Hyuga Kagami felt a twinge of pride at his earlier performance, but he wasn't going to let such a watered-down victory cloud his judgment.
Objectively speaking, after his clash with Guy, Zabuza had lost quite a bit of momentum and stamina. Most importantly, he had broken a few ribs. The injuries weren't immediately obvious on the outside, but they had a considerable impact, especially in terms of taijutsu.
This was one of the main reasons Zabuza had chosen to retreat from Hyuga Kagami, abandon his blade, and shift tactics to ninjutsu. With his rib injury, continuing a hand-to-hand fight would have been a major disadvantage.
So Hyuga Kagami not only capitalized on Zabuza's injury, but also took the initiative with a surprise attack—enhanced by the unmatched perception of the Tenseigan.
All these factors stacked together to create such a swift and decisive victory.
At the same time, it signaled that Hyuga Kagami was evolving. The previously mediocre version of himself was disappearing, giving way to a sharp, decisive, opportunity-seizing new force.
Guy, curious, asked, "Kagami, you didn't seem afraid of those Hidden Mist shinobi at all. Aren't they all Jonin-level?"
Hyuga Kagami replied, "Most likely just Tokubetsu Jonin."
While Tokubetsu Jonin are technically ranked as Jonin, they're still quite different from true Jonin. The term "Jonin" covers a broad range of elites, including those with Kage-level abilities.
Tokubetsu Jonin, on the other hand, belong to a clearer tier. The stronger ones usually get promoted quickly, so most who remain in that rank are a notch below standard Jonin, with a very low chance of being Kage-level.
Also, Hyuga Kagami had been putting on a bit of a performance.
Ever since encountering the Mist's assassination squad and seeing them face off with Konoha's Anbu, Hyuga Kagami had begun acting. He needed to shed his reputation as a mediocre shinobi, but couldn't overdo it. Picking the right opponent was crucial—and Zabuza, a Tokubetsu Jonin with solid strength but still green in experience, was the perfect stepping stone.
His arrogance? Also deliberate.
First, members of powerful bloodline clans often had a bit of arrogance—it was expected.
Second, appearing arrogant made people think twice before messing with you. That cold and aloof attitude discouraged potential troublemakers, saving Kagami from unnecessary hassles.
But there was a deeper reason he began changing his image so quickly.
Yesterday, through Ling, he learned that due to the manpower shortage in the village, the higher-ups had decided to promote a batch of Tokubetsu Jonin from among the Chunin.
Hyuga Kagami had every intention of seizing this opportunity.
Once promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin, his status would change dramatically. Right now, he was a wartime-promoted Chunin—considered inferior to those who rose through the regular system.
But becoming a Tokubetsu Jonin would mean jumping two whole ranks, placing him above all Chunin and eliminating any chance of being treated as expendable. He would become part of the village's elite fighting force.
Not only that, but as a Tokubetsu Jonin, he'd gain the right to request training in advanced or even secret jutsu by accumulating enough contributions.
That's how the Fourth Hokage had earned the chance to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique—his battlefield merits paved the way for him to become a Kage-level powerhouse.
After a few hours of tracking, Hyuga Kagami and Guy finally caught up with the rogue ninja group.
There were five of them, all dressed in Hidden Mist garb. The leader had his hair tied in a topknot, with bright red dots on each eyebrow—clearly a member of the Kaguya Clan, a notorious name within the Mist.
Hyuga Kagami whispered, "Looks like they're from the Kaguya Clan with the Shikotsumyaku. Be careful."
Guy nodded solemnly.
Anyone with experience in war knew that bloodline clans were never to be taken lightly. The Kaguya Clan of the Hidden Mist was infamous for its savage strength and berserk nature—feared on every battlefield.
The Kaguya ninja on the opposite side laughed. "Konoha sent two brats to hunt us down?"
The other rogues burst into laughter as well, one of them taunting, "Heard your Hokage just got taken out in your own village. Looks like Konoha's finished."
Hyuga Kagami scanned the surroundings with his Tenseigan. Seeing no other presences nearby, he began to form a plan.
The Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku combined with their brutal taijutsu made them nearly invulnerable to physical attacks. Even Gentle Fist might not penetrate their bone armor—making them natural counters to taijutsu users like Kagami and Guy.
Knowing this, Kagami decided to use Rotation Release: Ruyi to forcefully pull the Kaguya leader in and seal his chakra points before he could activate Shikotsumyaku.
Having made up his mind, Hyuga Kagami feigned weakness. "You're in the Land of Fire! Leave immediately!"
The rogue nin laughed even harder. One even pulled out a sake flask and started drinking like they owned the place.
Kagami stepped forward again, putting on a nervous but forceful front. "If you don't leave now, Konoha won't show any mercy!"
The Kaguya ninja stepped forward too, sneering, "Kid, do you even know who I—"
He didn't get to finish. A massive force suddenly yanked his body forward toward Hyuga Kagami.
At the same moment, Kagami leapt into the air like a pouncing tiger.
The distance between them was only about ten meters, so within a blink, they collided.
*Wham! Wham! Wham!*
A flurry of palm strikes thundered out. The Kaguya ninja didn't even have time to activate his bloodline technique before Kagami's Gentle Fist sealed all his chakra points. He dropped to the ground like a ragdoll.
But Kagami wasn't done. With his opponent helpless, he unleashed a full set of Eight Trigrams Palms, targeting only vital areas—ending him on the spot and damaging his brain.
These rogue nin were the mission target—unlike Zabuza, there was no mercy to be had.
At the same time, Guy launched forward to intercept the remaining four. None of them were particularly strong, so he dealt with them quickly, before Kagami even needed to step in.
Once the Kaguya's corpse was sealed into the mission scroll, Hyuga Kagami and Guy wasted no time and started heading back to the village.
On the way, Guy couldn't help but ask, "Kagami, what was that technique back there?"
Hyuga Kagami smiled. "You didn't think you were the only one with secret techniques, did you? That move was one of mine."