[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 466 - 470

Chapter 466: Collision

In the Konoha camp, one hundred meters away, the gathered ninjas stared at the battlefield in stunned silence. The distance, which was trivial for experienced shinobi, felt insurmountable. Despite their sharp senses, they couldn’t keep up with the duel between the two titans.

Even Hyuga Tenki, armed with the Byakugan and a master of taijutsu, could only shake his head in quiet awe.

"This… this is beyond anything I’ve seen," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the hazy movements.

The two combatants, while not Kage, stood shoulder to shoulder with the strongest figures in the ninja world.

"Bang!"

Atop the salamander, Hanzo formed a quick hand seal. A billowing cloud of smoke erupted, and when it cleared, the massive salamander was gone. Both combatants now stood on the rain-soaked ground, several meters apart, facing each other.

"So, you’ve dismissed your summoning," Minato observed. His voice was calm, but his sharp eyes revealed his analytical mind at work.

The massive creature had given Hanzo a strategic advantage, but it also constrained his movement. Against someone like Minato, who thrived on mobility, limiting his own range was a critical mistake.

"And the poison…" Minato thought aloud, watching Hanzo closely. "You haven’t used it since the beginning. You know Tsunade-senpai has developed a counter for it."

Hanzo’s gaze was unreadable, but Minato knew the truth. The Rain Village leader had forfeited one of his greatest weapons at the start of their battle.

Even so, Minato understood the threat he faced. Hanzo, the legendary "Demigod of the Ninja World," was still an opponent who could push him to his limits.

"Clang!"

The sound of Hanzo’s sickle slicing through the air broke the tense silence. The weapon gleamed as it cut arcs through the rain, sending crescent-shaped blades of wind chakra flying toward Minato.

Minato's sharp reflexes kicked in, and he prepared to dodge, but Hanzo’s stance shifted subtly. His legs bent into a bow step, and his sickle danced with renewed ferocity.

"Here he comes."

Minato swung his kunai, its blade infused with wind chakra, sending his own counterattacks hurtling forward. The opposing wind blades clashed mid-air, causing visible ripples to spread as the rain scattered in all directions.

Suddenly, Hanzo moved.

"The Body Flicker Technique!"

His speed surged, closing the distance between them in an instant. The sickle, now a blur, slashed down toward Minato in a relentless, unstoppable arc.

Minato remained calm. Even at this speed, he trusted his reactions. The kunai in his hand extended, its sharp edge glinting like a short blade.

"Clang!"

The weapons met, sparks flying as the rain sizzled on contact. Hanzo’s sickle, imbued with wind chakra, bit into Minato’s kunai, the friction between them producing a metallic screech.

"Crack!"

The specially crafted kunai fractured under the pressure, the blade snapping in two.

Hanzo’s lips curled into a smirk, and he pressed forward to capitalize on the advantage.

But Minato was already prepared. His free hand flashed upward, forming a perfect sphere of spinning chakra.

"Rasengan!"

The glowing orb of energy collided with Hanzo’s sickle, the force behind it shaking the ground. The impact disarmed Hanzo momentarily, but he recovered swiftly, pulling back as the chain attached to the sickle recoiled into his grasp.

Minato used the moment to create space, tossing the broken kunai aside. His sharp gaze fell on Hanzo’s weapon, now back in the Rain Village leader’s hand.

Minato frowned. That weapon isn’t ordinary.

The sickle had withstood direct contact with the Rasengan, a feat that would have shattered most ninja tools instantly. Hanzo’s weapon was forged from something special, akin to the legendary swords of the Kirigakure or the infamous artifacts wielded by rogue shinobi.

Hanzo wasted no time, hurling the sickle at Minato again. The chain attached to it whistled as it cut through the air.

Minato sidestepped the attack, but Hanzo was relentless. With a fluid motion, he swung the axe on the opposite end of the chain, aiming to catch Minato mid-dodge.

The blonde shinobi’s eyes narrowed as he shifted his stance, intercepting Hanzo’s wrist before the axe could complete its arc.

Hanzo’s muscles tensed as he tried to overpower Minato, but his opponent’s grip was unyielding. Minato’s strength, enhanced by his partial transformation with the Nine-Tails' chakra, gave him an edge that even Hanzo struggled to counter.

Before Hanzo could react, Minato drove a swift punch into his chest, sending him stumbling backward.

Hanzo’s chain recoiled once more, the sickle hurtling back toward Minato’s exposed back.

But Minato was faster. He released Hanzo’s wrist, spinning just in time to meet the incoming weapon.

"Rasengan!"

The spiraling sphere of chakra erupted again, smashing into the sickle and deflecting it with a powerful explosion.

Minato didn’t let up. He crouched low, sweeping his leg in a fluid motion toward Hanzo’s feet.

Hanzo leapt back, narrowly avoiding the attack. But Minato’s movements were unrelenting, and he flipped forward, landing behind Hanzo and thrusting a palm toward his opponent’s back.

Hanzo twisted his body just in time to meet the strike with his own fist.

"Bang!"

The impact of their blows reverberated through the rain-soaked battlefield. Hanzo gritted his teeth as he felt the force of Minato’s strike dissipate the energy in his punch.

Minato pressed his advantage, delivering another punch that Hanzo barely caught with his palm. But Minato’s speed was superior, and he shifted his weight to drive his shoulder into Hanzo’s chest.

The blow forced Hanzo to stumble backward, creating a brief opening.

Hanzo reacted swiftly, drawing the samurai sword from his waist and slashing across in a wide arc.

Minato leaned back, avoiding the blade by a hair’s breadth. As he retreated, his hands formed a rapid series of seals.

"Bang!"

Two shadow clones appeared beside Minato, their identical forms mirroring his movements.

Hanzo’s eyes narrowed. He understood the risk Minato had taken. Shadow clones, while effective for diversions, split the user’s chakra, potentially slowing their movements.

But Minato’s calm expression told another story.

"It’s almost time," Minato thought, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

Unbeknownst to Hanzo, several black markings had begun to creep across the ground around him, intricate patterns converging at his feet.

Chapter 467: Death Threats

The rain-soaked battlefield was alive with tension as black, mysterious lines crisscrossed and spiraled on the ground, forming an intricate trap. Hanzo stood at the center, his sharp eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher Minato’s strategy.

Despite the urgency, confusion clouded his thoughts. Why would Minato deliberately use the Shadow Clone Technique, a jutsu that would split his chakra and hinder his speed?

Before Hanzo could arrive at an answer, a chilling sensation surged up his spine, instinct warning him of danger.

Swish, swish, swish!

The three Minatos standing before him vanished, their images dissolving like mirages. In the same instant, a sphere of glowing blue chakra materialized right in front of him.

"Rasengan!"

Hanzo recognized the threat immediately. Having felt the power of the Rasengan earlier in their duel, he knew better than to face it head-on. With lightning reflexes, he raised his sickle, intercepting the attack. The Rasengan struck the weapon, sending a sharp vibration through the air.

But before he could counter, Minato disappeared again.

"What!?"

Hanzo’s decades of experience screamed at him, the sharp intuition honed from surviving countless battles kicking in. He twisted sharply, sensing a new attack behind him. Without hesitation, he hurled the axe connected to his chain.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal colliding echoed in the rain, confirming that his reflex had deflected the assault. Yet, the sense of danger didn’t fade.

From the perspective of the Konoha shinobi observing from a distance, Hanzo appeared to be trapped in a dazzling web of yellow light. Minato’s movements were so fast and precise that his glowing figure seemed to multiply and surround Hanzo completely.

This wasn’t ordinary speed—it was Minato’s self-created jutsu: Flying Thunder God Dance Level 3

The previous close combat had been a calculated ploy. Minato had used it to subtly place his Flying Thunder God marks around Hanzo, weaving a lethal network.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The repeated clashes of weapons echoed as Minato and his clones pressed their advantage. From afar, the Konoha shinobi were left awestruck. Minato’s speed was legendary; for most enemies, the first attack alone would have been fatal. Yet, Hanzo was holding his ground against not one, but three Minatos.

Though two of them were shadow clones, the feat was extraordinary. Hanzo was truly living up to his title as a demigod.

Still, the relentless barrage took its toll. A golden streak sliced through the rain, followed by Hanzo stumbling out of the chaotic light. His breathing was labored, and a fresh gash adorned his back. The wound hadn’t severed his spine, but it came dangerously close.

Hanzo’s gaze flickered toward Minato, his expression a mix of respect and realization. He marked me during our exchange without me noticing.

As his eyes scanned the battlefield, the faint glimmers of the Flying Thunder God seals became evident. Each mark corresponded to positions where Minato had attacked or dodged earlier.

How is he this fast?

Hanzo’s thoughts raced as he pieced together the horrifying truth. He wasn’t just fighting me—he was setting up a battlefield under my nose.

Minato dispelled his clones with a simple hand seal, their forms vanishing with a puff of smoke. He remained calm, his bright blue eyes studying Hanzo with precision.

"As expected of a demigod," Minato murmured to himself. In all his battles since his rebirth, none had pushed him like this.

Still, a small smile tugged at his lips. I haven’t even gone all out yet.

Across the battlefield, Hanzo’s weary eyes betrayed a flicker of anger. For decades, he had been revered as the pinnacle of ninja prowess, a legend who towered above all challengers. Yet here was Minato, young enough to be his son, matching him at every turn.

Hanzo’s grip tightened on his weapons. The idea that he couldn’t defeat this "Yellow Flash" was an affront to his pride. His expression hardened as he forced the doubt from his mind.

Impossible! Hanzo growled internally. I refuse to believe this twenty-year-old surpasses me!

With a fierce roar, Hanzo charged. His sickle moved like extensions of his body, their chains whistling through the rain-soaked air.

But as he closed the distance, Minato’s expression shifted. Orange markings began to spread across the corners of his eyes, and his once-brilliant azure irises darkened into horizontal pupils.

Hanzo halted mid-charge, an unfamiliar sensation creeping over him.

What is this power?

Minato raised a single fist, his movements precise yet unhurried. When he punched, it seemed like nothing extraordinary. But the air around his fist rippled, and an invisible force blasted forward.

"Clang!"

Hanzo barely had time to cross his weapons in defense. The impact sent him skidding backward, his boots carving deep grooves in the mud. When he looked down, his sickle bore a faint but unmistakable dent.

His heart raced. That weapon had withstood decades of combat without damage. But one punch from Minato had left it warped.

The demigod’s instincts screamed at him to move, but before he could recover, Minato appeared a meter in front of him.

"When!?"

Hanzo’s reflexes kicked in, and he raised his weapons once more.

"Senjutsu: Rasengan!"

Minato’s sage enhanced Rasengan, infused with natural energy, collided with Hanzo’s sickle. This time, the sickle didn’t just warp—it deformed entirely, its once-lethal edge rendered useless.

The force of the attack hurled Hanzo backward. He managed to regain his footing, but the weapon in his hand was no longer recognizable.

His trembling eyes darted to Minato. The blonde shinobi’s Sage Mode markings were unmistakable now, and his calm demeanor only heightened the fear creeping into Hanzo’s chest.

This… this man…

Despite his decades of experience and countless victories, Hanzo finally understood a truth he had never considered.

Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, now possessed the power to kill him.

Chapter 468: New Peak!

For the first time in his life, Hanzo felt genuine fear—a cold, unrelenting dread that clawed at his core. His entire life had been spent at the pinnacle of the ninja world, where even the Kage of the five great nations regarded him with caution.

As the "Demigod of the Ninja World," Hanzo had never encountered an opponent capable of truly threatening his life. Yet now, standing opposite Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, that invincible image of himself was crumbling.

Minato’s expression was no longer calm but cold and resolute. His piercing gaze bore into Hanzo, devoid of hesitation. Minato had not come here to prove his strength to Hanzo; he had come to protect Konoha.

Hanzo’s actions, whatever their motivation, had placed Konoha in grave peril. The chance to eliminate him would not only reduce that threat but also serve as a warning to the other great nations.

Swish!

Minato surged forward, his speed unmatched. Hanzo’s heart raced as he felt the oppressive force of Minato’s intent bearing down on him. Without thinking, he leapt backward, retreating as quickly as he could.

The Demigod’s instincts screamed at him to disengage. The longer he remained in combat, the more precarious his situation became.

Despite his agility, Hanzo couldn’t match Minato’s speed, especially now that the latter had entered Sage Mode. The natural energy surrounding Minato seemed to press against Hanzo, suffocating him with its sheer weight.

Hanzo’s retreat was cut short when Minato hurled two kunai, their blades crackling with lightning as they tore through the rain-soaked air.

Damn it!

Hanzo had no choice but to halt his hand seals, pivoting sharply to deflect the kunai with his axe. The clash of metal rang out, but before he could recover, Minato was upon him again.

"Want to escape? Not that easy!" Minato’s voice cut through the downpour, cold and resolute.

"Frog Kumite!"

Minato’s fist shot forward, trailing the invisible force of natural energy. Hanzo raised his arm to block, but the impact was devastating.

Crack!

The sickening sound of bone breaking echoed through the battlefield. Hanzo’s forearm, despite his years of training and battle-hardened resilience, was shattered.

Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Hanzo refused to falter. With his free hand, he produced a scroll from his robes and crushed it.

Bang!

In a flash of smoke, Hanzo’s massive salamander reappeared, its ominous presence casting a shadow over the battlefield. Without hesitation, it opened its maw, and Hanzo dived inside.

Minato’s sharp eyes widened slightly. "Forcing a summoning contract?"

It was a rare and desperate technique, one that required tearing up the summoning contract to forcibly summon the creature. Such an act often severed the bond of trust between summoner and beast, but Hanzo’s decades-long partnership with the salamander mitigated that risk.

Still, the gamble was immense. Without a new contract, Hanzo’s ability to rely on his summoning would be lost.

The salamander attempted to retreat, its massive body lumbering away, but Minato was relentless.

"Senjutsu: Super Odama Rasengan!"

The enormous spiraling chakra sphere in Minato’s hand expanded, its light illuminating the battlefield. He hurled it toward the salamander, and the impact was catastrophic.

Boom!

The salamander roared in pain as the Rasengan collided with its body, shaking the ground beneath it. Yet, in its final moments of anguish, Hanzo completed his desperate gambit.

Bang!

With another puff of smoke, the salamander vanished, taking Hanzo with it.

Minato’s sharp gaze lingered on the empty space where his opponent had stood moments before. His Sage Mode markings began to fade as he let out a quiet sigh of frustration.

"How decisive," he murmured. Hanzo’s retreat, though desperate, had been executed with precision. The Demigod had given Minato no opportunity to leave a Flying Thunder God mark on him, an intentional strategy that revealed Hanzo’s knowledge of Minato’s abilities.

Even so, Minato couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret. Hanzo’s escape meant Konoha would have to face him again, potentially alongside the allied forces of other nations.

In a flash, Minato reappeared outside the Konoha camp. The rain had begun to subside, but the air remained thick with tension.

The Konoha shinobi stared at him in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.

"He… he forced Hanzo to retreat?" someone finally whispered.

The murmurs grew into a chorus of exhilaration.

"He won! Minato actually beat the Demigod of the Ninja World!"

"And not just a win—it was a complete domination! Hanzo was lucky to escape!"

The camp erupted in cheers, the morale of the Konoha forces soaring to unprecedented heights. Only days ago, Hanzo had humiliated them, his overwhelming power casting a shadow over their hopes. But now, before their eyes, Minato had turned the tide.

Amidst the celebration, Minato offered a faint, bitter smile. Despite the victory, he couldn’t shake his dissatisfaction.

If only I had killed him… he thought. Hanzo’s survival meant he could regroup and possibly ally with other nations, compounding Konoha’s challenges in the ongoing war.

Hyuga Tenki approached, his expression solemn but respectful. After a moment’s pause, he spoke. "When word of this battle spreads, your teacher—and the entire ninja world—will be astounded."

Minato inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. He knew the significance of this moment.

Decades ago, Hanzo had named Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru the "Three Legendary Sannin" after their hard-fought battle against him. That encounter had cemented Hanzo’s reputation as the pinnacle of ninja prowess.

Now, that same Demigod had fled from Minato.

The Yellow Flash of Konoha had already garnered immense fame, his exploits reverberating through the five great nations. But this battle would elevate him further.

For the shinobi world, there was a new peak to strive for—a new standard of strength.

Chapter 469: Uchiha Madara

The battle between Minato Namikaze and Hanzo rippled through the ninja world like a thunderclap, shattering the fragile calm that had lingered during the pause in the Third Ninja World War.

What had been a tense stalemate now erupted into chaos. The clash between two legendary figures, the Yellow Flash of Konoha and the Demigod of the Rain Village, was more than just a battle—it was a defining moment that reshaped the balance of power in the ninja world.

News spread like wildfire, igniting fervent discussions among shinobi and Kage alike.

Hanzo’s defeat came as a shock. For decades, he had been revered as a figure at the very pinnacle of ninja strength. Even among the top forces of the five great nations, Hanzo stood as a symbol of invincibility, a peerless warrior who could rival the legendary Sannin and White Fang of Konoha.

Yet, Minato had shattered that perception. Hanzo’s broken arm, his severely injured salamander, and his desperate retreat painted a stark contrast to the once-invincible demigod.

At first, many dismissed the news as baseless rumor. Surely, the Yellow Flash, as powerful as he was, couldn’t have surpassed the legendary Hanzo. But as the Rain Village remained silent, offering no denial or rebuttal, the truth became undeniable.

The ninja world reeled from the revelation.

With Hanzo’s defeat, a singular fact emerged: Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, now stood as the strongest ninja in the world.

No Kage could rival him. No village had a champion capable of balancing his overwhelming speed, skill, and power. The realization sent shockwaves through every nation.

For decades, the ninja world had seen many powerful figures rise and fall. Heroes like the Third Hokage, the Demigod Hanzo, the legendary Sannin, and Kumo’s A B Combination had left their mark on history. Yet none had dominated their era so completely as Minato did now.

The Yellow Flash had done what even the strongest of his predecessors could not: he stood alone, unmatched, as the pinnacle of the ninja world.

This feat evoked memories of an era long past, when two other names inspired similar awe and fear. Back then, their power was unparalleled, their influence absolute.

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.

Deep underground in the Hidden Kirigakure, White Zetsu stood before a hunched, white-haired figure. His report detailed Minato's victory over Hanzo, and the old man’s reaction was telling.

A flicker of surprise crossed the face of the legendary Uchiha Madara.

"He defeated Hanzo?" Madara mused, his voice low but tinged with intrigue. "This boy’s growth surpasses even my expectations."

His crimson Sharingan glinted in the dim light as his expression turned cold.

"I should have eliminated him earlier, but… that time has passed," Madara muttered, regret mingling with frustration. In the past, dealing with Minato would have been trivial, but his current weakened state made such a task impossible.

White Zetsu shivered at the murderous intent radiating from the old man. Even though he served Madara faithfully, the sight of the infamous Uchiha’s fury was enough to unnerve him.

Madara’s lips curled into a slight smirk. "But it doesn’t matter. Not even he can derail my plan now."

With a flick of his wrist, Madara tossed a scroll to White Zetsu. "We’ll tighten our control over the Hidden Kirigakure. Go, make the necessary arrangements."

White Zetsu bowed low, then sank into the ground without another word.

Moments later, in the underground cavern, another figure entered—the Third Mizukage. His brows furrowed as he took in Madara’s seated form.

"What do you need from me?" the Mizukage asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Madara raised his head slowly, revealing a single crimson eye with three rotating magatama. A sinister smile spread across his face.

"It’s nothing serious," Madara said, his tone deceptively calm. "I simply need to place a chess piece."

The Mizukage’s expression darkened. "Chess piece?"

Boom!

Suddenly, an overwhelming aura surged from Madara, flooding the cavern with an oppressive force.

It wasn’t raw strength, but a presence—an aura of absolute authority that only someone who had ruled the battlefield for decades could command.

The Mizukage staggered under the weight of it. Though he was no weakling, the oppressive energy left him trembling.

It was a stark reminder of who Uchiha Madara truly was. Those who had lived during Madara’s era knew the terror his name alone inspired.

"You…" the Mizukage growled, retreating instinctively.

Madara’s lips curled into a sneer. "Do you think you can escape me?"

With a series of hand seals, Madara activated a barrier technique. Black lines spread across the cavern walls, intertwining to form an impenetrable barrier. The Mizukage’s escape route was cut off entirely.

Desperation flashed in the Mizukage’s eyes as he turned to face Madara.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

He formed hand seals with blinding speed, unleashing a massive torrent of water in the form of a roaring dragon. The water dragon hurtled toward the barrier, crashing into it with a deafening explosion.

Bang!

The impact sent ripples across the barrier, but it held firm. The Mizukage’s face fell.

"This barrier… it blocks out sound and vibrations?" he muttered, despair creeping into his voice. He had hoped to draw the attention of others in the Hidden Kirigakure, but his efforts were futile.

Madara’s calm voice echoed through the cavern. "Have you struggled enough?"

Chapter 470: Susanoo

"Have you struggled enough?"

Uchiha Madara’s voice was calm and indifferent, yet it carried a weight that made the Third Mizukage freeze in place. He turned, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and disbelief as he stared at the hunched figure before him.

How?

Madara’s body looked withered, barely able to support itself. By all appearances, he was a relic of the past, a man who should no longer be a threat.

And yet, the Mizukage couldn’t suppress the dread clawing at his chest. His hands trembled, his instincts screaming at him to flee.

But he quickly pushed the fear down, forcing himself to speak. "Even if it’s you, in your current state, what can you possibly do to me?"

The words brought him a brief sense of relief, a glimmer of confidence. For years, their alliance had been one of convenience. With the Hidden Kirigakure now under his control, the Mizukage believed he no longer needed Madara.

Madara chuckled, the sound low and mocking. Slowly, he placed his hands on his knees and stood.

The sight should have been pitiful—an old man struggling to rise. But instead, the Mizukage felt his hair stand on end, his body instinctively recoiling.

He formed hand seals at lightning speed. "Water Style: Shark Bullet Technique!"

A massive water shark took shape, its jaws wide as it lunged toward Madara.

Boom!

A flash of blue light erupted, slicing through the water shark with ease. The attack dissolved into droplets, falling harmlessly to the ground.

The Mizukage’s eyes widened as he took in the sight before him.

Madara was now encased in a blue, skeletal aura, a massive ribcage of chakra forming around him. Sharp blades extended from the construct’s frame, their edges glowing with lethal intent.

The Mizukage’s voice faltered. "S-Susanoo?"

The chakra surrounding Madara continued to expand, the skeletal form growing until it stood several meters tall. Its massive frame loomed over the Mizukage, casting him in shadow.

"Impossible…" the Mizukage whispered, his voice barely audible.

He knew the requirements for Susanoo—an ability that only those with the Mangekyō Sharingan could achieve. Madara’s current state, with just his three-tomoe Sharingan, should have made such a feat impossible.

Yet there it was, a manifestation of pure, overwhelming power.

Madara raised his hand, and the skeletal Susanoo mirrored the movement. A massive bony palm swung toward the Mizukage, aiming to crush him.

Swish!

The Mizukage narrowly dodged, his speed saving him by a hair. But his heart raced as he realized the gap between them.

"I just need to outlast him," the Mizukage thought desperately. "This chakra… his body can’t sustain it for long!"

He formed more hand seals, unleashing a barrage of attacks.

"Water Style: Water Bomb!"

"Water Style: Water Whip!"

Jets of water surged forward, slamming into the Susanoo’s frame. But the attacks barely left a mark, dispersing harmlessly against the chakra armor.

Madara sneered. "Do you think such feeble attacks can shake Susanoo?"

The massive bony hand swung again, forcing the Mizukage to retreat.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Technique!"

Madara’s seals were a blur, and four roaring fire dragons materialized, cutting off the Mizukage’s escape routes.

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

Desperation fueled the Mizukage’s actions as he summoned columns of water to intercept the fire dragons. Steam erupted as water and fire clashed, obscuring the battlefield in a dense mist.

But the Mizukage’s relief was short-lived. Out of the haze, the blue glow of Susanoo emerged, larger and more fearsome than before.

The skeletal Susanoo began to take on new form. Flesh and armor materialized over the bones, transforming it into a warrior-like figure wielding massive weapons.

In its hand, several glowing blue magatama spun ominously, their energy crackling in the air.

"Yasaka no Magatama!"

The magatama flew from Susanoo’s hand, spinning like shuriken as they raced toward the Mizukage.

The Mizukage’s eyes widened in terror. The attack was too fast—he had no time to dodge or defend.

Boom!

The magatama struck with devastating force, sending the Mizukage flying into the cavern wall. Blood trickled from his mouth as he struggled to remain conscious.

Madara’s voice was low, almost a murmur. "It’s more troublesome than I expected."

Even though the Mizukage was not on his level, he was still a Kage—a formidable opponent. But for Madara, the outcome had never been in doubt.

The Susanoo’s massive hand reached out, seizing the Mizukage like a doll.

The Mizukage thrashed and struggled, but his efforts were in vain. The hand brought him before Madara, who remained calm, his crimson Sharingan glowing faintly.

With a simple seal, Madara’s eyes flickered, and the Mizukage’s own eyes widened in shock.

The Susanoo dissolved, the glowing chakra dissipating as Madara released the technique. He staggered slightly, coughing as his frail body protested the exertion.

White Zetsu emerged from the ground, his expression unreadable. "You’re pushing yourself too hard," he said, concern tinging his voice.

Madara waved him off. "Heal him," he ordered, gesturing to the limp form of the Mizukage.

White Zetsu approached, pressing a hand to the Mizukage’s chest. His body began to mend, but something more sinister occurred—White Zetsu’s form merged with the Mizukage, taking control of his body.

Moments later, White Zetsu stood, his appearance now identical to the Mizukage’s. Even his chakra signature was indistinguishable.

"Why not just kill him?" White Zetsu asked, glancing at the unconscious Mizukage.

Madara’s lips curled into a smirk. "Your imitation is excellent, but he is still the Mizukage. There will come a time when his true presence will be needed to maintain the illusion. When that moment passes, his life will end naturally."

As he spoke, the Mizukage stirred, his eyes opening slowly. But the light in them had changed—they were vacant, devoid of will.