A name suddenly surfaced in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
Hyuga Aokawa!
However, from the previous medical assessment, perhaps because it was just a spar, the power of Hyuga Aokawa's Kekkei Genkai when it hit Kaito didn't seem very strong.
If he prepared for a long time only to wound Onigumo, it wouldn't be very meaningful.
But according to the report Hakugin Sohma sent earlier, he had assisted Hyuga Fū and his son in capturing a group of rogue Ninja.
During that process, he was shocked by Hyuga Aokawa's beyond-visual-range strike.
According to his description, the range of Aokawa's Kekkei Genkai seemed even further than before, and its power was also very strong.
He wondered if it was the new skill Yūhi Shinku had mentioned some time ago.
It was just that Yūhi Shinku didn't know the specific details either.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then suddenly sat up and spoke toward the shadows:
"Send word to Hakugin Sohma. Have him hand over the rogue Ninja to Hyuga Fū and his son for escort, and return to the Village immediately."
"Yes." The Anbu took the order and left.
"Hakugin Sohma?" Nara Shikaku was very confused upon hearing this.
He was just about to recommend Minato Namikaze for the secret assassination mission.
After all, the Flying Thunder God had unique advantages in moving long distances, making it most suitable for such secret assassination missions.
Moreover, with the Flying Thunder God, as long as the distance wasn't as vast as Kazegake Valley.
If a Kunai could be thrown to the border on the other side, Minato could go directly across without having to bypass the entire Land of Frost, and it would be much more convenient when returning.
Although Hakugin Sohma's Body Flicker Technique was good, it still couldn't compare to the Flying Thunder God.
"Hokage-sama, would Minato Namikaze be more suitable than Hakugin Sohma?" Nara Shikaku asked.
As a high-level advisor, he had the right to question the Hokage's unreasonable arrangements and provide better suggestions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "I understand, but Minato is currently in a standoff with Iwagakure. We should avoid redeploying him if possible."
Nara Shikaku nodded upon hearing this: "Then I shall take my leave."
Seeing the door close.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the ash out of his pipe and took a puff.
He stood up and turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window behind him, looking at the street scene outside.
Hakugin Sohma's travel speed was very fast; logically, he should arrive tomorrow.
As a Ninja who had personally experienced Hyuga Aokawa's Kekkei Genkai, he would let his judgment be the standard.
If Hyuga Aokawa couldn't solve this problem, then he would have Hakugin Sohma infiltrate the Kumogakure camp to deal with the hidden threat of Onigumo... In the forest.
Hyuga Aokawa looked at the text that appeared, a smile surfacing on his face.
[Studying diligently and practicing unceasingly, your Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu has improved.]
[Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu has been promoted from Entry-Level to Practiced level.]
Finally mastered it. After Hakugin Sohma agreed to teach him Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu two days ago.
Hyuga Aokawa had used his proficient level basic swordsmanship to reach the Entry-Level of Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu.
Over these past two days, Hakugin Sohma had continuously sparred with him, finally raising it to the Practiced level.
"Truly a good prospect for learning swordsmanship," Hakugin Sohma lamented. "To be able to master Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu in two days, your talent is actually far greater than mine."
"I have the guidance of a swordsmanship master like you, Lord Sohma. How could it be the same?" Hyuga Aokawa didn't dare to be arrogant.
"You brat!" Hakugin Sohma laughed and scolded. "There's not a hint of youthful arrogance in you. This humility makes you seem just like an adult."
"However, this is also a good thing!" He said as he sheathed his Ninja Blade. "Not being arrogant and having such talent, you will have a place in the Ninja World sooner or later."
Hyuga Aokawa smiled without answering, still maintaining that humble appearance.
Seeing this, Hakugin Sohma skipped the topic and instead asked, "In these past two days, was the footwork you used during the spars something you figured out yourself?"
During the spars over these two days, Hyuga Aokawa had displayed a mysterious and unpredictable footwork.
At first, Hakugin Sohma almost failed to react, being thoroughly shocked.
With his eyesight, he could also tell that this was different from any footwork he had seen before.
It was a completely new footwork that took a different path and formed its own style.
This immediately piqued his curiosity; as someone famous for his movement techniques, it would be a lie to say he wasn't interested in this new way of moving.
But he couldn't just ask for it out of the blue.
It wasn't until today, seeing that Hyuga Aokawa had mastered Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu, that he finally asked.
"This is a footwork developed based on my Kekkei Genkai," Hyuga Aokawa was already prepared in his heart.
He took out a scroll from his waist: "These are some of the techniques of this footwork. Please give me some guidance, Lord Sohma."
During the spars over the last two days, Hakugin Sohma had shown a curious expression many times.
Moreover, since he had taught him swordsmanship so diligently, he had to reciprocate the favor.
The essence of Hirenkyaku was to move by transporting energy under one's feet.
This part was difficult for Hakugin Sohma to apply; even if he learned Sage Mode and could control Natural Energy, he wouldn't be able to do it as finely as Aokawa.
But as a footwork technique, Hirenkyaku was more than just transporting energy.
There were also various other exertion techniques, which were knowledge from another world.
It was a completely different way of thinking compared to the Naruto world.
As a master of movement, Hakugin Sohma would surely be able to absorb a lot from it.
Hakugin Sohma looked surprised; he didn't expect Hyuga Aokawa to have prepared it already.
While delighted, he was also a bit embarrassed, but his strong curiosity still made him reach out and take the scroll: "I wouldn't call it guidance; we can learn from each other in this regard."
He was just about to open it and take a look.
Suddenly.
A Ninja Hawk cried out and flew onto his shoulder.
Hakugin Sohma's expression changed, and he immediately removed the note from its leg, his eyes scanning it quickly.
Then, he looked up with a serious expression: "Aokawa, I must return to the Village immediately. I'll leave the rogue Ninja to you all to escort back."
After saying that, before Hyuga Aokawa could react, he dissipated into a flurry of leaves.
Hyuga Aokawa shook his head, glanced at Hyuga Fū and Kurenai Yuhi who were still resting, and then at the rogue Ninja who had been hit by the Pressure Point Technique and were temporarily incapacitated.
He had no choice but to find a place to sit down and take out a book from his personal scroll.
This was his habit; when out on a mission, theoretical knowledge and physical training could not be neglected.
He opened the book in his hand, "Basic Knowledge of Ninjutsu," and read carefully.
"Chakra Nature Transformation refers to giving Chakra different characteristics and effects by changing its attribute."
"It is one of the core foundations of a Ninja's combat, Ninjutsu System, and power System."
"It is also the most important component in diversified combat..."
This book was only issued this year.
In the past, graduating classes did not have this course.
It seemed that with the great war approaching, the Village had also begun to release some knowledge.
One must know that in the original story, except for those from noble clans like Sasuke, others basically had no contact with knowledge of Chakra Nature Transformation in school.
Naruto even waited until the Shippuden era to test his Chakra attribute.
By then, he had already graduated for several years and had been studying under Kakashi for a long time.
Jiraiya could at least be explained away by saying he taught Naruto to control the Nine-Tailed power, so the relatively lower-level Chakra natures could be set aside for a while.
But Kakashi... out of three Disciples, one was taught by Tsunade, one by Jiraiya.
The remaining one was taught Chidori, then ran off to learn from Orochimaru.
One can only say that Genius-level players aren't very suitable to be teachers.
They simply don't have the experience of mediocre people in solving problems.
Their powerful talent also makes it impossible for them to understand why mediocre people just can't learn such simple things.
Hyuga Aokawa continued reading.
"Chakra Nature Transformations of different attributes have different effects; the most basic are the Five Elements Release."
"Wind Release: cutting, sharpness."
"Fire Release: burning, high temperature, explosion."
"Lightning Release: penetration, paralysis, high speed, cell activation."
"Earth Release: hardening, transformation, defense, gravity."
"Water Release: flow, impact, dissolution."
"Besides these, there are other Kekkei Genkai releases synthesized from two or more basic releases, which will not be detailed here."
Hyuga Aokawa began to scan through the lines quickly; much of the knowledge was something he already knew, though there were also some things not mentioned in the original story.
But this also served as a reminder to him.
Since the Fire Release for Holy Arrow hadn't been developed yet, he could also consider increasing its power and diversity through nature transformations of other Chakra attributes.
Currently, the relevant information hadn't spread yet, but as the number of uses increased in the future, other people's defensiveness would become stronger and stronger.
Especially on the Battlefield, where everyone is constantly paying attention to their surroundings, their level of alertness is several times higher than when traveling for a mission.
When the time comes to hunt these enemies again, he would need faster and stronger Chakra Arrows.
It's just that this aspect doesn't exist in the Quincy System, so the relevant development can only rely on himself.
Among the five basic attributes, those that should have a bonus to the power of the Holy Arrow are Wind, Fire, and Lightning.
For the Wind attribute, he didn't have the corresponding Chakra attribute.
For the Fire attribute, he was still lacking the sealing Formation for Explosive Tags.
For Lightning Release, the two characteristics of penetration and high speed were actually very suitable for the Holy Arrow.
However, although he had the lightning attribute, he hadn't mastered Chakra Nature Transformation yet.
If there were relevant rewards in the next mission, he would have to consider asking for knowledge in this area.
Hmm... there's still quite a lot to learn; relying solely on missions might make it difficult to acquire so much knowledge in a short time... One day later.
The door of the Hokage Office was knocked on urgently.
"Come in!"
Hakugin Sohma entered the room, looking travel-worn.
"Hokage-sama, Lord Shikaku." Hakugin Sohma bowed slightly.
"No need for formalities, sit!" Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the chair in front.
Then he looked at Nara Shikaku: "Shikaku, tell Sohma about the situation."
Nara Shikaku nodded and informed Hakugin Sohma of the incident in its entirety.
"Sohma, what support do you need from the Village for this infiltration mission?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
Hakugin Sohma furrowed his brows as he looked at the map on the table, remaining silent.
After a moment, he spoke: "Hokage-sama, Lord Shikaku, for this mission, I need to mobilize one person to support me."
"Who?" Nara Shikaku's tone was somewhat urgent. "A Chunin, a Jonin, even if you want me, it's fine."
This matter had been weighing on his heart for a long time; bringing Onigumo into Konoha was something he had personally pushed for.
After the defection, there had been no way to resolve it, and he was under a lot of pressure.
Seeing someone willing to take it on, he was naturally very supportive.
"I need Hyuga Aokawa," Hakugin Sohma replied.
"Hyuga Aokawa?" Nara Shikaku was puzzled.
He knew all the Jonin in the Village, and he even knew some senior Chunin.
But he had never heard of this person; was he a newly grown Genius of the Hyuga Clan?
"Jonin Sohma, this Hyuga Aokawa you mentioned—is he a Jonin or a Chunin?"
"He's a Ninja Academy Student!"
"A Ninja Academy Student?" Nara Shikaku's mouth hung open.
For such a mission, to pick a Ninja Academy Student as a teammate.
How could someone with such a steady personality like Hakugin Sohma make such a choice?
"Are you confident?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was on the side, asked.
Being able to think of Hyuga Aokawa immediately, it seemed that Hyuga Aokawa's Kekkei Genkai had left a deep impression on Hakugin Sohma.
Hakugin Sohma shook his head: "The projectile speed is definitely enough; I almost couldn't react. But the distance of this valley is beyond my perception range, so I can't judge whether this is within Hyuga Aokawa's range."
"Wait a moment!" Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi actually acquiesced to this, Nara Shikaku had some guesses, but he still frowned and interrupted their conversation.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, Jonin Sohma!"
"As far as I know, although the Hyuga Clan has the Byakugan for easy reconnaissance, for a Ninja Academy Student to infiltrate an enemy country with you, the burden should be greater than the help."
"But since Jonin Sohma specifically wants him, does this person perhaps possess a long-range attack Ninjutsu?"
"In my memory, I have never heard of the Hyuga Clan possessing a similar Legacy."
Hakugin Sohma looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi and remained silent.
"Let me explain."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke and spoke slowly.
"Hyuga Aokawa has awakened a Kekkei Genkai."
"This Kekkei Genkai allows him to use a type of beyond-visual-range attack Ninjutsu, the power of which can even kill a Jonin."
"Ultra-long range? Killing a Jonin?"
Nara Shikaku leaned forward, a loss of composure appearing on his face for the first time. While shocked, a hint of anticipation also flashed in his eyes.
As Konoha's tactical advisor, he instantly realized the strategic significance of this ability.
When he pushed for Onigumo to join Konoha back then, what he valued was the long-range attack of his Kekkei Genkai.
Although he later found out it was only a threat to Chunin and Genin, it still helped him complete many tactical designs.
If their own Village had an even further and stronger long-range Ninjutsu.
Then... After a brief lapse in concentration, he quickly adjusted himself, his expression very excited.
"Is this confirmed?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "Sohma saw it with his own eyes."
Hakugin Sohma also took over: "At the time, an enemy Jonin was instantly killed in front of me."
"And if the arrow had been coming toward me, if I didn't have information on this Ninjutsu beforehand, I might have been seriously injured as well."
"Instantly killed!"
Nara Shikaku sucked in a breath of cold air: "And even you..."
Hakugin Sohma nodded in confirmation, then changed the subject: "However, I'm not sure if he can kill Onigumo."
"From the perspective of range, the Holy Arrow is definitely further than the Spider War Bow, but the valley on the Kumogakure side is higher than ours and conducive to hiding, while the edge of the valley on our side is very open, making the terrain unfavorable for us."
"So we can only retreat to the forest in the rear; otherwise, once discovered, Onigumo will surely flee, which requires an even greater range."
"Moreover, after this battle, Onigumo will certainly be even harder to lure out."
"If he doesn't move to the edge of the valley, it means we have to fire the arrow from this forest to the forest on the opposite bank, which is much further."
Nara Shikaku looked at the distance between the two sides of the valley on the map and nodded: "It is indeed much further than the valley itself."
"Since it's confirmed that the power can kill Onigumo, let Hyuga Aokawa judge the range himself," Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final decision.
"When Hyuga Aokawa returns to the Village, bring him to see me immediately."