to A's refined body techniques honed through generations of Raikage in Kumo, his skills looked amateurish in comparison.
Without the torch pole's length advantage and high-strength metal composition, Hyuga Soushu would've suffered worse. Though he channeled chakra to protect vulnerable areas like his palms and thumbs from counter-force shock, he slowly started losing ground to A's brutal yet precise taijutsu strikes.
But this wasn't a reason to retreat!
When direct confrontation failed, it was time to use abilities!
[Counter Storm!]
As A blocked Hyuga Soushu's torch pole with an upward elbow strike, Hyuga Soushu immediately activated his E ability, creating a Wind Barrier that intercepted A's silent punch targeting his abdomen!
"Bang!"
Though the ability blocked direct damage from the heavy punch, the immense force still sent Hyuga Soushu flying!
Immediately afterward, while Hyuga Soushu twisted mid-air and landed on his feet like a cat, A already closed in like an arrow loosed from a bow!
[Dual Iai: Penetrating Strike!]
Based on the special sensation from his previous successful hit that sent Hyuga Soushu flying, A felt using regular techniques wouldn't be enough to defeat such formidable opponent. After much effort, he finally unleashed his ultimate killing move!
[Counter Storm Second Activation!]
In a flash, Hyuga Soushu roared loudly, releasing his protective Wind Barrier. As chakra ripples spread outward, A who was attacking midair suddenly felt his body tighten, immediately losing control over his own form!
Hyuga Soushu twisted his waist and swung his hammer toward A's head!
[Power Strike!]
Enhanced by his W Ability, Hyuga Soushu struck A with one hammer blow that sent him flying!
"Boom!"
But that was all.
Although A's skull above the ear emitted a drum-like thud when struck by the torch pole, and he was similarly blasted backward, he regained bodily control mid-flight, landed smoothly with a roll to dissipate momentum, then stomped the ground and sprang forward again toward Hyuga Soushu!
"Could a human body really withstand that?!"
Hyuga Soushu's left eyelid kept twitching uncontrollably.
"Tch! Superstition—nothing but nonsense!"
At this moment, Soushu had no time for that superstitious crap about twitching eyes anymore. Immediately afterward, he charged at A again with torch pole raised.
[Weapon Master!]
Just as they collided once more, Hyuga Soushu directly unleashed his Ultimate Technique!
Surrounded by swirling chakra winds, Hyuga Soushu unexpectedly struck A down with a single hammer blow!
"This..."
Still reeling from the intense pain in his arm and the inexplicably amplified impact, A lay on the ground in utter shock!
How could someone unleash such tremendous power in such a short time!
And based on his experience, during their earlier clash, Hyuga Soushu hadn't held back even the slightest bit. Therefore, this current overwhelming strength must be a temporary boost gained through some unknown secret jutsu!
Even though A's thoughts raced, Hyuga Soushu's strikes arrived that much quicker!
"Thud! Thud! Thud!!!"
Like thundering drums, Soushu relentlessly pounded A's head with wild swings of his torch pole, turning the battle-hardened warrior into a dazed mess, bleeding from seven orifices.
A could only barely raise his arms to block, but he was left at a disadvantage and unable to strike back. The relentless blows destabilized his protective Lightning Release chakra further, and his head swam worse with each hit.
Even his arms, as solid as forged steel, began experiencing intense pain—an indication that the bones were beginning to fracture from repeated heavy blows!
At this rate, he would certainly lose!
Although A's thoughts were sluggish from the relentless beating, he still understood the dire situation he faced.
"Crack!"
Taking yet another hammer blow to the head, A suddenly pushed forward with his legs, lunging toward Soushu and grabbing his ankle.
"I've got you."
But before A's smile could bloom like a lotus in his mind, Soushu's second swing struck him right in the groin!
Actually, Soushu hadn't been aiming for such a vulnerable spot. Unfortunately, because A had shifted positions by pushing forward with his legs, what was originally a strike meant for the head naturally landed precisely between his legs—pure coincidence, with absolutely no deliberate intent. Soushu mainly wanted to maximize damage within his ultimate technique's duration, so he just went with it.
"Ugh..."
Just like martial artists from Soushu's past life who trained in techniques like the Golden Bell Shield and Iron Shirt—methods known to have a single weak point—the groin was also A's vulnerable point. Immediately, he let out a pitiful cry, as though his throat had been slit.
Yet despite that, A tightened his grip around Soushu's ankle even more, attempting to throw him down.
[Blood Slash!]
Soushu immediately activated the innate skill of [Hunger Hydra], delivering a heavy blow to the already dizzy A.
But even after suffering countless strikes in such a short period, A didn't loosen his grip—he instead pulled even harder.
Unfazed, Soushu swung the torch pole down hard on A's groin.
Meanwhile, unwilling to go down without a fight, A tried to parry the hammer strikes with his trembling legs while still pulling desperately at Soushu's ankle.
But while parrying, his knees and calves suffered relentless pounding. The intense pain shooting up from his legs told him one thing clearly—his leg bones, even the kneecaps, had begun to crack!
For A, a taijutsu ninja whose power came from brute strength, this was a disaster!
Yet he didn't hold off for long before sensing Hyūga Soushu's attacking force suddenly drop, returning to the level before the secret technique's activation!
"Lasted only eight seconds!"
A immediately calculated in his mind the duration of Soushu's ultimate move.
"Finally, my turn!"
A let out a booming laugh and charged forward, aiming a headbutt straight at Soushu's groin—knowing it would cost him.
[Flash]
Just as A was about to launch a desperate counterattack amidst his injuries, he suddenly felt emptiness in his palms. The pressure he'd held so tightly slipped away entirely, and the force he generated by pushing off the ground suddenly had nowhere to go.
A momentary confusion clouded A's mind, leaving him momentarily at a loss.
But he snapped back to focus within moments.
"Not the Shifting Body Technique!"
If this were just a regular Shifting Body Technique, teleportation wouldn't work while you're being restrained. Even a powerful user couldn't do more than drag A along.
However, this sudden feeling of complete disappearance could only come from one legendary secret art rumored to have such effects—
"Space-Time Ninjutsu!"
The thought escaped his lips unconsciously, followed closely by a sharp intake of breath.
How did this young man, still barely past his youth, master so many secret techniques?
On top of that, intel said he was just a forgotten member of the Hyuga Branch House, assigned away like a form of exile! Without extraordinary circumstances, there was no way he should've ever landed such a high-profile post as Border Forces Commander.
"You're wasting your potential stuck in Konoha."
Noticing that Hyūga Soushu wasn't continuing the attack immediately, A also stopped his own offensive, choosing instead to shake Soushu's willpower through words: "What about joining Kumo?"
"The great Kumo will surely become the strongest among all Hidden Villages, united without the internal conflicts and corruption rampant in Leaf. You could uphold the Ninja Way in peace—and enjoy every honor and privilege our village can provide!"
From Kumo's perspective, the Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal used to control members of the Hyūga Branch House had a certain effective range. In principle, simply keeping enough distance and avoiding direct contact with the rarely traveling Main House members ensured safety.
Moreover, Soushu's family ties were quite simple. In other words, becoming a breeding tool in Kumo might not even be such a bad deal after all.
However, today's Soushu was no longer just a regular chunin helpless against nothing but the curse seal. Naturally, he had no interest in these irrelevant tempting offers and chose not to waste more words with A.
Thus, after catching his breath, Soushu shifted into stance—ready for round two.
"Such a stubborn brute!"
A sneered savagely, though the faint sweat on his forehead revealed his deteriorating physical condition.
Despite possessing an incredibly sturdy physique, he had already suffered severe internal damage from Hyuga Soushu's relentless attacks combined with the effects of his Ultimate Techniques, [Hunger Hydra], and [Tri Force] amplification. These hidden injuries just hadn't manifested outwardly yet.
Especially the recurring pain shooting from his arms, legs, and groin brought not only rage but also unbearable humiliation!
He was supposed to be Kumo's senior leader, second only to the Raikage himself!
Now he'd been injured so badly by just a Konoha Jonin. If this got out, how could he possibly save face?
And what's worse, that rare initiative of recruitment he'd actually shown had been completely ignored by Hyuga Soushu—what audacity!
"Phew..."
Hyuga Soushu slowly exhaled, regulating his chakra into optimal condition.
His Byakugan revealed A's chakra in complete disarray.
Moreover, that previously flawless stance now displayed numerous exploitable weak points.
So victory odds had increased significantly!
Confident, Hyuga Soushu launched another skill combo right away!
[Jumping Slash!]
"Such incredible Body Flicker speed!"
Though having experienced Hyuga Soushu's speed before, A gained new understanding while injured this time.
This time he wouldn't arrogantly use his head as cushion, instead attempting to seize the torch pole weapon mid-air with an empty-hand disarming technique.
[Counter Storm!]
As the torch pole got seized by A, Hyuga Soushu simultaneously activated his E-skill, generating a Wind Barrier.
"Not good!"
A's eyelids twitched instantly as alarm bells rang loudly in his mind!
He still remembered that strange dizzying loss of bodily control from earlier.
[Counter Storm Second Activation!]
Just as his hand grabbed the torch pole, Hyuga Soushu had already triggered the second phase effect of this ability.
"Damn it! Not this again!"
A flash of realization surged through A's mind before he received a heavy blow to the chest and flew backward!
[Power Strike!]
"Pu!"
Finally, A couldn't help but spit blood this time!
Within Hyuga Soushu's Byakugan vision, he unexpectedly noticed protective chakra covering A's whole body starting to collapse!
"As the old saying goes — strike while the iron's hot — and so he gave chase!"
Although Hyuga Soushu himself was equally exhausted at this point, he still Body-Flickered forward to continue pummeling the fallen foe!
"This is your doing!"
Mid-backflip landing, A spotted Hyuga Soushu reappear in front of him once more, torch pole already aimed for his head!
[Lightning Release: Lightning Oppression Horizontal!]
Regardless of the incoming torch pole strike, A directly unleashed secret jutsu after channeling chakra, simultaneously driving his elbow toward Hyuga Soushu's abdomen!
"Bang!"
"Boom!"
They both struck at once and were sent hurtling backward!
This was the first time since the fight started that A had landed a direct hit on Hyuga Soushu!
"Kuh! Kuh, kuh!"
Although Hyuga Soushu had sustained relatively minor internal damage and was wearing enhanced protective gear, he still managed to rise first despite the excruciating pain and numbness surging through his insides.
Meanwhile, A could only half-support himself upright with a stiffened back, assuming a pitiful posture—kneeling on one knee while leaning heavily on his right hand.
Fresh blood trickled down from A's brow.
Hyuga Soushu's Torch Pole had finally broken through!
"There ain't nothin' a good whack can't crack! And if that don't work—hit it a hundred more!"
Soushu's confidence soared through the roof!
But at the same time, he stayed extra sharp.
After just a single heavy strike, his abdomen already burned with pain. From this alone, one could tell how impressively strong A's physical endurance must be—to endure countless brutal attacks and still survive!
"Haagh! Cough, cough!"
By now, A couldn't suppress the urge to spit out blood any longer.
Along with the dark clots came thin strands resembling torn muscle fibers.
Drawing from his past experience collecting bounties in the Land of Rain, Soushu quickly realized these strands were likely pieces of A's internal organs.
"Now *this* is satisfying."
Though his own body also ached terribly from numerous injuries, Soushu forced out a grimace filled with malice as he dragged his torch pole forward, step by slow step.
"You—"
Before A could even finish speaking, he spat out another mouthful of dark blood.
Worse yet, his vision started to blur—deadly for any ninja.
So without a second thought about dignity, he immediately pulled out a signal flare from within his coat, yanked the pin, and launched it straight into the sky!
"Shooee—"
With its high-pitched whistle echoing through the air, the distinctive purple Kumo signal flare drifted into the sky, visible to every Kumo ninja currently hunting Konoha fugitives—or being hunted by Soushu's Jonin squad.
"Fall back! Reinforcements needed!"
This was the immediate reaction of the Kumo ninja chasing surviving Konoha forces.
"Run for it!"
Those under counterattack made their decision as well.
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