111-115

*Chapter 111: Your Task Is to Crush the Mist Ninja Blocking the Way*

It was still early, and Uchiha Sougen was nowhere in sight. Uchiha Chihaya led the three youngsters to a shaded area under the trees. Many ancient towering trees surrounded them, with dense green canopies that spread out like giant umbrellas, shielding them from the harsh sunlight.

Naruto hesitated, wondering whether now was the right time to tell Fujika about the rumor. Judging by the situation, if he didn’t speak up now, he might not get another chance soon.

“Naruto?” Fujika was checking her equipment—a small sword, shuriken, and explosive tags. Although she was unlikely to fight and would probably just watch, Sougen still made sure she was fully armed with everything a proper ninja should have, except for the standard Leaf Village vest.

She wore a traditional black robe for Uchiha women, custom-made at a shop in the clan’s village, with the Uchiha family crest boldly displayed on the back.

Even Yakumo, who was sitting in a wheelchair, curiously glanced over.

“In the village, you often hear all kinds of weird rumors, right? The gossiping aunties are always saying something. I… well, I just happened to hear them say…” Naruto trailed off, struggling to get the words out.

“What did those aunties say?” The straightforward little girl put her hands on her hips, glaring at Naruto for his hesitation.

“They said I might be the child of the Fourth Hokage!” Naruto blurted out, his face flushing with embarrassment as he worried that people might think he was bragging.

Fujika didn’t think that way at all. She widened her eyes in amazement, “Is your dad really the Fourth Hokage? That’s awesome!”

“It’s just a possibility. I don’t even believe it myself,” Naruto said, feeling relieved now that he’d finally spoken up.

"Not necessarily,” Yakumo said, eyeing Naruto with interest. “I heard from my father that the Fourth Hokage was nicknamed the 'Yellow Flash,' and you have the same hair color.”

Naruto scratched his head. “Yellow hair isn’t that rare in the village. Ino’s hair is yellow too. Besides, the Fourth Hokage's surname is Namikaze, and I’m Uzumaki Naruto.” He seemed to be trying to distance himself from any connection to the Fourth Hokage.

“The Fourth Hokage's wife was from the Uzumaki clan,” an unfamiliar voice chimed in.

“Who are you?” Naruto looked warily at Yagura, who had quietly approached.

“I mean no harm,” Yagura said, raising his hands to show he was unarmed. “I was just curious when I heard your conversation.” His gaze lingered on Naruto, noting his remarkable vitality, a characteristic of the Uzumaki lineage.

“It’s okay, Naruto. He’s my brother’s captive,” Fujika reassured him.

“Captive?” Naruto looked confused.

“Lord Mizukage, what did you mean about the Fourth Hokage’s wife?” Yakumo asked.

“If you’re really that bored, should I send you back into a dream?” a light voice interrupted. Yagura forced a smile and turned to face Sougen. “Lord Sougen, are we ready to depart?”

“Almost.” Sougen shifted his attention to the three young ones, particularly Naruto.

“Big brother Sougen,” Naruto greeted obediently.

Sougen nodded. “Yakumo, Fujika, and Naruto, let’s head out now.”

At the main gate, 62 Jonin had gathered, roughly a fifth of the top forces from the frontlines. With Sougen leading, this force could easily crush one or two small countries.

Uchiha Chihaya led the three youngsters into the group of Jonin, who glanced at them briefly before turning away. No one questioned their presence; the Uchiha clan had sworn loyalty to Sougen, and the other clans and common-born ninja had been similarly subdued.

Outside the group, Yagura observed the Leaf ninjas kneeling before Sougen, recalling the glory days of the Hidden Leaf under Hashirama and Madara.

“Is Uchiha Sougen aiming to repeat history?” Yagura thought, quickly adjusting his mindset. At this point, a strong Leaf was essential for tackling the mysterious individual and the organization behind them.

“Our mission is simple: crush all the Mist ninja in our way and end this war,” Sougen declared, his red eyes gleaming with a lethal intent. Naruto felt confused; this was the first time he had seen his normally calm and composed big brother look so ferocious.

When Sougen ordered the attack, the elite force moved swiftly, and Naruto had no choice but to keep up.

“Do you think the Uchiha leader’s plan will succeed?” Akimichi Chōza asked, watching the group disappear into the forest.

“With Lord Sougen leading, it shouldn’t fail. Unless that mysterious person intervenes, this mission is bound to succeed,” Aburame Shibi said, uncharacteristically talkative.

“Madara, huh?” Chōza murmured, hoping that the mission wouldn’t encounter any unexpected complications.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 112: Darken, Naruto!

Leaving the Black Tide Mountain Castle, they crossed hills and forests. The moment they emerged from the forest, a vast, blue ocean stretched out before them. Along the rocky shore, a medium-sized wooden ship, capable of carrying over a hundred passengers, was docked in a cove carved out by ninjas.

How could they venture out to sea without a boat?

The nameless island, where the Mist Ninja army's command center was located, was quite far from the mainland. Even the Mist Ninjas had to use boats to launch attacks. With the Senju and Uzumaki clans' descendants becoming so scarce that their bloodlines were nearly extinct, those who didn’t worry about depleting their chakra were rare. In the end, sea travel still depended on ships.

The dozen or so ninjas stationed on the ship saw Sougen, leading the charge, and rushed to greet him in a flurry.

"Prepare to set sail, same destination as before."

Sougen boarded the ship with his group. After giving the order, his subordinates scattered to begin preparations. With the sailing details out of his hands and no interest in interfering with others' expertise, all Sougen cared about was reaching that nameless island, which wasn’t even recorded on maps.

He had other matters to attend to.

“Naruto, are you searching for information about your parents?”

In the ship's dining hall, Naruto and the others had rushed over without having time for lunch, so Sougen brought the kids to eat. Yakumo and Fujiwara had already eaten, but they were curious about what Naruto had said earlier, so they tagged along.

Additionally, Uchiha Shisui, Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy joined them for a meal.

With a battle looming, fighting on an empty stomach was a bad idea.

But no one expected Sougen to bring up such a topic at that moment. Kakashi choked on his food, only to be saved by Guy, who kindly offered him water. Barely able to thank him, Kakashi nervously clenched his fist, debating whether to interrupt the conversation.

He was terrified that Naruto might learn the truth about his parents now and lose control. Guy, however, placed a calming hand on Kakashi’s shoulder. "Kakashi, don’t act rashly. I think Lord Sougen knows what he’s doing. As for Naruto… you should think carefully before taking action."

It was amusing that, many times, the so-called secret was known by everyone but the person in question.

Even someone as seemingly simple as Guy knew about Naruto’s lineage. Naruto was the orphan of the Fourth Hokage, the man who, like the winter sun, radiated warmth. He had once asked Guy and Kakashi to befriend Naruto—a promise Guy still remembered fondly.

Kakashi froze.

How to handle his relationship with Naruto, and whether to reveal the truth about his parentage, weighed heavily on him. He had resolved to protect Naruto, but realized that resolve wasn’t enough. The problem didn’t dissolve with determination—it remained an immovable mountain in front of him.

Naruto, too, was taken aback. He put down his chopsticks. "Brother Sougen? I..."

"What? Is that not it? Or is there something else you’re hesitant to say?" Sougen asked.

“... I just overheard some rumors in the village.”

"But haven’t you been dwelling on those rumors? Doesn’t that mean you want to know about your parents? There’s nothing strange about that. Every child wants to know who their parents are, what kind of people they were... it’s normal, nothing to be embarrassed about."

Naruto fell silent.

Even after Sougen’s reassurance, he didn’t ask further about his parents.

“Naruto, you’re indeed a smart child,” Sougen sighed. "Did Yagura slip up and let you notice the truth? Or had you already started to suspect?"

Naruto hung his head, silently fiddling with his rice.

Fujiwara looked puzzled, while Yakumo observed Naruto thoughtfully, realizing the rumors were true. Naruto was actually the child of the Fourth Hokage—an astonishing revelation!

"A shattered mirror cannot be made whole again. Once a lie is exposed, ignoring the truth won’t make it disappear. Self-deception may bring temporary peace, but some things must eventually be faced," Sougen said sharply. "And with your unique situation, you can’t escape, even if you want to."

His words, like a sharp blade, cut through the protective cocoon Naruto had wrapped around himself.

"But even if I know the truth, what does it change?" Naruto’s voice grew sharp.

Back in the park, Naruto had naively thought that if he were the Fourth Hokage’s child, people might stop hating him. But when he began to suspect that he truly was the Hokage’s son, instead of feeling happy, he became even more tormented.

If he really was the Fourth Hokage’s son—a hero’s child—then why had he been labeled a "demon fox" by the villagers? He couldn’t find the words to express his pain and anger.

That’s why he had denied any connection to the Fourth Hokage in front of Yakumo and Fujiwara. The pain was unbearable, so he tried to deceive himself, to ignore the reality that was closing in.

"It changes nothing," Sougen responded calmly. "Your deceased parents won’t come back, and the malice you’ve endured since childhood won’t magically vanish. Those are things you can’t change. But... you can choose your future. The future is in your hands."

“The future?” Naruto murmured, looking up.

"Yes, the future!" Sougen nodded. "Not everyone can control their future. Most people just go with the flow of fate. Seizing your future isn’t something you can do by simply saying so."

Naruto lowered his head again, his chopsticks moving once more.

Sougen wasn’t disappointed. Seeds take time to sprout and grow. Patience is part of the process. He looked forward to seeing whether Naruto would bloom like a fragrant flower, grow as a deadly fungus, or become something ordinary like weeds.

Naruto’s future was a research subject worth observing.

He eagerly awaited the emergence of a different Naruto Uzumaki.

---

On the nameless island, the Mist Ninjas had set up a sprawling camp among the island’s forests. Thousands of them gathered there. Unlike the need to spread their forces thin to defend a long coastline, the Mist Ninjas only had to establish camps at a few key points. This naturally extended their reach over much of the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.

In addition to this camp, there were two other bases.

"Full Moon, have you heard the rumor?" At one corner of the camp, after completing a mission, Hozuki Mangetsu, Zabuza Momochi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Ameyuri Ringo were eating when Zabuza suddenly asked.

"A rumor?" Mangetsu looked confused. "What rumor?"

"The one about the Fourth Mizukage being captured by Konoha," Zabuza said, chewing on a dry rice ball.

"Oh, that one! Yeah, I heard it. That was a few days ago, right? Then the Fourth Mizukage showed up to patrol the camp, and the rumor died down... Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you still think the current Mizukage is a fake?" Mangetsu joked.

"Why not?" Zabuza’s face was dead serious.

"If the Mizukage in camp is a fake, it would explain the reckless strategies lately that have been sending people to their deaths. Besides, I’ve noticed changes in his habits and behavior. It all started around the time that rumor began spreading..." Zabuza pulled out a notebook, ready to share his observations.

As for why he had been observing the Mizukage, he didn’t bother explaining. There was no need. In Mist Village, assassinations, rebellions, and coups were common. Yagura had survived numerous assassination attempts, and even Mangetsu was considering taking him out.

Kisame remained silent, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Ameyuri Ringo, a lightning-style genius, couldn’t care less about their discussion. As long as she could enjoy the thrill of battle, she didn’t mind whether the Mizukage was real or fake. For now, she still had a sense of loyalty to the village, though it was uncertain how long that would last.

Mist Village had more rogue ninjas than any other.

Konoha, unable to match their numbers, had to rely on quality. A single Orochimaru could equal a hundred Mist Ninjas.

"So, what are you planning to do?" Mangetsu asked, setting down his empty bowl.

“I…” Zabuza began, but suddenly fell silent. He perked up his ears, listening intently to faint explosions in the distance. His expression changed instantly, and without a word, he stood alongside Mangetsu, Kisame, and Ameyuri.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 113: Hidden Mist Technique and Silent Killing Technique

The western side of the nameless island was originally a mudflat. After arriving on the island, the Mist Ninjas gathered several who specialized in Earth Style Jutsu to work together and reshape the terrain, creating a man-made harbor. This allowed the Mist Ninjas to move in and out more easily, with direct access to the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.

"A barrier, huh?"

Sōgen stood calmly on the deck, gazing at the nameless island ahead.

Under the clear sky, smoke curled up from the island, which lay atop a vast ocean. Through his Sharingan, he could see a blurry, almost illusory barrier covering the island. It was a traditional sensory barrier, designed solely to enhance perception, sacrificing defensive strength.

Infiltrating the island without triggering the barrier seemed nearly impossible.

"So then..."

Sōgen turned around. "Who wants to take the lead?"

This question immediately sparked infighting, an internal conflict within the Uchiha clan. Clan members, eager to prove themselves, nearly got into a brawl before even engaging the Mist Ninjas. In the end, someone unexpected was chosen to lead the charge.

Yagura took the lead.

No joke—this Fourth Mizukage was the first to act. He submerged underwater, calmly passed through the familiar barrier, and knocked out the sentries with just a few punches and kicks. He was heavy-handed, breaking the arms and legs of the Mist Ninjas.

The Mist Ninjas, now incapacitated, had lost their ability to move or fight, becoming helpless.

In Yagura's view, breaking a few bones and letting them recover for a few months was far better than letting the Konoha Ninjas slaughter them. If possible, he wished to end the war without unnecessary casualties, though he knew this was a dream.

After all, how can there be a war without deaths?

After neutralizing three teams of Mist Ninjas, Yagura's stealth couldn't last much longer. The Mist Ninjas weren't weak enough to be completely defenseless. When the forward sentries lost contact, the Mist Ninjas in the rear immediately sensed something was wrong and threw kunai with explosive tags without hesitation.

The sound of explosions was the clearest signal.

"You damn fool!"

Yagura was furious.

"Are you in that much of a hurry to die?"

His attacks became even fiercer. The Mist Ninja who threw the explosive tag had his arms and legs completely broken by Yagura.

Although the nickname "Village of the Bloody Mist" came about after Uchiha Obito began controlling Yagura, this baby-faced Mizukage was no saint. In fact, it's surprising that such a brutal place like the Mist Village could produce someone as gentle as Chōjūrō.

Before being controlled by Uchiha Obito, Yagura had already ruled Kirigakure with an iron fist. His cute appearance and gentlemanly behavior were just a façade. In reality, Yagura was just as ruthless as the previous Mizukages. There was no room for soft-hearted people in the Mist Village.

"You... you... Mizukage-sama?"

The fallen Mist Ninja was a tough one. Despite having his arms and legs broken, he hadn't passed out. Seeing Yagura unmasked, he was so shocked that he could barely think. As a sentry, he was at least a sensory ninja.

Others might have thought this was some kind of transformation trick.

But he relied on his sensory abilities to confirm Yagura's identity. This was indeed the Mizukage. Transformation techniques could only change appearance, but they couldn't alter a person's chakra.

"Mizukage-sama, what's going on? Why are you with Konoha Ninjas?" The Mist Ninja was utterly bewildered as he saw Konoha Ninjas appear beside Yagura. Was their Mizukage collaborating with Konoha to attack their base?

Wait—

If he remembered correctly, Mizukage-sama hadn't left the island recently. But the Yagura in front of him felt real... it didn’t seem like an imposter.

"I don't have time to explain. If you don't want to die, lie still. You'll get your chance to understand the truth." Yagura stepped over the fallen Mist Ninja and pressed deeper into the island.

However,

It was no longer just his show.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Uchiha Akitarō stood at the edge of the forest, releasing a massive fireball that engulfed a large section of the woods, incinerating several Mist Ninjas hiding within. This was only the beginning. The Uchihas, masters of fire techniques, showed no fear even when facing the Mist Ninjas, who were water specialists.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Uchiha Hokuto leaped into the air, raining down fireballs like falling rain.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

Uchiha Chihaya used Wind Style Jutsu.

Wind fanned the flames.

In an instant, the flames surged like a tsunami.

Brilliant firelight illuminated the forest as the Uchiha clan’s jōnin showed no signs of self-preservation. Every single one of them charged headfirst into battle.

They fought recklessly, with abandon, letting their burning battle spirit run wild! Though the older, battle-worn Uchihas might have grown tired of war, the younger generation couldn't wait to prove their strength on the battlefield, eager to show off their power. Not even Death could stop them from rushing into battle!

...

"It's the Konoha Ninjas!"

Receiving this expected information from the frontline, Mangetsu Hōzuki lowered his gaze. The mocking smile that had hung on his lips disappeared, leaving only a cruel killing intent, colder than the autumn frost. His purple eyes, as beautiful as stars, gleamed with icy malice.

"Zabuza, Kisame, Ameyuri, it's time to hunt!"

The four of them formed a team.

This team wasn’t assigned by higher-ups but came together after each of their former teammates had died several times over. Only geniuses could keep up with other geniuses. Mediocre ninjas who tried to follow would ultimately be left behind.

"Mangetsu, don't try to boss me around. I don't need your orders."

Momochi Zabuza spoke with disdain.

His ambition was to become the Mizukage and reform the Mist Village, which he found utterly intolerable.

"I was just making a suggestion. After all, our team doesn’t even have an official captain yet, right?" Mangetsu Hōzuki’s light, bloodthirsty smile returned.

Kisame Hoshigaki remained silent. The reason their team still didn’t have a captain was the ongoing rivalry between Mangetsu and Zabuza. As for Kisame himself, he remained focused on being a proper ninja, just as his mentor, Fuguki Suikazan, had taught him.

The group left their camp and headed toward the western side of the island, where the sounds of fire and explosions echoed.

Thick fog had already spread across the area without anyone noticing. The Hidden Mist Technique was one of the Mist Village’s signature moves, a staple of their ninjutsu arsenal.

While the jutsu itself wasn’t particularly complex—most chunin-level Mist Ninjas could use it—the true strength of the technique lay in its combination with the Silent Killing Technique.

The fog robbed the enemy of sight, while silent assassins avoided detection by sound. When someone became both blind and deaf, they were little more than helpless prey.

The Hidden Mist Technique and Silent Killing Technique worked together like coffee and milk—an exquisite combination.

The two techniques complemented each other perfectly.

In the blink of an eye, Zabuza had disappeared from Mangetsu’s view. Even Mangetsu had to admit that Zabuza's skill in Silent Killing surpassed his own.

All four members of this team were considered geniuses within the Mist Village.

Mangetsu's greatest strength came from the Hōzuki clan's secret techniques. In his clan, he was seen as someone who could one day rival the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki. Kisame, despite coming from a small clan, had emerged as a master of Water Style Jutsu. Ameyuri Ringo, the Lightning Style prodigy, wielded the Thunder Swords, Kiba.

As for Zabuza,

While he might not match Mangetsu, Kisame, or Ameyuri in raw combat ability, he had earned the title of "Demon" because his Silent Killing Technique was the strongest in Kirigakure. After defeating the Mist Ninja who had previously been the best at Silent Killing, Zabuza was now the undisputed master of the technique.

If Zabuza were given the chance to assassinate his teammates, perhaps only Mangetsu, with the Hōzuki clan’s secret techniques, would survive. Ameyuri, who favored frontal assaults, would likely fall to Zabuza’s silent blade. As for Kisame… if only he had inherited the Samehada from Fuguki Suikazan.

Unfortunately, the Samehada had fallen into the hands of Konoha.

"Clang!"

In the mist, a flash of sparks flickered briefly as blades clashed.

Zabuza’s Silent Killing strike had failed. Uchiha Shisui, his Sharingan blazing red, blocked Zabuza’s silent strike with his short sword. Luckily, Zabuza had grown used to dealing with the Hyuga clan’s Byakugan, so he quickly retreated after missing the first strike, preventing Shisui from gaining an advantage.

"Wow, we’ve got a big fish here!" Mangetsu grinned, his fingers flicking with anticipation.

"Shisui of the Body Flicker."

In the depths of Kisame Hoshigaki's eyes, a murderous intent arose. He gripped the hilt of the sword on his back and silently, slowly drew it. Just as Mangetsu Hozuki had said, this was indeed a big fish. Shisui of the Body Flicker—this was a formidable warrior that even Ao, the "Byakugan Killer," feared. If they could take down Shisui Uchiha here, it would surely be a significant achievement.

No words were necessary.

In that instant, Zabuza Momochi, Mangetsu Hozuki, and Kisame Hoshigaki teamed up to hunt down Shunshin Shisui Uchiha.

As for Ringo Ameyuri, no one knew where she had run off to. This lightning-style prodigy wasn't fond of or skilled in the assassination tactics that the Mist Ninjas often employed. What she loved most was using her Lightning Blades, Kiba, to crush her enemies head-on, cutting them down with the twin swords in her hands.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 114: The Mighty Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique*

A thick fog, dense enough to block out the surroundings, shrouded the nearby trees, rocks, and even the ground beneath his feet. Not even the Sharingan could fully pierce through this chakra-infused mist, and Uchiha Shisui could only see about four or five meters ahead of him. Beyond that, things became unclear.

However, this wasn't anything new to him.

It wasn’t his first time dealing with the Hidden Mist ninja. He’d already encountered their Silent Killing and Hidden Mist Techniques before, even taking down a few self-proclaimed assassination experts from the Mist during the Third Great Ninja War. While those ninjas were certainly skilled, they clearly weren’t as formidable as they had boasted.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be Shisui standing here today.

"Can you tell me your name, attacker from earlier?" Shisui asked, holding his sword at the ready and scanning for any clue to track down Zabuza Momochi.

"Zabuza Momochi," came the faint, echoing voice, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location. As the name "Silent Killing" suggests, this assassination technique involved a number of sound manipulation tricks. One such skill was making it impossible for the target to locate the source of the voice, a key part of the Silent Killing Technique.

“The ‘Demon’ Zabuza Momochi?” Shisui suddenly realized.

Much like he and Sougen had made their names during the Third Great Ninja War, there were also prodigies in the Mist Village. Zabuza Momochi was one of the talents that Hidden Mist had actively promoted. However, either by luck or fate, the two had never crossed paths during the war.

This would be their first battle.

“No wonder! Your Silent Killing Technique is the most impressive I’ve encountered from any Mist ninja so far. That last strike almost got me,” Shisui said casually, though his wrist suddenly turned, and with the howl of the wind, his small blade slashed toward his side.

There was no sound of flesh or bone being cut.

Only the splash of water hitting the ground.

"A Water Clone? How troublesome," Shisui thought instinctively, but as he withdrew his blade, he sensed something was wrong. The water that had splashed to the ground was still moving. “Water Gun Technique.” The upper half of a figure, formed from flowing water, appeared—Hozuki Mangetsu. With his right hand in the shape of a gun, he aimed at Shisui’s chest and fired a high-pressure stream of liquid more powerful than a bullet.

This was Hozuki Mangetsu’s killing move.

He had disguised his Liquid Transformation Technique as a Water Clone to get close to Uchiha Shisui and then use the Water Gun Technique, which required no hand signs, to finish him off. The tactic seemed simple, but the simpler the move, the more effective it often was.

Simplicity meant fewer weaknesses.

Hozuki Mangetsu was confident no one could dodge his Water Gun Technique from this range.

Until—

The liquid, capable of piercing through stone, tore through the trunk of a tree, and Mangetsu could hardly believe that Shisui had evaded the attack. So, this was the famed "Shisui of the Body Flicker"? The nickname truly fit him.

*Uchiha Style: Sword Dance of the Ember*

Shisui’s counterattack came swiftly.

The failed strike and Mangetsu’s liquified body were enough for Shisui to figure out his attacker’s identity. He was up against a ninja from the Hozuki Clan, likely the "Prodigy" Hozuki Mangetsu.

Shisui couldn’t help but feel slightly puzzled. First Zabuza Momochi, now Hozuki Mangetsu—was he surrounded by the Mist’s prodigies?

Pushing aside his scattered thoughts, he wielded his blade with the precision and swiftness of the Uchiha. Sparks of fire flickered along the edge as he slashed diagonally, making sure the strike covered enough area to ensure a lethal hit.

This was Shisui’s first encounter with a member of the Hozuki Clan, and his knowledge of their Liquid Transformation Technique was purely theoretical, so he naturally opted for the safest approach.

And of course—

Never forget Shisui’s surname.

He was an Uchiha. The same Uchiha who had once driven off Ao and his Mist squad. And it wasn’t just his Body Flicker Technique that had done the job—it was also the power of his Sharingan. His genjutsu was every bit as formidable as his mastery of the Body Flicker.

As Shisui’s blade fell, the tomoe in his Sharingan spun, and in an instant, his eyes met Mangetsu’s. *Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique* activated. Phantom iron spikes appeared and drove into Mangetsu’s body, robbing the prodigy of his ability to move.

Mangetsu froze, completely at the mercy of Shisui’s blade.

Fortunately for him, this wasn’t a one-on-one battle.

*Water Style: Water Fang Bullet*

A high-speed rotating stream of water, like a drilling snake, shot toward Shisui from multiple angles, directed by an unseen Kisame Hoshigaki hiding within the mist.

"Another one?" Shisui muttered, slightly exasperated.

Judging by the timing of the attack and the power of the jutsu, this unseen assailant was no pushover. Even Shisui was beginning to feel the pressure of facing three powerful adversaries.

As the spiraling water jets closed in, Shisui’s blade cut through one of Mangetsu’s arms, the clash of fire and water creating a hissing sound like boiling water. But when the severed arm hit the ground, it dissolved into a puddle of water.

"Another miss," Shisui frowned slightly.

There was no time for a second strike, though, as the water bullets were already upon him. But Shisui had already made hand signs with his left hand, and just as the water hit, his Body Flicker Technique activated, causing him to vanish from the spot. The next moment, he reappeared atop a distant tree.

"Too fast," Kisame muttered from within the mist, frowning deeply.

He wasn’t surprised that his Water Fang Bullet had missed. If Shisui could be caught so easily, he wouldn’t have earned such a fearsome reputation. Kisame’s problem was the sheer speed of Shisui’s Body Flicker Technique—it was so fast that he couldn’t think of any way to catch him.

As he pondered, Kisame sent a Water Clone to Mangetsu’s side, shattering Mangetsu’s body with a punch and returning him to his liquid form, breaking the hold of the Shackling Stakes Technique.

Mangetsu reappeared beside Kisame, unscathed and with both arms intact. This was the power of the Hozuki Clan’s Liquid Transformation Technique, which allowed them to evade most physical attacks—a top-tier survival ability.

“Kisame, Zabuza, don’t look into his Sharingan,” Mangetsu warned. He wasn’t sure if the Kisame beside him was the real one or another clone, but he knew both Kisame and Zabuza could hear him. After his close encounter with Shisui, he knew they would be looking for information.

“Under no circumstances should you make eye contact with Shisui. His genjutsu… is beyond what we can handle.”

His expression was deadly serious.

Neither Kisame nor Zabuza had ever seen Mangetsu look like this. In their eyes, Mangetsu always wore a smirk, dripping with arrogance and bloodlust. Even though they found him unpleasant, they couldn’t deny his strength.

But to see Mangetsu this rattled after just one exchange with Shisui—this was a first.

"That ridiculously fast Body Flicker would be trouble enough, but add genjutsu on top of it..." Kisame shook his head.

This was going to be tough.

Zabuza, hiding within the mist, remained silent.

“This time is different from before. If we’re not careful, we could become the prey here. Stay sharp if you don’t want to die,” Mangetsu said, creating more than ten Water Clones to work alongside Kisame’s clones in harassing Shisui.

Then—

He pulled out a large scroll and summoned the twin swords, Hiramekarei.

---

In the center of the island’s forest, the Mist ninja camp stood. Inside, a disguised White Zetsu, posing as Yagura, sat anxiously. The explosions and smoke rising from the west side of the island constantly reminded him that it might be time to wrap things up.

Uchiha Sougen was coming. The Mist ninja here were no match for Susanoo, not even close.

Just as Zetsu prepared to flee, commotion erupted outside the tent.

"Water Release: Giant Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Outside, Yagura unleashed a powerful Water Release jutsu. He spewed out a massive wave, like a raging ocean. The surging water instantly swept away all the debris and trees nearby, including the Mizukage’s tent, which was torn apart and carried away by the current. Even the ground itself was stripped away, leaving Zetsu, who was disguised as Yagura, unable to escape as the water swept him into the air.

“So impressive.”

Sougen stood atop the corpses of several Mist shinobi, gazing up at the enormous, oval-shaped water prison in front of him. Judging by eye, the thing had to be over ten kilometers in diameter. The Mist ninja’s camp was almost entirely flattened. Fortunately, most of the Mist shinobi had been drawn to the west side of the island by a surprise attack from the Leaf ninjas, leaving only about a hundred behind at the camp.

Yagura’s mastery of Water Release was remarkable. The Giant Exploding Water Colliding Wave was a defensive jutsu with the added ability to trap enemies. The Mist shinobi caught in the wave weren’t killed instantly; Yagura quickly tossed them aside. However, the Zetsu disguised as him remained trapped within.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 115: The Presence of Two Mizukage*

The gigantic ellipsoid water prison created by the Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu dominated the flat terrain of the unnamed island. No matter where you stood, you could see it by just looking up—assuming the thick mist didn't obscure your view. Due to the Mist Shinobi's use of the Hidden Mist Jutsu, the west side of the island was engulfed in a dense fog, resembling a sea of clouds!

To be honest, even the Mist Shinobi were becoming disoriented and couldn't tell east from west.

The many Hidden Mist Jutsus cast by different shinobi weakened chakra sensing, slowing down their movements. In contrast, the Mist Shinobi realized that the Leaf Shinobi they faced seemed to all possess sensory abilities—Sharingan, Byakugan, the Aburame clan's insects, the Yamanaka clan's mental techniques, the Inuzuka clan's heightened senses... In teams, the Leaf Shinobi overwhelmed the Mist Shinobi, who were barely able to organize themselves for battle and were continuously pushed back.

Even though the Mist Shinobi had the clear advantage in numbers—with nearly a thousand shinobi on the island—the gap in strength wasn’t as large as it seemed. Of the thousand, around a hundred were wounded in previous battles, and couldn’t be sent back to the village for healing. Subtracting the Chunin and Genin who were mostly cannon fodder, there were just over a hundred Jonin-level elites.

Moreover, one must remember a well-known rule of the shinobi world: It takes at least two shinobi of equal rank to deal with one Uchiha. For example, Uchiha Shisui alone was able to suppress three of the Mist Village's greatest talents. And it wasn’t just the Uchiha; the Leaf Shinobi involved in this mission had been handpicked by Sougen from various clans.

Shinobi like Aburame Shihei, Inuzuka Gaku, and Yamanaka Mokuren were all elite warriors. Sougen had gathered the cream of the crop from his vast army.

So, after crunching the numbers, the Leaf side clearly held the upper hand.

And indeed, the limited space on the island greatly hindered the effectiveness of the Hidden Mist Jutsu. The many Mist Shinobi's techniques interfered with each other. While the Mist Village had methods for coordinating large-scale Hidden Mist Jutsus, they required time and preparation.

In their hurried state and without the guidance of the Mizukage, the Mist Shinobi had no time to prepare.

Just before Sougen and Yagura broke through to where the Mist Shinobi's leadership was located, a Mist Shinobi, covered in soot, staggered out from the range of the Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques, his hair singed and yellowed. Barely escaping with his life, he hoarsely shouted, "We can’t hold them off!"

"Damn it! We really can’t stop them?" Terumi Mei gritted her teeth.

Frustration filled her heart. If only the other two base camps' forces were here. To make it easier to attack, the Fourth Mizukage had divided his massive army into three, spreading them across the border.

"Watch out!"

A sudden warning from behind snapped Terumi Mei back to attention. No time for regret, she saw a wind-style-infused shuriken flying toward her like a massive windmill. She didn’t doubt for a second that this shuriken, capable of slicing through rock, could easily tear her apart.

*Lava Release: Lava Monster Jutsu!*

Attack against attack—that was Terumi Mei's choice.

She spat out a thick, corrosive acid, which splattered against the rapidly spinning wind blades. Much of the acid was flung off, but enough remained to melt through the shuriken. In just one breath, the iron weapon was dissolved completely.

With the wind blades dissipating half a meter in front of her, only a gust of wind brushed past, making her reddish-brown hair sway gently.

Having neutralized the surprise attack from the forest, Terumi Mei focused, hoping to spot the Leaf shinobi using Wind Release. But instead, she saw two young women crash through the trees, landing in a more open grassy area.

It was a clash of wind and lightning.

Two blades flashed, crossing paths in the air.

The two combatants were Uchiha Chihaya and Ringo Ameyuri. Like bitter rivals, this was their third battle in recent days. In the previous two encounters, Ringo Ameyuri had been defeated by Uchiha Chihaya, whose Wind Release had a natural advantage over Ringo’s Lightning Release.

Yet, despite her losses, Ringo Ameyuri wasn’t discouraged.

Interestingly, both women shared similar personalities. They were entirely focused on their craft, immersing themselves in what they loved, oblivious to social norms. Despite their striking appearances, they weren’t popular with men.

But these unique girls didn’t care about such things. It was the thrill of dangerous battles that they sought.

For Ringo Ameyuri, her losses only fueled her determination, while Uchiha Chihaya became equally fixated on her opponent after twice letting her escape.

So, when they met for the third time, they didn’t waste words. They simply drew their swords and began another fierce battle.

Terumi Mei watched for a few seconds, dodging the fallout from their fight, realizing that the wind-infused shurikens had merely been the side effect of their clash. Ringo Ameyuri's twin lightning blades, Kiba, also ravaged the surrounding trees and land with bursts of violent lightning.

Seeing this, Terumi Mei knew she couldn’t interfere with their battle.

Though Ringo Ameyuri seemed at a disadvantage, her exquisite swordsmanship and the physical enhancements from her lightning chakra allowed her to hold her own.

Since Ringo could handle herself, Terumi Mei chose not to intervene. She knew that her assistance might not be welcomed and could even earn her the resentment of the genius girl.

Refocusing on the bigger picture, Terumi Mei asked her subordinates, “What’s the status of our casualties?”

“Have we found any more Leaf Shinobi in other areas of the island?”

“Still no contact with the Mizukage?”

Her pale-faced subordinates responded one after another.

“Order the surviving Chunin and Genin to retreat to the southern part of the island.”

As the dire answers piled up, Terumi Mei realized the situation was beyond saving. With swift decisiveness, she issued commands. At nearly twenty-one years old, Terumi Mei was the deputy commander of the Mist army, with authority second only to the Fourth Mizukage. In his absence, her orders were absolute.

"Tell all the Jonin still fighting to prioritize survival over killing the enemy."

"Send three teams to escort the wounded to safety."

One order after another was passed down, and the once disorganized Mist Shinobi began to pull themselves together.

This earned Terumi Mei the admiration of those around her. Many secretly vowed to support her as the next Mizukage. Compared to the current Mizukage, who hadn’t appeared, Terumi Mei clearly had more of the qualities of a leader.

Having inherited both Lava Release and Boil Release, Terumi Mei had the support of the last two bloodline limit clans in the village. She had also studied under Genji for a time, and it was clear to all that he was grooming her to become the next Mizukage.

Terumi Mei herself was aware of this.

As she commanded the Mist Shinobi’s orderly retreat, a major disturbance behind her disrupted the battle once again. The gigantic water prison created by the Great Waterfall Jutsu drew everyone’s attention. Even Uchiha Chihaya and Ringo Ameyuri paused their fight to look at the massive sphere of water.

Uchiha Shisui, who had been pressing the Mist geniuses, also halted his pursuit and leaped to the highest tree branch, gazing at the colossal water prison.

"Mizukage-sama?"

Terumi Mei was equally stunned.

From her position near the now-flooded campsite, she could barely make out Yagura inside the massive prison. “Who’s he fighting? With such a grand technique, is it that ‘Flame Demon’?”

“No, it’s not the Flame Demon. There are… two Mizukage chakras inside the water prison!?”

Her sensor-nin, wide-eyed and confused, blurted out the information.

Terumi Mei froze. “A shadow clone…?” But she stopped herself. That technique couldn’t sustain a shadow clone in the crushing pressure of the water prison.

Which meant…

If the sensor-nin wasn’t mistaken, there were truly two Fourth Mizukages in that water prison?

What kind of joke was this?

After a brief silence, Terumi Mei barked orders, “Someone go find Hozuki Mangetsu, Momochi Zabuza, and Hoshigaki Kisame. Get them here immediately. Something’s… very wrong!”

As she stared at the massive water prison, a sense of deep unease gnawed at Terumi Mei’s gut.

(End of Chapter)