*Chapter 11: Who’s the Fool Here?*

A thick fog enveloped Kaguya Yanagi.

Yet, he remained utterly unfazed, scoffing disdainfully, "You little brat, do you really think a low-level jutsu like this can stop me?"

"Don’t make me laugh. I’m nothing like the trash you’ve killed before!"

"Whether it works or not, why don’t you try it and see?" Yoru voice echoed from all directions, elusive and ethereal.

Seeing this, Mei Terumī let out a sigh of relief.

Kaguya Yanagi had stepped into Yoru domain. Now, she no longer had to worry about his safety.

Her gaze shifted to the leader of the Kaguya clan—Kaguya Ichirō.

"It’s time to deal with you, Kaguya Ichirō!"

But Ichirō only laughed at her words, his tone dripping with contempt.

"Mei Terumī, I’ll admit you’re strong. But do you really think you can defeat me?"

"Don’t overestimate yourself, little girl. I was dominating the battlefield while you were still suckling at your mother’s breast!"

*"Dance of the Larch!"*

Bony spikes erupted from Ichirō’s body as he charged forward like a raging tank.

*"Water Style: Water Wall!"*

Mei immediately raised a barrier of water to block him, but Ichirō couldn’t help but sneer.

"You think this flimsy defense can stop me?"

*"BREAK!!"*

With a vicious grin, Ichirō accelerated and slammed into the water wall.

By his logic, the fragile barrier should have shattered instantly.

But—

*"BOOM!"*

Instead of breaking through, it felt like he’d crashed into solid steel.

The recoil sent him stumbling backward, completely stunned.

What the hell just happened?!

"Such strong defense!"

The surrounding onlookers gasped in shock.

The Kaguya clan’s charging power was legendary—few of equal strength could withstand it. At best, most could only neutralize the impact. Yet Mei had blocked it effortlessly.

Just how strong is she?!

No surprise, though. If her little brother Yoru was a monster, Mei was no slouch either.

*"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"*

Mei formed another set of hand seals, releasing a dense fog just as potent as Yoru.

"You think this pathetic mist can—*AAAHHH!!*"

Before he could finish, Kaguya Ichirō’s mocking tone turned into a bloodcurdling scream.

Mei stood calmly, maintaining the hand signs for *Boil Release: Skilling Mist*.

No wonder he’s screaming.

Even the Susano’o couldn’t withstand this technique. Facing it head-on with mere flesh? Suicide.

The surrounding shinobi shuddered at the agonized cries, but the thick mist obscured everything—no one could see what was happening inside.

*"Water Style: Water Gun Jutsu!"*

Mei’s icy voice cut through the fog.

*"THUD! THUD! THUD!"*

The sound of piercing strikes echoed, followed by Ichirō’s furious, fading roar:

*"NO!! I CAN’T… DIE HERE…!"*

His voice weakened until there was only silence.

As the mist dispersed, the crowd gasped in horror.

Kaguya Ichirō lay in a mangled heap, his body resembling a skinned carcass.

The shinobi’s eyes darted to Mei, their expressions shifting to disbelief.

That was the leader of the Kaguya clan—an elite jonin—and she took him down just like that?

Too strong!

But Mei’s attention was already elsewhere—fixed on Yoru battlefield, where the clashing of blades rang out relentlessly.

"Hang in there, Yoru!"

After a silent prayer, she turned and charged toward the remaining enemies.

There would be no surrender. The Mizukage’s orders were clear: *Annihilate the Kaguya clan.*

And so, annihilation it would be.

---

"Damn brat! Fight me head-on if you’ve got the guts! Hiding like a coward!" Kaguya Yanagi panted, his nerves frayed.

Yoru hit-and-run tactics forced him into constant vigilance. He had already struck multiple times from unpredictable angles, draining Yanagi’s stamina.

This isn’t good.

Of course, Yanagi hadn’t actually expected Yoru to take the bait.

A direct fight would be suicide.

He was confident that in close combat, Yoru stood no chance—especially since this was his specialty.

But then—

*"A head-on fight? Fine. You asked for it."*

Yoru voice drifted through the mist, disembodied.

For a second, Yanagi froze—then grinned wildly, bracing himself.

Idiot! Falling right into my trap!

This is your end.

Abandoning the mist’s advantage for a direct clash? That wasn’t just foolish—it was suicidal.

If Yoru wanted to die so badly, he’d oblige.

*"SWOOSH!"*

A sharp sound cut through the air—from behind!

Yanagi spun, slashing with his bone sword—

*"SHLICK!"*

But his blade met empty air. Instead, a searing pain erupted in his chest.

What?!

His mind reeled.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!

Why was he the one bleeding?

Reacting on instinct, he unleashed *Dance of the Larch*, spikes erupting from his back—

But Yoru was already gone.

*"DAMN IT!!"*

Yanagi’s furious roar turned into a wet cough as he collapsed to his knees, blood gushing from the fatal wound.

The attack came from the front—but the sound was a decoy from behind.

Who could’ve anticipated that?

Now he understood—Yoru hadn’t walked into his trap.

He’d been playing him all along.

Mocking Yoru for being a fool?

The real fool was him.

*"Surprised, Yanagi?"* Yoru voice taunted from the mist, dripping with amusement.

"Y-You… damn… brat…!"

His vision blurred as his strength drained away.

The battle was already over.

Yoru held all the cards.

---