Muzan's Secret
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Even though it was just a simple Fireball Jutsu, the speed at which Muzan's opponent created an afterimage still caught many by surprise.
From the outside, the Great Fireball Jutsu appeared almost as large as the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, and the ensuing explosion scattered flames across the battlefield.
"What a surprise, boy," murmured Iwa-nin Akatsuchi, his tone more respectful than mocking.
Akatsuchi regarded Muzan solemnly. According to the intelligence he had, the Hatake family's sons were around the same age. They knew Muzan's background through Kakashi, but seeing his strength firsthand was something else entirely.
When Kakashi's name came up, people often thought of Sakumo and Minato—both legendary figures. But Muzan was different from Kakashi. He relied solely on his own strength and cunning to achieve greatness. After exchanging blows with him, Akatsuchi realized the rumors were true.
Among the younger generation, there was no one who could compare to Muzan.
"Boom!"
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Spear!"
Spikes and jagged protrusions shot up from the ground, aiming to impale Muzan where he stood.
"Strange Fist!"
In a swift motion, Muzan sheathed his sword and unleashed a devastating punch. The force penetrated the ground, shattering the Earth Style spikes in an instant and leaving a cracked crater around him.
No one wanted to be on the receiving end of Muzan's punches. After all, many shinobi had fallen to Tsunade's legendary strength, and Muzan's power was eerily similar.
"Hiss!"
Muzan shifted his stance, his sword gliding gracefully past him. Akatsuchi was keenly aware of Hatake Swordsmanship, as Muzan was Sakumo's son. Throughout the fight, Akatsuchi kept his eyes locked on Muzan's blade.
"It really is Hatake Swordsmanship."
A thin line of blood appeared across Akatsuchi's abdomen. He had dodged at the last moment, preventing the wound from being deeper and fatal.
"Your taijutsu and ninjutsu are impressive, but it's still not enough!" Akatsuchi growled, his voice steady despite the pain.
Akatsuchi wasn't being arrogant. Among the elite of Iwagakure, he was one of the strongest. The fact that Muzan could even land a blow proved he was capable of defeating most high-ranking shinobi from his village.
While Muzan and Akatsuchi clashed, Hyuga Hizashi stood frozen nearby. His teammates assumed he was simply awestruck by Muzan's strength.
"Hizashi! Use your Byakugan and find a weakness! We need an opening to break through!" shouted Sarutobi Oishi, frustrated by Hizashi's apparent distraction.
While Muzan kept Akatsuchi occupied, the rest of the team fended off the approaching Iwa ninjas. But Hizashi, their key to a tactical breakthrough, was lost in thought.
"My apologies," Hizashi replied, snapping out of it. "I'm searching for the opponent's weaknesses."
As he scanned the battlefield, Hizashi inadvertently glanced at Muzan—and what he saw made him question the accuracy of his Byakugan.
Muzan's internal structure… it no longer resembled that of a human.
With the Byakugan, members of the Hyuga clan could see the internal organs of their targets. But when Hizashi looked at Muzan, his abdomen was filled with unnatural muscle, and his heart had grown significantly larger.
"No… this can't be right… It must be a mistake," Hizashi muttered, shaking the thought away. "We have to focus on breaking through first."
Even if Hizashi confirmed Muzan's inhuman nature, revealing such a secret could doom the Hyuga clan. Both Orochimaru and Sakumo would ensure he was silenced.
Before turning away, Hizashi caught Muzan's gaze. The look was unmistakable.
"It seems Hizashi knows my secret," Muzan thought. Having a Hyuga on the team meant the truth would eventually come out. However, dealing with Hizashi was complicated. As the younger brother of Hyuga Hiashi, his death would spark significant consequences.
"For now, I need to take care of the ninja in front of me," Muzan decided, his eyes narrowing at Akatsuchi.
Defeating him wasn't going to be easy. Muzan's Earth Style abilities were not as refined.
"Boom!"
Akatsuchi lunged forward, his leg extended for a powerful kick. Muzan crossed his arms, blocking the blow just as an Inuzuka launched an attack from behind.
Seeing the situation escalate, Hizashi rushed to support Muzan.
"Mr. Muzan! I've found a weak point in their defenses," Hizashi called out, pointing to a spot where the number of Iwa ninjas was thinnest. "But we need to deal with him first."
"We'll need to split up," Muzan said. "With him on our tail, our chances of breaking through are slim."
As the Inuzuka unleashed his Fang Over Fang technique, Muzan timed a Fire Style jutsu to clear a path in the resulting tornado. The trio immediately regrouped beyond the skirmish.
Hizashi hesitated, wanting to stay and help Muzan. But the intensity of Muzan and Akatsuchi's battle made it impossible for him to intervene.
"Break through now!" Muzan commanded.
Though they knew staying behind would be dangerous, hesitation could cost them their lives.
"You think you can escape on your own?" Akatsuchi smirked, eyeing the remaining Iwa ninjas encircling Muzan.
Killing Muzan here would deal a heavy blow to Konoha. His strength and age marked him as one of Konoha's future pillars. Breaking that pillar now would shake the village to its core.
As for the others who escaped? Akatsuchi didn't care. Their mission was to destroy Kannabi Bridge, a key supply route. None of the others were significant threats.
"Escape?" Muzan chuckled darkly, gazing up at the full moon. "I think some of you might be the ones who don't make it out of here."
Akatsuchi's hand tightened around his kunai. Something about Muzan had changed.
"Be on guard! Something's not right!" Akatsuchi shouted.
Before he could finish, blood sprayed from a nearby Iwa shinobi as invisible slashes emanated from Muzan's direction. Any ninja who ventured too close was cut down indiscriminately.
"Kakakaka!"
Akatsuchi leapt back, narrowly avoiding a deadly strike. The ground where he had been standing was carved deeply by Muzan's attack.
"Fall back! Now!" Akatsuchi ordered, staring warily at Muzan.
"What kind of attack was that?"
Muzan's eyes glinted under the moonlight, his chilling presence permeating the air.
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