By the time Shimoku returned to the village, it was already early afternoon.
But before he even reached the entrance,
He sensed something unusual just outside the village—
At the southern edge where construction of the training ground was about to begin, two violently clashing chakra presences erupted—seemingly locked in combat!
Had the village been invaded?!
Shocked, Shimoku didn't hesitate and unleashed his full power at once.
In an instant, he activated his Perfect Susanoo.
A massive 500-meter Susanoo unfurled its wings and launched skyward,
Raising a fierce hurricane as it sped straight toward the south side.
In just two or three seconds,
It crossed over a thousand meters and crashed heavily into the unfinished training ground on the village's southern edge.
"Boom——"
The godlike titan struck the earth like a falling mountain, sending up a storm of dust and debris.
The oppressive pressure radiating from the Susanoo alone made everyone nearby feel suffocated, struggling for breath.
Especially Zabuza, who stood right in the middle of the training ground site.
He felt his entire body freeze in fear, his scalp prickling.
As an envoy of Kirigakure,
His mission had been to strengthen ties between Mist and Homura while secretly gauging Homuragakure's strength.
But he'd already been there for almost a week.
And still hadn't even seen that brat, Uchiha Shimoku.
So, itching for some practice, he decided to test another Uchiha ninja,
To assess Homura Village's overall combat capabilities.
However, barely into the spar, having exchanged just a few moves with the kunoichi Yueji Uchiha—
Then this towering godlike monstrosity appeared, brandishing a 300-meter razor-sharp katana radiating overwhelming killing intent...
What did this mean?
Such an overwhelming display!
Was it intimidation? Or a warning example meant for others?
I surrender!
Can't we just stop fighting?!
Zabuza stiffly sheathed his blade, his scalp tingling as he looked toward Shimoku.
All that grueling training day and night—hoping to narrow the gap with that punk—
Now it seems—
Not only hasn't it closed…
It feels more like a Grand Canyon now separates them!
Under this 500-meter-tall monstrous deity, Zabuza felt smaller and more insignificant than an ant.
This was seriously disheartening...
Why is there such a huge difference between people?
Compared to a stunned Zabuza, Riyō and the others were clearly delighted when they saw their Young Master return.
Although they also felt immense pressure under the aura of the Perfect Susanoo,
They remained much calmer than Zabuza.
Besides, this wasn't their first time seeing their Young Master activate Perfect Susanoo.
They were just confused—why had he suddenly gone all-out?
Was he planning to attack Zabuza and the other Mist envoys?
Even so, there was no need to use Perfect Susanoo, was there?
Why use a sledgehammer on a chicken?
...
After clearly identifying Zabuza and the others,
Shimoku realized he might have overreacted slightly.
After all, the village hadn't really been attacked.
Especially considering poor Zabuza—what an unlucky bastard.
But they shouldn't be foolish enough to actually oppose the Homuragakure.
Shimoku dismissed his Susanoo and landed back on the ground.
Then he approached with a friendly expression.
"Hey, Brother Zabuza! Isn't this the great man from the Hidden Mist Village?"
"You finally arrived! Welcome, welcome..."
"Sorry. I wasn't around the past few days, kept you waiting..."
Zabuza was momentarily stunned by Shimoku's warmth, feeling somewhat flattered.
So this brat really is happy to see me?
"Oh right. Did you bring your payment, and the Hidden Mist's reward money?"
Zabuza:...
'Oh well, retract what I just thought earlier!'
'This kid hasn't changed at all! Still as greedy and profit-oriented, not hiding it in the slightest...'
Zabuza mentally ranted furiously.
But outwardly, he politely replied:
"Everything has already been delivered to your village!"
Hearing that the 'special goods' had arrived, Shimoku smiled even more warmly.
"Hahaha. It's great that you came; those special goods aren't that important anyway."
"By the way, how many people came with you this time?"
"Not many, just five..."
"Oh! Is Terumi Mei coming too?"
"No, she should be arriving with the next delegation..."
"Oh! I see..."
Shimoku responded casually, and his tone immediately turned colder.
Watching this, Zabuza felt momentarily stunned.
Seriously, do you have to be *that* obvious?!
What's with that disappointed expression on your face?
C'mon, I helped you take down the old guard back in Kiri!
We're practically half comrades-in-arms!
And now, you're showing less enthusiasm for me than for Terumi Mei, who only spent one night with you?
At such a young age, yet already favoring beauty over righteousness?
A wave of bitterness washed over Zabuza.
Shimoku turned his head toward Yueji.
"Senior Yueji, what's going on here?"
"This Mr. Zabuza Momochi wants to exchange some Ninjutsu with us, and we're currently sparring."
Yueji responded calmly.
However, having just become a Pseudo-Jinchuriki,
Her power had increased dramatically, and she was eager to gain more practical combat experience.
That's why she agreed to Zabuza's proposal.
"I see."
"Alright then."
"Riyō, Yueji, please properly spar with Brother Zabuza."
"Brother Zabuza, don't hold back either—use your full strength."
"Let me count on you to properly train them!"
"I have something else to attend to, so I'll leave first..."
Seeing that Terumi Mei hadn't arrived, and finding things rather uninteresting, Shimoku no longer felt like being polite.
After casually giving these instructions,
He vanished in a flash.
However, this offhand advice
Sounded extremely threatening in Zabuza's ears.
Zabuza: "What?! Are you serious?!"
Use my full strength?! You've made your intimidation so obvious.
How can I dare to fight seriously?!
If I actually win, I'm probably never leaving this Homura Hidden Village alive...
He definitely didn't want to die here so soon!
In the end, after the match concluded,
Zabuza indeed suffered a crushing defeat.
Of course, he had originally intended to hold back quite a bit.
A shame, especially from the second half of the fight onward.
Even at his full strength, he still lost to Yueji.
Nothing could be done about it!
After obtaining the Tailed Beast's chakra, Yueji's overall power had steadily crossed into Kage-level territory.
Although she couldn't manipulate the Tailed Beast chakra as skillfully as a perfect Jinchuriki, being able to control it as naturally as one's own limbs...
Still, by heavily enhancing her Taijutsu and Ninjutsu using massive amounts of Tailed Beast chakra alone, she could already gain far more power than an ordinary ninja!
Let alone the fact that she specialized in Taijutsu, and had even mastered Kumogakure's secret technique — the [Lightning Release Chakra Mode].
Her increase in power was simply absurd.
In contrast, Zabuza...
Though his intensive training did result in slight improvement compared to before,
Unfortunately, his power level remained at the elite Jonin standard.
What chance did he stand against Yueji?
After the match, he wasn't just beaten up—he was covered in bruises and cuts. Even that huge sword of his snapped in two.
A total and utter defeat...
"Man, Yueji-nee really leveled up!"
"This is the power of a Tailed Beast?!"
Gin, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but express his envy.
Riyō: "Any powerful force isn't easily obtained... work hard to improve yourself."
Gin: "I know. I'm just feeling mixed emotions."
"Who would've thought that last time we four struggled to handle him—the Demon of the Hidden Mist—now Yueji-nee beat him all on her own..."
"At this rate, that Demon of the Hidden Mist isn't all that impressive after all!"
Riyō: "Don't start getting weird ideas. You can't compare to him."
Gin: "Why not?"
"He still wins at life even if he loses a match."
"But if you lose, you've got nothing left..."
Riyō gestured toward them.
Indeed, right now,
Haku, clad in a flowing long dress, knelt beside him, gently tending to Zabuza's wounds with soft, affectionate eyes.
Gin: ...
"Riyō bro, I'm eating glass watching this couple right now!"
Gin tried out a new phrase he'd picked up from the Young Master, muttering with a bitter sigh.
"If it tastes bad, eat less then."
"Riyō bro, are your parents having another sister or something? I want—"
"Get lost!"
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