Hibari had always been proud of being a member of the Senju clan, so he didn't hide anything. After hearing the shinobi's words, Hibari chuckled and said, "That's right, exactly what you're thinking."
After receiving a positive confirmation from Hibari, the shinobi was silent for a moment, then said, "As expected of the Senju clan. To be so excellent at such a young age, and your extraordinary chakra reserves can also be explained now..."
Before Hibari could even gloat, he continued, "However, one's genius is another's enemy. The more talented someone like you is, the sooner they must be eliminated..."
As his voice fell, the shinobi's hands began forming seals at an incredibly fast pace again. At the same time, Hibari, standing on the Earth-Style Wall, observed the man's hand seal sequence, predicting the ninjutsu, while also quickly forming seals to prepare a counter.
"This seal... is Water Dragon Bullet... no, that's not right..." Hibari hadn't even finished deducing the ninjutsu the shinobi was about to use when the jutsu was already activated.
"Water Release: Twin Water Dragon Bullet!" the shinobi said in a deep voice.
The next second, two massive water dragons swiftly rose from the water surface beneath him, soaring into the air with powerful momentum and lunging towards Hibari's location.
"Is it a double Water Dragon Bullet?" Hibari thought to himself, simultaneously completing his hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon!" Hibari roared.
At the same time, a ferocious dragon's head swiftly manifested on the Earth-Style Wall. The next moment, a colossal earth and stone dragon burst forth from the wall, smashing directly into one of the water dragons.
In an instant, by virtue of Earth Release ninjutsu's suppressive effect on Water Release ninjutsu, it shattered the Water Dragon Bullet.
But that was all it managed. The other water dragon successfully broke through the earth and stone dragon's impact, surging with powerful momentum towards Hibari.
"This is quite thrilling..." Hibari muttered to himself, swiftly simplifying three hand seals.
Just as the Water Dragon Bullet was about to strike him, Hibari's lips curved slightly, and he quietly uttered, "Earth Release: Earth Core!"
With Hibari's jutsu activation, the already tall Earth-Style Wall surprisingly surged again, rising significantly higher. Due to this sudden elevation, the Water Dragon Bullet, which should have hit Hibari squarely, instead crashed directly into the Earth-Style Wall, dissolving into a large splash of water.
"Hibari, you seem to be quite afraid of water..." The shinobi standing on the pond created by the Grand Waterfall Technique looked at the scene, a smile gracing his lips, and quietly said.
Hibari frowned slightly at this. The shinobi's perception was indeed extraordinary. In just a few ninjutsu exchanges, he seemed to have detected Hibari's weakness. Furthermore, judging by the ninjutsu he used, this individual was definitely not an ordinary shinobi.
Hibari believed that even an average Jonin would have trouble dealing with his own few jutsu, so how could this guy appear so effortless?
Moreover, in the course of their exchange, he seemed to be mostly on the defensive, at a disadvantage. If this individual truly was a Kirigakure shinobi, then he must be an elite among them.
It was a pity that Hibari's knowledge of powerful shinobi from this era was vague, making it impossible to ascertain this person's origin.
Thinking about it, the shinobi currently fighting Hibari, despite knowing that Konohagakure was involved in this incident and that powerful shinobi like Sasuke were present, still dared to bring his three companions to cause trouble in Mushiking Valley. If he wasn't incredibly confident in his own abilities, how would he dare to do this?
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Hiruzen, who were observing the battle from a distance, were also conversing.
Generally, Sasuke should have some impression of a shinobi of this caliber; even if they hadn't fought, he should have heard of him. Yet, the shinobi currently fighting Hibari was completely unfamiliar.
After some thought, Sasuke said, "That guy isn't an ordinary shinobi. He likely used some kind of disguise jutsu or similar method to change his appearance. Given that they have no identifiable marks, this possibility is extremely high..."
"His strength is indeed extraordinary. During his engagement with Hibari, he never lowered his guard against the surroundings. He even used the Grand Waterfall Technique to alter the environment just to counter an Earth Flow River. The deeper meaning there is probably not just about ninjutsu confrontation, but also very likely about guarding against possible reinforcements... Moreover, there's no sign of fatigue after he's continuously released multiple Water Release ninjutsu. We can temporarily conclude that his stamina and chakra reserves are currently still abundant," Hiruzen also nodded and said.
"From what we've seen before, his experience is also very rich. This kind of shinobi definitely isn't a missing-nin. Judging from the current situation, he's highly likely one of those guys from Kirigakure," Sasuke said after some thought.
Then, after a brief consideration, he spoke again in a deep voice, "Hibari, that kid, although he seems to be holding his own in this fight, he's still inferior to this mysterious guy in both combat experience and raw power. Plus, he's inherently weak against Water Release ninjutsu, so he doesn't have much chance of winning. Right now, that person is probably probing and also guarding against us. So Hiruzen, stop watching the show here, go provide support and try to take him down!"
Although the five great nations and the five villages were currently in a state of peace, it didn't mean there were no skirmishes. However, these skirmishes were kept within certain limits.
Furthermore, the mysterious individual before them had no identifiable marks, which meant that the forces behind them didn't want their identity exposed. Even if Sasuke and his team were ninety percent sure this guy was from Kirigakure, it was only a judgment based on ninjutsu, not actual evidence, so they couldn't confront Kirigakure about it.
However, this also presented a convenience: even if they killed this guy here, Kirigakure would have to silently bear the loss and couldn't say anything.
Who told him not to wear identification? If they treated him as a missing-nin or a missing-nin and took him down, it seemed perfectly acceptable, right?
Hiruzen naturally understood this logic, so he nodded and said, "Understood, Father!"
As his voice fell, Hiruzen's figure vanished from the spot.
Meanwhile, after sensing that Hibari seemed to have some apprehension regarding water, the shinobi resumed his actions.
He crouched down on the water's surface, then swiftly placed his hands in the water and quietly said, "Hiden: Water Manipulation - Grand Tsunami!"
As his words fell, the previously calm water surface rapidly changed. At the same time, large amounts of water were conjured out of thin air. Combining the two, a water wall swiftly rose like a barrier, then surged like a tsunami, covering Hibari on the Earth-Style Wall.
"He's even using secret techniques! This bastard is definitely not an ordinary shinobi..." Hibari cursed first, then his hands rapidly formed seals.
"You think you're the only one who knows secret techniques?" Hibari muttered, looking at the overwhelming Grand Tsunami before him, his heart completely unfazed.
"Earth Release, Hiden: Great Collapse!"
As Hibari's words fell, the entire battlefield seemed to tremor. Even the roaring Grand Tsunami wavered slightly.
Hibari inherently disliked dealing with Water Release ninjutsu, especially those like the Grand Waterfall Technique that could alter the local environment.
However, Hibari also knew that just because he disliked it didn't mean he wouldn't encounter it. On the contrary, if his information were to leak, someone might even specifically use such Water Release ninjutsu to deal with him.
Thus, Hibari naturally couldn't just sit there and wait. He had to learn a ninjutsu that could counter such situations and turn the tide. So, he found the Earth Style, Hiden: Great Collapse in the Senju clan's ninjutsu scrolls, a secret technique specifically designed to counter Water Release.
This jutsu was also the only secret technique Hibari had learned so far. Its power was formidable, capable of causing a large area around the user to instantly collapse, as if after an earthquake.
Sure enough, as soon as Hibari activated this jutsu, the surrounding terrain underwent drastic changes. A collapsing deep pit instantly appeared on the ground, and the previously surging water lost its 'foothold,' plummeting down.
The pond that should have covered the surroundings was completely swallowed by the ground. In an instant, the previously surging water domain was entirely consumed by the deep pit filled with scattered rocks.
However, Hibari's own condition rapidly deteriorated after using this jutsu. His chakra reserves were indeed extraordinary, but he was still young, so his chakra levels hadn't reached a monstrous degree yet. Using such a large-scale environmental altering Hiden technique also took a toll on Hibari.
As soon as the crisis was averted, Hibari knelt on one knee on the Earth-Style Wall, his breathing becoming rapid.
'Generally, when a protagonist makes their first appearance in battle, isn't there always some damn mob character who shows up just to die and highlight the protagonist's strength? Why is it that my first battle is against some mysterious, powerful expert?' Hibari thought to himself, gasping for breath.
Meanwhile, although the mysterious shinobi's secret technique was broken by Hibari, he reacted swiftly and didn't suffer any significant losses. Standing on a shattered, protruding rock pillar, he saw Hibari's somewhat disheveled appearance, and a smile appeared on his lips.
However, before the smile could fully set, his expression froze. He swiftly crouched down, and the next second, an invisible Wind Release blade flew past his waist, directly cutting another rock pillar in front of him in half.
"As expected, there are reinforcements..." The shinobi muttered softly after dodging the attack, turning to look in the direction the ninjutsu came from.
The intelligence had already indicated the presence of Sarutobi Sasuke. Just now, he had also learned that the young shinobi was a member of the Senju clan. Judging by the young shinobi's current strength, he was undoubtedly a genius of the Senju clan, and thus would certainly be valued by them.
The Senju clan held a high position in Konohagakure, so there would definitely be other powerful shinobi watching over this young shinobi.
Therefore, he wasn't too surprised by the surprise attack. He merely felt that the timing chosen by his opponent was excellent, right at the moment when his Grand Waterfall Technique and Grand Tsunami were both negated. His previously created water domain also couldn't serve as a warning.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly and wasn't killed by a single blow.
Upon recognizing the figure who attacked, his brow furrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Sarutobi Hiruzen..."
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