After striking Mereoleona with his Coral Palm technique, Yagura wasted no time. His hands blurred through a series of seals as he turned his attention back to Erza, who was already charging toward him with unwavering resolve.
From the lake just behind the battlefield, the water began to stir violently.
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
In an instant, multiple spiraling, cone-shaped jets of water burst forth with shrill whistles, twisting through the air like drills. They honed in on Erza with deadly precision, slicing through stone and earth in their path.
But Erza was ready.
She swung her blade with fluid grace, each strike producing a sharp shockwave as it met the incoming projectiles. Her sword—infused with enchantments specifically designed to counter water-based attacks—cleaved through the Water Fang Bullets one by one, scattering them harmlessly into mist.
As the final spiral dispersed into vapor, Erza locked eyes with Yagura.
"You've made your move," she said, her voice calm yet resolute. "Now it's my turn."
In one powerful motion, she raised her sword and brought it down toward Yagura. He met her charge, gripping his club once more and lifting it to block.
But what came next was no ordinary slash.
The blade was wrapped in churning water, glowing with chakra and heavy weight. As she swung, a massive wave surged outward from her sword like a crashing tide. The technique—Sea God's Blade Wave—unleashed an unstoppable torrent of force.
Yagura's eyes widened slightly as the water wave collided with his guard.
BOOM!
The sheer impact knocked him backward, his heels digging deep furrows into the battlefield as he was dragged several meters by the force. Water exploded outward, drenching the nearby terrain and shaking the very trees.
Mereoleona, who had been poised and waiting for just such an opening, moved instantly.
She blurred forward at breakneck speed, flames crackling around her fists. In one breath, she launched her attack.
"Calidus Brachium!"
Her arms became engines of destruction, releasing a barrage of fire-infused punches at Yagura. The flames burst forth like rays of sunlight—concentrated, blistering, and relentless. Each punch sent out a shockwave of heat, the ground beneath her feet cracking from the sheer pressure.
Yagura gritted his teeth and made another set of hand seals with speed and precision.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
A mirror-like sheet of water shimmered into existence in front of him, standing as a transparent wall between him and Mereoleona. The fire rays crashed into the water mirror one by one—and then... vanished.
No explosion. No splash. No resistance. It was as if they had been absorbed completely.
Mereoleona narrowed her eyes and ceased her assault, breathing heavily. On the other side of the water mirror, Yagura stood tall, entirely untouched—no burns, no bruises. Not even his robe was singed.
But then, the mirror rippled.
From its surface, flaming projectiles began bursting forth—the very same fire punches Mereoleona had unleashed just moments ago. They surged back at her in the same formation, speed, and power as her original attack. It was as if the mirror had recorded and now played her own assault back at her, perfectly mimicked.
Mereoleona could have evaded them.
But instead, she smiled.
"Come on!" she roared, eyes gleaming with excitement. Her fists ignited once again, brighter and hotter than before. "Let's see if I can take myself on!"
With a thunderous laugh, she met the mirrored firestorm head-on, her fists deflecting and smashing the flaming projectiles with explosive bursts. Heat and sparks lit up the battlefield as she struck them down one by one, refusing to yield.
"Haha!" she laughed, reveling in the challenge. "Feeling the full strength of my own attack—this is fun!"
The air around her shimmered with heat as fire met fire.
Seeing an opportunity to press the attack, Erza raised her blade once more. Water chakra surged around her weapon as she activated her technique.
"Sea God's Blade Wave!"
A massive wave of water erupted from her sword, roaring forward with crushing force toward Yagura. The battlefield shook as the wall of water rushed across the scorched and shattered earth.
But Yagura, having just returned Mereoleona's previous attack, remained composed. With a flick of his hand, he turned the Water Mirror Technique once more to face Erza.
The moment the wave struck the reflective surface, it vanished—absorbed into the mirror. Then, just as before, the attack was returned in full force, crashing back toward Erza, mirroring the exact timing and structure of her own jutsu.
But Erza was ready.
With a focused expression and steady breath, she swung her sword in a wide arc. Her blade cut through the retaliated wave with practiced ease, dispersing the returning water strike and leaving nothing but mist in its wake.
Yagura's jaw tightened.
He had returned both of their powerful signature attacks. And yet—neither of them appeared remotely shaken. No fatigue in their stance. No hesitation in their eyes. Even after a prolonged, high-level battle, they stood firm.
Under his breath, he cursed.
"Damn it… Uzumaki really do have monstrous chakra reserves and unnatural resilience. These two… they're a serious threat."
His mind raced.
I came here to eliminate them before they could become more dangerous. But now… Uchiha reinforcements have arrived. Fugaku is here. If I stay focused on these two, someone like him could flank me—or worse, strike when I'm vulnerable. I can't afford that.
Realizing the odds had shifted, Yagura made a swift decision.
Without another word, he retreated. His form blurred and vanished from the battlefield, leaving behind a wake of scorched earth and battered terrain.
From a distance, Fugaku Uchiha, observing the retreat, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment toward Erza and Mereoleona. He did not approach, choosing instead to return to coordinating his forces elsewhere, now that Yagura's withdrawal had effectively ended today's battle.
Mikoto Uchiha, however, made her way over to the two girls.
Erza, now lowering her weapon, used Requip Magic once again. Light shimmered around her as her battle armor vanished, replaced by her usual outfit—a blue skirt paired with a white blouse and light armor plates.
Mikoto approached them with quiet grace.
"Are you two alright?" she asked, concern in her eyes.
Both Erza and Mereoleona nodded.
"We're fine," Erza replied.
Mikoto smiled. "You're both… Shanks' clan sisters, aren't you? It's good to finally meet you. I'm Mikoto. Perhaps he's mentioned me?"
Erza blinked, then smiled softly. "So you're that Mikoto Uchiha. We've heard Onii-chan talk about you a lot. We'd been hoping to meet you this past week, but the opportunity never came. And… I heard you're engaged?"
Mikoto's smile faded slightly, her tone becoming more subdued. "I know what you're thinking. But there's nothing I can do… it's an arranged marriage. My elders decided it when I was six."
Mereoleona stepped forward, cracking her knuckles with a grin. "Want me to go punch your elders? Might shake a few thoughts into their heads."
Mikoto laughed lightly but shook her head. "No need. Shanks already said he'll do something about it. He made a promise to me. Even my fiancé knows I don't want this marriage, and he knows I'm close to Shanks. I trust him. Shanks won't go back on his word. He always finds a way."
Both Erza and Mereoleona exchanged a knowing glance and nodded.
They believed her.
After all, their Onii-Chan was a man of his word—and if he promised something, he would see it through to the end.
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