New Technique

When Fumori Masaki learned from Hyūga Masato that one of the Kaguya clan members had mastered the Shikotsumyaku, he couldn't help but feel an unsettling premonition. It seemed almost like fate was steering events toward this very encounter.

Hyūga Masato, sensing Masaki's unfamiliarity with the Shikotsumyaku, briefly explained the nature of the technique and its fearsome power. Drawing from his own combat experience, he emphasized the danger of facing someone who could manipulate their bones as weapons.

"Hyūga-dono, do you have a strategy to counter the Shikotsumyaku?" Masaki asked.

"Not entirely," Hyūga Masato admitted. "While Kaguya Nobunaga's control over his bones isn't as refined as that of past users, my Gentle Fist isn't a perfect counter either. I can check his movements, but containment alone won't win this battle. We've lost the element of surprise, and with their superior numbers, any attempt to hold them off will only weaken our position."

Masaki assessed the situation. The Fourth Division's current strength was insufficient. Even with his reinforcements, the Mist ninjas outnumbered them. While Hyūga Masato could hold off Kaguya Nobunaga for a time, he would eventually falter. If that happened, the Mist would break through their lines.

He knew that as long as Kaguya Nobunaga was alive, the Mist ninjas wouldn't retreat easily. The Kaguya clan member was a critical threat that had to be eliminated.

"What if Hyūga-dono and I attack Kaguya Nobunaga together?" Masaki suggested.

Hyūga Masato pondered the idea. "We might succeed, but it's also likely we'll become entangled with him, leaving the rest of our forces vulnerable."

The Mist ninjas were formidable, and even with a coordinated assault, there was no guarantee of success. But if the Mist ninjas broke through the Fourth Division's defenses, Konoha could be at risk. While the village itself wouldn't fall—thanks to Mito and the power of the Nine-Tails—the consequences could still be dire, especially for civilians and surrounding territories. The best course of action was to eliminate the Mist ninjas entirely, crippling their forces and securing a decisive victory.

After a moment of thought, Masaki asked, "Hyūga-dono, just how strong is the Shikotsumyaku? You've broken those bones with your Gentle Fist before, so you must have a sense of its limits."

Hyūga Masato considered the question. From his experience, Kaguya Nobunaga's bones were tougher than the strongest armor used by samurai—nearly unbreakable by conventional means. They were the hardest substance he had ever encountered.

Masaki nodded, weighing his options. In terms of raw strength, he believed he could defeat Kaguya Nobunaga. His wind-based chakra was particularly suited for piercing and cutting, giving him an advantage. However, the Shikotsumyaku's defenses made it a challenging opponent, especially for Hyūga Masato, whose Gentle Fist was ill-suited for such a foe.

Masaki wasn't entirely sure if his Wind Release techniques could penetrate the Shikotsumyaku's defenses, but Hyūga Masato's success in breaking the bones with a Gentle Fist—albeit after a powerful clash—suggested it was possible. Still, he needed to prepare for every contingency.

While the Mist ninjas regrouped, Masaki saw an opportunity to fine-tune his strategy. "Hyūga-dono, let me face Kaguya Nobunaga alone," he said.

Hyūga Masato was taken aback by the request. "Are you confident you can handle him?"

"I won't claim certainty, but I'm at least 60% sure," Masaki replied. "However, I need your guidance on chakra control."

Hyūga Masato nodded, impressed by Masaki's determination. Despite his youth, Masaki had proven himself time and again, not least by cutting down Silver Horn. Still, the request puzzled him. "Why do you need help with chakra control?"

"I'm working on a new technique," Masaki explained. "It's in its early stages, but I'm having trouble stabilizing it. I was hoping you could help me refine it from the perspective of chakra pathways."

The Hyūga clan, with their deep understanding of chakra pathways, were indeed experts in this area. They had discovered the Eight Gates that regulated chakra flow and had even developed unique medical ninjutsu based on their knowledge. Masaki believed their insights could help him perfect his technique.

Hyūga Masato agreed and began explaining the intricacies of the chakra pathways. He detailed how these channels, which connected to the internal organs, played a crucial role in chakra flow. He also mentioned that some pathways could be sealed temporarily to stabilize chakra output, though this came at the cost of physical damage.

Masaki considered this but decided against sealing his chakra pathways. His power relied heavily on the potent Senjutsu chakra, which would likely overwhelm any seals and cause severe injury. The risk wasn't worth the potential gain in stability.

After testing the adjustments suggested by Hyūga Masato, Masaki felt his technique was smoother and more reliable. His confidence in defeating Kaguya Nobunaga grew.

Just then, a report came in: the Mist ninjas were on the move. The Fourth Division prepared for battle. When Rimi heard that Masaki planned to face Kaguya Nobunaga alone, she expressed concern. "Why not take Hyūga-dono with you? If you're confident alone, the two of you together could end the fight quickly."

"The technique I plan to use won't allow for cooperation," Masaki explained. "It's better to free up Hyūga-dono for another fight rather than waste his strength on something he can't contribute to."

"Are you sure your new technique can defeat him?" Rimi asked, still worried.

"Don't worry," Masaki replied with a determined smile. "In terms of sheer cutting power, there's nothing in this world that can match it—not even the Shikotsumyaku."