As soon as she heard the words "Byakugan," Hinata's mind reacted instinctively.
So… was she the real target all along?
She remembered something similar happening when she was a child—when her Byakugan had indirectly caused Neji's father's death. And now… how many people would die because of these same eyes?
Looking at Kiba and Shino beside her, an overwhelming sense of guilt consumed her, like a heavy fog creeping into her soul.
In contrast, Sawada Fuka, who had narrowly escaped death, looked ahead at the figure crackling with lightning and stood tall, eyes filled with relief:
"The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki is with that girl. As for the Byakugan—" she turned her gaze to Hinata, "this young lady from the Hyūga main house… is quite the unexpected bonus."
Yoruichi nodded without saying much.
Kumogakure only needed the Byakugan—the source didn't matter. That rogue Byakugan user hadn't revealed themselves, so it was hard to tell if they were real. Hinata, on the other hand, was a sure thing.
"Summon the Elephant Bird and load her up. If time allows, take all of them."
"Yes!"
Sawada Fuka pulled a bone whistle from her pocket and placed it in her mouth.
Fweeeee—
The sharp whistle echoed through the air.
Zzzzzap— Electricity crackled around Yoruichi.
Without them realizing, some kikaichū (parasitic insects) had crept up beside him, but were instantly charred black.
Yoruichi didn't even glance at Aburame Shino.
Once he entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the Yoruichi Clan became nearly invincible—not just externally, but even his muscles, organs, and cells were saturated with lightning.
The Aburame clan's insect-based jutsu was completely suppressed. Their kikaichū couldn't even get close, and even if they did make it into his body by chance, the lightning would instantly break them down.
Their powerful devouring ability was meaningless against such high-voltage power—it would just kill them faster.
Yoruichi was the ultimate nemesis of the Aburame.
This had been true since the Warring States Era, and nothing had changed even now. Even if it were Shino's father standing there instead, the outcome would be the same.
Moments after the whistle sounded— a massive shadow suddenly loomed overhead.
The three looked up.
Bathed in crimson twilight, a giant bird appeared on the horizon.
Its entire body was gray-brown, resembling a normal bird in shape but so massive it seemed like a thundercloud had taken wing.
No one could think of any words to describe it.
The Elephant Bird grew ever larger as it descended.
Whoooosh! Its massive wings stirred a hurricane through the forest.
BOOM!
Its brown-gold claws struck the ground. It flapped its wings twice to ease the impact.
In an instant, a towering creature now stood among the trees.
Shino, Kiba, and Hinata stared up at the bird's dinner-plate-sized golden hawk eyes, throats tightening in fear.
The Elephant Bird was so massive that even in the open forest, it felt cramped. Its wingspan alone was easily over 20 meters.
One Yoruichi was already too much for them. And now, they had backup.
Despair— pure, crushing despair—swallowed the three of them.
"What do we do, Shino?!" Kiba couldn't stay calm anymore.
His family's Beast Mimicry techniques gave him an intense sense for danger. He could clearly feel how outmatched they were—there wasn't even a sliver of hope.
Shino recalled the teachings of the clan elders:
"When sensory-type ninja are cornered, they must sacrifice themselves to pass on enemy secrets.
The first technique you learn won't be attack or defense—it will be transmission. Record everything in your insects. Pass on enemy intel. And finally—trust your comrades!"
Bzzzz!
The kikaichū crawled from beneath his shoes, burying themselves in the earth.
Old men from Kumogakure, a bone whistle, a mysterious woman, a giant bird—the bugs recorded it all, flying from Shino's body and dispersing like sonic waves.
Secret Technique: Bug Cry. The only sound made by bugs born in darkness. Not a call for help, nor a wail of sorrow— but a signal, a lifeline for their comrades.
It was known as the Aburame clan's final song.
"Their target is Hinata! Kiba, take her and run! We can't let them steal the Byakugan!" Shino barked, calm and reliable as ever.
"But what about you?!"
Kiba, with Akamaru on his head, stood frozen.
Shino saw the info-carrying insects resting on Akamaru's head. Hidden behind his dark glasses, his eyes were both gentle and firm:
"I'll always be with you."
"None of you are going anywhere!"
Yoruichi's body surged with lightning as he strode toward them.
As they spoke, Sawada Fuka was already on the Elephant Bird's back.
"Go—now!!"
Shino roared, snapping Kiba back to his senses.
Kiba, eyes red with emotion, shouted and pulled Hinata with him, dashing toward Training Ground Zero.
If they could just find Kurenai-sensei, maybe—just maybe—they'd survive this.
Wait for me, Shino!
Secret Technique: Bug Sphere!
Seeing his friends flee, Shino unleashed a swarm of bugs from his sleeves, black and dense like a wave of smoke, blocking Yoruichi's path.
"Child's play!"
Yoruichi barely even glanced at it. Lightning crackled around his body as he charged toward Hinata.
Zzzzzt!
Charred bugs rained down.
Shino poured every ounce of chakra into the Bug Sphere, but it didn't slow Yoruichi down at all.
Screech!
Lightning release chakra condensed, sounding like chirping birds.
In a flash, Yoruichi was right behind Hinata. His hand, crackling with electricity, shot toward the back of her neck.
"FANG OVER FANG!!!"
At the last second, Kiba spun his body violently.
He yanked Hinata out of the way, dodging the lethal strike. Spinning like a drill, he wrapped Hinata in his cyclone and tried to break through toward Training Ground Zero.
Yoruichi reached for a kunai infused with lightning release. Instinct told him to throw it—but he held back.
His mission was to capture her. If he accidentally killed her, the Byakugan would be wasted.
Even so, Lightning Release speed was leagues beyond Kiba's.
In less than a second, a panting Kiba was already blocked by Yoruichi again.
Meanwhile— Shino had just started gathering chakra. His next batch of bugs hadn't hatched yet. He couldn't stop Yoruichi in time.
Their desperate struggle was meaningless in the face of overwhelming power.
It's over.
Yoruichi's eyes were cold as lightning surged through his hand, aiming for their heads.
WHUMMM!
The air trembled.
A Vacuum Blade shot out from Training Ground Zero, heading straight for Yoruichi's back.
Too fast to dodge.
BOOM!
Wind-style chakra collided with lightning, creating an earsplitting blast.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Three figures leapt from the forest. One of them formed hand signs, eyes glowing emerald with killing intent.
It was Kazama-sensei—rushing to help after seeing Hinata's signal flare.
"It's Kazama-sensei!" Kiba shouted with joy.
Kazama-sensei was the strongest fighter at the academy— they were saved!
Shino let out a sigh of relief and ran to reunite with Hinata and Kiba.
ZZZZZT—
Lightning and gale winds clashed. Wind-style chakra tried to cut into Yoruichi's back, but only produced a grating, metallic screech—like a saw grinding steel.
CRACK!
Yoruichi's Lightning Armor shone brilliantly.
Even the powerful Wind Release shattered like glass upon impact.
Shards of chakra scattered, slicing the ground beneath his feet.
BOOM!
Dust erupted, only to be swept away by wind.
The cloaked elder stood amidst the storm— his back like a beast's, carved with muscle, wreathed in wind and thunder.
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