On the battlefield, Chi Yu and his clone were locked in a fierce duel, all while keeping an eye on the Third Mizukage, who could launch a surprise attack at any moment.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Chi Yu exhaled a thick, chakra-infused mist, quickly blanketing the battlefield and severely reducing visibility.
Thanks to the chakra-laced fog, even most sensory-type shinobi would find it difficult to pinpoint Chi Yu's location.
Even the Third Mizukage, known for his battle-hardened experience, was struggling to accurately track Chi Yu's position—only vaguely sensing his general direction.
However, Chi Yu's clone remained unaffected. Possessing the insight of his Sharingan, the clone could cut through the haze with perfect clarity.
Chi Yu couldn't help but admire the effectiveness of this classic Kirigakure technique, made infamous by the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi.
Then, a memory surfaced. He recalled a similar technique used by Pain—the Mirrored Sudden Attacker Technique. Upon tearing a talisman, it summoned a clone that perfectly mirrored the user's appearance and abilities. However, the clone's strength remained frozen at the moment the talisman was activated. Once the user surpassed that level, the clone could be defeated.
But this Water Mirror Technique... it was different.
Chi Yu had recently acquired it through a ninjutsu exchange—at his current level, he could learn basic jutsu just by observing them once. And after releasing it a single time, the clone produced by the Water Mirror Jutsu was already capable of copying and casting it back.
Because the clone itself was born from ninjutsu, it was immune to Chi Yu's genjutsu, making it a particularly troublesome opponent.
It was, in a word, formidable.
Chi Yu and the clone clashed at lightning speed—an exhilarating fight, if not for the looming threat of the Mizukage's interference.
"Ice Release: Ice Spikes!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath Chi Yu erupted with jagged ice spears, forcing him to leap back and break his offensive momentum.
Without missing a beat, the clone used Body Flicker and reappeared in front of him.
"Lightning Release: Sixth Form—Electric Blast!"
A storm of arcing, lightning-shaped slashes exploded in all directions.
Chi Yu twisted mid-air, narrowly dodging the barrage.
But not without cost.
A sharp sting on his cheek drew his hand upward. Blood.
He had been grazed by his own technique.
The clone gave him no time to recover. Its body tensed, and in a flash, it unleashed the First Form: Thunderclap and Flash – Godspeed.
Chi Yu responded in kind. "Lightning Breathing: First Form – Thunderclap and Flash – Godspeed!"
Their swords collided in a brilliant clash of lightning and steel.
In the next instant, both swords—his and the clone's—shattered under the overwhelming force.
But the clone's sword regenerated, swinging once more toward Chi Yu's exposed side.
Chi Yu smirked. "Alright, I'm done playing."
His Mangekyō Sharingan in his left eye flared to life, its tomoe spinning wildly.
"Dōjutsu: Myriad Rejections."
In an instant, the clone liquefied into a puddle of water—completely undone.
This was the fatal flaw of the Water Mirror Technique: it could not replicate kekkei genkai like the Sharingan, and the clone itself was just that—a technique. And as long as something was a technique, it could be rejected by Myriad Rejections.
With a casual wave, Chi Yu dispelled the Hidden Mist Technique.
The Third Mizukage frowned. "So you managed to dispel it so quickly? But this isn't the limit of the Water Mirror Technique. You may defeat one... but what about two?"
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
Another mirror formed on the water's surface before the Mizukage. This time, it reflected not one, but two perfect clones of Chi Yu.
Watching from afar, Kakashi stood up abruptly, eyes wide.
Earlier, Chi Yu's mist had prevented him from clearly observing the fight. But now...
If one clone could force Chi Yu to such lengths, then two—
"Don't worry," said Chi Yu's Shadow Clone, appearing beside Kakashi with a faint smile. "Have you forgotten my eye technique?"
Kakashi immediately understood. "That's right—Sensei's Mangekyō counters all ninjutsu. No matter how powerful the clone is, it's still a jutsu. So... you had control all along."
The Shadow Clone nodded. "Exactly. Like I said, always leave yourself an escape route. I never make a move unless I'm confident."
Kakashi raised a brow. "Never? So... there are exceptions?"
Chi Yu's clone chuckled. "Of course. Sometimes, even if you lack confidence, you still have to act. Anyway—watch closely. My true power is about to be unveiled."
"The true power of the Mangekyō?" Kakashi echoed. "I thought the power lay in each eye's unique ability."
Chi Yu shook his head. "When both Mangekyō eyes awaken, a third power emerges—a god's power."
Kakashi murmured, "The power of a god..."
Back on the battlefield, Chi Yu let out a deep breath and shouted:
"Susanoo!"
A colossal blue skeletal warrior enveloped him—its ribcage encasing his body like armor.
But this was only the beginning.
Muscle and sinew wrapped around the bones, and a translucent, chakra-cloaked warrior emerged, standing tall and formidable.
Behind it floated three glowing blades—Somin's Swords: the ōdachi, kodachi, and the curved Shameimaren.
This was no partial manifestation. Chi Yu had entered the second stage of Susanoo—a form that balanced defense and offense, unlocked personal armaments, and granted access to techniques like the Yasaka Magatama.
The surrounding Mist-nin stared in awe and dread, their morale already crumbling.
Even the Third Mizukage looked grim.
He had lived through the era of legends.
As the former bodyguard of the First Mizukage, Byakuren, during the First Five Kage Summit, he had once witnessed Uchiha Madara's Susanoo—a monstrous, apocalyptic presence on the battlefield.
Even now, Madara's towering figure was burned into his memory, a god among men.
Though Chi Yu's Susanoo was nowhere near that scale, it still struck terror into his heart.
Because deep down, the Third Mizukage remembered what it felt like to be utterly powerless.
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