After saying that, Hibari once again condensed some chakra. He swiftly ran his hand over the wound on his other arm. While it didn't heal the wound, it did stop the bleeding.
Then, Hibari subtly moved his shoulder. Feeling no ill effects, he calmly looked at Reigetsu and spoke again, "If your Samehada likes my chakra, then let it have its fill!"
As his words fell, a powerful surge of chakra erupted from Hibari. A light blue energy visibly coated his body. From this alone, one could tell that Hibari's chakra reserves far exceeded those of a typical shinobi.
Seeing this, Reigetsu frowned, his vigilance heightening. While a shinobi's strength couldn't be solely judged by chakra quantity, usually, those with sufficiently vast chakra reserves were never weak!
Just then, Hibari's hands moved again. In an instant, he completed several hand seals. Reigetsu, wielding Samehada, watched Hibari warily.
Then, Hibari crouched down, slammed his hand onto the ground, and his chakra surged rapidly. He yelled, "Great Five Elements Barrier: Sealed Beast Arena!"
As Hibari's words echoed, the ground in the wilderness trembled. Immediately, within a hundred-meter radius, a massive circular rock wall began to rise from the ground. At the same time, four giant pillars stood at the east, west, north, and south points of the rock wall. Each pillar was carved with a different auspicious beast: the Vermilion Bird, the Black Tortoise, the Azure Dragon, and the White Tiger.
That wasn't all. At the center of the hundred-meter diameter arena, the ground also revealed the image of a Qilin. Looking at it alongside the other four auspicious beasts, it seemed as though all five were guarding this arena, symbolizing the five elemental powers of 'gold, wood, water, fire, and earth.'
At the same time, Reigetsu felt that the arena was filled with chakra energy, and the mysterious shinobi before him was the provider of this chakra.
"Don't look so confused. Since you don't understand, I'll briefly explain," Hibari stood up and said in an arrogant tone.
Although he knew that talking too much during a battle was idiotic, why did so many people still love to ramble, especially those who often got counter-killed by protagonists?
If you ask why... it's because it feels good!
Honestly, having the situation completely under control, and then bestowing a few condescending words—that feeling is truly excellent!
Reigetsu was annoyed by Hibari's arrogant tone, but he didn't interrupt. He simply held Samehada, watching Hibari warily.
Then, Hibari grinned, a smile forming under his mask. He said, "To put it simply, this Barrier Ninjutsu is for one-on-one combat. Unless it's destroyed from the outside... you won't be able to leave unless I undo it before I die. As for the principle, I won't waste words explaining it to you..."
While Hibari wanted to show off, he wasn't so foolish as to spell everything out for his enemy. What if they found a loophole or weakness?
However, theoretically, this barrier was incredibly powerful, but it also had a very high threshold. It required the caster to possess an enormous amount of chakra. Even for Hibari, this jutsu consumed a third of his chakra reserves. Most elite Jonin wouldn't even be qualified to use it.
The reason it was considered powerful was that it was almost impossible to break from within. This rock wall was not only incredibly sturdy but also reinforced by the barrier, and it could even absorb chakra from Hibari's body for self-repair. Trying to escape through the seemingly open sky would also lead to hitting a wall. Therefore, only when Hibari's chakra was exhausted or he died could this jutsu be considered broken, which is why it was called the 'Beast Arena'!
Of course, no ninjutsu could be without weaknesses. This jutsu's weakness was that if it were to be broken from the outside, it would be like a 'paper tiger,' easily pierced.
However, in this desolate wilderness, it was unlikely to encounter anyone for ten days to half a month. Therefore, Hibari used this jutsu with confidence, and leveraging his vast chakra reserves, he was even confident that he could defeat Reigetsu here before his own chakra ran out!
Reigetsu, having listened to Hibari's arrogant words, chuckled and said, "It seems you want to have a one-on-one fight with me here... Are you afraid I'll run away? You're certainly confident. But that's fine, I won't run either... You've made a foolish choice."
"Hahahaha, for those with insufficient strength, it's naturally foolish. But for those with enough confidence... this will be your hell, Reigetsu!" Hibari declared, laughing loudly.
He genuinely feared that this guy would run. After all, there was a lake right next to them. What if Reigetsu, realizing he couldn't win, simply jumped into the lake and used some Water Transformation Jutsu or other chaotic techniques to escape? Hibari had no idea if he possessed any more peculiar Water Release secret jutsu.
After all, he was a Kirigakure shinobi, and his brother was the leader of Kirigakure. The Hozuki clan were naturally masters of Water Release, so it was normal for them to have some unique abilities.
Why was Hibari afraid of Reigetsu escaping? Because in his current state, if Hibari wanted to defeat Reigetsu while concealing his identity, the possibility was truly small. But if he were to use his full strength, his identity would inevitably be exposed. If Reigetsu then escaped, the trouble would be immense.
Furthermore, Hibari had his eyes on Samehada. If he could eliminate this bastard here, wouldn't Samehada belong to him, Hibari Senju? Ah, the thought alone was delightful!
The most crucial point was that Hibari wanted to capture this guy alive. After all, he still had a Kumogakure Raikage Hiden in his possession. The rest of the secret technique was fine, but the most mysterious part was the 'Forbidden: Lightning Release Living Body Secret Technique'.
This required the Hozuki clan's Hydrification Jutsu as reference. Although there was some information in the copied scroll, it wasn't enough. Hibari still wanted to figure out that jutsu in the future.
Therefore, he wanted to capture Reigetsu alive and bring him back to Konohagakure. Like Orochimaru dealing with Suigetsu, he would imprison him and study him whenever he had time. This way, he would get revenge and potentially gain something as well. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?
In short, if Reigetsu hadn't meddled by 'giving alms' to Hibari, the beggar, Hibari would have returned to the Land of Fire with a mindset of peaceful coexistence. Revenge could wait ten years.
But since Reigetsu had stumbled upon him, Hibari was ready to unleash his full power and exact his revenge right here!
"Confidence...?" Reigetsu frowned slightly upon hearing Hibari's words.
At the same time, Hibari reached up to his head, then removed the mask he was wearing, revealing his true appearance...
When Reigetsu saw Hibari's true face, he felt a sense of familiarity. Then, without even waiting for Hibari to 'introduce himself,' his expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Hibari Senju? It's really you!"
"I didn't expect you to actually recognize me, hahahaha. That saves me the trouble of explaining anything to you. We still have many old scores to settle from that time in the Mushiking Valley in the Land of Waterfalls. That damned Kakuzu is nowhere to be found, but since you've stumbled upon me, don't blame me for being petty and holding a grudge!" Hibari said with a sinister smile.
However, Reigetsu didn't pay much attention to these matters. Hibari Senju's identity was very special. He was the grandson of the First and Second Hokage of Konohagakure, and he was also rumored to be one of the core members of Konohagakure's Anbu. Therefore, his presence in the Land of Water certainly implied some deep conspiracy. At this moment, Reigetsu didn't know if Hibari was preparing to withdraw or was currently on a mission.
Thinking this, Reigetsu asked in a deep voice, "Why are you here? Are you in league with those bastards from Iwagakure?"
Hibari grinned, then chuckled and said, "Do you think I'd tell you that? Go figure it out yourself!"
As his words fell, Hibari no longer wasted words on Reigetsu. He stomped his foot, and the Monster Strength passed down through generations of the Senju clan erupted. A charge closed the distance between him and Reigetsu, and he threw a powerful punch.
Reigetsu's reaction speed was also very fast. The hand gripping Samehada suddenly swelled, a clear demonstration of their Hozuki clan's skillful application of the Hydrification Jutsu, where they rapidly compress water to instantly enhance their physical strength.
The next second, just before Hibari's iron fist landed, he positioned Samehada horizontally across his chest, intending to block Hibari's punch.
"Senju Secret Technique: Skylark's Cry!" Hibari roared. The chakra on his fist erupted, striking Samehada.
Samehada, which should have absorbed the chakra and slashed Hibari, instead let out a wail. Even the tip of its bandaged mouth turned slightly red, as if stained with blood, perhaps having been hit so hard it spat blood.
Not only did Samehada feel pain, but Reigetsu also felt immense discomfort. He had encountered powerful enemies before, and usually, his application of the Hydrification Jutsu's 'Great Water Arm Technique' could counter such attacks.
However, facing Hibari, just this single punch put immense pressure on him. The ground beneath his feet was instantly shattered by the powerful impact, and he himself was plowed backward, leaving two deep furrows.
However, his counterattack was incredibly swift. He suddenly released the resistance from his feet, causing him to instantly fly backward some distance. Using this momentum, he was able to unleash a strike with Samehada in his hand, a fierce downward slash aimed at Hibari, as if intending to slice him to death.
Seeing this, Hibari not only didn't dodge but instead revealed a triumphant smile. He instantly clasped his hands together in front of his chest, then roared, "Wood Release: Vine Entanglement Jutsu!"
As his words fell, several thick, vibrant green vines instantly sprouted from Hibari's chest. Just as Samehada was descending, they swiftly intertwined, binding Samehada tightly.
At the same time, a look of terror flashed across Reigetsu's eyes for the first time. He roared in disbelief, "Impossible, how could it be Wood Release?!"
"I am a member of the Senju clan! Don't underestimate the name 'Senju of the Forest'!" Hibari grinned, speaking with great confidence. Simultaneously, lightning flickered across his body...
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