"Answering Hokage-sama, it is my duty to share your burdens. I dare not ask for rewards," Uchiha Ryun said, then bowed respectfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Very well, Ryun, I will record this as a major merit for you. If there is anything you want, you may tell me at any time."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" After saying this, Uchiha Ryun left under Hiruzen Sarutobi's dismissive wave.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and gazed into the distance at the Hokage Rock. He murmured, "The people's hearts, huh."
Then, he looked toward the entrance of the building, his eyes fixed on Uchiha Ryun's figure. He felt endless emotion in his heart. Uchiha Ryun was truly a good advisor and comrade, always thinking of him.
Uchiha Ryun had been busy for over a day, ensuring the proper use and distribution of Konoha's one billion ryo. He had not slept at all yesterday.
Now that most of his tasks were complete, Uchiha Ryun planned to return to his clan's territory to rest.
----
Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village)
The Third Mizukage, currently under Madara Uchiha's control, was sparring with the future Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!" The Third Mizukage's voice rang out as a massive, thick water dragon materialized, roaring as it charged toward Yagura.
Yagura frowned and slid his wooden staff forward. "Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu!" Chakra surged as a curtain of water appeared, hanging midair.
In an instant, a figure identical to the Third Mizukage emerged from it. Observing the situation, the clone swiftly retaliated with an equally powerful Water Dragon Jutsu.
The two dragons collided head-on, canceling each other out in the end—a draw.
Madara Uchiha's pupils contracted slightly. He had not expected Yagura to be so capable, especially with that Water Mirror Jutsu, which could perfectly replicate an opponent!
However, he refused to believe that the current Yagura could fully replicate the Third Mizukage under his control. In terms of combat skill, Yagura was still far behind!
With that thought, the Third Mizukage flashed forward, closing in on the Water Mirror clone. The clone froze momentarily, clearly caught off guard.
The Third Mizukage transformed his fist into a palm and struck out. The clone hastily formed hand seals—"Water Release: Water Wall!"
A curtain of water materialized, attempting to block the Third Mizukage. The Mizukage smirked. With a pop, he turned into a wooden log, then reappeared behind the clone, stabbing with a kunai.
The kunai pierced the clone's chest, but the Third Mizukage paused—the sensation was wrong.
The kunai did not feel like it was cutting into flesh, but rather water.
Sure enough, the clone gritted its teeth before losing its form and dissolving into a sphere of water!
"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!" Yagura's voice sounded. In an instant, the Third Mizukage was trapped inside.
Madara Uchiha, remotely controlling the Third Mizukage, smirked as he observed Yagura, a ripple of interest stirring in his heart.
"So the Water Mirror Jutsu transforms into a Water Prison Jutsu upon being destroyed? Not bad. A very useful technique. Even during the Warring States Period, this would have been top-tier. At the very least, it's enough to handle other Kage-level fighters," Madara murmured.
However, thinking this could trap the Third Mizukage under his control was far too naive.
Yagura grinned. This was a new tactic he had devised. The Water Mirror Jutsu could only delay his teacher for a short time, so he had decided to feign weakness, luring his teacher into destroying the clone before trapping him!
This was his new move, and he was extremely confident in it. He was certain his teacher, caught off guard, would fall for it—just as he had now.
"Teacher, admit defeat. Breaking the Water Prison from the inside is nearly impossible. You taught me that yourself," Yagura boasted prematurely.
The Third Mizukage smirked. "Is that so?" Then, a shadow emerged from behind a tree—a shadow clone of the Third Mizukage. It drew a sword: Samehada!
Samehada let out a series of excited squeaks as the clone hurled it toward Yagura, who was maintaining the Water Prison.
Yagura paled. He had no choice but to retract his hands and form a Water Wall to block Samehada. This momentary distraction allowed the trapped Mizukage to burst free with a mere surge of chakra.
At this time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had not yet been selected, and Samehada was still in the Third Mizukage's possession, hence this situation.
Samehada was knocked away by the Water Wall, and the Third Mizukage seized the chance to escape the Water Prison. With a wave of his hand, Samehada returned to his grasp.
"Pupil, you are still far from defeating me!" With that, the Third Mizukage used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing above Yagura and slashing downward.
Yagura raised his staff to block, but the moment they made contact, he felt a portion of his chakra being drained.
He quickly retreated, his expression grave. Each of Kirigakure's Seven Swords had unique abilities.
Samehada, for instance, could absorb an opponent's chakra and transfer it to its wielder. In a prolonged battle, even a Kage-level fighter like Yagura would be worn down.
He spun his staff again. "Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu!" This time, he replicated himself. While he might not know others well, he knew himself perfectly.
The real Yagura and his Water Mirror clone could now achieve a combined effect greater than the sum of their parts.
The real Yagura used Water Dragon Jutsu, while the clone closed in with Coral Staff, attempting to pin down the Third Mizukage in close combat!
Madara's combat experience far surpassed that of the Third Mizukage, let alone Yagura. Even though Yagura was performing exceptionally well, this series of attacks would have overwhelmed most Kage-level opponents.
But the Third Mizukage was under Madara's control! The Mizukage smirked. "Don't lose too quickly. That would be boring."
He formed hand seals. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!" A massive surge of water erupted, obscuring his figure and forcing the Water Mirror clone back.
Then, he formed another seal—Hidden Mist Jutsu! In an instant, thick white mist enveloped the area.
Yagura grinned. "Teacher, I've already devised a way to counter this move!"
He rapidly formed hand seals. "Wind Release: Typhoon!" A gust of wind swept across Yagura and his surroundings, dispersing the mist and restoring visibility.
But when he looked around, the Third Mizukage had vanished. Just as he grew wary, the Mizukage struck with a palm strike and a kick, sending Yagura flying and knocking him unconscious.
Madara Uchiha chuckled in his cave. Not bad. Today had been a good workout. He manipulated the Third Mizukage to carry Yagura back home.
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