Gaara fought Chiyo and Ebizo for a time, repeatedly trying to strike at the culprit, Zenkichi.
However, Chiyo and Ebizo's fierce attacks left no opening to hit Zenkichi.
He tried several times to break the illusion trapping Chiyo and Ebizo, but failed.
"It's useless. I should have told you earlier—I am not using illusion."
Zenkichi stood nearby holding Kyouka Suigetsu, watching the battle with a smile.
He observed Gaara, Chiyo, and Ebizo's intense fight but soon lost interest.
Gaara's absolute defense was formidable, but the two puppet masters' offensive power was limited.
Though the venom-quenched puppet was lethal, lethality and attack power differed.
The puppet's strikes couldn't break Gaara's defense, and the poison couldn't invade his body.
"That's it!"
Zenkichi sighed faintly, watching the battle of these three shadow-level powerhouses.
When Kyouka Suigetsu was revealed, Chiyo and Ebizo broke into a cold sweat.
Because the one they attacked was none other than Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure Village.
"How can the Fifth Kazekage be defeated like this?" Chiyo and Ebizo looked as if they saw a ghost, disbelief clear on their faces.
"Nothing is impossible. This is my ability," Zenkichi chuckled casually.
"But this fight feels dull and unexciting, like elemental body transformation."
Zenkichi sighed softly with a disappointed expression.
"What are you saying?"
Temari shouted from the side, swinging her iron fan.
Sharp wind blades cut toward Zenkichi.
Golden light flashed on Zenkichi's body.
The wind blades left marks but shattered into fragments against his golden glow.
His body reassembled perfectly, untouched.
"My elemental ability is powerful," Zenkichi said calmly.
"With this, I can ignore almost all attacks."
"The reason I unified the ninja world in my original world was because of this power."
Raising Mirror Flower, Water Moon in his hand, Zenkichi continued:
"Whether elemental transformation or illusions like Mirror Flower, Water Moon, this tricky style isn't what I prefer."
"Now, feel the power of despair!"
A surge of energy burst from Zenkichi's body.
He slashed at Gaara and the others, sword energy roaring like a tsunami.
The powerful force destroyed the Fengying Building instantly, turning countless buildings along the way to ruins.
"Ahem!"
Amid the dust and smoke, Gaara's dry cough was sharp.
Then footsteps approached.
Zenkichi walked slowly before Gaara.
"Should I kill you now?"
"What a vexing question."
Zenkichi looked down at the wounded Gaara casually.
"It's unbelievable you have such strength."
"Just one sword swing. Is this truly swordsmanship?"
Gaara looked at Zenkichi in despair, his worldview collapsing.
"Don't believe it? Fine."
"I will let you go this time, but you must spread my name throughout the ninja world."
"If you refuse, I will destroy Sunagakure Village."
"If you comply, I will make Sunagakure my final conquest."
Zenkichi smiled, not taking Sunagakure seriously.
"I will as you say."
Gaara gritted his teeth, resolved to spread word of Zenkichi's strength to the entire ninja world.
He felt compelled to convene a Five Kage summit to unite the five great ninja villages against Zenkichi.
"Really? Then I look forward to your efforts."
Zenkichi said calmly, then vanished into Sunagakure Village.
"Gaara!" Temari held her big iron fan, smiling wryly.
"There must be no chaos left in Sunagakure."
"Our losses are not great, so do not worry."
Gaara comforted Temari.
Temari was uneasy.
Her worry wasn't the current state of Sunagakure but what lay ahead.
Terumi Mei, the recently appointed Fifth Mizukage, examined information in front of her, confused.
What Zenkichi had done in Sunagakure, shamelessly aided by the village, spread rapidly throughout the ninja world.
Temari was deeply troubled.
She feared the future of Sunagakure.
Could they truly defeat Zenkichi?
"Could this information be false? It sounds exaggerated."
"Fifth Kazekage Gaara, Chiyo, and Ebizo—so many Kage-level powerhouses combined—couldn't kill Zenkichi with one sword?"
Terumi Mei's expression was full of disbelief.
"Impossible? Your vision is too narrow."
A voice interrupted: "Not impossible."
Zenkichi appeared, causing Mei Terumi's expression to shift. She looked up quickly.
In the Mizukage's office, Zenkichi sat calmly on the sofa, peeling an apple while holding a mirror.
"Are you... Zenkichi?"
Terumi Mei stood, narrowing her eyes at him.
The intelligence from Sunagakure included a description of Zenkichi's appearance.
Despite his infamous looks, Mei immediately guessed his identity.
He had infiltrated her office.
Only a few in the ninja world could do this.
"It's me."
Zenkichi tossed the peeled apple to Terumi Mei with a smile.
"What brings you to Kirigakure Village?"
Mei eyed him cautiously, hiding her suspicion.
Zenkichi chuckled.
"I'm a ninja of Kirigakure Village in another world and its Fourth Mizukage. Is it strange I'm here?"
Terumi Mei said flatly, "This is not your world, and you are not the Fourth Mizukage."
Zenkichi laughed.
"You fear I will take your position. How sad! Our relationship in the other world was very close."
Terumi Mei hummed, "How close?"
Zenkichi tapped his lower body and said seriously, "You have a mole here."
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