Bang! The water dragon, a colossal wave, crashed down, shattering the teahouse.
Two Akatsuki members and Rō's faces paled; they abandoned their hand seals and retreated. Their speed was no match for the water dragon.
"Dance of the Shikigami!" Konan cried out, forming a hand seal. Sheets of paper swirled around her, forming a massive wall against the water dragon.
Boom! The water dragon slammed into the wall. Water sprayed outwards, creating large waves.
Konan grabbed Rō's shoulder. "Go! The Rain-soaked Head-Hunter's speed and strength are exceptional; he's a top-tier jonin. His water jutsu is amplified by the rain; we can't fight him directly."
Konan's Paper Release was a rare kekkei genkai, but it was weakened by water. It wasn't suitable for this fight.
Rō nodded, forgetting his earlier boasts.
"It's getting foggy!" someone exclaimed.
A thick, persistent fog enveloped them, making everyone tense.
"That technique again. Is the Rain-soaked Head-Hunter from Kirigakure's elite assassination unit?"
Pakura frowned, remembering her ordeal. If not for Uchiha Kai, she would be dead.
But now, surrounded by the fog, she felt calm, watching Kai's amused expression.
She'd always been the protector; now, she understood what it meant to be protected.
"You said you knew the Head-Hunter's identity. Why not act? Your girlfriend's in danger," Pakura said.
Kai shook his head, smiling. "The best part is just beginning."
Pakura was startled. The fog thickened rapidly, obscuring even Kai, who sat opposite her. This was even more potent than Hozuki Mangetsu's silent killing technique.
"Use Wind Release to dispel the fog!" Konan urged, forming hand seals.
"Too slow!" a raspy voice echoed from the fog—the Head-Hunter. A large sword slashed towards a ninja. The speed and angle were impossible to dodge.
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!"
A powerful water blast struck the sword, shattering it into water pillars that trapped the Head-Hunter.
"Wind Release: Passing Typhoon!"
The thick fog began to clear as a powerful hurricane swept through, dispersing the mist.
The teahouse was mostly ruins. Only Kai and Pakura remained of the original groups. The four wandering ninjas had removed their cloaks, revealing their true identities.
Three wore masks, but the leader was a woman with crimson hair, a stunning figure, and flawless skin, even in her dark robe.
"That's Jōnin Mei of Kirigakure! What's she doing here?" Pakura exclaimed, recognizing the renowned Kirigakure genius and war hero.
"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!" Mei immediately acted, trapping the Head-Hunter.
"What's going on?" Konan asked, halting her hand seals.
"This is Kirigakure's business," Mei said coldly. "Incapacitate him and take him back."
Three masked Kirigakure Anbu moved, but the Head-Hunter dissolved in the water.
"Water Clone?" Mei and Konan were startled.
Ripples appeared in the water near Kai.
"Watch out!" Mei shouted, but she was too far to intervene.
A figure burst from the water, his sword slashing towards Kai's neck.
"Look out!" Pakura cried out, expecting Kai to block or dodge, or even use his Susanoo.
The sword struck Kai's neck.
Clang! A heavy metallic sound echoed. No head flew, no blood sprayed. The seemingly unstoppable attack was deflected as if Kai's neck were diamond.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"You're that kid named Suigetsu, right?" Kai said, taking a sip of tea, then turning to the Head-Hunter. The word "kid" felt particularly jarring.
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