Senju Tobirama snorted coldly and said with a smile, "Gengetsu, this must be your strongest technique."
Gengetsu Hōzuki (Second Mizukage) scoffed, "So what? Tobirama, those Tandem Paper Bombs you used earlier were quite powerful, weren't they? Come on then, let's play!"
As he spoke, a massive humanoid figure began to deflate and shrink. Simultaneously, hail began falling from the sky.
Ōnoki said grimly, "This is a clone the Second Mizukage creates using the oil and water in his body. The oil forms the body, while the interior is filled with water. Its trait is rapid heating and cooling. Once enough heat builds up, the water evaporates violently, causing a steam explosion. Then it cools and condenses with hail to prepare for another cycle."
After hearing the explanation, Senju Tobirama smirked and said, "That was quite an insightful breakdown, old man."
Ōnoki replied with a forced smile, gritting his teeth, "If you live long enough, you learn a few things."
The child-shaped steam clone had now shrunk into a normal human form. Suddenly, a large cleaver materialized in its hand as it charged forward.
Gaara moved first, sending sand forward to intercept it, but the clone's speed was faster than anticipated.
Senju Tobirama chuckled, "Interesting."
He dashed forward without hesitation, with Hiruzen Sarutobi (Third Hokage) right behind him.
Ōnoki called out urgently, "Second Hokage, Third Hokage! Don't focus on the clone—find the real body! When he uses this jutsu, his true body becomes extremely vulnerable!"
As expected, Shadow Clone Naruto, observing from behind, saw that Gengetsu had already slipped away.
Hiding behind a stone outcropping, Gengetsu muttered, "That old bastard Ōnoki knows too much. Wu must've spilled the details."
Tobirama smirked with anticipation. "I just want to test this technique. Back when I was alive, I didn't have the chance."
With that, Tobirama threw a Flying Thunder God kunai. The Steam Clone dodged. The kunai embedded itself nearby, etched with the Flying Thunder God mark.
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Tobirama teleported instantly, slicing into the clone—only for the clone to immediately reform and counterattack. Hiruzen shouted, "Nidaime, watch out!"
Clang!
Hiruzen blocked the blade with Enma, his Adamantine Staff.
Tobirama calmly analyzed, "Fascinating. It can regenerate that quickly? Let's see which is stronger: your steam explosion or my explosive tags. Monkey, move aside!"
"Yes!"
Hiruzen leapt away. As always, Hiruzen remained obedient to his master's commands, just as he had during the Great War. Back then, when Tobirama was cornered by Kinkaku Force, he asked his subordinates who would stay behind to cover the retreat. Hiruzen stepped up without hesitation, while Danzō faltered.
That was the moment Tobirama decided Hiruzen would be the next Hokage. Not just due to strength, but decisiveness and loyalty.
Back in the present, the Steam Child struck again, slicing Tobirama clean in half.
Shlick!
Tobirama's upper body clasped his hands together, grabbing the incoming blade and flashing through hand seals.
"You're not escaping! Gengetsu, watch closely—this is my Tandem Paper Bomb technique!"
With those words, a wave of explosive tags erupted from his body, chaining in a deadly barrage.
In the distance, Gengetsu scowled. He ordered the Steam Clone to retreat, but the clone wasn't strong enough.
He felt the rising heat and smirked.
"Then I'll absorb it!"
The Steam Clone began to swell. The more explosions Tobirama triggered, the more the clone expanded.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "How naive. My explosive tags are marked with Flying Thunder God markers. They follow my seals. No matter where you run, you'll be bombed."
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
The clone continued to swell with every detonation. Despite its expanding body, the oil-and-water structure rapidly regenerated.
In no time, a towering Steam Clone stood before them.
Gengetsu emerged from hiding, laughing. "Hahaha! Tobirama, what now?!"
Tobirama frowned. "This is getting troublesome. Tandem Paper Bombs only work well against standard chakra-based constructs... This one regenerates too fast. I need a new approach."
Gengetsu laughed wildly. "It's going to explode again. Click!"
BOOOOM!
A massive cloud of superheated steam exploded outward.
Shadow Clone Naruto gritted his teeth. "We need to take down the main body first."
He dashed forward. The Steam Clone, rapidly shrinking due to hail, suddenly repositioned in front of Gengetsu to shield him.
Tobirama teleported next to Gaara. "Hey, Sand kid. Mix something into the clone's body. Pollute the water inside. Got it?"
Gaara blinked, surprised. "Shouldn't we go straight for the main body?"
Hiruzen echoed, "Nidaime, wouldn't that be simpler?"
Tobirama snorted, "Too boring. I finally get to enjoy myself a little. Don't ruin it, Gengetsu!"
Gengetsu smirked, "You're insufferable."
Suddenly, Kabuto's chakra surged, forcibly taking control of Gengetsu.
"Stop me... My body...!"
With a grimace, Gengetsu lost consciousness.
The Steam Clone instantly withdrew, carrying Gengetsu toward a sand mound.
Gaara gave chase, with Ōnoki, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Naruto following.
From a distance, Temari observed. "This lineup is insane. Four Kage-level shinobi and Naruto... just to fight one Mizukage."
Kabuto, now in full control of Gengetsu, had the Steam Clone retreat to the mound. He needed time to summon his trump card.
As Temari thought, the opposing force was overwhelming. Only one man could shift the battlefield now... and Kabuto was ready to summon him.
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