Chapter 255: Where Is Hyuga Fuji?
"!"
Sensing the disappearance of his puppets, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's eyes narrowed. He broke off from his opponent, creating distance to carefully examine the last message transmitted by the puppets.
Kitsuchi and the others, seeing this, had no time to ponder his actions. They hurriedly focused on clearing the surrounding puppets.
Kitsuchi used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind one puppet, striking its back. Then, with the "Super Weighted Rock Technique," he restricted its movements, coordinating with Darui to destroy it.
After completing this, the two finally had a moment to assess the situation around them.
Dozens of puppets soared through the air, while the remaining three members of the exploration team used ninjutsu, taijutsu, or scientific ninja tools to engage them.
Among them, Kū, who had been struck by Ōtsutsuki Shinichi but recovered with a healing tag, performed the best. However, this sight did not bring Kitsuchi any joy.
Out of the 12-member team, including the ninja who entered the cave, only nine were left now.
Thinking of this, Kitsuchi sighed quietly.
In just a few minutes, a quarter of the Jonin had been lost. If not for the scientific ninja tools and healing tags developed in recent years, which were simple to use and highly effective in emergencies, the losses would have been even greater.
'The gap between ordinary Jonin and top-tier fighters is still too vast. We need to increase the number of strong individuals.'
Glancing at Kū, Kitsuchi set aside his reservations.
Kū treated him like a brother, and over the years, Kitsuchi had come to regard him as a younger sibling. This long-term relationship made Kitsuchi accept Kū.
Previously, Kitsuchi had opposed Ōnoki's plan to establish an army of clones, primarily because it reminded him of Kū.
But the reality was clear: without more strong fighters, they couldn't even deal with Ōtsutsuki Shinichi.
'I can only support my father's decision. However, if an army of over a thousand Dust Release clones goes out of control…'
A shiver ran down Kitsuchi's spine, prompting him to quickly refocus on the remaining puppets.
Meanwhile, extracting himself from the complex information and emotions transmitted by the puppets, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's gaze darkened, filled with worry.
"Hyuga Fuji actually came too…"
Did he not anticipate this development?
No, Hyuga Fuji's technology wasn't lacking either. He could achieve long-distance transfers, and since he was already aware of the Earth-Moon Passage, his presence here wasn't surprising.
But the timing was off! Ōtsutsuki Shinichi gritted his teeth, looking towards the battlefield where Obito and Minato fought.
He saw that Obito had gained the upper hand, suppressing his former teacher. It seemed like he could win if things continued this way, which made Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's eyebrows twitch.
It didn't matter why Hyuga Fuji had come. But since he was here, he would surely seek to settle the old scores between them for the Ōtsutsuki's past actions against him.
To stop Fuji, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi would have to go all out, exposing their trump cards in front of Obito, which would severely impact his future plans.
'Perhaps there's no need to worry. Without that puppet, Hyuga Fuji might not be able to use the Tenseigan. Maybe I can stop him…'
...
The sound of footsteps echoed through the chaotic battlefield, drawing everyone's attention to the cave.
As the footsteps approached, a familiar figure emerged from the dark cave.
"Hyuga Fuji!!!"
At that moment, all eyes were on Hyuga Fuji.
Unlike the prepared Ōtsutsuki Shinichi, Kitsuchi and the others grew solemn at the sight of Hyuga Fuji.
He had appeared here shortly after the United Nations exploration team arrived, raising suspicions of an insider betraying them…
However, the moon landing plan was known only to them and the top brass. No matter who the traitor was, it would be hard to accept!
Well, for the Konoha-born ninjas, it wasn't that hard to accept.
After all, Hyuga Fuji had infiltrated Konoha to such an extent that everyone, from the Second Hokage to ordinary civilians, seemed to be his people.
Even if someone told them that the current Daimyō of the Land of Fire, Tsunade, was one of Fuji's people, they might just be momentarily shocked before accepting it calmly.
They were used to it.
After the initial shock, wariness and gravity set in.
Caught between a rock and a hard place.
This moon mission wasn't looking great—definitely a bad review!
In the silence, the prepared Ōtsutsuki Shinichi was the first to regain his composure. He coldly stared at Hyuga Fuji. "What are you doing here?"
"I remember your attack on me. This is a good opportunity to eliminate an unstable factor."
"Without the Tenseigan, do you think you can?"
The Ōtsutsuki clan, whether local or distant, had always been well-mannered.
From Toneri to Isshiki, they were polite and cultured, always maintaining an air of dignity in conversations.
But when facing Hyuga Fuji, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi found himself unable to stay polite—he only wanted to use his power to send Fuji to the Pure Land!
Boom! A tempest raged as two powerful repulsive forces clashed between them, whipping up fierce winds that lifted dust and leaves, obscuring visibility.
The Konoha ninjas caught in between barely had time to scream before being crushed by the opposing forces, their blood splattering everywhere.
The affected puppets were also flattened, reduced to scrap.
The collision of forces erupted into a dazzling light and deafening roar. The shockwave from the clash made the ground tremble violently.
"Hiss—"
Darui used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Kitsuchi, gasping. "The Moon God wasn't even using his full power earlier?"
"We couldn't force him to go all out."
Kitsuchi's expression was grim, but having experienced similar battlefields before, he quickly recovered. "This could be good. We don't know why Hyuga Fuji came, but with the Moon God's attention on him, we can do more. Let's go help the Konoha shinobi!"
"Got it!"
Kitsuchi, Darui, and two other ninjas swiftly headed towards Obito and Minato's location.
The two, using space-time ninjutsu, had gradually moved their battle a kilometer away under Minato's deliberate stalling.
...
Back on the battlefield, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi grew increasingly suspicious as the fight went on.
Hyuga Fuji's killing intent and fighting spirit didn't seem intense, and the battle was far less fierce than Shinichi had expected.
If Hyuga Fuji didn't have the Tenseigan and only had this level of strength, how could Obito fear him so much?
"Who are you?!"
After another exchange, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi distanced himself from "Hyuga Fuji," shouting angrily, "You are not Hyuga Fuji!"
"Hyuga Fuji" clicked his tongue. "So I've been found out this quickly."
As he spoke, he turned into a puddle of black liquid, then reshaped into Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's form. "Being this far from the ninja world, the power transmission efficiency is too low. I couldn't keep it up."
Ōtsutsuki Shinichi's pupils contracted upon recognizing him.
It was the same black liquid that had once controlled Toneri Hyuga! If it was here, then where was Hyuga Fuji?
(End of chapter)