Naruto: Fooling the Ninja World, I'm Hailed as a Savior

"..."

Under the faint moonlight filtering through the night sky, Yūrui's pupils contracted as he stared at the dark figure before him. He felt his right hand, still numb from the impact, and his usually strong body tensed.

A Konoha ninja? The thought crossed his mind, but he instantly dismissed it. No, this guy's attire… he doesn't look like a Konoha ninja.

A pitch-black robe completely obscured his entire body. A deep, unsettling malice made his teeth feel hollowed out. If he were a Konoha ninja, there would be no need to conceal his appearance, and simply sending out an invasion signal would be enough to corner him completely.

Then, he's a 'colleague'?

At this thought, Yūrui's gaze narrowed. He knew this was his only chance. There was no more time to waste here. This guy clearly had no intention of letting him go. He had to kill him immediately!

Without a word, almost instantly, both moved, rushing towards each other. Two figures, like whipped silk, made it difficult to discern who was faster. Only a terrifying whistle could be heard in the wind; anything in its path would be torn apart.

The next moment, the falling leaves between them were cut in half by blade gleams, and the two blades clashed.

Clang!

Dazzling sparks exploded between them, bursting and flying in the deep, dim forest. Kunai and short blade locked tightly. Yūrui stared at the figure inches away, yet he couldn't see the face hidden within the shadows, as if all light was swallowed and consumed by it.

Where did this guy even come from? And how did he know to intercept me here?

Before he could analyze the opponent's identity, Hyuga Kawa's clear short blade slid away, and Yūrui's kunai did the same. A spray of sparks erupted from the blade edges, sketching several arcs in the air.

Clink! Clink! Clang!!

Sharp against sharp, the clash of metal. Brilliant sparks bloomed, raining down like fireworks, beautiful as silver flowers on an iron tree.

Yūrui could clearly sense that the person in front of him wasn't particularly skilled in swordsmanship. The reason they were able to hold their own was simply because the opponent's speed and strength were sufficient.

Just give me a little more time…

But soon, as the two blades continued to clash, this thought gradually vanished, and Yūrui's expression progressively worsened. Because he realized that the blade of the person in front of him was actually getting "sharper" and "sharper." It was as if… he was using his "blade" to sharpen his own "blade."

Is this guy… using me to hone his swordsmanship?!

This thought suddenly surfaced in his mind, and a chill ran down Yūrui's spine. But the next moment, he couldn't even react.

Pfft.

Fresh blood trickled down, soaking his face. A red line gradually crept across his face, splitting little by little, inch by inch, stopping at his cheekbone. Feeling the stinging pain on his cheek, Yūrui's pupils trembled.

In just a few short minutes, the opponent's swordsmanship had progressed from rudimentary to being able to wound him with a blade?

"That's enough."

A hoarse voice entered his ears, startling the dazed Yūrui back to awareness.

Hyuga Kawa held his blade in one hand, while his other hand rose to form a hand seal, simultaneously slashing at Yūrui. The two blades clashed again, emitting a piercing screech. But this time, what sprayed forth was no longer sparks.

It was azure lightning.

Lightning Release: Chidori Blade.

A series of electrical arcs crackled in the air. Lightning climbed Hyuga Kawa's short blade, then rapidly spread along the touching kunai.

"G-ghk!!"

The pain of electricity coursing through his body made Yūrui gasp, but he couldn't control his paralyzed body to make any sound. All the strength in his body drained away at that moment, along with his previous composure. The fear of mission failure, the fear of dying inexplicably…

No! No! Don't!

I was just one step away! Just one last step!

This guy, who exactly is this guy?!

Hyuga Kawa didn't give Yūrui more time for fear. He slowly raised one hand, and the mental energy in his mind condensed into a blue orb in his palm.

This was an ability awakened when his [Bloodline Limit] reached 20.1% (Stage Two). Otsutsuki Toneri used this ability to control others' will and read their thoughts. This technique was called the Heart Wheel Binding God Seal.

"Go to sleep peacefully."

Meeting Yūrui's pained and fearful gaze, Hyuga Kawa leaned slightly closer, smiling faintly. "Your mission, I will complete it for you, using your body."

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it.

Pfft!!

As his words fell, Hyuga Kawa pressed his palm into Yūrui's chest. Ripples spread across his chest, and the light orb and his palm seemed to sink into a mire.

A moment later, he stepped back and withdrew his hand from the chest. The Lightning Release Chakra swirling around his blade also dissipated.

"..."

Yūrui stood motionless before him, his eyes gradually becoming vacant.

"Interesting," Hyuga Kawa's eyes flickered slightly. "This is the first time using this ability. So this is what it feels like."

He clearly felt a connection established between himself and Yūrui before him. This ability seemed somewhat similar to the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Jutsu. Mind Body Switch Jutsu concentrated one's spirit into a single point, releasing one's mental power to seize control of an opponent's body.

However, this ninjutsu was only a C-rank auxiliary ninjutsu for close to mid-range. The released mental energy could generally only move in a straight line, which greatly limited its range and accuracy.

Furthermore, if the caster's released mental energy failed to hit the target, it couldn't return to their body for a short period, leaving the caster unable to perform any defensive actions.

If the opponent was struck, it would also cause damage to the caster's own body, making it very risky.

However, the Heart Wheel Binding God Seal that Otsutsuki Toneri used on Hinata in the original story, and which Hyuga Kawa now possessed, was different.

It was more like the Shadow Clone Jutsu, where a portion of chakra and mental power was separated to create an independent entity.

Not only did it have no limitations on control distance, but it could also be wielded as an extension of oneself and even allow the controlled "puppet" to have some autonomous actions.

"It seems, if I get the chance, I'll need to collect a few puppets."

This thought crossed Hyuga Kawa's mind, but for now, the most important matter was still the Hyuga clan.

He tried to control Yūrui, and the once vacant eyes of the man before him became lively. The next moment, he respectfully knelt on one knee and said, "My Lord."

"Go," Hyuga Kawa said softly. "Do what you must."

"Yes, My Lord."

'Yūrui' bowed in response, then stood up and used Shunshin Jutsu to leave the scene.

After he left, Hyuga Kawa stood silently in the shadowy forest for a long time. The only sound in the quiet woods was the faint rustling of leaves and flowing water.

Until a faint sound of footsteps came from a distance, and Hyuga Hizashi emerged from the tree shadows behind him. Hizashi knew very well why the other party had called him here; his face, identical to his brother's, was filled with complexity.

In the darkness, Hyuga Kawa raised his head.

"The time has come," he said. "Are you ready?"