Faced with such a desperate charge, Fugaku Uchiha had no choice but to stop forming seals. He switched to spinning hands and a rotating body as vast Chakra surged out. "Kaiten!" he shouted, and a rapidly spinning half sphere of Chakra enveloped him.
Neji Hyuga's palm, strong enough to shake mountains, slammed into the defense with a terrifying wail of compressed air. The impact detonated in a thunderous blast. The entire Secret Chamber shook violently, as if crying out under the strain.
Centered on where Neji Hyuga's palm landed, the ground beneath Fugaku Uchiha was ripped up by the unimaginable force. Gravel flew everywhere and dust filled the chamber. With a sharp crack of breaking bone, Neji Hyuga's face twisted in pain as his left arm snapped from the recoil he could not fully withstand.
At the same time, Fugaku Uchiha's Kaiten was smashed apart by the blow. Chakra exploded outward in all directions. In the collapsed ground, Fugaku Uchiha staggered and dropped to one knee, coughing up blood and clearly suffering severe internal injuries.
"Die!" Neji Hyuga roared. Enduring the agony of his broken arm, he gathered what little Chakra remained and struck again with a savage expression, aiming at Fugaku Uchiha's unguarded chest. Fugaku Uchiha also raised his head and met the strike with a final palm.
Their blows landed at the same moment. Neji Hyuga's strike, filled with all his strength and Wrath, hit Fugaku Uchiha squarely in the chest. The counter palm from Fugaku Uchiha landed on Neji Hyuga's heart.
Yet the violent impact Neji Hyuga expected never came. Instead of the penetrating power of Gentle Fist that shatters meridians, he felt only a faint sting, as if touched by something sharp. Almost at once, a dull boom and a burst of blood mist followed as Fugaku Uchiha was blasted away and smashed into a distant wall.
Neji Hyuga slowly lowered his head to look at his chest. There, embedded in his heart area, was an extremely fine and nearly transparent needle from Root. The liquid inside had already been fully injected, and the empty tube reflected a faint glimmer in the dim light.
"What is this?" Neji Hyuga's face changed as he pulled the needle out without hesitation. In the next instant, two heavy, drum like thuds exploded from inside his chest. A scream tore out of him as unbearable pain flooded his entire body.
The agony was beyond words, like a wave that swallowed him whole. It felt as if the pain came from his soul and even his genes, far exceeding anything he had endured before. He collapsed to his knees, body shaking uncontrollably.
His heart began to beat at a wild and violent pace, the sound so heavy it echoed through the silent Secret Chamber. Neji Hyuga clenched his teeth until blood seeped from his gums, his face twisted and pale, veins bulging sharply. His body felt as if it had been thrown into a furnace.
Scorching heat surged through his limbs with the pumping blood. It no longer felt like blood in his veins, but thick molten lava. Muscles began to melt and break down, only to be torn apart and reforged by a brutal force beneath his skin.
This change did not stop at muscle. Every tissue and every cell in his body was undergoing the same cruel transformation. A brutal force tore through every inch of flesh, crushed every bone, and rebuilt every nerve.
He screamed as his fingers dug into the ground, leaving ten bloody grooves. Sweat poured from him, soaking his clothes in moments as his body convulsed. The pain gnawed at him from the inside, as if countless insects were crawling through his veins.
Just as his consciousness was about to be swallowed by the torment, something changed. Inside the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist, the container holding several pairs of Pure Byakugan released its sealed and pure Ti Ze Nv Ming Power in a sudden flood. The power did not disperse, but streamed toward his trembling eyes.
From the drifting dust in the distance, thin strands of Ti Ze Nv Ming Power were also drawn in and merged into his vision. This massive influx acted like a powerful stabilizer, forming a balance with the raging force inside him. The unbearable pain faded rapidly, replaced by a strange and indescribable sensation.
Ryoma Clan colored mist rose from his body. The sweat that had poured out was instantly evaporated by the sudden heat, leaving behind a fine layer of pale salt. His blood no longer burned like lava, but flowed like clear spring water, bringing an overwhelming sense of relief.
Every cell felt freed from a heavy restraint, breathing easily for the first time. His mind felt as if a crack had opened, letting cool clarity wash through and cleanse all fatigue and haze. Finally, Neji Hyuga opened his eyes.
A faint but brilliant blue light flashed deep within his pale eyes before vanishing. The world before him was completely different now. Everything was clear beyond anything he had ever known.
"What is going on?" Neji Hyuga stared in a daze. Every tiny crack in the walls, every speck of dust in the air, even the smallest flicker of the lamp flame was visible to him. It was as if someone who had lived awake in a dream had finally truly awakened.
His thoughts became sharp and clear. Past uncertainties about Gentle Fist and Chakra now made sense. He raised his hands and felt the blood rushing, sensing heavy shackles falling away and strength nearly overflowing.
He knew with certainty that his body had advanced by more than one level. His eyes had gone beyond simple accumulation of Ti Ze Nv Ming Power into a complete transformation. Before he could process it fully, a weak and painful cough sounded nearby.
The sound was faint, but to Neji Hyuga it was as clear as if it were beside his ear. He looked up sharply, his blue tinged gaze cutting through the dust to its source. Fugaku Uchiha was slumped against the wall, blood pouring from his mouth and soaking his clothes.
Neji Hyuga moved and appeared in front of him in an instant, the speed stirring a small gust that scattered the dust. He bent down and lifted the blood drained face, staring into the unfocused eyes. At such close range, Neji Hyuga saw his own unfamiliar eyes reflected back.
He also noticed the sense of release in Fugaku Uchiha's gaze. Fear and unease wrapped around Neji Hyuga's heart as he called out urgently. "Fugaku Uchiha! Tell me, what did you inject into me?"
Fugaku Uchiha slowly opened his eyes and focused on him. With a trembling hand, he pulled off Neji Hyuga's Forehead Protector. Seeing the nearly vanished Caged Bird Seal, his twisted expression eased.
When he noticed the blue gleam within those pure Pure Byakugan eyes, regret and bitterness appeared. "As expected," he whispered weakly, each word costing him dearly. "Still not enough."
"Not enough of what?" Neji Hyuga demanded, his voice shaking as his grip tightened. Fugaku Uchiha shook his head faintly. "Take my eyes," he murmured.
"What are you saying?" Neji Hyuga trembled violently and released him, letting him slump back. He turned his head sharply, his Pure Byakugan scanning the Secret Chamber with new clarity. His gaze locked onto another wall covered by a heavier Barrier Technique.
Without hesitation, Neji Hyuga rushed over. He did not search for nodes of the Barrier Technique, but unleashed the surging new power inside him in a strike filled with panic. The barrier flickered violently before shattering apart.