"Samehada? How terrifying."
Looking at the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost rushing toward him, Zenkichi said casually and fired a laser without ceremony.
The golden light, condensed from countless light particles, resembled a high-pressure beam with immense cutting power.
Moreover, after hitting the target, the highly concentrated light particles rapidly expanded—causing a powerful explosion.
The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost assumed that Zenkichi's abilities were chakra-based, so he didn't take the laser seriously.
He swung Samehada in his hand, attempting to absorb Zenkichi's laser.
Samehada could devour chakra-based techniques, even terrifying ones like the Tailed Beast Ball.
However, Zenkichi's laser wasn't formed from chakra. Samehada had no effect against it.
Pfft!
A dull sound echoed as the laser pierced through Samehada's body, causing an explosion behind it.
Samehada thrashed violently and let out a painful screech—the laser had clearly inflicted serious damage.
Not only did Zenkichi's laser penetrate Samehada, but the residual burning also intensified its pain.
"Samehada, what's wrong with you? Calm down!"
The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost, unaware of the internal damage, believed the attack had only slightly harmed it.
After all, the explosion hadn't directly hit Samehada.
Trying to calm it down, the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost gripped the hilt more tightly—
But that only provoked a violent reaction.
Sharp barbs burst out from the handle, piercing his palm and drawing blood.
Samehada wasn't a regular weapon. It was a sentient creature that originally accompanied the Three-Tails.
If its wielder displeased it, it would retaliate without hesitation.
At that moment, Samehada bit back against the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost.
"Hmm~ Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost, looks like you've got a problem!"
Zenkichi's voice rang out as his body flickered into light particles, instantly appearing behind his opponent.
With a casual motion, he raised his leg wrapped in shimmering light particles and kicked the Pufferfish Ghost away.
Boom!
"What a troublesome ability..."
The remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen looked grim. Despite their fierceness, none of them acted recklessly after seeing Zenkichi's display.
"Elder Genji, is that enough?"
Zenkichi placed his hands in his pockets and glanced casually at Genji.
Genji had intended to test Zenkichi's strength through the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—to verify the claim that he'd repelled the White Fang of Konoha.
Zenkichi had also welcomed the opportunity to show force—to deter any future challengers.
If there hadn't been such a public battle, the Kirigakure ninjas at the base wouldn't be convinced.
Rather than letting others come after him secretly, it was better to crush them openly—to make them lose hope.
Letting Judo try multiple nature transformations was not just about Kizaru's character—it was a warning against further probing.
After all, the current Kirigakure was not a united village.
Master Genji took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and nodded.
"All right. I now believe that you truly repelled Konoha's White Fang."
"I'll report this to Lord Mizukage. You'll be rewarded according to your merit."
Zenkichi said casually, "Fine by me. I'm curious what kind of arrangement the Mizukage will make for me."
---
Konoha.
After returning from the mission, Konoha's White Fang immediately reported his encounter with Zenkichi to the Third Hokage.
Upon hearing the report, the youthful and powerful Third Hokage frowned in disbelief.
"Is what you said true? That sounds impossible."
A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old possessing strength to rival the White Fang? It was hard to accept.
The White Fang confirmed firmly, "Everything I said is true. That young man's abilities are... bizarre."
"Though I can't gauge his exact strength, he absolutely has the power to threaten a Kage-level shinobi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said gravely, "You're right. I may have underestimated him. Perhaps his actual level isn't quite Kage-class, but the nature of his abilities gives him equivalent combat potential."
"To ignore your White Fang blade... That sounds like the Hydration Technique of the Hōzuki clan. Perhaps a lightning technique could counter it."
The White Fang shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. The Hydration Technique is countered by lightning because water conducts electricity."
"But that boy's body didn't turn into water—it turned into light. I doubt Lightning Release would work."
"And more than his individual strength, his impact on the battlefield is what concerns me most."
"He can emit intense light that affects vision. That's a battlefield-level strategic weapon."
"If he shines that light while facing Konoha's shinobi troops, they could go blind instantly."
"Meanwhile, Kirigakure's troops—facing the other way—wouldn't be affected. That's a major tactical advantage."
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe, fell silent, then said, "You're right. We must treat this with utmost seriousness. A power like that could change the course of a war."
---
Kirigakure.
While Konohagakure was already embroiled in battle with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, Kirigakure and Kumogakure remained on standby—deploying troops to the front lines without yet engaging directly.
Still, their intent to intervene was clear.
The aging Third Mizukage picked up Genji's battle report with a pleased smile.
He hadn't expected a genius like Zenkichi to emerge from Kirigakure's civilian ninja population.
Excellent. Truly excellent.
The Third Mizukage contemplated promoting Zenkichi to a high-ranking post.
Kirigakure had far too many kekkei genkai clans, monopolizing resources and deepening the rift with civilian ninjas.
It was this growing conflict that would eventually give rise to the infamous "Bloody Mist Village."
If the kekkei genkai clans hadn't become so tyrannical, their eventual purging might never have happened.
Even so, the complete eradication of those clans was like amputating an arm—a loss few could accept.
---
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