Chapter 131 : Gaining Byakugan

The air was thick with smoke, and countless civilians were fleeing from this war-torn country.

Blood dripped slowly, under the astonished gaze of Yamanaka Ryosuke, Takeshi put away the Kunai in his hand. A red light flashed, and Takeshi executed the Body Flicker Technique, narrowly avoiding the oncoming Heiji Hyuga, who was charging wildly.

"Why... aren't you under Ryosuke's control? Who the heck are you?"

Heiji Hyuga glared at Takeshi, his face twisted in anger and fear.

"The deceased don't need to ask so many questions."

Takeshi's chilling aura intensified as he advanced slowly towards Heiji Hyuga. Bart and Jace, standing nearby, were clearly rattled, retreating a few steps.

"You bastard! Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!"

Heiji Hyuga couldn't believe the heavy loss he was experiencing in such a desolate place. Was it a series of unfortunate events, or had this place already become the target of other forces?

While Yamanaka Ryosuke possessed powerful mind control techniques, Takeshi's extensive training and powerful spiritual energy allowed him to break free from Ryosuke's control, leading to Ryosuke's fatal shock.

Takeshi once again used the Body Flicker Technique to evade the white chakra palm prints hurled by Heiji Hyuga. In response, Heiji had been anticipating Takeshi's movement and launched a series of gentle fist attacks.

"Resistance is futile."

Takeshi activated his Super Sensory state of power, causing the Jonin-level attacks to seem sluggish and insignificant. They posed no threat to him.

"Are you from the Hyuga clan's branch family?"

Takeshi suddenly inquired.

"What?"

Before Heiji could respond, Takeshi activated the Shadow Clone Technique: "Ninjutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Ten shadow clones emerged, surrounding Heiji Hyuga and swiftly closing in without uttering a word.

"What the...!"

Heiji Hyuga considered many possibilities but ended up taunting, "Crowds won't help you against me. Do you forget I am a Hyuga ninja? Aren't you aware of my Absolute Defense?"

Heiji's chakra surged as he formed a spinning blue chakra shield, causing the shadow clones to dissipate upon contact.

"Absolute defense means nothing to me."

Takeshi appeared behind Heiji, a flash of lightning coursing through his hand, stabbing at the Achilles heel on his back.

"Moreover, as a branch member, you possess no true Absolute Defense."

"What?!"

Heiji Hyuga's horror grew as he felt a shiver run down his spine. He watched as Takeshi's lightning-infused hand pierced the weak point on his back!

"Argh!"

Heiji Hyuga collapsed, coughing up blood. His gaze, however, remained fixed on Takeshi. "Who... are you? Your ninjutsu... how could you..."

"Isn't ignorance bliss?"

With a swift motion, Takeshi threw the Kusanagi sword, ending Heiji's life. Then, just as swiftly, he retracted the sword into his sleeve.

There was no real connection between the Hyuga clan and Takeshi. As long as his actions remained hidden, Takeshi wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who posed a threat.

After absorbing Heiji Hyuga's abilities, Takeshi harnessed the power of devouring with great intensity, hoping to gain the abilities of Byakugan.

When a clan member died or their eyes were stolen, the Caged Bird Seal could unleash a devastating force against the Byakugan. Takeshi absorbed Heiji's chakra before the eyes were obliterated, managing to preserve their power.

"Who... are you?"

Bart observed Takeshi, wary of his easy dispatch of the two Anbu members. Meanwhile, Jace sought an opportunity to escape discreetly.

"Hey, don't you recognize me? You've seen my clone before!"

Takeshi removed his mask, revealing an innocuous appearance, and approached the surviving warriors calmly.

"You're... oh, it's you!"

Both warriors felt relief upon recognizing Takeshi. However, before they could say anything, Takeshi launched a sudden attack.

"Ninjutsu, Hidden Shadow Twin Snake Hands!"

Utilizing his Snake Summoning Technique, Takeshi released numerous white snakes that ensnared the warriors, rendering them immobile.

"What?! You monster!"

Bart and Jace struggled to regain their fierce forms, activating their remaining chakra to break free. However, Takeshi's improved snake summons proved too formidable to escape.

"Save your energy. I won't kill you. You're valuable experimental subjects."

Takeshi regarded them as one might regard laboratory animals. He injected them with venom.

"You..."

Both fell unconscious and Takeshi swallowed them with a summoned snake, carrying them away.

"With the small fry taken care of... Huh? Where did that winged figure disappear to?"

Takeshi turned his attention to the ongoing battle near Orochimaru's position. His eyes transformed into a deep black hue, and his pupils faded, seemingly capable of penetrating all.

This newfound power stemmed from the fusion of his Byakugan and the power of the White Scale's bloodline!

Meanwhile—

"Have you dealt with your situation? Now leave it to me, along with your life!"

Lord Gen hovered high above, his wind-based power coalescing into a spear in his hand.

"Is it just you?"

Orochimaru dusted off his clothes, gazing up at Lord Gen with his bewitching Sharingan, sensing an unsettling aura.

"I forgot to mention, this is just my clone!"

"Hahaha! Aren't you worried? A clone that can endure against us for so long and not dissipate? And why would a clone collect the belongings of Troy?!"

Lord Gen laughed heartily, but before he could finish, a deafening boom resonated from beneath the mine. The ground ruptured, and the mine's metal infrastructure was torn apart by an immense force. A brilliant blue light shot into the sky, as if heralding the end of everything.

"What's happening?!"

Unintentionally, the combatants had distanced themselves from the mine in their recent battle, fearing a disaster. Nevertheless, Troy's demise triggered Hela's seal, causing the mine's destruction.

"Deal with him first to eliminate variables!"

Lord Gen squinted, a clear light enveloping him. At a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, he wielded the wind-formed spear and thrust it towards the composed Orochimaru.

"Still pretending? Let me make you understand—"

Can Wind Release's speed outmatch space-time ninjutsu?

"Boom!"

A colossal abyss emerged in the ground, and Lord Gen gazed darkly at the dissipating smoke, cursing softly with venomous words.

"What do you want me to understand?"

"???"

Takeshi appeared just in time, gazing at Orochimaru thoughtfully. "I made some alterations to the All-Devouring Technique. The Gelel vein might be destroyed, but not necessarily sucked into a black hole. It could be stored here as Senjutsu Chakra. Hence, we might have to contend with Gen!"

"You're insatiably greedy~ You certainly excel at these cunning tactics."

Orochimaru sighed, shaking his head. "However, Gen's recent

battle must have depleted much of his strength. With our combined abilities, there's a chance for us to spring a surprise."

Takeshi opened his new eyes, white pupils discerning beneath the mine's surface.

"As I suspected, the Senjutsu Chakra was drawn into a center due to the suction force, but I destroyed the black hole's formation. The energy remains."

The fusion of his Byakugan and White Snake's power allowed him limited insight, up to three kilometers.

"This suction might have condensed the Senjutsu Chakra into crystals, providing an opportunity to seal this energy!"

Orochimaru grinned, producing several sealing scrolls.

Takeshi lacked the Uzumaki Clan's potent sealing techniques and the means to contain tailed beasts. These scrolls could only seal within a certain range and wouldn't be sufficient for the entire Gelel vein.

"Let's proceed, then."

After pondering for a moment, Takeshi transformed into a white snake, coiling around Orochimaru's arm. Orochimaru understood the plan, donned his mask, and manifested three Tomoe Sharingan to resemble "Uchiha Dragon."

Because Takeshi hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, their power levels were comparable. Orochimaru's appearance was more fitting, and their shared energy allowed Orochimaru to directly harness the refined natural power, entering Sage Mode. As long as their chakra persisted, they could sustain this mode without risk.

This was their form of "fusion"!

Two souls, a single figure, plummeted into the collapsing mine...

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