In the thick fog, about forty meters from the assassin, Shinji Hyuga, veins bulging around his eyes, slowly let out a sigh of relief as he lowered the massive, 2.2-meter-long bow that was still trembling in his hands.
"Phew... survived again."
In a grayish-white yet crystal-clear field of vision,
The ethereal,misty fog that would normally shroud everything, making it impossible to see one's own hand, was completely ineffective.
Before these eyes—the strongest visual prowess in the ninja world—
the assassin stood like a brightly lit target directly in front ofShinji Hyuga.
But as a spy tasked with monitoring the Hyuga clan's movements, how could the other side not know the effects of the Byakugan?
That was,of course, impossible.
With only the chakra reserves of an average genin, he had killed this ninja—at least a Chunin—with a single arrow.
DidShinji Hyuga's strength surpass his opponent's?
Of course not.
Based on the skill level displayed by this Kirigakure Chunin, even without using ninjutsu, in a direct confrontation, Shinji Hyuga would likely be defeated within ten minutes at most.
Even the killing arrow would not have hit unless the opponent had inadvertently used a concealing technique that obscured their own vision.
The situation was one-sided. But why had it resulted in such a lopsided outcome?
Because of intelligence.
The intelligence possessed by the two sides was completely unequal.
This kind of intelligence was not the traditional "know yourself and know your enemy"; in Shinji Hyuga's understanding, it was a tactic imposed upon the enemy.
First,seize the initiative on the battlefield; then, pre-arrange the conditions for activating the Byakugan Invisibility Technique; next, use the Byakugan to apply psychological pressure, forcing the enemy to urgently locate Shinji Hyuga; finally, when they were gradually losing rationality, exploit their use of an inappropriate ninjutsu to reveal an opening, and rely on the Byakugan's powerful perception to seize that fleeting moment.
A fatal blow!
All of this was predicated on Shinji Hyuga deducing, upon first activating his Byakugan, that the opponent was a Hidden Mist ninja.
In this process, the assassin actually had many ways to avoid death.
Rather than trying to killShinji Hyuga, using large-scale ninjutsu for indiscriminate area attacks, or spinning continuously on the spot... Shinji would have tired and exhausted his stamina faster than his opponent just trying to keep up.
However,once the plan was actually set in motion, the enemy often acted only within the framework Shinji Hyuga had envisioned. Even with minor deviations, it would ultimately lead to the result Shinji expected.
This was, in fact, another kind of cognitive trap.
People are prone to overthinking,and intelligent people even more so, especially when facing an "intelligence black hole."
WhenShinji Hyuga demonstrated abilities beyond the initially known intelligence, the enemy would subconsciously overturn all their prior judgments about him.
Instead,they would place Shinji Hyuga at a higher level than their own for reassessment.
Individuals with cunning,analytical minds like Hatake Kakashi, or those with the purest, most single-minded focus like Might Guy, were relatively rare.
Now,
Watching the assassin's body lying prone forty meters away,
whileShinji Hyuga felt relieved to have lived another day, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
Until now, he had relied on this tricky method to win battles and survive wars. Shinji was well aware that this approach couldn't last, but as a member of the Hyuga branch family with mediocre talent...
He really had no other choice.
Thinking this, Shinji Hyuga murmured heavily, "Once I obtain Wind Release, I need to quickly advance my training plans for Byakugan Swordsmanship, Chakra Scalpel, and the Gentle Fist: Chakra Needle Technique."
"My close combat skills are still too weak.I spent so much effort maneuvering against this guy, and I didn't even dare engage in a single physical exchange."
He didn't even have the confidence to be at a disadvantage.
In terms of taijutsu, apart from footwork and stance training, which he had practiced diligently, punches, kicks, and other direct combat techniques were currently Shinji Hyuga's weaknesses.
Yes,a ninja's learning capacity and time are limited.
The downside of learning both Strong Fist and Gentle Fist was that whileShinji Hyuga knew a little of everything, he wasn't proficient in any except the footwork he had practiced to adapt to the Byakugan Invisibility Technique.
Fortunately, Shinji Hyuga had a clear plan for his future. Although his chakra reserves were limited to average genin levels, meaning his potential was capped,
since fate had given him a second chance at life,Shinji Hyuga naturally wanted to cherish everything he had and do his utmost!
After briefly reviewing the battle's lessons,
Shinji Hyugatidied up the scene, placed the giant bow back into the wooden case, then retrieved and disposed of the broken arrow that had pierced the Kirigakure spy's forehead.
Afterward,as if nothing had happened, he jogged off towards home.
The battle that erupted near the Hyuga clan's territory in Konoha Village quickly attracted the attention of many ninjas, and even the village's high command.
Even during the Shinobi World Wars,a 'Hidden Mist Technique' covering several hundred meters erupting within a ninja village was quite a terrifying incident.
As is well known,the Hidden Mist Technique is primarily a support technique; in actual combat, very few would risk their chakra to expand its scale to such a degree.
Logically,someone capable of performing a mist concealment technique of this scale must be a top-tier expert proficient in silent killing.
Such top-tier experts and elite Jonin are all documented in each village,and ninjas on related missions actively gather intelligence on these powerful individuals.
For a time,
news that Jūzō Biwa,the wielder of the Executioner's Blade from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had infiltrated Konoha spread rapidly.
The Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu team arrived about ten minutes later, cordoned off the scene, and began their investigation.
Meanwhile,a number of wary and bewildered ninjas had gathered in front of the apartment where Shinji Hyuga lived.
Fortunately, thanks to the thick fog that blanketed the streets, no one noticed Shinji sneaking out of the alleyway.
He then blended into the crowd,pretended to watch the commotion for a while, and left.
Although he was the one who killed the Hidden Mist spy, Shinji Hyuga didn't want others to know, especially not now when he was eager to increase his strength.
For ninjas,intelligence is life itself.
What truly determines a ninja's combat ability isn't the conventionally defined titles like"genin," "chunin," or "jonin," but rather...
only intelligence and a ninja's actual mastery of techniques are the decisive factors in ultimately measuring a ninja's worth!
With this thought, Shinji Hyuga returned to the apartment with a calm expression and climbed the iron staircase to the second floor.
This apartment building wasn't very lively.
Most of its residents were ninjas quite busy during the war.
However,
at this moment,a boy with the Byakugan, dressed in a Chunin vest, had been waiting there for some time.
SeeingShinji Hyuga hurriedly returning carrying a huge wooden case, the young Hyuga boy, who looked to be about the same age as Shinji, immediately stepped forward and blocked his path. He looked at Shinji earnestly and said:
"Shinji Hyuga, have you thought about what I mentioned?"
Shinji Hyugalooked up, recognized the person blocking his way, seemed to recall something, but couldn't remember what the person had said to him.
"It's Tetsu.What is it?"
"Can your engagement to Natsu be called off?"
Shinji Hyuga was taken aback by his words, then frowned and looked at the other as if he were an idiot.
"?"
"Forgive my bluntness,but Shinji Hyuga, you really aren't worthy of her."
"Natsu deserves someone better."