The two Sand ninja were stunned for a moment by Hiashi Hyuga's sudden display of power.
However, they were Chunin after all. When they came back to their senses and saw that Hiashi Hyuga and Uchiha Fugaku actually intended to fight them one-on-one, they couldn't help but laugh out of extreme anger.
"Big brother, it seems we're being underestimated by two little brats?"
"Indeed. Then let's show them some skills!"
The Chunin carrying the scroll licked his lips and stared coldly at Hiashi Hyuga. "Kid, since you dare to attack me, I'll let you know the consequences!"
"If you're going to fight, then fight. Cut the crap!"
Hiashi Hyuga snorted coldly, correcting his Gentle Fist stance, showing no fear at all.
"Fine, as you wish!"
The scroll-carrying Chunin waved both hands simultaneously. Two sharp kunai appeared in his grip. With a single stride, he arrived in front of Hiashi Hyuga in the blink of an eye.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sharp edges of the kunai slashed out like arrows riding the wind; the sound of them tearing through the air was audible.
Although Hiashi Hyuga possessed the Byakugan, his stamina and physical movements were limited. It was extremely difficult for him to keep up with the opponent's speed.
Slash!
After a momentary clash, a bloody mark was left on Hiashi Hyuga's body, and his clothes were torn in several places.
"Hehe, kid, where did that ruthlessness from your sneak attack go? Is all you can do parry?" the scroll-carrying Chunin mocked.
Hiashi Hyuga remained silent, eyeing him coldly, slowly looking for an opportunity.
"Now!"
After grappling with the Chunin for a moment, Hiashi Hyuga suddenly exerted force again. His left foot sank, and his body rotated slightly.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palm!"
The fist, which seemed soft and powerless, erupted with astonishing force, bombarding the Chunin.
"Too naive!"
However, at this moment, the scroll-carrying Chunin smiled disdainfully and formed hand seals rapidly.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Vortex!"
Beneath Hiashi Hyuga's feet, the ground instantly turned into a swirling swamp of mud flowing rapidly.
Hiashi Hyuga was deeply trapped within it, unable to move. His body slowly sank as if he were being swallowed whole.
"..."
Hiashi Hyuga was greatly alarmed.
As expected, there was too big a gap between him and a Chunin.
"It's over. Die, kid!"
The scroll-carrying Chunin smiled cruelly, raising the kunai in both hands to deliver a fatal blow.
At that moment, a crystalline snowflake drifted down, landing on his face and melting quickly.
Although the snowflake was tiny, it caused a chill to rise within him, making his hair stand on end. startled, he dodged to the side.
"Snow?"
"Seem to have forgotten about my existence?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rose, and a chilling blade appeared.
Kenji had appeared behind the scroll-carrying Chunin at some point. Leaping high, he slashed down with his sword.
Although the Chunin was momentarily stunned, his reaction was extremely fast. He raised his hands to block with his kunai.
Clang!
Kenji's blade was clamped tight between the two kunai, unable to move.
"Hmph, you're just a kid after all. I almost let you seize an opportunity. But your strength is too weak. Even with a sneak attack, you can't do anything to me!"
"Is that so?" Kenji sneered. "Take a look at my sword!"
The Chunin was bewildered. He subconsciously stared at Kenji's sword and felt as if he were falling into an illusory void.
The sword was snow-white and crystalline throughout, possessing extreme beauty. A snow-white ribbon fluttered from the hilt, seeming to dance in the air, weaving the most beautiful and brilliant scene in the world.
Suddenly, Kenji took a step back. Holding Sode no Shirayuki in his right hand, he lightly touched the blade with the fingers of his left hand.
"First Dance, Tsukishiro!" (White Moon)
Instantly, a massive pillar of ice encircled the scroll-carrying Chunin, then shot up into the sky, freezing that entire block of space-time.
Crack!
Immediately after, the ice pillar shattered, and the Sand ninja's body crumbled into pieces along with it.
"..."
Hiashi Hyuga widened his eyes. That Chunin died just like that?
That ice pillar... that ninjutsu... how could it be so powerful?
"Phew... that was as difficult as expected!"
Although he had killed the Sand ninja, Kenji felt his body starting to reach its limit, and he was actually feeling a bit dizzy.
After all, he had been training here all day and was already exhausted. Now, he had used Shikai, which placed a considerable burden on him.
"Are you okay?" Hiashi Hyuga asked.
"I'm fine. Go help Uchiha Fugaku!" Kenji waved his hand.
Hiashi Hyuga nodded and immediately ran toward the two fighting nearby.
The battle on Uchiha Fugaku's side had entered a white-hot stage. At the beginning, Uchiha Fugaku was almost completely suppressed, but surprisingly, he fought more bravely as the battle went on, entering a stalemate with his opponent.
With Hiashi Hyuga suddenly joining in, the remaining Sand ninja was thrown into disarray and could only parry.
Knowing the outcome was set, Kenji heaved a sigh of relief and bent down to pick up the scroll in front of him.
"As expected of the First Hokage's Sealing Scroll. Even after being encased in the Tsukishiro ice pillar, it wasn't destroyed!"
Outside the forest, Tsunade arrived. Seeing Hidden Leaf ninja surrounding the forest but not entering, she couldn't help but ask, "What is going on?"
"Lady Tsunade, we have confirmed that the two Sand ninja entered this forest, but..."
"But what?"
"But they likely have hostages in hand. We dare not enter rashly."
Hearing this, Tsunade's face suddenly changed.
Kenji liked to be active in this area since he was little. Could the Sand ninja have taken Kenji hostage?
"Damn it!"
Tsunade could no longer hold back and rushed toward the forest.
However, a figure blocked her path.
"Tsunade, don't be reckless!"
"Dan Katō, move!" Tsunade's tone brooked no argument.
She had met Dan Katō once before and had a certain favorable impression of this steady man.
But right now, Kenji's safety was at stake, and she wouldn't allow anyone to stop her.
"Lady Tsunade, for the safety of the hostages inside, please..."
"Ah... Look, what is that?"
Before Dan Katō could finish speaking, a snow-white, crystalline pillar of ice suddenly rose from within the forest, piercing the sky and weaving a unique landscape across the hot summer day.
"...Ice?"
Tsunade and Dan Katō were both shocked and bewildered at the same time.