"Kirigakure's got some nerve! You said best of three, and I've already won two rounds, yet you're still sending someone to fight me!"
Seeing Terumi Mei step onto the arena, Kazama sighed inwardly with exasperation.
But he didn't refuse the challenge.
Right now, Kazama needed to keep the arena battles going to buy time.
This way, Zabuza and Haku could thoroughly search Kirigakure for the Five-Tails Jinchuriki's whereabouts.
So, let alone three fights, Kazama was ready to take on three hundred if needed.
"Even though you've won two rounds, for the sake of Kirigakure's pride, we can't let Otogakure push us out of the Land of Water. So this time, I'll be your opponent!"
As Terumi Mei appeared, the crowd below the arena buzzed with excitement.
All eyes were on her, filled with admiration that was hard to describe.
After all, Terumi Mei was Kirigakure's number one beauty.
"No problem. I've been looking forward to seeing your Yoton and Futton in action!"
What really piqued Kazama's interest, though, was Terumi Mei's Kekkei Genkai.
Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he knew her trump cards.
She had never crossed paths with Otogakure or Kazama before.
Yet somehow, he knew her abilities inside and out.
"You might be able to absorb regular ninjutsu, but there's no way you can handle my Yoton and Futton. These are Kekkei Genkai powers!"
"Yoton: Yokai no Jutsu!"
"Futton: Komu no Jutsu!"
Terumi Mei unleashed two Kekkei Genkai techniques in quick succession, launching her attack on Kazama.
"Nice! That's the spirit!"
Elder Genshi, watching from below, was thrilled.
He had complete confidence in Terumi Mei's abilities.
Her Yoton and Futton both possessed incredible corrosive power.
Genshi was certain Kazama couldn't withstand them.
As Terumi Mei's Yoton and Futton took effect, the already-ruined arena melted further, forcing the Kirigakure crowd to back away in fear.
Even they had only heard of Yoton and Futton, never witnessing them firsthand.
Now, seeing their destructive power up close, they were utterly shocked.
"If this can't beat that Otogakure kid, then there's no justice!"
The Kirigakure crowd didn't dare boast anymore.
They just hoped Terumi Mei's Yoton and Futton could take Kazama down, letting Kirigakure save some face.
Meanwhile, Kazama smirked to himself on the arena.
"I should probably give Kirigakure some face, but I'm really fond of this Yoton and Futton. So, I'll just help myself!"
With a single motion of his hand, Kazama effortlessly absorbed the powerful Yoton and Futton into his body.
Ding! Successfully absorbed Yoton: Yokai no Jutsu. Congratulations, host, for obtaining Yoton: Super Yokai no Jutsu!
Ding! Successfully absorbed Futton: Komu no Jutsu. Congratulations, host, for obtaining Futton: Mist Veil no Jutsu!
"Oh my God!"
"Holy crap!"
"What the—?!"
As Kazama successfully absorbed the Yoton and Futton, the Kirigakure crowd's gasps echoed one after another.
"Sigh… Is Kirigakure's time really up? Are we really going to be driven out of the Land of Water?"
Elder Genshi no longer felt shock, only a deep, unspoken melancholy.
On the arena, Terumi Mei finally understood the helplessness Ringo Ameyuri had felt earlier.
"Futton: Gouriki Muso!"
Just then, an even stronger Futton attack surged toward Kazama and Terumi Mei on the arena.
"The Five-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Though the caster hadn't revealed themselves yet, Kazama recognized the Futton: Gouriki Muso as the Five-Tails Jinchuriki's signature move, filling him with both shock and excitement.