However, the opponent was well aware of the Hyuga Clan’s methods and understood that this place was an endless sea, a realm where Water Style ninjas dominated and enhanced their abilities.
Water Style Jutsu, normally requiring a standard amount of chakra, now only required half the usual chakra to be executed here.
If the same amount of chakra was used, the power of Water Style Jutsu would double.
For Water Style ninjas, there was no more suitable terrain than this to perform their techniques.
To fight Water Style ninjas with large-scale Ninja Techniques here was truly disadvantageous.
"Damn it!"
The dozen or so individuals were skilled, but none intended to engage in close combat, only using long-range and area-effect Water Style Jutsu to wear them down by leveraging the sea as their home ground.
If hit by the Water Style Jutsu accidentally, serious injuries would ensue.
At this rate, the three of them would soon be exhausted and captured by the enemy.
"Hijin, sir! Please leave here first. These guys are not simple! We’ll hold them off!"
Two Special Jonin Level Branch Family ninjas intended to pave a bloody path for Hijin, allowing him to leave first.
The Byakugan was of unspoken importance to the Hyuga, and if such a pure Kekkeigenkai fell into other hands, it would pose a threat to both the Hyuga and Konoha.
Hijin glanced at the two, seemingly seeing their resolve to face death in their eyes, and nodded decisively, escaping toward a path unobstructed by enemies.
Regardless of willingness, the existence of Branch Family ninjas was manifested at this moment.
To fight to the death for a path of survival for Main Family ninjas, rather than let Main Family ninjas sacrifice themselves for Branch Family ninjas to escape.
Hijin wasn’t unfamiliar with such situations and saw it as a matter of course.
He needed to protect his precious and proud Byakugan from being obtained by enemies, making the sacrifice of those Branch Family ninjas not in vain.
——A few kilometers away from the battlefield, a mud-colored clay figure emerged from the sea surface.
The twisted humanoid form stood limply on the water, beginning to twist irregularly.
Soon, it sealed with both hands, pressing its hands onto the sea surface, accompanied by a mass of white smoke, summoning Hakushi clad in a white hooded cloak from Konoha.
"This Reverse Summoning Jutsu is truly convenient, thanks for your efforts."
Hakushi looked at the ’idiot son’ standing beside him, acknowledging his convenience in many situations.
In his original design, Hakushi hoped to create a powerful rock puppet for combat purposes.
But limited by technology and the unformed Immortal Technique, it could only stay by his side in the role of a lurker.
The clay figure uttered a stream of unintelligible words, then vanished by diving into the sea.
After witnessing its disappearance, Hakushi crouched, touching the sea surface with a finger, sending vast perceptive power spreading in all directions.
His target was Hyuga Main Family’s Jonin, Hyuga Hijin.
"That direction, huh? But what is this battle about? Are others targeting him too?"
Hakushi’s expression turned odd.
Though it was expected, the strategic significance of the Hyuga Clan’s Main Family Byakugan was immense, especially in ninja warfare, where possessing such an eye often led to the exposure of enemy schemes.
In his perception, two factions were engaged in combat, one with three individuals, the other with thirteen.
The group of three was likely Hyuga Clan ninjas, and the one attempting to retreat was probably Hyuga Hijin.
It seemed like they planned to use the Branch Family ninjas to buy time for escape.
"The ambushing enemies aren’t simple, but with them holding the line, I don’t need to worry about those two Branch Family guards."
Hakushi smiled slightly and vanished, rushing toward the direction of Hyuga Hijin’s escape.
The perceptive field of the Spirit Transformation Jutsu was vast, and this open sea meant Hakushi could pursue Hyuga Hijin without obstruction as long as his speed exceeded his opponent’s.
Indeed, Hakushi was very confident in his speed.
Even facing a renowned genius Jonin from the Hyuga Clan, catching up was only a matter of time.
About five minutes later, Hakushi spotted a young ninja dressed in Hyuga Clan-style attire sprinting rapidly on the sea surface.
The young ninja seemed surprised to notice Hakushi approaching swiftly.
He knew someone was closing in on him, very quickly, but didn’t expect it to be a ninja from Konoha.
He had seen this face once before by chance, recalling it was the Medical Ninja from Jonin Sakumo’s squad.
Why was he here?
This speed was beyond normal, surpassing him as a Jonin?
Was this an enemy transformation?
Yet under Byakugan observation, there were no signs of transformation.
Even if transformed, there was no need to become someone so unrelated.
Hijin’s gaze grew wary.
"Hold on, you——"
He wanted to say something, but Hakushi didn’t give him the chance, immediately retrieving several pellets from the Ninja Tool Bag and tossing them, bursting in mid-air.
The smoke spread faster than Hidden Mist Jutsu and enveloped a diameter of over thirty meters, its hue a deep purple, causing Hijin’s expression to change dramatically.