Duy's face twisted slightly, his body rolling back, eyes wide staring at Ayane standing unharmed in the center of the field.
"Did the stiffness after using Revolving Heaven get compensated just right by 'One Blow Body'?"
Hizashi noticed Ayane attacking with Chakra released from her whole body, the most basic Taijutsu of the Hyuga Clan known as 'One Blow Body'.
Releasing impactful Chakra from the whole body area which, many times, can substitute Revolving Heaven's Absolute Defense.
But using it like this, continuously with Revolving Heaven, as a Jonin of the Hyuga Clan, this is the first time Hizashi has seen it.
Although it sounds simple to say, in practice, it's extremely difficult to execute.
Not every Hyuga Ninja can quickly mobilize Chakra to seamlessly release 'One Blow Body' within the stiffness time after using Revolving Heaven.
A powerful physique and control over Chakra are crucial for this.
"Using this wastes a lot of Chakra. If it weren't an emergency, I wouldn't waste Chakra this way."
Ayane said this, sufficiently proving her seriousness regarding this battle.
Upon hearing Ayane's words, everyone immediately became alert.
"Not playing with you anymore, I want to end this battle quickly."
Ayane gathered a large amount of Sage Art Chakra in her palm, performing the prelude to a certain technique.
"Don't think you'll succeed!"
Might Duy, wrapped in green energy steam, charged at a speed difficult for the human eye to keep up with.
"Too late!"
A horrifying aura in the air stirred.
Every piece of land visible was covered by that strange power, with no survivors.
The violent shock wave from the explosion had a more lethal impact than cannon fire.
The dust spread.
As the smoke cleared, the ground covered by the Four Violet Flames Formation showed no intact foothold.
Ayane stood nearly unscathed on a stone block jutting from the ground, looking around at the Konoha Ninja covered in wounds, becoming the sole focus of the scene.
Danzo, severely injured and retreating, bleeding from his arms and body, glared at Ayane with hateful eyes.
His dread of Ayane reached its peak.
Even knowing Ayane held back her strength, he hadn't expected such astonishing power.
Ayane watched Danzo retreat without taking any action, then looked around, finally turning to Minato, who had just risen from the ruins, ignoring his minor injuries among the Konoha Ninja.
However, Ayane had long seen through his attack patterns.
"There are twenty-six time-space marks here, six on the Root Ninja... I won't give you any chance for a sneak attack."
Despite her ability to react with her nerve responses, letting him approach haphazardly equates to gambling.
More than anyone else, Minato poses the greatest threat to her.
Minato saw Ayane so wary of him, aware that once his Space-Time Ninjutsu was displayed, it would undoubtedly be targeted... but the Byakugan is indeed troublesome.
The time-space marks he set up had been completely discovered.
Just as Ayane was about to act, she suddenly saw something, focusing her gaze on a certain spot.
With explosive sounds, numerous rocks were sent skyward by the chaotic Chakra currents. There, the green steam on Might Duy began to change color.
The range of aura fluctuations expanded, the steam wall condensing increasingly solid, nearing materialization.
"Seventh Gate: Wonder Gate—Open!"
Nearing a roar, centered on Duy, surging waves of air radiated outward.
Minato was slightly surprised, marveling at Duy's Taijutsu being so powerful, no wonder higher-ups demanded his participation in the battle.
Possibly the only Taijutsu Ninja here capable of fighting Ayane head-on.
Ayane resisted the sudden wild air currents with her slender body, frowning slightly.
Hiss.
Duy's body seemed to tremble slightly.
Ayane's expression changed suddenly, retreating backward.
Duy's figure vanished from sight, reappearing before her.
Carrying the peak of brewing airwaves, his body converted into a sturdy projectile.
Boom!
Flying mid-air, nearing the collision with the Four Violet Flames Formation's purple barrier, Ayane quickly stabilized her posture, halting the tendency to retreat.
A scratch formed on the back of her hand, blood beads seeping out.
"Blocked it?"
The Root Ninja were endlessly shocked watching Ayane.
"Not exactly, Duy's Genin attack got partially nullified by the Chakra Ayane released. Her body isn't that solid."
Hizashi's Byakugan could see detailed battle situations between Ayane and Duy.
Duy's speed was clearly greater than Ayane, but because Ayane could anytime release a repelling Chakra steam wall from within, it negated much of Duy's strength.
Honestly, prolonged battle is disadvantageous for Duy.
The Eight Inner Gates explosively unleash power by self-mutilation over a short duration.
Yet in Hizashi's eyes, Ayane seemed an all-around fortress ninja.
Her defense could negate much of Duy's power after activating Seven Gates from Eight Inner Gates.
Then her body would only suffer residual attacks.
"Besides that Sharingan woman, you're the first person in years to make me bleed."
Ayane smiled slightly, but her gaze was as ice-cold as ever.
Duy entered the Seven Gates mode; even speaking wastes stamina, in such moments, conserving energy means he cannot address Ayane.
But one thing he knows well, in this mode, sustaining it long-term is impossible.
His attacks would also lose much strength due to Ayane's Gentle Fist canceling them out.
In three minutes, he'd die.
Now is no time for hesitation.
Unhesitatingly, Duy quickly retrieved and swallowed a yellow pill from his Ninja Tool Bag.
"Taking medicine?"
Ayane squinted.
I'd be correct if I recall, that's a special pill crafted by the Akimichi Clan, enhancing physical abilities, replenishing vitality, and slowing body deterioration.
After consuming the pill, Duy's blue steam ignited even more violently.
At that moment, Ayane and Duy simultaneously vanished from their spots.
Explosions erupted on the earth.
Ayane's frown deepened, unable to keep up with Duy's speed, completely losing the advantage in power.
Duy's condition wasn't better either, the bulging veins on his arm visible clearly through the green tight suit.
His contorted face also had unnaturally deep red signs.
Even with the Akimichi Clan's Secret Medicine maintaining and reducing his bodily consumption, he likely couldn't endure the negative effects of Eight Inner Gates.
If she withstands this round, victory is hers.
Suddenly, Duy vanished from her sight.
Of course, under Byakugan surveillance, he merely ducked at incredible speed.
Without thinking, Ayane folded her hands, letting Duy's upward kick hit her arm instead of her chin.
Even so, her body flew upward due to the fierce force.
Great opportunity! Minato and Danzo, seeing this, immediately realized the chance arising.
In such circumstances, the opponent lost her leverage point, and could only allow enemy attacks to descend.
"Duy, make sure to interrupt her attack! Don't relax!"
Danzo joyfully shouted, forming a seal in his palm, leaping toward Ayane powerless in midair.
In Minato's hand, a small rotating Chakra Ball started forming; he marked Danzo with time-space imprints, once Danzo neared, his attack would surely follow onto Ayane.
This battle's outcome is settled!
Every movement in Ayane's Byakugan was visible. Her lips split into a peaceful smile tinged with blood.
Her fingers reached for the neck, crushing the moon-blue metal ring, falling as moon-blue metal fragments from her slender snow-white neck to the ground.
Her Sage Art Chakra accelerated abnormally.
Pristine white pupils gazed at the clear blue sky.
The sun was somewhat glaring.
Come to think of it, today's weather is nice.
Lowering her voice, Ayane calmly uttered three words:
"Divine Sky Strike..."
It was a peculiar energy fluctuation between the tangible and intangible.
Turning heaven and earth into a monochrome of black and white hues.