"What the hell?"
"Me?"
Kinrin was stunned by the sudden collision with another version of himself. The sheer hardness and physique were identical to his own?
As their bodies slammed together, feeling that overwhelming physical force, Kinrin genuinely began questioning his existence.
"Don't be surprised. That's the Fourth Mizukage's technique."
"He's already been taken over. Jinrin, don't engage him!"
Kazuyama Gekkō saw the Fourth Mizukage and then looked into his eyes—now completely hollow. He knew it: Akatsuki must have learned he'd arrived in the Land of Water, so they deliberately captured the Fourth Mizukage and brought him back. For Uchiha Madara, with his long-range Dōjutsu, this was child's play.
"No wonder—I was wondering why another me appeared."
"Hmph! Imposter! I'll tear you to shreds!"
Kinrin couldn't stand being impersonated and immediately charged forward with fury.
Admittedly, the Fourth Mizukage's Water Kagami Technique was exceptionally powerful. The Water Mirror Technique created a mirror made of water. Within it appeared a perfect duplicate of the enemy, capable of using the same ninjutsu as the opponent, with identical power.
Ugh, who knows how this guy created this technique? In a way, it was practically unbeatable. Especially now—Kinrin, who was supposed to be the breakthrough, was directly entangled by his own clone. Where was the justice in that?
"Heh heh heh. Here in the Land of Water, on our turf, and you still dare come knocking."
"Kazuyama Gekkō, should I call you brave? Or ignorant?"
Muren Uchiha's gaze toward Kazuyama Gekkō brimmed with smug satisfaction. While he acknowledged Gekkō's strength, he harbored absolute confidence in his own side.
"Kill him!"
At Muren Uchiha's command, the Fourth Mizukage once again summoned a massive water mirror, projecting it toward Kazuyama Gekkō.
Seeing this, Kazuyama Gekkō sneered with disdain.
"Do you truly believe one technique alone can rule the world?"
"Watch me shatter it!"
"Rasengan!"
Within the Titan Python, Kazuyama Gekkō raised his right hand as terrifying chakra rapidly condensed upon it. The crimson glow even bathed the Titan Python in a fiery red.
"What is that?"
Seeing the sky filled with red light, Muren Uchiha felt a tinge of danger. No, it wasn't just him—everyone on the battlefield turned their gaze toward the crimson radiance. This chakra was terrifying.
"Senjutsu! Fire Release: Rasengan, Sun Flare!"
The Titan Python maintained its charging posture, yet opened its gaping maw.
Kazuyama Gekkō burst forward, his Rasengan transforming into a crimson beam. The chakra shifted to Senjutsu chakra, the Rasengan becoming a pillar of fire.
With this dual enhancement, the Rasengan collided with the water mirror. The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura's water barrier offered no resistance whatsoever, instantly ignited by the intense heat.
Thick white smoke billowed upward. Kazuyama Gekkō flashed a sinister grin. After shattering the water mirror, the Rasengan's power remained undiminished, striking Karatachi Yagura directly.
"BOOM!"
The Rasengan's terrifying power lay in its highly compressed chakra. Combined with the intense flames, Yagura was sent flying backward, instantly engulfed in a massive fireball. Simultaneously, the flames began spreading outward, forming a ring of fire.
"Damn it, Sage Mode?"
"Damn it, Senjutsu?"
"Mugen!"
The power of Senjutsu was not to be underestimated. Muren Uchiha wasn't about to take it head-on. Though he had activated Susanoo, he shouldn't be afraid, right? Nevertheless, he activated his Dōjutsu, using Mugen to block the flames.
"What's the matter, coward? You've got Susanoo, don't you?"
"What are you afraid of?"
"Senjutsu, Water Release! Water Cage!"
Seeing Muren Uchiha didn't use Susanoo to block it, Kazuyama Gekkō immediately taunted him. Senjutsu chakra gathered again, this time not fire, but water. Dozens of water tornadoes erupted from the ground, smashing toward Susanoo from all directions.
He had long understood Muren Uchiha's Dōjutsu—the ability to compress or expand distances within its gaze. Thus, his assault aimed for comprehensive coverage.
"Hmph!"
"You bastard, don't underestimate me!"
Susanoo raised both hands, terrifying chakra coalescing into two Lances of Longinus. He swung them, shredding every water tornado that struck.
"Missiles! Fire!"
"Banshō Ten'in!"
Just as Kazuyama Gekkō launched his assault on Muren Uchiha, Nagato arrived on the scene. The Asura Path's heat-seeking missiles launched one after another. Simultaneously, Nagato employed Banshō Ten'in for supporting attacks.
The Titan Python became the direct target of the bombardment, its massive body engulfed by explosions.
"Hmph, one after another."
"Watch me…"
"ROAR!"
"....."
Just as Kazuyama Gekkō was about to vent his frustration and counterattack, a furious roar cut him off. The giant turtle, covered in spines and sporting three tails, made its entrance.
The moment it appeared, a water cannon blasted from its mouth, targeting the Titan Python's serpent head.
"Damn it, did it go straight into tail beast mode?"
"A controlled tail beast."
"What a pain!"
Kazuyama Gekkō maneuvered the Titan Python out of the attack's path. Seeing the Three-Tails, eyes already red, charging toward him from afar, his brow furrowed. After all, adding another enemy at a time like this only made things more troublesome for him. Not that he couldn't handle it, but it made things significantly more troublesome.
"Kazuyama, let me handle this!"
"Let me out! Just watch me teach this giant turtle a lesson!"
"I'll beat him into a state where he can't even take care of himself!"
Chōmei's voice suddenly rang out, clearly eager to get started. Kazuyama Gekkō pondered for a moment. This Sage Mode was unleashing all the fury within him. Of course, this was also his own desire.
"Tagitsuhime, unleash it."
"Since we've come this far, let them witness my true power."
"All these years, I've never unleashed it. Do they really think I'm a pushover?"
Facing the charging Three-Tails, the Titan Python showed no fear whatsoever. It whipped its tail forward in a direct strike. This forcefully charged strike sent the Three-Tails staggering.
"Kinrin, Yulín, Seirin, Korin—withdraw!"
Hearing his command, the four serpents hesitated not a moment. They instantly released the summoning technique, dissolving into Haku smoke and vanishing from the spot.
Meanwhile, the Titan Python—the manifestation of Kazuyama Gekkō—saw its chakra erupt once more.
"What's happening?"
"That kid released the summoning?"
With Orochimaru no longer obstructing them, Kakuzu, now transformed into the Ultimate Sewing Monster, retreated to his own side. Kabuto followed suit. Having never witnessed Kazuyama Gekkō's more ferocious combat style, both appeared somewhat perplexed.
Nagato and Muren Uchiha, however, wore solemn expressions.
"It's coming..."