"So something really did happen."
Seeing Ao panting heavily and clearly flustered, Mei Terumi immediately asked, "What about those two Uchiha intruders?"
Ao lowered his head in shame. "They escaped. Earlier, I was accidentally controlled by the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique."
Mei's tone softened. "The fact that you made it back safely is already a stroke of luck."
The reason Ao could return unharmed—without even losing his Byakugan—was partly because his eye had been protected by some special technique that prevented it from being removed or damaged.
Also, if his body had been hurt, the damage would have affected Inori, the one using the Mind Body Switch.
On top of that, Uchiha Raizen and the others were in a rush to leave, which gave Ao the chance to narrowly escape disaster.
"So, in the end, there were actually three intruders?" Hōzuki Mangetsu said thoughtfully, glancing at Hidan who was still locked in battle with Kisame. "No—technically, it was four."
"I think I understand that guy's strategy now. Whether it was the large-scale Fire Style jutsu or that lightning dragon, those were just distractions. The real trick was the Yamanaka clan member hiding in the shadows."
"When none of us were paying attention, he used the Mind Body Switch Technique to control one of our people. That way, he and his sister could be rescued openly, right under our noses. What a brilliant plan!"
"Uchiha Raizen… We've really encountered a remarkable man this time."
As a top prodigy of the Hōzuki clan, Mangetsu had mastered all seven swords of the Mist while still young and had become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
His talent and pride were beyond question.
But now, he truly felt a sense of admiration for Uchiha Raizen.
Despite being in a completely disadvantageous position, the man had crafted such a clever and effective plan—one that allowed both himself and his target to escape unscathed.
Such strength and nerve were undeniably worthy of respect.
"It seems the Uchiha clan not only produces handsome men, but also geniuses," Mei Terumi suddenly smiled.
"Ao, that guy might be even more troublesome than Uchiha Shisui, the one you once faced."
Ao quickly responded, "This isn't the time for that. They definitely haven't left the Land of Water yet. If we report this to the Mizukage and give chase, we might still make it in time."
A Hidden Mist Anbu sent by Yagura said, "The Mizukage-sama should already be pursuing them personally."
"Oh?" Mei Terumi and Hōzuki Mangetsu both raised their eyebrows in surprise.
Ringo Ameyuri chimed in playfully, "You think the Fourth Mizukage is after the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai?"
"Maybe." Mei Terumi made a quick decision.
"But since the Fourth is going himself, I should go take a look too."
"Mangetsu, Ameyuri, go assist Kisame in capturing that undying guy. Use sealing techniques to restrain him."
"Zabuza, you stay here and recover. Wait for the medical squad."
"Ao, let's move."
From the way she calmly gave out her orders, Mei Terumi already showed the air of a future Fifth Mizukage.
Even the proud and fiery Ameyuri had no objections to her plan.
The only one who voiced discontent was Zabuza.
"Don't talk like you're ordering me around, Mei Terumi!" Zabuza growled, struggling to stand despite his severe injuries.
"I told you, those two Uchiha are my prey."
Faced with Zabuza's stubbornness, Mei could only sigh.
As she motioned for Ao to lead the way, she said:
"If your body can still hold on, then follow me if you can."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ao and Zabuza used the Body Flicker Technique to move quickly.
After a few steps, Zabuza finally couldn't hold on any longer.
He dropped to one knee, coughing up several drops of blood, his eyes full of unwillingness.
Although he had the ambition to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage and take control of Kirigakure, his strength was still a step short of reaching Kage-level.
...
Meanwhile—
On Uchiha Raizen's side, he, his sister, and Inori had already reached the border of the Land of Water, riding atop a giant bird.
The Land of Water was the only maritime nation among the Five Great Countries, completely surrounded by coastline.
To the north, it faced the Land of Lightning across the sea.
To the west, across a vast ocean and several small island nations like the Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools, lay the Land of Fire.
Naturally, Raizen was heading west.
As long as they reached the sea, they wouldn't have to worry about being chased by Kirigakure anymore.
His injuries and stamina had more or less fully recovered.
The vitality and recovery powers brought by the Azure Dragon Seal were truly overwhelming.
It made him even more determined—
Once they returned, he would absolutely succeed in developing the Devil Fruit Cursed Seals for his sister and Inori.
"Raizen-kun, watch the ground!"
Suddenly, Inori, who had been scanning with her sensory abilities, shouted a warning.
Raizen and Uchiha Hikari were startled and looked down.
From the ground below, several massive iron pillars shot upward toward them.
These pillars had predicted the bird's flight path in advance.
If they didn't take action, the giant bird would definitely be hit.
Uchiha Raizen's face darkened, sensing something was wrong.
He used the Shadow Clone Jutsu and said to his sister and Inori, "You both leave with my clones first. I will stop the enemy."
His sister disagreed, "Raizen, I will cover the rear."
Inori bit her lip, knowing Raizen had made up his mind. It wasn't the time to hesitate. She urged Uchiha Hikari,
"Sister Hikari, let's leave first. Raizen will be fine, right Raizen?"
Uchiha Raizen smiled calmly,
"Of course!"
Then he jumped down from the back of the monster bird, diving headfirst toward the ground, like he was about to sacrifice himself.
Midair,
His body began to grow larger. Azure Dragon scales covered him from head to toe, two long dragon horns grew from his forehead, and his fierce aura was stronger than ever.
With a wave of his dragon claw, he knocked away all the iron pillars shooting at the monster bird.
Boom!
A huge explosion sounded.
The ground was smashed into a pit more than ten meters wide. Rocks within a hundred meters shattered.
Birds and beasts in the forest, even fish in the sea, scattered in panic.
In the endless dust,
In his beast form, Uchiha Raizen twisted his neck and whispered,
"It doesn't hurt much. No wonder Kaido likes to jump from high places to kill himself. But my body is getting more used to the power of the Azure Dragon Curse Mark."
His golden dragon eyes looked ahead without any emotion.
On a large tree about a hundred meters away stood a childlike figure — the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura!
"Coming up just to show me who's boss, huh, strange Uchiha," Yagura said meaningfully, surprise clear in his eyes.
"It's not for you, but for him."
Uchiha Raizen looked coldly at the space behind Yagura.
It seemed empty, but he was one hundred percent sure they were caught up so quickly because the masked man, Obito, used space-time ninjutsu.
Yagura's expression grew even more surprised.
But then suddenly, he became numb and stunned.
"You can… sense me?"
The empty space twisted suddenly, like a whirlpool, revealing a figure wearing a mask.
Under the mask, one Sharingan eye was blood-red, full of surprise.
Uchiha Raizen sneered lightly: "Do you think a mouse's tail is that easy to hide?"
Obito's eyes grew cold as he carefully studied Uchiha Raizen.
"This form of yours has never appeared in Uchiha history. No wonder you can sense me — you're not an ordinary Uchiha."
Although Obito's presence was secretive, talented Uchiha like Itachi could sense him.
On the night of the clan's destruction two years later, Itachi invited Obito to help with the massacre.
"It's because you sensed me that you let your sister escape first, and even sent a clone to protect her. I see now, you're thoughtful — truly someone who cares for their family."
Obito's voice was both approving and mocking.
"But this kind of love will sooner or later break apart, becoming false and useless. After all, even the whole world is false — what meaning does your family bond have? Not just family love, but also love between partners and master-student relationships — none of it matters."
He probably wanted to use nihilism to brainwash Uchiha Raizen, but to the latter, it sounded just as ridiculous as Itachi's theory.
"Enough. Don't use your cowardly, avoid-reality attitude to show off. It only makes you look like a clown—extremely boring!" Uchiha Raizen snapped back without any politeness.
"Reality is harsh, but it's not to the point where you can't fight back. The people I cherish, I will protect myself!"
It was hard to tell what expression Obito had under his mask.
But he clearly gave up on brainwashing Uchiha Raizen, snorting coldly and saying:
"You arrogant kid, I've seen too many people like you who think they know everything. In the end, they all fall into darkness. Now I'll let you see what true reality is!"
The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan was released, directly controlling Yagura to transform into a tailed beast!
**********
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