"What?"
Minato had been chatting casually with Konan and the others just a moment ago, but his expression shifted instantly.
Whoever was chasing them was clearly no ally—only an enemy. In a flash, he moved to the stern of the ship.
At the edge of his vision, the sea churned violently.
As Nagato had warned, something was drawing near.
"Prepare for battle."
The enemy was still too far away for Minato to recognize who—or what—they were.
In an instant, everyone assumed their battle formations, Nawaki moving to stand beside Minato.
The ocean was practically his domain.
"I'll go check it out first."
As Nawaki spoke, he ascended into the sky and flew toward the turbulent sea.
Running directly across the surface would have been too risky—that's why Minato hadn't gone himself.
"Be careful."
Minato warned him as he stared intently at the approaching threat.
Nawaki reached above the area where the sea roiled. Before he could get a proper look, the surface calmed abruptly.
A realization struck him, and his hands flew into motion, forming hand seals.
"Minato, protect the ships!"
[Water Release: Water Formation Wall]
With Nawaki's seals complete, a wall of water several meters high rose from the sea, standing between the enemy and the rear of the ships.
"He's caught up."
Beneath the waves, the massive turtle transformed into human form—the Third Mizukage, eyes closed, gliding effortlessly underwater. He was a Jinchūriki.
[Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!]
In this aquatic environment, his Water Release techniques grew even more fearsome.
As chakra surged outward, three massive whirlpools formed from seawater and manifested on the surface.
They drilled toward the hulls like spinning spirals.
The hastily summoned Water Formation Wall was nothing more than a child's toy compared to these whirlpools.
After shattering the wall, the whirlpools tore the ships apart.
The attack also sent huge waves surging around the impact zone.
Riding the swirling waters, the figure of the Third Mizukage burst through the sea surface, appearing before Nawaki.
"Tch."
Nawaki drew Samehada from his back and dove straight down, unleashing a straightforward downward chop.
"Brave indeed."
The Third Mizukage murmured, slightly tilting his head upward.
Only now did Nawaki notice the man's eyes were closed.
Then, the Third Mizukage drew a kunai from behind and attempted to parry Samehada.
A faint sneer crept onto Nawaki's lips. This time, Samehada would feast.
Samehada slammed into the small kunai with tremendous force, amplified by gravity's pull and Nawaki's Chakra Enhanced Strength.
At the moment of impact, the Third Mizukage's knees sank deep into the water, and a massive wave exploded outward, radiating from the two fighters.
As they locked in place, Samehada's barbs ripped through their wrappings and lunged at the Third Mizukage.
Splash!
The Third Mizukage immediately dissolved into a puddle of water and vanished.
Before Nawaki could react, a heavy kick struck his abdomen. He was sent flying backward.
Smack!!
In mid-air, Minato caught Nawaki by the back and anchored him steadily onto the sea's surface.
"I'm fine. It was my mistake."
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Nawaki believed his attacker had been a clone while the real one snuck up behind him.
He couldn't begin to fathom how seasoned the Third Mizukage was in battle under Madara's control.
Moreover, he knew Samehada inside out—how could anyone make such a fundamental mistake?
It was just that his clone technique was so fast that Nawaki couldn't tell it apart.
"Then I guess that's fine."
Seeing only one opponent across from him, Minato relaxed his stance slightly.
With their team's strength, they could even stand up to an average Kage-level ninja.
How many Kage-level ninjas were there in the entire Ninja World to begin with?
What were the odds of running into one just like that?
The ship had disintegrated, and now a large group of people stood atop the sea surface, amidst scattered wreckage.
"Third Mizukage!"
The Snow Clan leader cried out in shock as he recognized the figure.
Terror filled his face, his legs trembling beneath him.
But soon, hatred overtook his fear—that man had nearly wiped out their entire clan.
He glared at the Third Mizukage, biting his lips until they paled.
"Nani?"
Inside Minato's mind, all he could think was "What rotten luck is this?"
"It's better that you've recognized me."
"You hand over that red-haired brat to me."
"I won't kill you."
The Third Mizukage wore a smile as if offering them 'a favor.'
"What does he want with Nagato?"
Nawaki couldn't figure it out for the life of him.
If the Third Mizukage had come for the Tachibana Blade, Nawaki could understand.
If it was for revenge against the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, that he could also understand.
Even if it was to wipe out the Snow Clan, he could get that.
But why would he want to take Nagato away?
Was that old bastard into something twisted?
"It's none of your business."
"You just need to answer me—will you hand him over or not?"
The Third Mizukage didn't lose his temper. He simply gazed at Nagato with growing eagerness in his eyes.
"In your dreams."
Minato didn't hesitate to reject the demand. There was no way he'd hand over his own junior brother, even if the opponent standing before him was the Third Mizukage.
"Good then. I guess I'll have to be rude."
He had hoped to conserve some ocular power, but it seemed there was no choice now.
The Third Mizukage strode toward them as casually as a stroll through a garden, gradually accelerating until a massive wave surged behind him.
"Let's go!"
Shouting once, Minato and Nawaki attacked together, one from the left and one from the right.
They were the two strongest among the group and naturally took the frontline.
Behind them, others quickly scattered, trying to find opportunities to provide supportive control.
It was impossible not to feel nervous—they were facing their first real Kage-level opponent.
The Third Mizukage wielded a single kunai, engaging both of them in fierce combat.
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The blows flew too fast to follow, dazzling everyone present.
"That fast."
To everyone's eyes, the three had blurred into afterimages, their movements completely indistinguishable.
Inwardly, they thought—if they stepped in, they probably wouldn't last even three moves before being defeated.
As for surviving? That entirely depended on the enemy's mood.
Only Nagato, empowered by the Rinnegan, could barely keep track.
At this point, forget about offering support—they felt mentally drained just watching.
This was the terrifying might of a Kage-level fighter—using just Taijutsu.
All those years of pride in their once-unmatched speed meant nothing before the Third Mizukage.
Who would've thought a blindfolded man could wield such formidable taijutsu?
The three men were locked in close combat, their proximity so intense that the others hesitated to use ninjutsu for fear of hitting their allies.
"Not bad, young one," said the Third Mizukage.
Konoha had once been "his" home too.
Sidestepping Nawaki's strike, the Third Mizukage blocked Minato's powerful slash by channeling water chakra into his kunai.
Clang!!
After the sharp metallic clash, both fighters were sent flying several meters apart. At last, they had some distance between them.
Seeing their opening, the others unleashed their ninjutsu on the Third Mizukage.
Water Release, Fire Release, Paper Release, Ice Release, Wind Release—an overwhelming barrage of techniques.
But due to the terrain, Earth Release techniques—perfect for countering water—were hard to use.
"Child's play."
As the various jutsu closed in, the Third Mizukage wore a scornful smile. Attacks like these meant nothing to him.
[Water Release: Water Prison Technique]
A spherical cage of rushing water engulfed him entirely.
Boom!! Boom!!
The barrage of techniques crashed against the water prison, creating tremendous waves and completely obscuring the figure inside.
"Did we get him?"
Still puzzled, the group saw a figure burst forth from the raging waters.
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