Sasori was tightly trapped between two Earth Release: Earth-Style Walls, completely unable to move.
Both of his arms were shattered, hanging uselessly at his sides.
If this body were a puppet instead of real flesh and blood, Sasori would likely already be dead.
He couldn't resist.
He had no strength left to fight back. Even if this man chose not to use Water Release, he still possessed countless other ninjutsu—and every single one of them was terrifying.
Under such overwhelming power, no one could stand their ground.
Through the narrow gap between the earthen walls, Sasori looked at Shigure.
Bitterness flooded his heart.
I made so many preparations… planned for every possible outcome…
And in the end, I couldn't even resist.
Skill meant nothing.
Before absolute power, all techniques were meaningless.
Sasori had imagined countless scenarios for this battle. He believed he had prepared for everything.
But what he never anticipated was that he wouldn't even be able to block Shigure's most basic Fire Release.
If he had known it would end like this, he would never have fought head-on.
He was simply no match.
"Do you surrender?"
Shigure spoke calmly—but he wasn't looking at Sasori.
Instead, his gaze shifted toward Gaara.
At that moment, Gaara remained silent.
He was still shaken by everything Shigure had displayed.
"For a ninja to cultivate ninjutsu to such a level…" Gaara suddenly asked, "…how much must he have sacrificed?"
Kankurō paused, then shook his head slowly.
"I don't know."
He lacked that level of mastery himself—how could he possibly understand the price required?
Nearby, Shikaku glanced at Gaara and spoke in a low voice.
"An ordinary ninja might never reach this level in their entire lifetime. That kind of ninjutsu power requires extreme chakra control—and an enormous chakra reserve."
"And even if someone meets those conditions, turning low-level ninjutsu into weapons of such destructive force would be impossible without decades of relentless training."
Decades.
That single word left Gaara even more confused.
Shigure was still in his teens.
How could someone so young refine so many ninjutsu to this extent?
Was it really just monstrous talent?
Gaara didn't answer Shigure's question.
Seeing this, Shigure curled his lips slightly—it seemed they weren't ready to yield yet.
His expression turned cold.
Shigure suddenly clenched his hand.
The Earth Release: Earth-Style Walls surged once more, violently contracting.
The space around Sasori shrank even further.
Moments later, agonized screams echoed from within the earthen prison.
That sound snapped Gaara back to reality.
"I surrender!"
Gaara's voice rang out sharply.
Shigure slowly relaxed his grip. The earthen walls loosened, then crumbled apart, dispersing into the ground.
Seeing this, Shikaku's shock deepened.
"To freely manipulate Earth Release—and even disperse it at will… The Mizukage's control over ninjutsu has already reached a realm beyond our understanding."
"Genius… That title isn't something just anyone deserves."
Tsunade gazed down at Shigure.
His strength was no longer what it once had been.
The current Shigure was undoubtedly a terrifyingly powerful ninja.
A truly qualified Kage.
That level of military might alone was enough to intimidate any ninja village.
Tsunade slowly clenched her fist.
At that moment, Hiashi stepped forward.
Before he could act—
Tsunade leapt down herself.
She landed directly on the water's surface. With a few swift steps, Tsunade leapt across the sea and onto the frozen ice.
Seeing this, Shikaku was stunned.
"Hokage-sama!"
Shigure turned toward the approaching Tsunade, frowning slightly.
"What are you doing?"
"Fighting you."
Fighting him?
Wasn't it supposed to be Gaara's turn to face Tsunade?
"Why?"
Tsunade sighed helplessly and rolled her eyes.
"Please. Hinata is still in your Hidden Mist Village. Do you really think Konoha can pretend nothing happened?"
If Tsunade chose to completely ignore Hinata's situation, the consequences were obvious. The Hyūga Clan would be deeply disheartened—and Konoha's internal stability would suffer.
No matter what, she had to make her stance clear.
To reassure the Hyūga Clan.
"So the wager is Hinata?" Shigure smiled faintly. "You won't be able to take her away."
Hearing this, Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
"That doesn't matter. We still have to fight. Besides—if you want to take the title of the strongest ninja village from Konoha, how can you do it without fighting the Hokage?"
Shigure looked slightly surprised.
"What? Are you really willing to give up the title of the strongest ninja village?"
In truth, that title had long since become a burden.
Given Konoha's current state, it was better not to carry such a target on its back. Letting the Hidden Mist bear that title might actually make Konoha's situation easier.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Hiashi's voice rang out from the distance.
Tsunade turned her head slightly.
"Don't worry. Leave it to me."
Then she faced Shigure once more.
"Mizukage, let's settle this with a battle. If I win, Konoha won't ask the Hidden Mist for any compensation. You only need to return one person to us."
Who that person was needed no explanation.
Everyone understood.
Hiashi's breathing grew slightly heavier. Hope flickered in his eyes.
Tsunade stepping in was far more promising than anything he could do himself.
She was the Hokage.
He was merely the head of the Hyūga Clan.
Though he wasn't weak, the gap between them was undeniable.
At that moment, Hiashi was filled with anticipation.
Shigure nodded without hesitation.
"Alright."
He clapped his hands together.
Instantly, the surrounding water surged into motion. A powerful current swept Sasori—body and shattered remains—toward the distant island platform.
Mid-air, Gaara's sand caught him.
Seeing Sasori's miserable state, Gaara let out a quiet sigh.
He knew how many trump cards Sasori had prepared.
Yet none of them had been usable.
Before absolute power, all schemes and techniques were meaningless.
Sasori's defeat also meant that Sunagakure would bear another ten years of debt.
Once he returned to the village, Sasori would likely become a sinner in the eyes of many.
Hated.
Blamed.
Below, Shigure turned his gaze back to Tsunade.
"One of the Legendary Sannin… Lady Tsunade."
"Shall we begin?"
Tsunade gently twisted her neck, joints cracking softly.
"Then let's begin."
Shigure smiled and formed a hand sign with his left hand.
In an instant, countless Water Release: Water Dragon Bullets surged up from all directions, spiraling violently.
They converged directly toward Tsunade.
His opening move—
Water Release.
Only now did everyone truly grasp how terrifying Shigure was at sea.
Water was the sea's domain.
And fighting on the ocean was an entirely different matter for a ninja who had mastered Water Release to this level…
(End of Chapter)
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