Contrary to expectations, this former aristocratic estate didn't feature many decorative plants like rockeries, trees, or flowers. Instead, it was overgrown with weeds over half a person tall, clearly having gone unmaintained for a long time.
Just as Neji was about to activate his Byakugan to search for the enemy's location, he suddenly discovered Yugito, who had entered through the front gate ahead of them, hiding around a corner. Her sharp eyes were fixed directly on him.
She spotted me?!
A look of surprise crossed Neji's face.
He had completely masked his chakra and presence, and upon entering, he had even consumed an Invisibility Potion obtained from Allen. Under normal circumstances, even a sensory-type Nen user would find it extremely difficult to detect him.
"The Byakugan? You're of the Hyuga Clan from Konoha?" The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, was equally surprised.
The two stared each other down for several seconds until Karin broke the silence by vaulting over the wall.
"Red hair? Byakugan? Ah! I see! You're the two lackeys following the most dangerous man in the ninja world. Has he finally decided to come after me?" Yugito was clearly no fool; she instantly realized the true identities of the two young people before her.
In fact, ever since the failed attempt of the allied forces to besiege Otogakure, the Raikage had summoned both Jinchuriki in the village to his office. He repeatedly warned them that if they encountered these three outside, they had to be doubly cautious.
After all, there were nine Tailed Beasts in the world, and Allen alone had captured five. Subtracting the Three-Tails, which had died and had yet to revive, only the Nine-Tails of Konoha and the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails of Kumogakure remained.
"See, what did I tell you? You're completely wasting time. Since our identities are exposed, let's just get to it."
With that, Karin instantaneously released all of her hidden chakra and Nen.
BOOM!
Accompanied by a massive roar, an indescribable, terrifying aura erupted from her body.
Whether it was chakra or Nen, the surge caused horrific destruction to the surrounding ground and walls.
Such a staggering release of power could not go unnoticed by the Resistance Nen users nearby.
In less than ten seconds, at least twenty Nen users rushed over, activating their respective abilities and entering a combat-ready state.
One scruffy, wretched-looking middle-aged man in his late thirties stepped directly in front of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. He narrowed his eyes and demanded, "Who are you? Why have you trespassed into our headquarters and attempted to harm Aiko?"
"Aiko? Hahahaha! Old man! You haven't even figured out this woman's true identity? She isn't some 'Aiko.' She's the Two-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure, Yugito Nii," Karin couldn't help but burst into laughter.
She couldn't help it.
It was simply too hilarious.
From the concern reflected in the man's eyes, it was obvious he was just a pauper dreaming of a princess.
"What? Jin... Jinchuriki?" The middle-aged man instinctively turned his head.
He found that at some unknown point, Yugito had already entered her Tailed Beast state. Her body was shrouded in a deep blue chakra cloak. The gentle smile she usually wore was gone, replaced by the haughty demeanor of a queen.
Without a moment's hesitation…
The exposed Jinchuriki swung her arm, using claws formed from the Two-Tails' chakra to disembowel the high-ranking Resistance member instantly.
"Damn it! She killed the Leader! This woman really is a spy sent by Kumogakure!"
"Kill her! Avenge the Leader!"
"Kumogakure scum! You only know how to use such despicable and shameless methods!"
...
In an instant, every member of the Resistance who witnessed this scene became incensed.
Several hot-tempered Enhancers swung their fists and charged, wanting to take down this cold-blooded enemy.
Regrettably, they were facing the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. Most of their attacks couldn't even penetrate that layer of deep blue Tailed Beast cloak.
As a result, after a few exchanges, not only was the debt uncollected, but several more lives were lost.
Because nearly all the victims were torn apart by cat claws condensed from chakra, the scene appeared exceptionally bloody and brutal, and the air was thick with a nauseating, pungent scent.
Compared to the Resistance members who were paralyzed with fear by the Jinchuriki's terrifying power, Karin maintained a relaxed demeanor. Without looking back, she asked, "Your turn or mine?"
"Mine, of course! After all, I have a score to settle with Kumogakure."
As he spoke, Neji removed the bamboo hat he used to hide his eyes and face. He stepped forward, advancing one pace at a time through the viscous blood.
"Hmph! So you're finally willing to step up?"
Yugito clearly hadn't realized the magnitude of the crisis she was facing; her tone remained filled with confidence.
Seeing that arrogant face, images of the Kumogakure envoy forcing his father to commit suicide in Konoha years ago instantly flashed through Neji's mind. The fire of hatred within him burned even brighter.
Without a single word of nonsense, he charged forward at a speed the naked eye could not track.
In the next second...
Countless streams of chakra erupted from his pressure points, manifesting in a near-physical form that easily shredded the Jinchuriki's Tailed Beast cloak.
Yugito didn't even have a chance to react before she felt as if her body and internal organs had been struck by a massive iron sledgehammer. She was sent flying backward, slamming violently into a wall.
The moment she hit the ground, the intense pain made her fall to her knees and vomit large amounts of blood. The agony was beyond what a human should be able to endure, as if every single rib had been shattered.
Fortunately, the Tailed Beast served as a massive battery for its Jinchuriki.
As long as the battery wasn't drained, no matter how severe the injury, the Jinchuriki would recover quickly so long as they didn't die on the spot.
The Two-Tails' power ranks near the bottom among the nine Tailed Beasts, so it took Yugito a full two or three minutes to struggle back to her feet. Her face was a mask of utter horror. "What was that you just used? The Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist?"
"No. That was a technique of my own creation. Now, repent in pain and despair. This is the price Kumogakure must pay for their despicable actions back then."
Although Neji's voice was calm, his eyes were exceptionally terrifying. Even Karin couldn't help but shiver.
She could swear that in all the time they had known each other, this was the first time she had seen Neji so furious, to the point where he had completely cast aside his reason.
After all, the blood-feud of a father's death is irreconcilable.
Since learning the full details of his father's suicide from Hiashi Hyuga, the youth who had broken the Caged Bird seal had shifted all his hatred from the Head House and Konoha onto Kumogakure.
Now, this revenge was finally beginning, starting with the capture of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.