Due to the interference of Hagoromo's projectile attacks, Guy shifted from moving in a straight line to executing serpentine maneuvers.
In reality, projectiles fired at this speed couldn't possibly hit Guy while he had four gates open. Hagoromo's goal was merely to disrupt him, and that was exactly the effect it achieved—nothing more.
But even with the disruption, and even as Hagoromo continuously retreated step by step, Guy's speed was simply too great. He closed the distance in the blink of an eye.
Exposed red skin, bloodshot eyes, a ridiculous spandex suit, a bowl cut swept back by the wind, and an overflow of chakra. And his fighting spirit. An aura that seemed capable of destroying anything in its path.
To stand directly in his way required an equal amount of spirit. Is this the proud, Noble Blue Beast of the Leaf?
Leaving a trail of afterimages, Guy materialized right in front of Hagoromo.
Bang!
His left foot slammed into the ground with terrifying force, acting as a pivot. His right foot briefly tapped the earth for balance, and then, using his forward momentum, Guy's body spun violently. His right leg whipped around with power!
Leaf Strong Whirlwind!
Now that they were in true close-quarters combat, Hagoromo was no longer in a hurry to go on the offensive. Guy's right leg slashed down diagonally like an unsheathed katana meant to cleave whatever was in front of it in two.
Hagoromo chose to take the hit head-on. Only by receiving this decisive strike could he truly gauge what level Guy had reached.
First the iron sand, then the Lightning Style buffer, and finally Hagoromo's crossed arms!
BOOM!
The lightning flared violently in that instant, dispersing outward from Hagoromo like a spherical storm! At dusk, Hagoromo's jutsu easily created a dazzling spectacle—one might even call it art.
It's undeniable that lightning or electricity-based powers come with an inherent "coolness" buff. If the user is a girl, as long as she's reasonably pretty, that coolness factor gets a 300% boost—just like the original Mikoto/
However, Hagoromo didn't get to look cool all the way through, because Guy kicked him away like a soccer ball.
On this flat terrain with nowhere to anchor his feet, Hagoromo couldn't stop Guy's massive, inertia-driven momentum. The physical force had exceeded his expectations.
Hagoromo was launched over five meters through the air. Just as his back was about to smash into the ground, the iron gourd behind him suddenly burst open. Soft as ribbons, the iron sand pressed gently against the earth, acting like a spring to bounce Hagoromo back up.
After bouncing a few times, he landed smoothly on his feet.
Despite the aesthetics, it was a flawless dissipation of force. The technical execution was so textbook that if anyone had been watching, they would have applauded.
It was hard to believe Hagoromo hadn't possessed this tool for very long, given his precise control.
He just looked a bit disheveled, that's all.
His arms were trembling slightly. Guy had definitely been serious with that strike; the power behind it was immense.
Usually, it was Hagoromo who left his enemies feeling numb, tingly, and paralyzed. He hadn't expected the tables to turn, forcing him to experience that "refreshing" sensation himself.
Sparks of electricity danced across Hagoromo's arms, his fingers twitching rhythmically—he was electrocuting himself to quickly dispel the numbness caused by the extreme blunt force.
Hagoromo's expression turned serious. I might need to find a Hyuga to give me an X-ray later. Did that crack a bone?
The contact had been too brief for Hagoromo to paralyze Guy with Lightning Style... and to be honest, he hadn't planned on doing so. If he had instantly incapacitated Guy, what would be the point of this spar?
The straps across his chest snapped. The iron gourd fell from his back, smashing a small crater into the dirt.
Using this fighting style against Guy wasn't suitable.
"Are you not using that anymore?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, well... Mei isn't really meant for this kind of use. It's not suited for fighting you." Hagoromo shook his arms, and the Lightning Style climbed back over his body.
The piercing, bird-like screech of the lightning actually smoothed out. Listening closely, it seemed to carry a specific rhythm.
"Now it's my turn."
"Are you going to use Ninjutsu?"
"No. I'll be using Taijutsu. At full power." Yes, he was going all out, just choosing a different method.
His arms hung naturally at his sides as he maintained his breathing rhythm. Inhale...
And then Hagoromo launched himself! Like Guy, he charged in a straight line, but Hagoromo appeared much lighter. Like a dragonfly skimming water, he effortlessly accelerated to top speed!
He stopped abruptly, planted his hands on the ground, and launched a spinning kick. The Lightning Style at his heel suddenly flared, actually creating a jet-propulsion effect! It was like he had strapped a flamethrower to his leg!
The rhythm accelerated. By using this method, the speed and power of his attack surged exponentially. With Hagoromo's physique, he couldn't generate the raw muscle power Guy had, so he used Nintaijutsu—the 'Nin' (Ninjutsu) supplementing the 'Tai' (Taijutsu)!
He could toss the gourd aside without a second thought, but his Lightning Style was something he couldn't—and had no reason to abandon.
Guy had used the Leaf Strong Whirlwind on him, so Hagoromo simply returned the favor with his own Leaf Strong Whirlwind.
But anticipating Hagoromo's move, Guy didn't choose to dodge. He chose to defend. Again, this was a spar, not a battlefield skirmish. If this were a fight to the death, you would absolutely dodge rather than block.
Guy had prepared his defense in advance. In a half-crouch, he had already gathered the strength needed to counter Hagoromo's attack. Hagoromo's tactic of suddenly accelerating his rhythm might disorient a ninja fighting him for the first time, but Guy was different.
Even back in the Ninja Academy, Hagoromo had frequently used this trick.
Changing the rhythm... it was undoubtedly a smart tactic, and Hagoromo was definitely a more tactical thinker than Guy. But fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice... even Guy could predict it.
BANG!
The power of Hagoromo's attack was equally astonishing. The ground beneath Guy's feet looked like the surface of a lake that had been slapped at an angle; the dirt sprayed outward like a wave in the direction of Hagoromo's force!
Curling his ring and pinky fingers, Guy used his remaining three fingers like an eagle's claw to clamp onto Hagoromo's ankle. Then, balling his left hand into a fist, he prepared to strike Hagoromo's abdomen.
His eyebrows knitted together tightly, the red veins on his face bulging violently! This was different from earlier. He was now in sustained contact with Hagoromo's Lightning Style.
To still be able to move his body under these conditions was an absolute testament to his sheer willpower!
However, Hagoromo had no way to block this incoming move.
Damn it, Primary Lotus!
Hagoromo absolutely did not want to take this hit.
The Lightning Style on his body erupted again! With one hand still maintaining its grappling hold and the other forced to abort the Primary Lotus, Guy—without seemingly moving his feet—slid violently backward, escaping the range of Hagoromo's lightning blast while maintaining his posture.
Hagoromo landed, watching Guy, who was currently crackling with residual electricity... He couldn't relax for even a second.
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