Kazuku's performance stunned Gengetsu for a year.
He thought killing the Land of Waves' daimyo was a simple task.
Even if she hired ninja…
He wasn't afraid.
Exaggeration aside, with his strength, becoming Mizukage was only a matter of time.
Yes.
In his heart, Gengetsu believed he had Kage-level strength.
Yet…
The ninja blocking him…
Was a seven-year-old!
What a joke.
Even if Kazuku was the First Hokage's grandson, this was absurd!
One clash destroyed his clam.
Then he used Wood Release!
If Kazuku were older, Gengetsu wouldn't mind.
But this kid was six or seven, right?
Six or seven!
"What kind of monster is he!"
Gengetsu hid behind a building, panting, watching Kazuku battle his clone.
This was the cost of Steaming Danger Blast.
It drained chakra, weakening his body.
"I need to leave."
Gengetsu muttered, unwilling to stay in the Land of Waves.
Or face Kazuku.
Compared to him, Gengetsu felt like trash!
But fleeing to Mist Village would damage its reputation.
And invite ridicule.
Mist ninja were known for fighting to the death.
As a future Mizukage…
Fleeing without completing the mission, how could he show his face?
Especially…
The opponent was a seven-year-old!
Fleeing after failing against a Konoha seven-year-old.
If word spread…
Forget Mizukage.
He'd be a laughingstock!
"Damn it!"
Gengetsu scratched his head, frustration peaking.
"The First Hokage, your grandson's only six or seven."
"Instead of training him in the village, you send him to protect a daimyo?"
"Even for money, that's too much."
"What kind of grandfather are you?"
Gengetsu mentally cursed Hashirama's ancestors, then peeked at the battle.
The clone, attacking Kazuku, suddenly veered, swinging its blade at the daimyo.
Though it looked like a chubby child, its speed was ferocious.
Seeing the assault, Kabi, Hiruzen, and Kagami acted, attacking in a triangular formation.
But…
As they nearly landed their hits, the clone vanished, reappearing behind them, knocking them away with two punches and a kick.
Not only fast, its taijutsu was powerful.
As it moved, its body swelled.
From chubby to obese, it charged the daimyo again.
The sight terrified her, eyes shut, frozen on the ground.
The clone's blade wasn't the real threat—it was its infinite explosions.
At this range, an explosion…
Would reduce the defenseless daimyo to pulp.
Thinking of the two million ryo…
Kazuku clapped his hands without hesitation.
Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!
Roar!
A lifelike wooden dragon surged from Kazuku's feet, twisting, roaring, and swallowing the clone before it exploded again.
Rumble!
The dragon crashed through three buildings, dragging the clone away from the daimyo.
The clone, swollen to its limit, exploded.
High-temperature steam melted the dragon's surface, rising like a white mushroom.
The eerie smile reappeared, overlooking the ninja.
The temperature plummeted.
Steam sank, condensing…
Forming another clone!
"What… is this technique?" Koharu stared, collapsing to her knees.
She'd never seen such an eerie technique, feeling unprecedented despair.
No matter how they countered, they couldn't stop the clone's cycle of swelling, exploding, and reforming.
She couldn't imagine how to break it.
No…
Did this eerie technique even have a weakness?
It shattered her understanding.
Not just Koharu.
Everyone witnessing Steaming Danger Blast was stunned.
To them, it was perfect, invincible.
"Kagami, didn't your Sharingan see anything?" Hiruzen stood, pinning hopes on Kagami.
He still hadn't grasped the technique's mechanics.
"Let me explain."
Seeing their helplessness, Kazuku spoke.
"The clone's exterior is oil, its interior water, sensitive to temperature. When it moves, the oil heats rapidly, boiling the water inside, creating steam."
"When the steam reaches its limit, it explodes."
"The steam rises, bonds with clouds, causing hail to cool it, and the cycle repeats."
"In short, it's an infinitely explosive technique."
In truth, Kazuku didn't deduce this from the fight.
It was…
Me!
Kazuku!
A transmigrator!
I've seen Naruto!
During the Fourth War, Gaara's rare highlight was this battle.
Kazuku rewatched it often.
He knew Steaming Danger Blast's mechanics inside out!
A quick thought recalled it.
But…
To the onlookers, ignorant of the truth…
Kazuku's explanation, paired with recent events…
Was flawless!
Hiruzen stared at Kazuku, incredulous.
Was this guy really seven?
This analysis was godlike!
A technique he couldn't fathom, Kazuku decoded instantly?
Kagami blinked, feeling like an idiot.
Despite his Sharingan, he saw nothing.
Yet Kazuku parsed the technique in moments.
Compared to him, Kagami felt like a fool.
Yes.
Every ninja and samurai present…
Found it unbelievable.
What kind of monster was Kazuku!
(End of Chapter)