The practical utility of a clone technique that explodes upon defeat and harms enemies in its destruction is simply too strong. Although Mizuki had also used shadow clones carrying explosive tags for suicide attacks before, this Bubble Clone Technique was so convenient that he found it extremely intriguing.
[Soap Bubble Ninjutsu]—combining chakra with a specific morphological medium—this really is an impressive minor technique. I should try it out when I get back. If it doesn't work for me, I'll have Tsubaki give it a shot."
Ninja techniques are often developed from sheer inspiration. It's exactly the mix of imagination and chakra that gives the ninja world its vibrant colors.
But right now, he was still in the middle of a mission, so such thoughts were temporarily set aside. In Mizuki's eyes, although the battle appeared intense, the Mist Anbu clearly held back their strength. Throughout the siege, they hadn't used any highly destructive ninjutsu, instead focusing more on tactics involving bindings and disabling the enemy's combat effectiveness. Otherwise, without tapping into his tailed-beast transformation, Utakata wouldn't have lasted this long.
This was also Mizuki's first time witnessing how regular ninja captured Jinchuriki. On this point alone, Kirigakure's signature jutsu, Water Release — Water Whip, combined with Lightning Release techniques possessing paralysis effects, seemed tailor-made for situations like this. A well-coordinated Anbu squad's fighting capability was truly formidable. Without entering Sage Mode, Mizuki estimated even he would find escaping such an attack rather difficult.
If things kept going like this, Utakata stood no chance—he'd collapse from exhaustion eventually unless he underwent tailed-beast transformation, in which case he might survive.
However, what happened next surprised Mizuki slightly.
"A Soap Bubble Ninjutsu can actually let someone fly? That actually works?"
Right then, Utakata blew out a large bubble instantly surrounding himself. After rising upward, he escaped the encirclement and quickly floated away along the wind direction.
It appeared to be another application of the Water Release technique known as Ephemeral Bindings. When used on oneself, it even produced a flying effect. Though its speed wasn't particularly fast, it saved energy and eliminated terrain restrictions. Compared to running on the ground, this method was much easier—especially for an Utakata nearing total exhaustion. This technique practically felt like divine intervention amid snowfall.
Limited by terrain constraints and frequently disrupted by Explosive Bubbles thrown back at them by Utakata, these Mist Anbu struggled somewhat to prevent his escape.
"Is this first round already ending? Seems like this isn't their first encounter; they must've gotten used to it already. It's just a battle of endurance and stamina from here on out. Looks like we're in for some real cat-and-mouse games ahead."
At this point, Mizuki considered his mission nearly complete. Most events unfolded predictably. Overall, Utakata's abilities were decent enough—even without his tailed-beast transformation, he equated roughly to an average newly promoted Jonin. His ninjutsu was excellent, though neither Taijutsu nor Genjutsu capabilities stood out. His battle techniques suited battlefield scenarios better, delivering weak offensive power during one-on-one duels without any decisive finishing moves. Yet his escape ability was incredibly strong. When he decided to run, not many could keep him from slipping away.
Knowing this much was enough for Mizuki. After witnessing Utakata effortlessly glide across a deep ravine while the Anbu squad of Kiri got stuck at the steep cliffside, he no longer cared about the upcoming battle—what happened next had nothing to do with him.
He'd just watched an entertaining performance, and it was Mizuki's first time getting a mission this effortless. As he walked contentedly on his way back, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"It really has been a while, Mizuki..."
A figure abruptly appeared before Mizuki—silver-haired, wearing glasses, and bearing a sinister smile. It was none other than Kabuto Yakushi.
"Not that long, Kabuto." Mizuki pulled out a kunai and hurled it toward Kabuto's head. "Just caught off guard—I couldn't help but let my hands do the talking."
The flying kunai struck Kabuto directly, followed by a loud explosion, sending the figure crashing to the ground.
"Killing me right from the start? I thought you'd be happy to see me?"
Another Kabuto with the same wicked smile appeared not far away.
"Overjoyed is pushing it," Mizuki replied. "Meeting you isn't necessarily bad, but I certainly don't feel like chatting with corpse puppets."
With that, a [Great Fireball] Jutsu roared forward, turning the second puppet into a pile of ash.
Mizuki had no doubt this wasn't Kabuto's original body. There were indeed people in the ninja world capable of approaching so closely without Mizuki noticing, but Kabuto Yakushi most definitely wasn't one of them.
Expanding his sensing range, Mizuki locked onto a hidden chakra source. Rushing swiftly toward the detected location, he immediately spotted Kabuto waiting for him.
"You sure know how to disrespect your seniors," Mizuki said. "After all, I'm your senior—shouldn't you bring something better than puppets? Or do you really think your Soul Reversal Technique (Shikijō Sōzōjutsu – technique that controls dead bodies) can perfectly mimic the living?"
"How could that be?" Kabuto replied. "It's just that your reputation has grown so large lately; I was afraid you'd decide to kill me on a whim."
"Kill you on a whim? That actually sounds tempting..." Mizuki was certain now—that Kabuto before him was truly his original body. If he was willing to pay the price and went all-out, he probably could kill him. But unless absolutely necessary, he no longer wanted to use Sage Mode on something as pointless as this.
"So then, did you bring your life-saving money today?"
"Senior, you always make jokes. I'm here to make a deal with you, remember? Didn't you say so last time?"
"A deal? Last time?" Mizuki quickly recalled their previous encounter. "Oh? Are you saying you've brought the [Cursed Seal] Technique and the [Flying Thunder God] Technique?"
"Eh, those two techniques really are tough to get hold of."
"Is that so? Then they should be easy to find since they're on you." Mizuki instantly changed his mind. He rapidly formed hand seals, creating four Shadow Clones. Together with his original body, they surrounded Kabuto.
"What exactly do you mean by this, Mizuki?" Kabuto asked darkly, his face darkening.
"I don't know what you want to exchange from me, but since you carry what I desire, couldn't I simply kill you to obtain it?"
The words had barely left his mouth when a Shadow Clone knelt on one knee, rapidly forming hand seals. As the sealing patterns spread outward across the ground, a deep purple wall of energy erupted around them, trapping Mizuki's original body and Kabuto inside.
"[Four-Corner Sealing Barrier]?" Kabuto's face darkened further. "You're using a Shadow Clone to maintain this barrier? You really think you can kill me that fast?"
Mizuki grinned sharply. "Who knows? Let's see if I can pull it off..."
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