Hearing the knocking outside the door, Ao did not lower his guard. His hand moved towards the kunai at his waist, and he did not open the door. A trace of mockery flashed in Fuguki Suikazan's eyes, then he kicked Ao's front door open.
The next moment, two kunai cut through the air with a whooshing sound. Fuguki Suikazan's ears twitched, then he formed hand signs. "Ninja Art: Hair Needle Thousand Needles." His orange hair began to dance, then blocked in front of his body.
After only two clinking sounds were heard, the kunai fell to the ground. Ao's figure also materialized in front of Fuguki Suikazan. Fuguki Suikazan's ninja art was not finished yet. His hair began to sprout sharp spikes, shooting towards Ao.
Ao activated his Byakugan, his body dodging all the needle attacks at a bizarre angle. He pulled back, facing Fuguki Suikazan of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He had no strategy at all.
"Water Release: Water Shockwave." Ao quickly formed hand signs. Immediately, a water tornado appeared, coiling around Ao. Then a large amount of water fell from the sky, about to hit Fuguki Suikazan.
Fuguki Suikazan's mouth curled into a smile. He dispelled the Hair Needle Thousand Needles. His right hand took Samehada from his back. His left hand tore off the cloth strips wrapped around it, revealing its true form.
Samehada was originally motionless, but suddenly it seemed to smell something delicious. It lifted its head. Wow, so much chakra. Fuguki Suikazan said softly, "Good, it's all yours."
After saying this, Ao, gritting his teeth, released the Water Shockwave. Fuguki Suikazan raised his hand, Samehada's head pointing towards the Water Shockwave falling from the sky. However, the next moment, the water flow seemed to become orderly, losing its previous ferocity.
Instead, it all surged towards Samehada, was swallowed whole by Samehada. Then Samehada made a chirping sound, as if telling its master it was very happy, the quality of the chakra it ate was very high, very delicious.
"One of the seven swords, Samehada can absorb the chakra of any ninjutsu. Simply put, as long as it is ninjutsu, it can absorb it." Fuguki Suikazan smiled. His eyes showed a fierce light, looking at Ao with some amusement.
Ao gritted his teeth. You break into my house for no reason, and kick my door open. It's hard for me not to suspect you mean me harm. What does he want? Ao touched his eyepatch, understanding in his heart.
In that case, the only option now is a fight to the death. Ao took a deep breath, fully activated his Byakugan, the blood vessels on his right temple bulging. He used all his strength to activate the Byakugan, to find Fuguki Suikazan's weakness.
Fuguki Suikazan smiled. "Oh? Using the Byakugan now?"
"He really knows." Ao's pupils constricted, but he did not retreat. He used the Body Flicker Technique to close in on Fuguki Suikazan. Since chakra ninjutsu is ineffective, then close quarters combat it is.
But he misjudged the difference in their strength. Although shinobi are characters with high attack and low defense, to a certain extent in close combat, the larger the physique, the greater the advantage.
And Ao's frail small frame was clearly no match for Fuguki Suikazan, who was like a mountain. Fuguki Suikazan smiled. He threw Samehada to the side. Samehada chirped in protest. When you need me, you call me sweetheart, when you don't, you just throw me away. Hmph, men.
Ao's Byakugan found an opening, and he punched Fuguki Suikazan's body. Thud. Fuguki Suikazan's waist only shook slightly, then neutralized his taijutsu attack.
"What?" Ao exclaimed. He wanted to retreat, but he was just a Chunin. How could he compare to Fuguki Suikazan, a long established Jonin of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Fuguki Suikazan's hair began to squirm, then bound Ao. Even though Ao struggled with all his might, he could not break free. At that moment, Fuguki Suikazan's hair lifted Ao overhead, tightly bound.
"Alright, stop struggling. If I wanted to kill you, or take your Byakugan, I would have done it already. Why would I fight with you for so long?" Fuguki Suikazan's words made Ao pause. Yes, he had just fused with the Byakugan, his power had greatly increased, but he was still just a Chunin after all.
The difference in strength between a Chunin and a Jonin is like an insurmountable chasm. He is not an Uchiha, he cannot fight across shinobi ranks. The Byakugan, on one hand he had not fully mastered it yet, on the other hand the Hyuga clan's Byakugan had been conservative for a long time, the Tenseigan was temporarily hopeless.
So the outcome of Ao and Fuguki Suikazan's encounter was already decided. If Ao had retreated with all his might, he might have escaped unscathed. His mistake was choosing a direct confrontation.
Therefore, his defeat was to be expected.
Fuguki Suikazan thus used his chakra to control his hair, binding Ao, and walked towards the Mizukage's office. During this, he loosened the hair covering Ao's mouth. "If you have any questions, ask."
"Sir Fuguki, how did you know that I have a Byakugan, and how did you find my residence? I remember being very low key, and I never showed off." Ao asked slowly.
"You underestimate the intelligence department of Kirigakure, and you underestimate the Mizukage-sama. Although you luckily obtained a Byakugan in the war, and then discreetly withdrew to the village, do you really think no one could discover you?" Fuguki Suikazan smiled.
This kid really knows how to hide his abilities, but he forgot one thing. He is a Chunin, and the shinobi who fought alongside him are not necessarily on his side. At this time, they acted as the Mizukage-sama's informants.
Even if no one reported it, do you think when you run back to the village during wartime, the Anbu would not know, would not investigate? If it were really as you said, then how incompetent and muddle-headed would Kirigakure and the Mizukage-sama have to be.
(Original Yagura: "Stop scolding me.")
"And in this world, walls have ears. Although you were very careful, you still made one mistake. That is, you should not hide it. Report it to the Mizukage. The Mizukage-sama will not seize your Byakugan just because you have it. On the contrary, he will value you. Do you understand what I am saying?" Fuguki Suikazan said with a smile.
Ao's expression changed from shock to calm, then to sudden understanding. Yes, he should not have concealed it and not reported it. He was not mature enough, too foolish.
"I understand, Senior Fuguki. Thank you." Ao's form of address changed from 'Sir' to 'Senior', and his tone changed from impolite to docile, indicating that he was now convinced by Fuguki Suikazan.
Fuguki Suikazan smiled. "It's fine." He did not dislike smart people, he even liked dealing with smart people. There is a saying, birds of a feather flock together.
"Then, Senior, are you taking me to see the Mizukage-sama?" Ao said slowly.
"Correct. Given the Mizukage-sama's vision and ability, you will most likely be valued. In the future, perhaps I will need you to look out for me." Fuguki Suikazan gave a casual smile. He was just being polite. In terms of strength, in terms of strategy.
He, Fuguki Suikazan, feared no one. Even if this kid has a Byakugan, its impact on actual combat power isn't that great. It's not like the Sharingan. And given the Mizukage-sama's personality, he himself would definitely be valued.
Ao was taken aback, then said, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. If not for Lord Fuguki, I would not have the opportunity to meet the Mizukage-sama. Lord Fuguki will always be Ao's senior."
Fuguki Suikazan's smile became more kind. He put Ao down, then walked in front of him and straightened his collar. "Haha, you really are a smart kid. I like you. Work hard from now on, do well."
Ao nodded. "I will. And I will not forget Senior Fuguki's kindness in promoting and recognizing my talent." Ao was a smooth operator, able to get along with anyone. He was famously easy to talk to in the army.
Fuguki Suikazan patted him on the back. "Let's go, follow me." Then he hummed a tune as he walked down the street. Ao followed behind Fuguki Suikazan with his head bowed, step by step.
The two soon arrived at the Mizukage office building. The Mizukage office building was located in the center of Kirigakure. It was the only three story building in Kirigakure.
All other houses were not allowed to exceed two stories. Compared to Konoha Village, it was somewhat backward. But compared to Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure, it was much better.
Mainly due to its unique geographical location and the environment surrounded by sea, which allowed them to be self sufficient. Also, if war broke out, it would not reach their homeland.
Why? Because they are an island nation, very small. A battlefield needs to accommodate tens of thousands of people. Their small island does not border any other country. It is only closer to Kumogakure and Konoha, but there is still sea in between.
They did not need to worry about Konoha or Kumogakure launching an expedition against them. Well, cannot say that exactly. After all, eight years ago, some bastard came to the gates of Kirigakure and fought, extremely arrogant, and left unscathed.
During that time, sometimes Yagura could not sleep well and would get up muttering, "Seriously, does that Uchiha Ryun have a problem?"
Back to the topic.
The grandeur of the Mizukage office building was already very impressive in Ao's eyes. The Anbu at the entrance seemed to have already received the message. Seeing Fuguki Suikazan, the two bowed, then opened the large door.
Fuguki Suikazan smiled and waved at the two Anbu. "You've worked hard." Then he turned and beckoned. "Ao, follow me." After saying this, he turned and walked inside.
Ao hurriedly followed. The two Anbu members saw this but did not stop them. Instead, they let them pass all the way. After the two entered, they closed the door and continued to guard both sides of the building entrance.
If Ao used his Byakugan to carefully observe, he would discover that the strength of those two Anbu was at Jonin level. The concentration of their chakra was stronger than that of a normal Jonin, but still one level lower than Fuguki Suikazan's.
Walking behind Fuguki Suikazan, Ao looked around. This was his first time inside the Mizukage office building. The furnishings and wall paintings inside held a strange attraction for him.
When they reached the stairs, Fuguki Suikazan turned back and said, "Later, when you meet the Mizukage-sama, you must pay attention to etiquette. He is a Kage level shinobi, and he places great importance on rules."
Ao understood this was Fuguki Suikazan's advice for him. He nodded. "Thank you, Senior Fuguki."
Fuguki Suikazan nodded. He believed this little guy should understand what to do.
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