In terms of attack intensity, Haseo's action at this moment was like throwing an egg against a stone.
If the enemy had been an ordinary ninja, it might have worked. But Mizukage was a "Kage"—theoretically among the top five individuals in the world. Did anyone really expect him to die from such a move? It seemed unrealistic... Haseo's strength hadn't yet reached that level, and even now he wasn't using his full power.
Once the attack was done, the outcome no longer hinged on Haseo. The result now relied entirely on the Fourth Mizukage's reaction capability—if the Water Shadow perished from a mere "throwing technique," it wouldn't prove Haseo's superiority, but rather show the Mizukage himself was incompetent.
Unless the water shadow had absolute confidence in the hardness of his skull, he would definitely defend himself.
Immediately, chakra erupted from the Fourth Mizukage's body. He extended his right hand forward to shield his head, then—with a crisp sound of cracking bones—he was slammed face-first into the ground.
Clearly, the Mizukage wasn't recklessly overconfident.
After all, taking damage to one arm as a buffer to survive such a lethal strike was worth it—A broken arm beat a shattered skull any day.
"Clang!"
Even while being heavily struck, the Mizukage didn't loosen his grip on his weapon. In fact, amid Haseo's rapid combat rhythm, he still managed to find an opening for counterattack.
Haseo had no choice but to stop advancing further, hastily drawing the remaining long blade at his waist to block.
After a brief resistance, the Fourth Mizukage rolled forcefully away. Though his movement appeared far from graceful, he ultimately exited Haseo's range of attack.
Well, nobody really cared how graceful the Mizukage looked while rolling away at this point. What Haseo needed to do was chase after him immediately for the finishing blow… After all, no matter how fast the Fourth Mizukage rolled, he couldn't outrun Haseo.
However, just as Haseo took one step forward, he instantly sensed something coming straight toward him from the side—numerous piercing whistling sounds filled the air like a swarm of bees, impossible to ignore.
Metal storm?
No time for thinking, Haseo quickly spun his long blade into a silver whirlwind. With countless continuous metallic clashing noises, countless tiny projectiles rained down at his feet.
He glanced downward, naturally spotting those objects not as bullets but as finger-joint-sized white nubs… or rather, actual finger bones.
After blocking this series of attacks, Haseo turned his gaze toward their source—the Mist ninja who'd originally been kicked away by him. Surprisingly, instead of looking hurt, the attacker looked completely unharmed.
The reason why this person hadn't taken serious damage became immediately clear to Haseo. He tested with a question:
"Kaguya?"
The Kaguya in Kimimaro Kaguya was not the same person as Kaguya Otsutsuki. Though they shared the same name, these two Kaguyas were nothing alike.
It was Kimimaro Kaguya using Shikotsumyaku.
In other words, this person must be someone Orochimaru had his eyes on.
But still... If we suppose that the Ninjutsu World is a game, shouldn't it at least be an RPG rather than an FPS?
So at this point, Haseo couldn't help but ask:
"Hey there, who're you taking aim at?"
Taking advantage of Haseo's brief pause, the Fourth Mizukage quickly reached the side of the ninja wielding Shikotsumyaku.
"Kaguya, hurry up."
Naturally, Kaguya understood what needed doing at this moment. He immediately pressed his palm against the Mizukage's hideously mangled arm. Soon afterward, a cylindrical bone-like "splint" emerged, covering the Mizukage's arm and forcibly restoring its shape, externally stabilizing it.
Just as the term suggested, this was a real exoskeleton.
Of course, such emergency treatment couldn't fully restore the Mizukage's arm function—at least, assuming he could endure the pain from moving it.
"Alright already. You ninja sure have flashy medical techniques. Why not just chop off this arm and attach a new one right away? Are you trying to do bone grafting out here or something?"
No one paid attention to Haseo's sarcasm. The Mizukage exchanged glances with his assistant before both charged at him once again simultaneously.
Who was the most desperate at this moment? The Six-Tails Jinchuriki, still immobilized on the battlefield. Though he'd secured himself a VIP viewing seat, he was practically going nuts now... Couldn't you spare even a second to release my seals before throwing down? Isn't three-on-one better than two-on-one?
Clearly, the Mizukage didn't have time for that.
If Haseo hadn't occasionally deliberately paused his movements, even defensive actions alone would've overwhelmed the Mizukage.
Kimimaro Kaguya took the lead, with the Mizukage following closely behind, forming exactly the same attack formation as before.
As soon as the former approached Haseo, sharp bone spurs erupted all over his body. In an instant, this ninja transformed into something no longer resembling a human, looking ferocious and menacing.
Beyond appearance, this technique actually worked well—it functioned similarly to a hedgehog's principle, being covered in spikes naturally offering both offense and defense.
But this sort of "technique" involving uncontrolled bone growth within one's own body was definitely something deadly. Therefore, Haseo would bet this guy wouldn't make it past thirty anyway—if he did, might as well take him out now.
The enemy spun like a whirlwind covered in bone blades, launching a furious flurry of attacks.
At this point, while parrying continuously using his long blade, Haseo kept retreating repeatedly. So it looked like the enemy was gaining the upper hand.
However... Actually, Haseo simply thought the opponent looked somewhat unsanitary.
Just imagine: if bones from the enemy pierced his skin, wouldn't that cause cross-contamination?
Who could possibly stand that?
While Haseo kept withdrawing, the enemy finally found an opening.
On the uneven battlefield, Kaguya's ninja stood slightly higher and extended his arm toward Haseo below. In an instant, countless bone spines on his arm shot out like they'd been injected with hormones, forming a pale white cage that plunged straight down at Haseo.
If he could trap Haseo inside, no matter how strong his opponent was, there would be only one outcome—total defeat.
As the bone spikes started closing in, Kaguya felt certain his plan was about to succeed. But just then, Haseo looked annoyed.
"Told you it's gross! Can't you take a hint?"
Like anyone could read his mind anyway?
Haseo rapidly completed a series of hand seals between his palms. Then gripping his long blade with his right hand, he slashed his left arm sideways. Instantly, a semi-transparent air blade extended from his left side, shrieking with that familiar razor-sharp sound.
[Wind Release: Ame no Ohabari no Jutsu]
Even though the bones of Shikotsumyaku were both hard and flexible, they couldn't endure rapid, sustained slicing attacks. Haseo spun sharply on his heel, cleaving through the enemy's carefully laid "cage" in one swift motion.
A high-level Wind Release technique had no trouble doubling as a bone-splitter.
Breaking free, Haseo completely ignored this supposedly powerful Kekkei Genkai ninja. With unimaginable speed, he dashed past the enemy straight toward the Mizukage behind.
Kaguya's ninja wanted to stop him, but sadly, he simply couldn't keep up. If he tried chasing? Even worse—he wouldn't see Haseo's tail lights at all.
For a proud ninja, being utterly ignored hurt worse than any quick kill. But did he really care about the enemy's feelings?
Only one target mattered—The Fourth Mizukage.
Haseo's attack methods and body control were fluid, versatile, adaptable—classic signs of a technical fighter. Even during high-speed charges, he could instantly switch tactics, slamming the Mizukage into a humiliating face-plant without effort.
Having learned from his previous mistakes, the Fourth Mizukage now became far more cautious. Facing Haseo charging head-on, his focus spiked to maximum intensity.
He'd never make the same mistake twice!
Even if a sudden "Crotchal Cobra Thrust" came flying at his groin, the Mizukage would be ready to deliver the most effective counterattack possible.
However…
Just when Haseo was within four or five meters from the Mizukage, his figure suddenly launched upward!
That earlier sprint now looked like a runway takeoff.
The Mizukage followed Haseo's rising path with his eyes, watching as the man gripped the hilt with both hands and raised his long sword high overhead.
Everything seemed to slow—this time, the Mizukage even sensed a brief midair hover from Haseo.
But delayed perception didn't mean halted motion; seemingly slow, actually fast.
A jumping slash?! Are you serious right now?!
In ninja combat, where agility was crucial, extravagant body movements were practically suicidal. So how could this person dare to make such exaggerated motions? Was he eager to die?
The Fourth Mizukage instinctively gripped his weapon with both hands, raising it to block overhead.
A thunderous boom exploded, followed by a force like a mountain crumbling into the ocean.
"Clang!"
The weapon in Haseo's hands was slim and delicate, as if it could snap at the slightest force. Yet when the blow landed, the Mizukage felt his mind go blank, as though a sledgehammer had slammed into his chest.
At that moment, all the air in his lungs was forcefully expelled.
The initial slash delivered an instantaneous shockwave. But then Haseo pressed down with his wrist, prolonging the pressure on the Mizukage, making it feel relentless.
The Mizukage was forced backward, his stance swaying. However, just as the pressure suddenly lifted, he realized too late that a figure had already blocked out the light above his upper left.
Still jumping? No—it was a full-blown aerial combo, a three-hit package with after-sales service included.
The sudden, massive shifts in force—pressing hard, then vanishing abruptly—finally made the Mizukage lose grip on his weapon entirely.
Staggering backward again and again, the Mizukage finally crashed to the ground.
So, how could one defend against [Great Skill Without Ornamentation]? There wasn't a hint of flair or showmanship in it.
Was someone with both precise technique and crushing strength just... powerful?
Looking upward, the Mizukage now found Haseo's silhouette towering larger than life.
He didn't rush forward but merely stood there, sword raised.
When the Mizukage looked at Haseo, Haseo was also staring straight at him.
Not out of joy or pity, cruelty or hatred—but because Haseo's eyes held only the stillness of a bottomless abyss.
Before the war began, Mist had estimated Haseo's abilities, but clearly, that evaluation had been mistaken.
He appeared to be utterly unshakable.
At this moment, the Fourth Mizukage seemed to understand something...
Could this be what "looking down on all sides" truly meant?
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