106-110

Chapter 106: Mei, Have You Made Up Your Mind?

"Zabuza, even you have betrayed the Hidden Mist Village… and the Mizukage?"

A high-ranking Mist ninja glared at the infamous "Demon of the Hidden Mist," Momochi Zabuza.

"A village ruled by tyranny, a Mizukage who enforces cruelty—what’s left to stay for? If rebellion is the answer, then so be it!"

Zabuza’s reply was sharp, without a shred of hesitation.

"Do you even fear the Mizukage’s wrath? Do you understand the consequences?"

The jonin tried to reason with him, but Zabuza cut him off.

"Enough. No amount of words will change my mind."

His voice hardened.

"The Hidden Mist needs a new leader—one who can end the 'Bloody Mist' era and purge this cruelty. If my sacrifice is the price for that future… then I’ll pay it gladly."

"And you think Mei Terumī has what it takes? A mere woman?" The jonin scoffed, disdain dripping from his words.

"I believe in her. I’ve seen the hope she carries."

Zabuza’s conviction was unshakable.

"Fine. If that’s your choice… then I’ll end you here and now!"

The jonin’s expression turned murderous. "Zabuza… your life ends today!"

In an instant, he blurred forward—

CLANG!

Zabuza parried the strike effortlessly. "Your blade’s gotten slow, Master Kōmura."

"Hiding in Mist Technique!"**

Retreating, he formed hand seals, and thick fog swallowed them both.

Kōmura’s senses dulled—sound faded, visibility vanished. A flicker of unease crept in.

"The Hidden Mist Technique… Fitting for the village’s greatest assassin."

He smirked, eyes glinting. "But did you forget who you’re dealing with? Sensory ninja like me see through this fog!"

Forming the Tatsu seal, he unleashed his detection chakra—

"Then let’s test that theory, Master Kōmura."

Zabuza’s voice echoed, disembodied and cold.

"Neck, spine, heart, throat, skull, limbs… Which will it be?"

The taunt gave no hint of his position.

Unfazed, Kōmura expanded his sensory field—

—then froze.

"What?! My detection… is being blocked?!"

His chakra crawled forward, sluggish as if trapped in mud.

Only now did he realize: Zabuza hadn’t acted recklessly. He’d planned for this.

"Tch. Better stay sharp."**

Zabuza’s mocking voice sent a chill down Kōmura’s spine.

"Let’s start with your heart."

A split-second later—

WHOOSH!

Kōmura whirled around, blade raised—

—but struck nothing.

The real threat came from behind.

CLASH!

He barely blocked the slash, but the force sent him skidding back.

"Water Style: Water Wall!"**

Veteran instincts kicked in—a defensive water barrier erupted around him.

"Heh. Still cautious as ever. But it won’t save you."**

Zabuza’s hands moved like lightning.

"Water Style: Geyser Surge!"**

The ground beneath Kōmura erupted, a violent pillar of water blasting him skyward.

"Got you, Master!"**

Zabuza leapt, swinging his blade—

—only for his eyes to widen.

A water clone.

"The fool here is you, Zabuza. Never underestimate me!"**

"Water Style: Water Fang Bullet!"**

Three spiraling water drills speared through Zabuza—

"Hah! That’s what you get, brat!"** Kōmura grinned.

But his triumph shattered as the hit Zabuza melted into water.

The real Zabuza materialized behind him—

—and before Kōmura could react, a crushing sphere of water engulfed him.

"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"**

Trapped. Immobilized.

Zabuza stood victorious.

The mist cleared.

"No—Kōmura’s been defeated?!"

"Already?!"

"Damn you, Zabuza!"

Panic spread among Yagura’s forces.

Elder Genryū, Mei, and Yagura himself witnessed it all.

Mei’s faction roared in morale.

"Don’t celebrate yet, Mei. The Hidden Mist won’t fall so easily."**

Yagura’s voice was venomous.

Mei smirked, undaunted. "Then you’re rattled, Lord Mizukage. That alone is my victory."

"ENOUGH!"**

Yagura’s rage erupted—a massive tail of crimson chakra slammed toward her.

Mei dodged, but Yagura transformed, his body twisting into a three-tailed monstrosity.

SWIPE!

Claws raked her arm—

—then his maw split open, a searing orb of energy blazing to life.

"Bijū Bomb!"**

Mei’s blood turned to ice.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion devoured her, a firestorm erupting in the distance.

The shockwave flung fighters apart, forcing a lull in the battle as everyone struggled to withstand the devastation.

Chapter 107: Mutual Destruction

"Lady Mei!!"

The shinobi on Mei Terumī’s side panicked as they watched the scene unfold.

If Mei Terumī fell, they were finished!

"Hahaha! See that, you traitors? This is what happens when you defy the Mizukage! Surrender now—do you really think your precious Mei has any chance left?"

Genryū burst into triumphant laughter at the sight.

"How could this happen?!"

"Is it really over?"

Doubt began to spread among Mei’s forces.

"Idiots! How can you fall for such an obvious bluff? Do you really think someone like Lady Mei would go down so easily?"

Zabuza snarled in fury—but the moment the words left his mouth, a crushing sense of danger surged through him. He barely had time to raise his sword in defense before—

"BAM!"

—he was sent flying like a ragdoll, coughing up blood.

Standing before him was the Mizukage, Yagura, now cloaked in the chakra of a tailed beast.

"Die, traitors!"

Yagura lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant. His monstrous claws slashed toward Zabuza, poised to tear him apart. A chill ran down Zabuza’s spine.

"Lava Release: Dissolving Mist!"

A torrent of scorching, corrosive yellow-brown liquid surged from the side, forcing Yagura to retreat.

"Chase him!"

But the viscous tide didn’t stop—it pursued him relentlessly, its boiling waves proving dangerously persistent.

Yagura’s scalp prickled. That technique was a genuine threat. He needed an opening to counter with a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Finally—his chance came.

"Tailed Beast Bomb!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed a devastating blast of chakra, tearing through the molten wave and hurtling straight toward Mei.

"Water Release: Surging Tides!"

A massive geyser erupted beneath Mei, launching her into the air and narrowly evading the attack.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!"

Her hands flashed through seals, and the surging water transformed into countless high-speed jets, lashing out like whips.

"You think mere water can stop me? Die, Mei!"

Yagura blurred into a phantom, effortlessly dodging every strike before closing in. His claws gleamed with deadly intent.

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

Sweat beaded on Mei’s forehead as she summoned a colossal barrier—a literal waterfall—blocking Yagura’s path.

"Tailed Beast Ball!"

But Yagura, a perfect jinchūriki, merely crossed his three tails. A swirling mass of black, red, and blue chakra condensed into a sphere of pure destruction, obliterating the water wall and hurtling toward Mei.

"Tch!"

Mei’s blood ran cold. Instinct took over—she twisted aside, barely avoiding annihilation.

"Running? Don’t think it’ll be that easy, Mei!"

Yagura flashed before her again, his hollow eyes burning with murderous intent.

"Coral Palm!"

His palm struck before she could react, sending her crashing backward.

"It’s over…"

White coral rapidly encrusted her body, paralyzing her.

"BOOM!"

The Tailed Beast Ball detonated in the distance, the shockwave tearing through Kirigakure and sending shinobi flying like leaves in a storm.

"Gah—!"

Screams filled the air as countless ninja were hurled helplessly into the wreckage.

"Now, Mei… Who’s left to save you?"

Yagura loomed over her, his voice icy.

"You betrayed Kirigakure. Did you really think there’d be no consequences?"

His claws lunged for her throat—

"LADY MEI!!"

Her allies, struggling to rise from the rubble, screamed in horror.

"Hahaha! Give up! Mei’s done for—and you’re next!" Genryū crowed. "Surrender now, and the Mizukage might spare you!"

"NO!"

Even as Zabuza roared, as Jūzō shouted in disbelief, as Kisame charged forward—none could reach her in time.

Mei shut her eyes, despair gripping her heart.

"I’m sorry, Yoru… It looks like this is where my story ends."

"SCHLICK!"

A sickening tear echoed—but the expected pain never came. Instead, Mei was knocked aside by a sudden impact.

Her eyes flew open.

The ANBU Commander stood impaled through the chest by Yagura’s arm, blood dripping from his lips—yet he smiled.

"You can’t die here… Lead them forward. If Kirigakure can change… then my death won’t be in vain."

"NO!" Mei’s anguished cry tore through the battlefield, tears streaming down her face.

"COMMANDER!" The ANBU howled in grief.

"You bastard!" Yagura snarled, trying to wrench free—

"Not happening, Mizukage."

The Commander grinned through the pain, his grip unbreakable even as Yagura’s corrosive chakra seared his flesh.

"Sealing Technique: Soul Shackling Stride!"

A sinister aura erupted from him, suppressing even the tailed beast’s power. Black, snakelike tendrils crawled up Yagura’s body—

"AAARGH!"

Yagura convulsed, clutching his skull in agony as his chakra flickered wildly.

"Guh… Damn… you…"

He writhed on the ground like a dying insect, his very soul under siege.

"STOP, COMMANDER!"

"That technique consumes your life force! Are you trying to die?!"

"Traitor! You’d destroy Kirigakure?!"

Both sides stared in shock—but the Commander only smiled wider as the darkness consumed them both.

Chapter 108: The Six-Tails Jinchūriki

The Step Flow Soul Sealing Technique is an ancient sealing jutsu from Kirigakure, incredibly powerful—so much so that it can effortlessly seal even a Tailed Beast.

It’s far more terrifying than the Eight Trigrams Sealing Technique, and even older.

But this technique has one major flaw: it consumes the user’s life force.

Once activated, it burns through the caster’s vitality relentlessly. The seal won’t stop until it has drained every last drop of their life.

Its effect? It utterly annihilates the soul of the sealed target. In other words, it’s a suicide technique—a mutual destruction seal.

Meanwhile, in the waters near the Land of Water…

"How much longer until we reach Kirigakure?"

Yoru’s voice was weak, his tone urgent as he turned to Haku Yuki.

"Lord Yoru, it’ll still take a few more hours. Please, try to stay calm—panicking won’t help," Haku replied calmly.

"I can’t stay calm! My sister’s life is on the line!"

Gripping the ship’s railing, Yoru’s face twisted with worry.

"Kid, pull yourself together. Focus on recovering your chakra. If you really want to save your sister, you’ll need every bit of strength you’ve got."

Yugito, who was channeling chakra nearby, spoke up, laying out the harsh reality.

"Where’s that cool-headed Yoru we know? If you lose your composure now, how are you going to handle what’s coming? If something happens to you, what do you think that’ll do to your sister? You’ll only make things worse!"

"And these kids—" She gestured to the others. "—they’re risking their lives following you. If you, their leader, can’t stay calm, you’re leading them straight to their deaths. Keep this up, and I won’t set foot in Kirigakure with you. It’d be a suicide mission."

Yoru clenched the railing tighter, forcing himself to take a deep breath.

"...You’re right. I’m being reckless."

He had to stay calm. There was no other choice.

"Sis… just hold on a little longer. I’ll be there soon."

His gaze fixed on the distant horizon where Kirigakure lay, he sent a silent prayer.

But ever since earlier, an uneasy feeling had gnawed at him—his heart pounding in a way that made his chest ache.

At the Same Time – Mei Terumī’s Side

"Hurry! Stop him! If he succeeds, the Mizukage is finished!"

Genryū, seeing the situation unfold, immediately ordered his ANBU squad to intervene.

"Like hell we’ll let you interfere! The Chief’s sacrifice won’t be in vain!"

"Damn right!"

Mei’s forces rushed forward to block them.

"Fall back!"

Just as they were about to clash, Mei’s voice cut through the chaos.

Confused, they turned—only to see her free from her restraints, hands already weaving signs.

"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"

The moment those words left her lips, the surrounding shinobi paled, scrambling backward in terror.

That mist wasn’t just corrosive—it could melt flesh to the bone.

"Hahaha! Yagura… let’s die together!"

The ANBU Chief laughed wildly as the acidic mist closed in. Even a Jinchūriki like Yagura wouldn’t survive this.

"Lady Mei… you’re really going this far? Against your own people?"

Some of her allies hesitated, conflicted.

"Don’t worry!" The ANBU Chief grinned. "This is the smartest move. My efforts won’t be wasted!"

The others were stunned. He was willing to die alongside Yagura? Wasn’t he afraid?

"You really think… you’ve won?!"

Yagura’s pained voice rasped out—before he roared:

"Utakata! DESTROY HIM!"

"What?!"

The command sent a shock through the battlefield.

Then—a crushing pressure erupted.

A monstrous, azure six-tailed beast lunged forward with a deafening roar, moving so fast that no one could react.

In the blink of an eye, it was right in front of Mei.

No time to dodge. No time to counter.

"!!!"

Mei’s pupils shrank to pinpricks, her blood running cold.

It was already too late.

THUD!

The Six-Tails’ massive claw slammed into her, sending her flying. Blood sprayed from her mouth as multiple bones in her arm shattered.

"LADY MEI!!"

"How…?!"

The sudden turn of events left everyone frozen—then drowned in despair.

With the Six-Tails now in play…

Could they really fight two Jinchūriki at once?

Doubt crept in.

"Quick! Free the Mizukage!"

Yagura’s ANBU rushed toward him. If they killed the ANBU Chief, the Step Flow Soul Sealing Technique would end.

"ROAR!"

But Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, was already charging Mei again—giving her no room to recover.

BOOM!

Amid the swirling dust, Mei stumbled back, clutching her chest, her robes soaked in blood.

"SHOOM!"

The Six-Tails vanished, reappearing instantly with a claw dripping corrosive acid—a substance just as deadly as her own mist.

"Tch!"

She couldn’t block it. A direct hit would be fatal.

With no other choice, she formed a Water Clone—barely dodging in time.

"Water Release: Violent Water Wave!"

The moment she reappeared behind the beast, her fist smashed into its back with a crushing surge of water, sending it flying.

"GROWL!"

But the Six-Tails dug its tails into nearby buildings, halting its momentum—before launching itself back at her like a bullet.

Its maw opened wide.

A Bijūdama formed instantly.

"Damn it—!"

Mei’s breath caught as the blast obliterated her clone.

She reappeared farther away, heart pounding.

"Lava Release: Dissolving Mist Jutsu!"

The Six-Tails whirled toward her—only to be met with a tidal wave of molten acid.

"ROOOAR!"

It retaliated with another Bijūdama, the two attacks colliding in a cataclysmic explosion.

The shockwave sent everyone flying back, the battlefield consumed in chaos.

Chapter 108: The Might of Kisame Hoshigaki

"So this is Mei Terumī’s true strength! No wonder she’s considered the strongest in Kirigakure after the Mizukage!"

"She’s holding her own against a tailed beast jinchūriki… Just how terrifying is she?!"

"Lady Mei, you can do it! Defeat him!"

Cheers and gasps erupted from both sides—some in awe, others in fervent support.

But Mei could only smile bitterly at their cries.

"Defeat him? Impossible. He’s a tailed beast host—no ordinary foe."

Holding her own was already a feat. Victory? Only the Mizukage might stand a chance.

No… Maybe not even the Mizukage.

The Six-Tails was a monster—agile, relentless, its power rivaled only by the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails.

In the original timeline, even Pain had to personally intervene to capture it.

"Mei… Your end has come."

A cold, grating voice cut through the chaos. Mei’s blood ran cold as she turned to see Yagura—breathing heavily, his face twisted with fury.

Beside him, the ANBU Commander lay motionless.

This is bad.

The sight sent a wave of dread through Zabuza, Jūzō, and Kisame. With the Mizukage free again, the battle’s tide would turn irreversibly.

"VICTORY IS OURS!"

Yagura’s forces roared in triumph.

"Hahaha! It’s over!"

Even Genryū, watching from the rear, allowed himself a victorious smirk.

In the Shadows

Hidden from sight, a masked figure—Tobi, the false name of Obito Uchiha—watched silently.

His eyes were empty. Unmoved.

As if this war meant nothing to him.

Yet he was the architect of it all.

He had controlled Yagura, orchestrated this rebellion, and plunged Kirigakure into chaos—all to ensure its eternal damnation.

"Kirigakure… You will atone for Rin’s death."

"Rin… With an entire village as your sacrifice, may you rest in peace. Soon, I will create a world where you exist."

Beside him, Zetsu emerged.

"Once Kirigakure is dealt with, we can focus on Akatsuki."

"Speaking of which… Who do you think swindled Kakuzu?"

"That mist technique combined with Lightning Release… It reeks of Yoru. Feels like something he’d pull."

"But he’s also appeared in Kumogakure. He doesn’t know shadow clones, and his strength isn’t that high…"

"Who could it be? A real head-scratcher."

Obito ignored Zetsu’s musings.

"What of Kumogakure? Any updates on Yoru?"

Zetsu chuckled.

"My bunshin hasn’t returned yet. Give it a few days."

"His six-month deadline is almost up. I wonder how he’ll escape… Hehe, can’t wait to see it!"

Obito said nothing.

Back to the Battle

Mei’s hair stood on end as Yagura broke free.

There’s no winning this.

"Retreat!"

Without hesitation, she barked the order. Fighting further meant annihilation.

Her forces scrambled back, faces pale with terror.

"Oh no, you don’t!"

Genryū snarled, signaling his men to pursue.

Yagura smirked at Mei, who stood alone as the rearguard.

"Run all you want. There’s no place in this world for traitors."

Mei met his gaze, feigning confidence.

If I falter now, morale will collapse.

"Oh? Since when does the Mizukage decide who belongs in this world?"

Yagura laughed.

"Bluffing won’t save you, Mei. You’re like a pufferfish—all bark, no bite."

"Then come closer and find out," she shot back. "But be careful… You might get pricked."

Her forces had nearly escaped. Only she remained.

"Farewell, Mizukage!"

With that, she flashed backward, shouting:

"Kisame—COVER ME!"

"With pleasure."

Kisame’s grin widened as he formed a seal. A monstrous surge of chakra erupted from him—dense, suffocating.

"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Collision!"

In an instant, an entire ocean seemed to unleash itself. Towering waves, taller than mountains, crashed forth with enough force to flatten the land.

Even Yagura—a jinchūriki—dared not face it head-on. His men froze in terror, legs trembling.

"FALL BACK!"

Yagura’s order sent them fleeing for their lives.

"Damn you, Mei… To think you had a monster like Kisame hidden away."

Only in full tailed beast form could he hope to withstand this.

The deluge swallowed miles of land within seconds, the earth groaning under its weight.

Yagura could only watch as Mei’s forces vanished into the mist.

"ROAR!"

A Tailed Beast Ball shot forth—but even its explosion couldn’t part the tsunami.

So Yagura did the unthinkable.

He transformed—into the Three-Tails, Isobu—and dove straight into the raging waters.

The sea is my domain.

No creature could outmaneuver him here.

"BOOM!"

The Tailed Beast Ball detonated, sending shockwaves through the waves. But instead of resisting, Yagura rode the current—propelling himself forward at blinding speed.

Got you now!

But waiting on the other side was Kisame.

"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet!"

A colossal shark, all gnashing teeth and primal fury, surged toward Yagura.

The true king of the ocean had arrived.

Chapter 110: I Won’t Forgive You

"A mere Water Release technique? Scatter!"

Yagura gathered chakra and unleashed a Tailed Beast Bomb, piercing straight through the massive shark’s body.

Seeing this, he smirked. "Heh. Nothing can stand in the way of a Tailed Beast Bomb. Prepare yourself, Mei!"

But—

WHAM!

A colossal tail fin slammed into him with enough force to send him spinning through the air, crashing into the distance.

"What the—?!"

Yagura’s face twisted in confusion. Who just hit him?!

He whipped his head around—only to see the shark he’d just obliterated reforming, its body now even larger and more solid than before.

"Heh. Chakra attacks are useless. In fact… they just make it stronger."

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned to himself.

ROAR!

The gigantic shark, now a titan of pure water, charged the Three-Tails again—this time sinking its fangs deep into its body before slam-dunking it into the ocean floor.

Even for a Tailed Beast, the impact was brutal. The ground shattered beneath them, the force nearly knocking Yagura out of his transformed state.

RIIIP!

The shark thrashed, its watery jaws tearing into the Three-Tails’ flesh with terrifying precision. Though made of water, its strength was monstrous—enough to make even Yagura feel the pressure.

Desperate, the Three-Tails swung its massive tails, trying to shake the beast off.

"Now’s our chance—let’s move!"

Mei couldn’t help but marvel at Yoru’s foresight.

Kisame’s power was unreal.

"Heh. Got it."

Kisame left behind a Water Clone to maintain the shark’s assault as he and Mei bolted for retreat.

"You think you can escape?!"

Yagura’s roar of fury shook the battlefield. If Mei got away now, his authority as Mizukage would be shattered.

"Tch. Looks like I’ll have to step in. Didn’t expect Mei to be this troublesome."

From a distant tree, Tobi finally moved.

His Mangekyō Sharingan whirled—and in an instant, space itself twisted around Yagura and the shark.

They vanished.

Then—

WHOOSH!

A distortion erupted right behind Mei’s fleeing group, and Yagura rematerialized—along with the now-diminished shark, its power weakened without water.

Within a minute, the Three-Tails ripped it apart.

"MEI! YOU’RE NOT GETTING AWAY!"

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

Yagura reverted to his Tailed Beast form, a monstrous black-and-crimson entity, before splitting the ocean itself with a single slash.

"AFTER THEM!"

On the other side of the divided waves, the stunned Kiri-nin snapped back to focus and charged forward.

Mei’s Side

"That attack should buy us some time…"

Mei clung to that hope. If even a technique of that scale couldn’t stop Yagura…

Then they were truly doomed.

But the moment that thought crossed her mind—

A chilling presence exploded behind her.

"What—?!"

Her blood ran cold as she turned.

Yagura was already upon them.

"How?!"

Even Kisame’s strongest move had barely slowed him down?!

"Heh. Guess the Mizukage’s tougher than I thought."

Kisame’s smirk faltered slightly. He’d expected more resistance.

"MEI! YOU DARE TURN YOUR BACK ON ME?!"

Yagura’s voice was pure venom, his killing intent so thick it choked the air.

Even Mei flinched.

"Water Release: Rain of Sharks!"

Kisame leapt into action, summoning four razor-toothed sharks that speared down from the sky.

"You think the same trick works twice?!"

Yagura swatted them aside without hesitation—

But Kisame grinned.

A trap.

SPLASH!

The shattered sharks reformed into hundreds of smaller, deadlier blades, raining down like liquid shrapnel.

"GAH—!"

Yagura howled as the attacks gouged into his flesh, forcing him back.

"Now!"

Mei seized the opening.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!"

A sphere of water erupted behind Yagura’s forces—before splitting into thousands of高压水线, shredding through the pursuing Kiri-nin like paper.

SPURT! SPURT!

Screams filled the air as blood painted the battlefield.

Even Yagura felt a chill.

Mei’s power was terrifying.

But—

"You won’t escape Kirigakure so easily. This village is MINE."

His lips curled into a cold smile.

He hadn’t deployed all his forces here.

Every escape route was blocked.

Mei’s freedom?

A fantasy.

"After them! They won’t get far!"

Yagura’s confidence was absolute.

No one defied him.

Not even when he’d drowned Kirigakure in blood.

(Though sometimes… he wondered why he’d done it.

But every time that doubt surfaced, it faded just as quickly—leaving no memory behind.)

The Chase

What followed was a village-wide manhunt.

Flames and clashes spread through every district.

"Don’t give up! We CAN make it out!"

Mei urged her followers onward—and to Yagura’s fury, not all the Kiri-nin obeyed him.

Some joined her cause, rebelling against the Blood Mist’s tyranny.

"YOU TRAITORS!"

Yagura’s rage twisted his face into something inhuman.

"If you defy me… THEN DIE WITH HER!"

His eyes burned crimson, his hair wild like a demon’s.

One Hour Later

Mei’s forces broke through the village’s defenses, boarding a waiting warship.

But Yagura wasn’t far behind.

Several Hours After That…

They were cornered.

The Mizukage’s forces closed in.

No escape.

No mercy.

The end had come.