Off the coast of Mist, Three-Tails let out a pained roar, bound by over a thousand chains wrapped around it.
Inscribed with runes, the chains seemed to form some kind of formation once activated by chakra.
"The formation our Mizukage taught us is truly amazing! Even a monster like Three-Tails can't break free!"
"Yeah, I never expected capturing a Bijuu to go so smoothly!"
The Mist shinobi murmured amongst themselves, watching the figure standing on the turtle's back with deep reverence in their eyes.
At that moment, a Jonin dashed across the sea toward Yagura, his face filled with panic.
Despite already knowing the reason, Yagura still feigned confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
The Jonin landed on the turtle's shell. "Mizukage-sama, the rebels have suddenly launched a large-scale attack on the village!"
Yagura's eyes darkened. He replied steadily, "Withdraw two-thirds of the forces here and send them back for reinforcement."
"Two-thirds?" the Jonin exclaimed, "But what about your mission here..."
"With me here, even if I'm the only one left, I can still seal it!" Yagura's voice carried great confidence. "Go, don't let those rebels take advantage."
"Yes!"
The once crowded sea soon emptied out.
Standing on the turtle's back, Yagura gazed at the sea, his expression calm and indifferent. "Now that only a third remains, you finally have to make your move, don't you?"
Sure enough, several figures came rushing from a distance at incredible speed.
Their sudden movements naturally drew the attention of the Mist shinobi.
"It's the Konoha ninja!"
"Damn it, why would Konoha shinobi appear here?"
At this moment, Yagura's voice spread out. "These Konoha shinobi are here to steal Three-Tails. Go, stop them!"
They hesitated. "Mizukage-sama, about sealing Three-Tails..."
"I've nearly completed the sealing. As for the rest, I alone am sufficient!"
Since Yagura had spoken thus, they naturally ceased any objections. Withdrawing their chakra, they charged toward the Konoha shinobi in a blocking formation.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Shot!]
[Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!]
Every ninja participating in the capture of Three-Tails was at least Chunin, with dozens of them being Jonin. Combining their Water Release techniques with the terrain created waves that were nearly as powerful as the ocean itself!
However, as this overwhelming torrent of water techniques rushed toward the Konoha shinobi, it was absorbed by the figure standing at their forefront — Mizuki!
[Yin Release? Be careful, it's that freak Mizuki with three Kekkei Genkai!]
[Use water techniques intertwined with the ocean's natural power—his absorption only works on water produced from chakra!]
Still, the Konoha shinobi weren't just going to let them attack.
After their initial assault was absorbed, several figures hidden behind Mizuki quickly surged forward.
[Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!]
[Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!]
[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!]
Faced with the Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique developed by the Second Hokage, most of the Chunin were plunged into darkness without even the slightest resistance.
Those jonin who quickly regained their senses worked together to use the Water Wall Encampment technique, creating an enormous water wall to block the flames that were rapidly advancing.
However, just as these jonin activated their water barrier, a strange green figure screaming wildly broke through the water wall and charged inside.
While Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi used area attacks to control the battlefield, Guy focused on point elimination—targeting those Mist shinobi who had escaped the genjutsu and were trying to awaken others.
"Darn it, this guy is too fast!"
Although these jonin were quick to react, their physical speed couldn't keep up, and with the added pressure of dealing with enemy area attacks, they became somewhat flustered. Surprisingly, hundreds of Mist shinobi were actually being suppressed by just a few opponents.
"What incredibly well-coordinated attacks. I shouldn't be surprised—it's you guys, after all!" Yagura stood atop his Iron Drank Turtle, calmly watching the battle below while drawing a water ripple circle in the air with his iron staff.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
In the next moment, several figures burst forth from the reflective surface of the water mirror—clearly mimicking the forms of the Konoha shinobi!
The duplicates quickly rushed toward the battlefield.
"Huh? That's a copy of me?" Seeing his own copy, Guy became excited instead. "Let me see how strong I really am!"
[Leaf Strong Whirlwind!]
Guy leaped high into the air and launched a flying kick toward his copy.
The duplicate mirrored his movement precisely.
The two right legs clashed midair in an X-shaped collision, creating powerful whirlwinds.
After a brief stalemate, both jumped backward.
"So you do have the same strength and speed as me?" Guy was surprised, then energized. "But can you use this move?"
[Eight Gates, Open!]
Since this wasn't yet a life-or-death battle, Guy only opened the first three gates.
Even so, this gave him far greater strength and speed than the copy could match.
The copy, after all, isn't a real human being—its body lacks the concept of the Eight Gates, and could only stare dumbfounded as Guy advanced.
This move is outside its capabilities!
After a single flying kick, the copy exploded into water droplets, scattering in all directions.
Meanwhile, Asuma and the others had also engaged their own duplicates. While they didn't finish their fights as quickly as Guy did, they still quickly gained the upper hand.
For one thing, the Water Mirror Technique couldn't completely copy their abilities. For another, the copies' combat experience and teamwork were far inferior to the originals', so they were naturally suppressed quickly.
In their respective battles, Kakashi used the distraction from fighting his copy to quietly move to a position behind Yagura. He lifted the forehead protector covering his left eye, revealing a spinning three-tomoe pattern in his pupil that transformed into a whirlpool-like shape.
[Kamui!]
The space behind Yagura began to distort, as if silently attempting to swallow him whole.
Using his Mangekyō Sharingan caused Kakashi's left eye to ache violently, even drawing blood, but he didn't care at all—he continued staring fixedly at Yagura.
"It's going to work..."
But the instant the spatial vortex formed, Yagura actually sidestepped and dodged it!
"What? He actually avoided it!"
Kakashi was greatly shocked. His Kamui was an attack that twisted space itself. It was extremely hard to defend against even head-on—yet the opponent had dodged it from a blind spot!
"Is this the strength of a Kage?"
"Don't underestimate a Kage!" Yagura let out a contemptuous laugh and drew two circles in the air.
From these Water Mirrors emerged two more copies of Yagura's group!
"Three clones already? How is this possible?" Kakashi and the others were stunned. The Water Kage, who had once been instantly defeated by Seiki, had turned out to be so powerful!
After the shock, they all realized one thing—they were truly in trouble this time!
Their original plan was to break through the encirclement as quickly as last time, create Shadow Clones to set up the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier, and then team up to take the enemy down in a righteous strike!
But now? They hadn't even gotten close to Yagura before being stopped by his Water Mirror Jutsu!
Even worse, some of the people controlled by genjutsu were beginning to regain consciousness.
Although Kurenai could still use the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, once the enemy had gained experience and prepared themselves, its effects would only continue to weaken!
The balance of victory seemed to be tilting toward the Mist side!
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