Chapter 49: Clash of Kage
"Coral Palm!"
With a single palm strike, a thick layer of coral immediately encased the Lava Fist. It spread toward Uchiha Naoki at an alarming rate, forcing him to disperse the fist. However, the remaining lava was still under Naoki's control, transforming into a rain of fire that blasted toward the Fourth Mizukage, denying him any chance to counterattack.
"Tch, stubborn bastard!" The Fourth Mizukage quickly retreated.
But something even more unsettling and troublesome occurred. Uchiha Naoki's fist-sized, condensed lava bombs were not only powerful but also incredibly destructive. More importantly, it seemed as if he could predict the Mizukage's every move, blocking all possible escape routes. The Mizukage had no choice but to temporarily unleash the Tailed Beast's power, forming long, chakra arms to propel himself away and avoid the blow.
Just as he leaped into the air, a sharp, crackling sound rapidly approached his ears, accompanied by an equally heavy pressure: "Iron Sand Drizzle!"
A torrential rain of iron sand projectiles rushed toward him head-on. The Fourth Mizukage felt the hairs on his body stand on end. "Water Clone!"
Puff! Puff! Puff!
The water clone was instantly shattered by the bombardment.
This scene startled the Mizukage's personal guards. "How is this possible? Lord Mizukage is actually at a disadvantage?"
Even Juzo Biwa and Uchiha Itachi were deeply surprised. This was the Fourth Mizukage, a perfect Jinchuriki! And he was being forced into a disadvantage like this? This wasn't the level of strength expected from an ordinary S-rank rogue ninja.
"Has he grown to this extent already?" Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but feel even more wary of Uchiha Naoki.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Wall!"
But the Fourth Mizukage was, after all, a Kage-level powerhouse and a perfect Jinchuriki. The Tailed Beast granted him a powerful danger sense! Therefore, the moment he reappeared, he had already set up defenses to avoid being attacked.
Judging by Uchiha Naoki's ability to perceive all his retreat paths earlier, the Fourth Mizukage was convinced his reappearance point would be spotted, leading to a sudden assault. As expected, a scorching fist and a cold, black iron sand spike struck simultaneously at the transparent barrier formed by wind.
"Get... away from me!"
Even though he had been controlled by someone, causing harm to Kirigakure for so long, now that he was free from that manipulation, he naturally had to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the village. It started with defeating the enemy before him. Through repelling this invasion, he would display his power and resolve, making the villagers believe in him again.
"Water Style: Whirling Water Vortex!"
A rigid vortex, brimming with tearing force, expanded outward from him, repelling all objects in front like blades. Faced with this powerful current, both Uchiha Naoki and the Third Kazekage puppet retreated simultaneously.
But the Fourth Mizukage was given no chance to chain his ninjutsu. Uchiha Naoki launched another fierce attack: "Lava Burst Shot!"
Facing this point-blank assault, the Fourth Mizukage paled and swiftly dodged to the side. But the attack was too fast! Even though he immediately manipulated the surrounding water to block it, the right half of his body was severely burned. However, under the Tailed Beast's healing power, the wound recovered rapidly.
Compared to Yugito Nii, another Jinchuriki, the Fourth Mizukage was only scalded; his chakra form wasn't even pierced, let alone his situation critically endangered. The difference in their strength was clear.
Seeing Uchiha Naoki effectively wound the Fourth Mizukage, the Scarlet Sand Scorpion naturally didn't waste the opportunity. He immediately manipulated the Third Kazekage to condense dozens of iron sand spears and launch them.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
The Fourth Mizukage's scalp tingled. The toxic scent emanating from the iron sand was something even he dared not touch. Water vapor gathered rapidly around him, forming a high-speed rotating, semi-circular water dome that protected him inside.
But it wasn't over! The Fourth Mizukage quickly formed hand seals. "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A long, proud dragon condensed, seeming to possess its own soul as it roared and shot straight toward Uchiha Naoki, preventing him from continuing his assault on the Mizukage.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Even with their wall-piercing force, the iron sand spears couldn't completely break through the water dome's defense, stopping halfway. Seeing this, the Scarlet Sand Scorpion immediately shifted the Third Kazekage into a defensive stance.
But the Fourth Mizukage, having used this chance to enter a partial Tailed Beast transformation, moved faster than expected.
"Tailed Beast Bomb!!"
The Fourth Mizukage opened his mouth and fired into the sky. The speed was so great it surprised even the Scarlet Sand Scorpion. The Third Kazekage immediately condensed a pair of thick iron sand wings to defend. Yet, even so, facing such a scorching attack, the iron sand wings were pierced in less than three seconds. Though the Scarlet Sand Scorpion quickly manipulated the Kazekage to dodge using a Sand Clone, when it reappeared, its entire right arm had been destroyed.
"Tch, his reactions are that fast?" The Fourth Mizukage was somewhat frustrated that his attack hadn't achieved the desired effect.
But he immediately seized a new opportunity.
"Roar!"
The Fourth Mizukage stomped the ground, shattering the water dome like a meteorite. Amid the violent sound, he closed in on the Scarlet Sand Scorpion's main body. That's right! If he couldn't effectively damage the Third Kazekage puppet, he would attack the puppeteer controlling it directly. It was common knowledge in the shinobi world that puppeteers had weak physical prowess. He was confident he could severely injure the Scarlet Sand Scorpion.
"Not good!" Seeing this, the Scarlet Sand Scorpion inwardly panicked. Having just manipulated the Third Kazekage to avoid the fatal blow, most of his attention was occupied. Therefore, when the Fourth Mizukage attacked, it was somewhat too late to defend. The only way to resolve the crisis was to separate himself using Sand Body Technique.
But!
"Armament! Harden!"
"Magma Style: Crimson Canine!"
A stern shout from Uchiha Naoki made him abandon that thought. The voice arrived as the person did! Everyone present saw a black, gleaming fist shadow blast through the air, colliding heavily with the ferocious, partially transformed Fourth Mizukage.
BOOM!
The earth exploded and shattered. The terrifying shockwave uprooted the surrounding forests, forcing even the Scarlet Sand Scorpion to manipulate the Third Kazekage to create an iron sand wall for protection.
But the next moment, the partially transformed Fourth Mizukage was actually forced back several steps.
Juzo Biwa, who had just cooperated with Uchiha Itachi to eliminate the four guards using genjutsu, was stunned.
"Hey, hey, no way! That's the power of a Tailed Beast, enough to crumble mountains and destroy forests!" Juzo Biwa looked at Uchiha Naoki, who continued to press the Fourth Mizukage, in utter disbelief. "His physical strength is too terrifying. Isn't it comparable to a Tailed Beast's power?"
Even if it was only a partial transformation and the Tailed Beast's power wasn't fully exerted, this was still astounding! Other than the Raikage's lineage, who could accomplish such a fearsome feat?