118. Duel with the Mizukage: Battle for Supremacy (1)

118. Duel with the Mizukage: Battle for Supremacy (1)

As Hikari quickly approached the heart of Kirigakure next, his mind briefly wandered to the enigmatic Hoshigaki clan, spurred by his recent encounter with Kisame.

He speculated about the origins of their unique abilities, pondering if an ancient founder of the Hoshigaki might have employed a secret Yang Release technique to merge his essence with that of a shark.

Such a transformation would have been advantageous in the aquatic terrain that defined their region, possibly leading to genetic adaptations that were passed down through generations.

Hikari theorized that this mystical union might not only explain the shark-like features evident in Kisame but also the substantial chakra reserves he had witnessed.

Perhaps, he mused, there was an additional mutation triggered by the Yang Release technique that enhanced their chakra capacity, making members of the Hoshigaki clan formidable warriors uniquely adapted to their environment.

With these thoughts in mind, Hikari refocused on the mission at hand. Using his Byakugan, he scanned ahead, surveying the layout of Kirigakure and assessing the ongoing battles.

He was particularly concerned about the status of the Kaguya and Yuki clans, wondering how effective they had been in massacring the entire Hoshigaki and Hozuki clans, who were staunch supporters of the current Mizukage.

His eyes pierced through the architecture and the flurry of activity, trying to gauge the extent of their progress. Were they managing to suppress these key players effectively?

However, just as Hikari was adjusting his strategy based on his observations of the present, already chaotic and evolving situation inside of Kirigakure, thanks to Kaguya and Yuhi group intrusion there, from the other side, his Byakugan caught a sudden and unusual movement.

A high-pressure stream of water was shooting through the air, heading directly toward his position on the ink eagle. Riding atop this liquid torrent was an old man dressed in the official robes of the Mizukage.

He appeared to be around the age of the Hyuga Patriarch, with long, black hair flowing down to his back. Notably, his eyes lacked visible pupils, giving the impression of blindness, yet his mastery over the water stream suggested otherwise for some reason.

Hikari instantly recognized that this was the Mizukage himself, intent on intercepting him before he could reach the heart of the village.

The Mizukage's expression was one of fierce determination and anger, clearly prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect his domain.

As the Mizukage drew closer, the power of his jutsu became evident. The water stream he manipulated was both a weapon and a mode of transport, showcasing his profound chakra control and expertise in water-based techniques.

This was no ordinary opponent; his ability to fight effectively despite his apparent blindness hinted at extraordinary sensory skills or alternative methods of perception, likely enhanced by his vast experience, Hikari immediately noted.

As the distance closed between them, Hikari braced for impact, his focus sharp as he prepared to counter the imminent threat head-on. The battle that was about to unfold would undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in their campaign.

'How could this be... Not good!', He thought, noticing an unexpected surge in the power of the Mizukage's water drill. It intensified rapidly, gaining a formidable edge that looked set to overpower his wind drill.

Reacting swiftly, Hikari activated his Byakugan's special mode that allowed him to perceive natural energy.

To his astonishment, he discovered that the Mizukage was also incorporating natural energy into his attack during this time somehow.

With no time to ponder the implications of this revelation, Hikari quickly channeled natural energy into his wind drill, of his own, enhancing its power to match the escalating threat.

The air around them crackled with the collision of these two massive forces, each infused with natural energy, creating a spectacle of swirling winds and spiraling water in the sky.

The impact of their clash was explosive, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Both techniques met with such force that the surrounding mist was blown away, revealing a clear sky for a brief moment.

The collision created a blinding light that enveloped both Hikari and the Mizukage, obscuring them from view.

When the light dissipated, both shinobi were seen falling towards the ground, their energy temporarily spent from the monumental clash.

They hit the ground with tremendous force, each rolling away from the impact site to regain their footing.

The earth around them was scarred and upheaved, bearing witness to the intensity of their short, almost instant clash.

But, in a remarkable display of skill and resilience, and to make the matter even more strange, both Hikari and the Mizukage mitigated the impact of their crash landing in weirdly similar ways using their mastery over their respective elements and chakra control skills.

Hikari surrounded himself with an armor of swirling wind, a protective vortex that cushioned his fall by dispersing the kinetic energy around him.

Simultaneously, the Mizukage conjured an armor of spiraling water, creating a fluid barrier that absorbed the shock and minimized the physical repercussions of their descent.

This parallel use of chakra not only fully demonstrated their high-level mastery but also underscored the similarities in their abilities to control chakra with world-leading precision.

The armors of wind and water still shimmered around their forms, highlighting the intense yet controlled nature of their power.

As they regained their composure, the air around them tingled with the residual energy of their clash.