100. Through the Eyes of the Byakugan: Tracing The Enemy

100. Through the Eyes of the Byakugan: Tracing The Enemy

Hikari soon set out toward the target's last known location, utilizing his finely honed, probably even world-leading chakra control to mask his presence completely. This skill was crucial, as any leakage of chakra could alert enemy sensors to his approach, and he didn't want that in any way shape, or form. His movement then turned very swift and silent.

As he moved, Hikari reflected on the limited information he had about his target. He knew only that this Kirigakure shinobi possessed chakra reserves indicative of an Elite Jonin and that he operated somewhat independently within their forces, serving as some kind of a sub-leader, similar to Hikari's own role.

Despite the scant details, Hikari was confident in his ability to adapt on the fly as he was overall more advanced shinobi in general. He planned to close the distance quickly and then try to find his precise location with his Byakugan and observe his target discreetly, gathering any additional intelligence that might inform his later approach or reveal any vulnerabilities.

After several hours of meticulous movement and consistent scanning with his Byakugan, of 50km long-range, 'telescopic' current peak limit, Hikari finally located his target somewhere near the last reported coordinates.

Intriguingly, the jonin seemed to maintain a consistent proximity to nearby rivers, a pattern that caught Hikari's attention. He knew that while water bodies could enhance Water Release techniques, Kirigakure ninjas were required to remain mobile to effectively cover all the blind spots present on their front lines.

'This is strange...', Hikari mused internally, 'Ordinary Kiri shinobi shouldn't need to stay so close to water bodies just to strengthen their Water Release jutsu, especially when mobility is crucial. Wait! Close to rivers...',

He recalled a piece of intelligence warning them to be cautious around bodies of water, particularly because members of the Hozuki clan could utilize their famous Hydrification techniques to formidable effect in such environments. It was also a clan that produced the Second Mizukage and some other famous shinobi later in the original story's trajectory.

Piecing together these observations, Hikari hypothesized that his target might be a member of the famous Hozuki clan, known for their ability to liquefy their bodies, making them exceptionally dangerous near various water sources, and probably a leading member at that due to his commanding position.

It was possible that he remained close to this river always as he had the most strength there and because possibly he even used himself as bait to catch some enemy elite off-guard, like Hikari, there with his overcharged Hydrification and nearby reinforcement coming soon too.

But, despite this realization adding a layer of complexity and potential danger to his mission, on top of already existing concerns about having to 'finish his target off' very quickly, before the nearby reinforcements came, Hikari's confidence in his own abilities remained unshaken.

Hikari stealthily closed the distance between himself and the target, moving with such finesse that his presence remained unnoticed until he was almost upon the Kirigakure jonin.

However, the target, a seasoned male ninja in his mid-forties, eventually, sensed the approaching threat at the last moment. With practiced agility, he then positioned himself strategically in the center of a meandering jungle river, clearly choosing this spot for its tactical advantages.DiiScôver new stories on no/v/e()/lbin(.)c/o/m

The river, bordered by dense foliage and thick undergrowth, flowed gently through the lush jungle, providing a natural barrier and a fluid medium that could be manipulated by a skilled Water Release user.

The target stood on the shimmering water with chakra, his stance firm and alert, ready to harness the river's potential. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the water's surface and creating a serene yet charged atmosphere.

The setting not only provided the ninja with unlimited resources to fuel his Water Release techniques but also offered numerous escape and attack routes, making him a formidable opponent in this terrain.

Rapidly forming another series of hand signs, the patriarch channeled a significant amount of chakra, drawing more vigorously from the water around him. He executed the "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique," a more offensive and powerful B-level jutsu.

A massive, serpentine dragon made entirely of water emerged from the river, roaring and twisting as it surged toward Hikari with tremendous force and speed.

The dragon's scales glistened under the sunlight, and its eyes seemed to blaze with a life of their own as it aimed to strike Hikari with lethal precision.

However, as the water dragon barreled towards him with daunting speed and force, Hikari just prepared his counterattack with calm precision. He quickly molded his chakra into a small, dense sphere.

With expert timing, Hikari launched the chakra-filled sphere towards the oncoming water dragon. The sphere cut through the air with a whistling sound, a blur of deadly energy aimed directly at the heart of the liquid beast.

As it collided with the dragon, the sphere exploded on impact, unleashing a devastating burst of wind energy.

The explosion expanded into a full-sized Rotation, resembling a tempest in its ferocity. The powerful winds spun outwards with such intensity that they not only sliced through the water dragon, dissipating it back into the river from which it came but also cleared a wide radius around Hikari, repelling anything in its vicinity.

Leaves and debris caught in the tumultuous wind were flung away, and the surface of the river rippled violently under the force of the blast.

By the time the Water Dragon had been dispersed, Hikari had already closed the distance between himself and the Hozuki patriarch at an astonishing speed.

The patriarch barely had time to process the young Hyuga's previous technique before Hikari was already upon him.

Realizing the imminent threat, the patriarch's mind raced, and he instinctively thought, "Not good!", He understood all too well the peril of allowing a Hyuga, especially one as skilled as this one, to get too close.

In a desperate move to defend himself and create distance, the Hozuki patriarch resorted to a unique technique of his clan.

Positioning his hand to mimic a gun, he utilized the Hydrification Technique to compress a drop of water in his index finger.

This technique, known for its lethality, allowed him to fire the compressed water with a force and speed akin to a gunshot.

Rapidly, he executed multiple shots in quick succession, directing them toward Hikari with deadly precision.