33 Neji's Intervention To Save Kiyomi
Give Power Stones, Give Power Stones, Give Power Stones, Give Power Stones, or else I will have to go back to just 3 chapters per week... :(
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Just as Kiyomi composed herself from the previous usage of her special Mangekyo Sharingan ability of her right eye, and pain in her eyes subsidized a little, she noticed the shark-like man vanishing from his position beside Itachi and then appearing in the large rocky area behind her, still on this forested hill, 'This isn't good...', And as she predicted, Itachi's large Skeletal Susanoo started moving toward her direction, while Kisame, in the distance, additionally already prepared his strongest jutsu.
"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!", The user of this technique creates a gigantic shark out of water and, by thrusting both hands forward, sends it to attack the opponent. It is also able to absorb the chakra from the opponent's technique and in turn, use that chakra to grow larger and more powerful. So, the stronger the opponent's technique is, the stronger this technique will get.
'Itachi's Susanoo and that Kisame's water ninjutsu... There is no way that this girl should be able to stop it all at once. I must step in to help her... Though Kisame... He probably mixed his ordinary Water Release with Yang Release, making that giant shark so life-like and able to eat chakra and strengthen itself from the opponent's jutsu...', Neji too analyzed the situation, from the distance. It was also his first time seeing someone mix ordinary elemental jutsu with Yang Release. Also, Kisame had a really abnormal amount of chakra as Neji could currently sense. Additionally, his shark-like appearance reminded Neji of that theory in his past life that Kirigakure experimented with his clans a long time ago, and made them into those kinds of shark-like people to fight better underwater.
However, as he now wanted to leave for there and help, he was proven wrong and surprised once again to find the girl suddenly disappearing from the field, already leaving the hill, going straight toward the more inward parts of the island. Neji was flabbergasted while thinking to himself, 'Is it another Mangekyo ability of hers...? Then one is to slow down the time while the other is to speed up the time...? And she just sped up her own body to escape...? Haha, interesting, really interesting!'
"This is bad, she can speed up herself too, Kisame, launch your gigantic water prison!", Itachi yelled. Kisame nodded as his water shark jutsu and Itachi's Susanoo nearly collided while she disappeared.
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!", "Water Prison Shark Dance Technique!", After using the first one to create so much water, Kisame forms that water into a gigantic prison.
Because he acts as the center of the dome of water, the dome alters its position in order to reflect the direction of his movements, making it difficult for his target to escape as long as he continues his pursuit. Fusing with his Samehada, a chakra-eating sword, also provides Kisame with a tremendous advantage. This fused form grants him the ability to breathe and speed up underwater while his target continues to drown as they attempt to futilely escape the large body of water mass.
Even though she became hundreds of times faster than before, Kisame's gigantic water prison technique still caught up to her. Kisame already transformed himself into his underwater fused form with Samehada and rushed toward her while Itachi used his Susanoo to escape the water prison.
All that water slowed her down while she also already overexerted her eyes to the maximum with those two usages of her right and left eye abilities. Kiyomi's head and whole body felt painful and she couldn't breathe from the water. Susanoo was still early for her to manifest as she just awakened the Mangekyo. It's not like she could summon it right away like her father, at that, whose special Mangekyo Sharingan abilities were tied to the Susanoo in the first place, allowing him to change its size, either increase or decrease it, without even being familiar or accustomed to using it,
'Is this really the end...? Why is everything so unfair... If not for that shark man...', Kiyomi finally looked at the battle-crazed Kisame approaching from the distance with hopelessness and full of grievances at the whole world. Why did Itachi have to chase her and her family for her entire life?
However, everyone in the area turned astounded as suddenly Kisame's and Kiyomi's parts of the water prison were miraculously divided in half. Then, out of blue, Kiyomi's part of the water prison suddenly disintegrated into a torrent of water, while Kisame's still stood in the same way. Kiyomi fell into that stream of water. And in that moment, in between them, walked Neji leisurely. His white kimono slowly floated with the wind alongside his lengthy hair. Kisame turned serious from his previous battle-crazed expression, and Itachi, still in Susanoo, a little further behind Kisame started thinking fastly. But, the most shocked one was Kiyomi, as in a few seconds, Neji came in front of her. She opened her mouth wide with an incredulous expression, "Who are you? Why did you help me?"
"Neji Hyuga! I helped you because I accidentally saw this and took a liking for your Mangekyo Sharingan's abilities and see great potential in them and in you by extension. We could work together in the future and I can help make you even stronger. There are probably many things that you don't know about this world, I will show them to you!", Neji spoke slowly and convincingly.
Kiyomi, who was now fully wet from the previous experience, looked at completely dry Neji who had some kind of invisible gravity field around him helping him from the falling torrent of water. She also looked at his eternal-looking, spinning blue eyes which seemed to contain endless mysteries inside.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan is not the end of the evolution of power for the Uchiha. I can help you advance even further and get the revenge yourself. You just need to follow me!", Neji continued.
Kiyomi still remained silent and in a daze. She felt like she was dreaming. She truly didn't expect to be saved in such a fashion and by that person. She learned just a few days ago about Neji Hyuga's name and deeds from the various black market channels as she always liked and had ways to stay informed no matter where she was in the world. So, she knew how he defeated the legendary Hyuga clan's Curse Mark, awakened new dojutsu from his Byakugan for some reason, killed the entire Main Branch, and then escaped Konoha easily on a high note. He was a true S-class ninja.
However, she couldn't respond to Neji as Itachi suddenly shouted from the distance, "Neji Hyuga, this person can't be saved today! Why do you want to intervene for a stranger? I'm ready to fight to the death for this!", Itachi yelled in pain, coughing, and shedding more tears of blood as his Susanoo increased to a new proportion. It was now the Armored Susanoo, Itachi's strongest stage currently. And not just that, in both of his Susanoo arms, now appeared two different mysterious weapons, that gave very dangerous and ancient feelings, named Totsukama Blade and Yata Mirror.
However, even though that Itachi appeared strong on the outside, he knew that he already overexerted himself from the inside, he suddenly even started panicking a little like rarely before.
'That unknown dojutsu, that gravity force bending ability. I can only go full power from the start... My best bet is to seal him with the Totsuka Blade, as I don't know any of his physical stats for close combat. It could be really above mine so I can't risk it. Moreover, in the same principle as with Kiyomi, the larger the force he needed to use his dojutsu ability on, the biggest cost it would, hence this is the way... I don't think that it would be easy to stop this gigantic Susanoo in its tracks!', Itachi already formulated a plan and signaled Kisame, with their secret hand code, to use the same tactic.
Kisame grinned hard in excitement, already sensing Neji's strength through his Samehada while Itachi wondered, 'What on Earth happened since I left the village? That Hyuga clan truly isn't normal...', Back in Itachi's time, Hyugas were considered auxiliary types, not powerhouses like Neji.
Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror were not original parts of his Susanoo but instead were super-ancient spirit weapons, of the Uchiha clan, specifically passed only to their patriarch or some strong members who awakened the Susanoo. As Susanoo was also a spiritual presence, it was the perfect place to keep, store, and use those two superb weapons in battles, strengthening the Uchiha clan.
However, strangely it was not made by the Uchiha clan themselves, but it was found by them a long time instead. Those weapons were so otherworldly that some members even speculated that they both came from another dimension. Itachi stole them at the time of the Uchiha massacre as he knew about them secretly and kept them with him ever since inside his own Susanoo. He was informed of them by his late father Fugaku. They came from the Warring States period. Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, also came across some information and searched for them as well in the past.
The Yata Mirror was an ethereal shield with no set form or properties and has the power to alter every one of its attributes. By doing so, it can be used to negate any attack, whether it be spiritual or physical. As such, it is said that the Yata Mirror has been endowed with all nature transformations, changing its nature to nullify all incoming attacks. Totsuka Blade was an ethereal weapon with an enchanted blade capable of sealing the target it pierces. Those who are stabbed by the sword are drawn into the jar and trapped in a genjutsu-like "world of drunken dreams" for all eternity. Itachi speculated that even Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword came from that same dimension.
Neji looked at the situation calmly while Kiyomi beside him looked at him distressingly, worrying that he would abandon her next after seeing Itachi's new gigantic Susanoo form and its weapons. She knew just how terrifying Itachi was. She was also sadly of no help now as she exhausted all of her chakra earlier because it was her first Mangekyo usage ever, and then there was Kisame as well.
In Neji's opinion, Itachi, even in this sick state, was already at the peak Kage level, even above the legendary Sannin for example, who were all around the late Kage level in Neji's personal opinion. Had he not been sick, probably from overexerting himself while he was younger, and damaging his body in that way, he could've even been a true early Six Paths powerhouse like he was himself too.
'And that Kisame is really a Tailless Tailed Beast as his nickname says. He still has a good amount of chakra despite already using those two high-level techniques. Kisame is certainly around the peak Kage level too in my estimates. Two of them together, won't be easy... However, this girl already cracked them up a little bit. So, I think this won't be a big problem for me!', Neji thought in an instant. He then turned around to look at Kiyomi a little with interest, 'This girl probably died right here in the original universe, as I wasn't there to save her. No, maybe this was an alternate universe, from the beginning, now I truly don't know myself...', Neji's whole previously established worldview collapsed after meeting her today. Those abilities of hers also left him speechless. They could be even useful against full-blooded Otsutsukis later in the future if used right, she was worth a lot.
'This Itachi guy is definitely the craziest or the most stupid person, I met so far in this world! I can't imagine someone killing his whole family, and clan, chasing his last relatives to the end of the Earth like this, all for some stupid village that even ostracized your clan in the first place. However, it is maybe a genetic factor or some kind of problem with his soul. As every Uchiha is said to hold either great hate in himself or great love like Shisui and him, who both loved Konoha more than anything in the world. Well, Itachi would say that he did for world peace and Sasuke as well, which could be true...', Neji thought about Itachi's life suddenly in a moment and started to remember many things.
Itachi was in a way pacifist, but he massacred his entire clan. He was a rationalist, but he fell for Danzo's false dilemma manipulation, at that time, of either Sasuke or his clan. He was supposed to be intelligent, however, Danzo duped both him and Shisui like it was nothing. But then again, Itachi was very young at that time, so it could be explained in that way. However, he still chased after his clan members even today, which made Neji worsen his opinion of him a bit after seeing it just now.
In a way, Itachi was utilitarian like both Obito and Nagato were as well. The sacrifice was smaller than the greater good. In Itachi's case, smaller than his most beloved brother and the world peace he dreamed of since he was a child. If Uchiha and Konoha fought frontally, Konoha would win, but with great sacrifices in the elite numbers, probably invoking another world war after other big villages invaded them, as they didn't have Minato or Kushina at that as well and Hiruzen was getting old while Tsunade was sick. It was probably a mistake of his father to bring him to that battlefield in the Third Ninja World War. However, the man didn't know Itachi was Uchiha of the "love" pattern. Danzo probably figured out his personality type from when he was a little boy and then exploited it.
"Kiyomi Uchiha? I couldn't help but overhear your name once I sensed the fight here. Don't worry, just stay close to me, I can deal with them. We'll talk later.", Neji turned to her and spoke confidently. For the first time, he also saw her appearance. He had to admit, she was one of the most beautiful females he have seen in his life. She can even be tied with Tsunade for first place.
'Itachi doesn't have great luck running against me. I counter him pretty hard. His Tsukuyomi can't be used against me as my Tenseigan is a higher-level dojutsu than his. And the Amaterasu, I could easily expel out with my Rotations. Yata Mirror can't deal with my Truth Seeking Balls and Susano is easy to slice with my Golden Sword. Also, his Totsuka Blade I dodge with my speed easily. Kisame can't drown me in his water because I will use my gravity and he can't come near me because of my speed. Though for me to win, I need to open the Tenseigan Chakra Mode right from the start!',
Neji analyzed, he didn't think that Neji could trap him with his Tsukuyomi as it was implied in the original that he couldn't do it against other Mangekyo users, also Sasuke dealt with it while he had just three tomoe. In the end, it was not about Uchiha's blood countering but, but spiritual Yin strength from another dojutsu being stronger than his own, and Tenseigan and Rinnegan are both genetically and ancestrally superior dojutsu. Sharingan devolved from Rinnegan, how could then Itachi's Mangekyo work against Rinnegan? It was always crazy for Neji how some fans thought that way in his previous world. Sharingan was just a watered-down version of Rinnegan, it was inferior.
However, Neji had to admit, both Kisame, who could keep with Guy's Sixth Gate, and Itachi who was able to keep with Naruto's first Kurama Chakra Mode, back in the original, were difficult in terms of speed. Neji wasn't sure that he would be able to out-blitz them, even if he opened his maximum Fifth Gate. Therefore, Tenseigan Chakra Mode was needed from start to finish the battle victoriously.
All the strategizing was over in just a few seconds and the fight already started. Kisame did a few hand seals underwater and immediately attempted to enlarge his broken water prison toward them once again with large waves. Itachi, with a large thump, jumped with Body Flicker to a new position.
Kiyomi looked at this with worry, however, in the next second she opened her eyes wide. She was already high in the air. Neji, who was levitating alongside her, now had a very potent blue chakra-like form. His hair was flying upward, he got mysterious marking all over him and he felt celestial.
'Damn, I forgot that I had to protect this girl as well. Then, close combat is out of the question. I don't exactly want to kill them either, so I have to hold back a little too. Let's see, I will try that Silver move first!', However, before Neji could launch his following attack, he suddenly sensed an Amaterasu attack coming straight at him and Kiyomi from down below. He also sensed Kisame's large Yang Release Shark Jutsu appearing from another direction in addition. He then just stood in front of her quickly and tried to expel all of this with his blue Tenseigan chakra-enchanted Rotation.
Kiyomi, who was inside the newly formed blue vortex of Tenseigan Chakra, felt dumbfounded by this kind of battle. First, she flew high into the air, then she was with Neji at the center of a powerful chakra vortex. Amaterasu was extinguished quickly, but, Kisame's attack looked like it was eating his Rotation away and was ready to even break in. Now it was many times larger than before, 'What, that shark could eat my Tenseigan Chakra like it is nothing! Yang Release is truly extraordinary, Kisame is better than I thought!', Neji truly didn't expect it could absorb that kind of superb chakra.
'This is difficult!', Neji had to resort to personally picking her in his arms, making her lean on him, to evade the huge shark made of Water Release. He didn't have time to care about her dumbfounded reaction, as he immediately prepared to launch two of his four strongest attacks, at the same time, now that he had a window of opportunity, 'This isn't going in the direction I thought it would go in! I need to do it with the intention to kill this time! I don't care about the plot anymore. If I get this girl on my side, all is worth it! Moreover, I'm honestly not sure it is the same dimension anymore...', Neji decided to step up his game instead of running away this time. This fight made his blood boil.
Of course, Neji could choose to escape with her this time. However, then his image in the heart of the girl won't be so solid, and he would have to give up his plan for Karin next. Not to mention, now that he is such a peak powerhouse, his pride simply wouldn't allow him to run away in this situation. He also wanted to test just how far could he push with his current power against such opponents.
Neji appeared high in the air behind them this time. He still held flabbergasted Kiyomi by her bare shoulders and armpits, "Remember what I'm doing here for you! Those two techniques I'm about to use cost an unimaginable amount of chakra. After this is over, you will need to follow me with your whole heart!", Kiyomi gulped cutely as she watched his flamy Tenseigan Chakra mode serious face.
"Tenseigan: Gravity Cage!", Neji suddenly held his right arm forward, focused on the area where Kisame and Itachi stood intently. As the name suggested, he wanted to trap them in an inescapable gravity cage first. Then, right as they turned behind because they sensed him, they were trapped.
'Now, I can make a targeted attack they can't dodge. I'm also curious if they will survive this!', Neji thought while making the second attack with his newly summoned small Truth-Seeking Orbs, but he felt like his chakra was already drained nearly in half after he did the first one, "Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!", After this one, he felt like his entire strength left his body and his Chakra Mode got interrupted as he returned back to normal, now losing his Tenseigan temporarily as well.
But, Kiyomi's jaw dropped once they both looked, from the air, at the devastation left on the scene. The silver typhoon made multiple craters and demolished everything in this path. It looked like the Moon's surface after the move subsidized. Neji and she already left the scene on foot shortly after.
