"What kind of expression is that? You're so naïve."
[Water Release: Roaring Dragons Singing Technique.]
A faint smile tugged at the Third Mizukage's lips as he watched their shocked faces.
Did they actually believe they had defeated me?
That's utterly ridiculous.
After finishing the hand seals, several massive water dragons formed behind him from seawater.
Roaring and tearing through the air, they attacked everyone from top, bottom, left, and right, accompanied by waves obscuring heaven and earth.
There was no escape from this move. How much chakra did this Water Release require?
Nawaki had only one thought in his mind—this must rival even the water techniques of Ikeda Nidaime himself.
[Big Ball Rasengan.]
Minato conjured a Rasengan nearly half his height and rushed straight toward the lead water dragon's head.
Nawaki swung Samehada, attempting to absorb the technique.
Everyone poured every ounce of strength into this desperate moment.
The Snow Clan united their clan's power to form a gigantic ice wall.
Konan instantly burst into shreds of paper.
With Nagato's aid, Yahiko and others erected a water barrier.
BOOM!! BOOM!!
The Big Ball Rasengan struck the lead water dragon first, creating a violent explosion from the collision of two immense chakra forces.
The water dragon exploded, yet Minato himself was sent flying from the blast.
The shockwave sent him soaring far across the sea surface.
Nawaki successfully absorbed one water dragon with Samehada, though he was still thrown backward by the force of the wave.
The rest weren't so lucky.
Though appearing solid and huge, the ice wall blocked just one water dragon before cracking and shattering.
The Snow Clan members behind it were struck and flung far away.
Konan avoided direct contact by becoming paper fragments but still got blown off by the wave, later reforming into her injured human form.
The water barrier created by Nagato and others also couldn't last long against the water dragons and couldn't avoid being struck either.
"Ahh!"
A group of five individuals were swept away by the tidal surge.
With a single great move, the Third Mizukage shattered Minato's team.
It drove home the vast gulf between them and a true master.
When the waves finally calmed, only a few figures remained standing.
Ichiro Aso and others had fled far away when the boats began breaking apart—they lacked the qualifications for this battle.
Even so, under the residual impact of the attack, they hadn't escaped injury-free, lying motionless on the ocean surface, fate uncertain.
[Pathetic Resistance.]
The Third Mizukage felt satisfied with the effect of his technique. He didn't bother looking further at Minato and Nawaki.
His figure dashed straight toward Nagato, who still lay motionless on the sea surface.
"You dare!"
Minato roared loudly. Without hesitation, he activated his Flying Thunder God to appear beside Nagato.
"Really makes one envious."
"With that sentiment, you shall die."
The Third Mizukage raised his right hand. Instantly, a rapidly spinning water blade formed around his fist.
Minato barely managed to raise his long blade in defense. Gritting his teeth, visions of his family's smiling faces flashed through his mind.
"Kushina, the days ahead…"
"I might not be there to walk them with you."
Behind him, Nagato hadn't yet realized what kind of situation he was in, struggling to push himself up.
Red hair clung to his face, soaked and dripping, making him look completely bedraggled.
"Don't spout nonsense."
"I'm not dead yet; it's not his turn."
A figure suddenly appeared in front of Minato, his back view looking incredibly dependable.
He raised both hands to block Samehada, stopping the punch head-on.
The chakra on the Third Mizukage's fist was rapidly absorbed. A flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes before he was forced to leap back.
"Brother Nawaki!!"
Minato shouted excitedly. Just moments ago, death had loomed over him.
How could he not feel elated now?
"I won't let you call me 'big brother' all these years for nothing."
Nawaki turned his head and made a funny face at Minato. At that moment, he looked completely awesome!
"You two kids really are such a nuisance."
"I'll deal with you first then."
After regaining his footing, the Third Mizukage decided to eliminate the nuisance before taking Nagato away.
"Nagato, go treat everyone first."
Minato turned to Nagato and gave instructions.
"Yes, senior."
Nagato nodded and rushed toward the group of fallen comrades—he was the only medical ninja left.
"Minato, we're ready to go."
Nawaki glared at the Third Mizukage, thinking about how to drain his chakra completely.
A direct clash probably wouldn't work.
"Right."
Minato stepped forward and stood side-by-side with Nawaki.
"It reminds me of an old friend… but your strength is nowhere near theirs."
As if he were seeing the shadows of his younger self and Hashirama once again.
[Water Release: Whale Leap!]
The Third Mizukage formed hand seals again. A whale made entirely of seawater instantly took shape.
It leaped high into the air, crashing down toward Minato and Nawaki.
Its enormous body alone was enough to make one's heart race.
Nawaki looked at Samehada in his hands—could it absorb this?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
[Water Release: Water Severing Slash!]
Nawaki rapidly formed hand seals and fired an ultra-high-pressure water blade straight from his mouth, slicing through the massive whale.
The high-pressure jet sliced through the whale like a scalpel, cleaving it in half midair before scattering into a cascade of seawater raining down.
"Heh… Tobirama's technique."
The Third Mizukage recognized it immediately. His rising fury seemed to grow even stronger.
Zzzzz—
Before he could act further, a Fūma Shuriken flew out from within the waves.
With a powerful gust of wind, it hurtled straight toward him.
"Is that all you've got?"
Waves crashed loudly behind them.
A sneering smirk curled the Third Mizukage's lips. He shifted his stance slightly.
The Fūma Shuriken zipped past his side.
[Big Ball Rasengan!]
Minato's form suddenly emerged beside the Fūma Shuriken, slamming a massive Rasengan directly toward the Third Mizukage.
[Flying Thunder God… That cursed Tobirama again.]
The Third Mizukage didn't even flinch. Earlier, Minato's sudden arrival had only stirred suspicion in him.
Now, there was no longer any doubt.
[Water Release: Water Prison Technique!]
Using the same trick again, the single-target water jutsu came easily to him.
Powered by his immense chakra, its defensive strength was formidable.
Bang!!
The Water Prison Technique formed, and the Fūma Shuriken transformed into Nawaki's form amid the smoke.
With a slight swing of Samehada in his hand, the Water Prison Technique was immediately absorbed.
The Third Mizukage was directly exposed to Minato's Big Ball Rasengan.
Everything happened too suddenly; even the Third Mizukage hadn't anticipated it.
Nawaki had actually become the Fūma Shuriken launched forward.
They exploited his arrogance, betting he'd consider dodging beneath him.
In such a short time, they analyzed the enemy's character and formulated an attack plan.
He couldn't help but revise his assessment of both Nawaki and Minato.
Todoroki!!
The Big Ball Rasengan smashed heavily into the Third Mizukage.
"Got him."
A grin spread across Nawaki's face. He realized the Third Mizukage wasn't a Taijutsu specialist.
There was no way he could have the same monstrous level of defense as his brother-in-law.
Minato saw crimson chakra erupt from the Third Mizukage.
Then he was smashed away violently by the Big Ball Rasengan.
This wasn't the first time he'd seen this kind of chakra, and a sense of dread settled in his chest.
Although this move landed, its effectiveness might not be ideal.
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark: (m.
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