Under the faint light of the moon filtering through the night sky, Yurui's pupils tightened as he stared at the black figure before him. His right hand still tingled from the impact of the last strike, and his once-steady body was now tense and alert.
'A Konoha shinobi?' The thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. No… this guy's attire doesn't fit a Konoha ninja.
The stranger's entire body was cloaked in a pitch-black robe that seemed to swallow all light. The oppressive malice emanating from him made Yurui's teeth ache as though they were rotting away.
'If he truly were from Konoha, there'd be no reason to hide his face. He'd simply trigger the invasion signal and corner me completely.'
'Then he must be… one of us?'
Realizing this might be his only chance, Yurui's gaze sharpened. There was no time to waste, the figure clearly had no intention of letting him leave alive. He'd have to kill him here and now.
Without exchanging a single word, both moved at once, charging at each other.
Two blurs streaked through the darkness, fast, silent, and deadly.
The air split with a sharp whistle, and everything caught between them was shredded.
A heartbeat later, falling leaves between them were sliced apart as the two blades collided.
Clang!
Sparks burst between them like stars igniting in the shadowed forest.
Kunai locked against short blade, Yurui could see the shadow's outline up close but not the face hidden within the darkness, it devoured every hint of light.
'Where did this guy come from? And how did he know to intercept me here?'
Before he could figure it out, Hyūga Arata's short blade slid free. Yurui's kunai moved to block, and sparks scattered once more, carving arcs through the air.
Cling! Clang! Cling!
Metal screamed as blade met blade, scattering sparks like rain, a deadly, glittering storm.
Yurui could feel it clearly: the man in front of him wasn't particularly skilled with a sword. The only reason he could keep up was sheer speed and strength.
'If I can just hold on a bit longer…'
But as their weapons clashed again and again, that thought died. Yurui's face darkened.
Because with each strike, his opponent's blade… grew sharper.
It was as though the man were using his blade to hone his own swordsmanship.
'He's… using me to hone his skills?!'
The realization chilled Yurui to the bone. Before he could react-
Shhk.
Warm blood slid down his cheek.
A thin crimson line appeared, cutting across his face and stopping at the cheekbone.
Pain seared through him, and his pupils trembled.
In just a few minutes, this stranger's technique had improved enough to wound him?
"That's enough."
A hoarse voice snapped him from his shock.
Hyūga Arata gripped his blade in one hand and raised the other to form a seal before swinging again.
Their blades collided, this time, not with sparks.
But with crackling blue lightning.
Lightning Release: Chidori Blade.
Electric arcs hissed through the air, crawling along Arata's weapon before leaping onto Yurui's kunai.
"Kh-!"
Agonizing pain tore through Yurui's body. His muscles seized; his mouth opened in a silent scream as his nerves went numb.
All his strength bled away, along with his calm.
Fear gripped him. Fear of failure. Fear of dying here, without even understanding how.
'No… no… not yet! I was so close! Just one more step!'
'Who is this guy?!'
Arata didn't give him the time to find out.
He slowly raised his palm. A sphere of blue light formed in it, condensed from the spiritual energy within his mind.
It was an ability he had awakened when his Bloodline Limit reached its second stage, 20.1%. Ōtsutsuki Toneri once used this same power to control others' wills and read their thoughts.
This jutsu was called Seal of the Divine Mind (Shinrin Fuin).
"Rest easy," Arata murmured, leaning close to Yurui's terrified face. "I'll finish your mission, for you."
Shhk!
His palm sank into Yurui's chest, ripples spreading outward as the glowing orb disappeared beneath the skin.
Moments later, Arata withdrew his hand, and the lightning on his blade faded away.
Yurui stood motionless before him. His eyes slowly dulled, losing all life.
"Interesting," Arata muttered, eyes glinting. "So that's what it feels like to use this power."
He could clearly sense the connection now, his spirit linked with Yurui's. The ability reminded him of the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Body Switch Technique.
That jutsu allowed the user to project their consciousness to control another's body, but it came with severe limitations: short range, linear trajectory, and immense risk if it missed.
But the Seal of the Divine Mind was different.
It was more akin to the Shadow Clone Technique, splitting off a portion of chakra and spiritual energy to create an independent being. There was no distance limit, and the "puppet" could even act semi-autonomously.
Looks like I'll have to collect a few puppets when I get the chance, Arata thought.
For now, though, his focus was still on the Hyūga Clan.
He willed the newly bound Yurui to move. The once-empty eyes regained light. A moment later, Yurui knelt down on one knee.
"Master."
"Go," Arata said softly. "Do what you were meant to do."
"Yes, my lord."
"Yurui" bowed his head, then vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.
When he was gone, Arata stood in the silent forest. Only the soft rustle of leaves and flowing water broke the stillness.
Then faint footsteps approached.
From the shadows behind a tree, Hyūga Hizashi stepped forward, his face, so much like his brother's, filled with complicated emotion.
In the darkness, Arata lifted his head.
"It's time," he said quietly. "Are you ready?"