Chapter 202: Shikotsumyaku and Mei Terumī
It was deep night.
Hoshikawa , in a deep sleep, instantly snapped his eyes open at the sound of the alarm. He pushed out of his sleeping bag and left the tent. Across the main camp, every ninja was awake, just like him.
"All Ninja Squad Captains, gather in front of the main tent!" Tsunade's voice boomed across the camp.
"We should go too," Hoshikawa said, looking at Kurenai Yūhi and Rin Nohara. They nodded quickly.
The three made their way to the front of the main tent.
"We just received news that Kirigakure ninja, led by the Third Mizukage, have launched a full-scale assault on our outposts," Tsunade announced before the gathering, her voice quick and urgent. "We are assigning missions now. Immediately move to reinforce the outposts!"
Hoshikawa 's expression tightened.
A full-scale assault? And the Third Mizukage is leading it?
This situation felt like a decisive battle, yet it was illogical. A typical Great Ninja War involved a period of attrition and consumption. A decisive battle should only occur once one side had a clear advantage or was sure of annihilating the enemy. As the forces were currently balanced, a decisive battle had a high risk and would likely end as a draw at best. If they lost, all their efforts would have been wasted.
Hoshikawa 's thoughts turned to Madara Uchiha. Is he manipulating things from behind the scenes?
In the original story, Madara had given his Rinnegan to Nagato, but he still possessed one Three-Tomoé Sharingan. With his power, he could summon a Susano'o even without eyes. A Three-Tomoé Sharingan in his hands could accomplish many things, such as controlling the Three-Tails or the Third Mizukage.
Hoshikawa 's one consolation was that the main body of the elderly Madara couldn't leave the Gedō Mazō (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path); he could only use a Shadow Clone. Furthermore, his primary goal was to awaken Obito Uchiha's Mangekyō, not to pick a gratuitous fight with Konoha.
"Move out!" Tsunade declared, waving her hand after assigning the missions.
The ninja swiftly departed the main camp, heading in all directions to reinforce the nearby outposts.
"We'll go deal with the Third Mizukage," Tsunade said, approaching Hoshikawa and his team. Accompanying her was a squad led by Hizashi Hyūga. Chiyo was left to guard the main camp, in case Kirigakure ninja attempted a surprise attack.
"Where is the Third Mizukage?" Hoshikawa asked, following behind her.
"The outpost to the northeast," Tsunade replied grimly. "It's where a lot of our supplies are stored."
Hoshikawa frowned slightly. The northeast outpost was intentionally built close to the Land of Fire to facilitate the transport of supplies from Konoha. It was extremely secretive, known only to a few.
How did Kirigakure find it?
The name Zetsu popped into Hoshikawa 's mind. Besides the Mayfly Technique , Zetsu also had the Assimilation Technique (Henge no Jutsu). This jutsu allowed Zetsu to absorb a person's chakra and then transform into them. Since the chakra signature was identical, even the most familiar person or a Sensor Ninja couldn't tell the difference.
The combination of the Mayfly Technique and the Assimilation Technique meant that identifying the location of Konoha's outpost was not an issue.
A sense of alarm rose in Hoshikawa . These two events combined undeniably pointed to Madara Uchiha orchestrating events. His ultimate goal was undoubtedly Rin Nohara, not to help Kirigakure defeat Konoha.
Ten minutes later, the group arrived near the Konoha outpost. The outpost was currently shrouded in thick mist, punctuated by intermittent screams.
"Twenty Kirigakure ninja," Hizashi Hyūga immediately activated his Byakugan. "One of them is the Third Mizukage."
"What is the condition of the ninja in the outpost?" Tsunade quickly asked.
"Eight ninja remain, using the large mountain behind the outpost for resistance," Hizashi Hyūga reported.
"You go rescue them. Hoshikawa and I will intercept the Third Mizukage," Tsunade said after thinking it over.
"Wait," Hoshikawa called out, forming hand signs and summoning Katsuyu. "Lady Katsuyu, split into six and follow them."
"Understood, Lord Hoshikawa ." Katsuyu's body split into six smaller slugs, which crawled onto the shoulders of Kurenai and the others.
Tsunade saw through Hoshikawa 's intention and didn't stop him. Having Katsuyu with them would indeed make them safer. However, Hoshikawa 's actual goal was just to use Katsuyu to track Rin Nohara's location. If Madara Uchiha made his move, he could still react.
"You all go ahead." Tsunade waved her hand.
"The two of you stay behind us," Hizashi Hyūga reminded Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yūhi before plunging into the dense fog.
"Hoshikawa ," Tsunade waited two seconds, then said, "Attack the Third Mizukage directly and draw his attention."
Hoshikawa nodded, forming hand signs. Chakra surged out, and a colossal Water Dragon roared out, flying toward its target.
Unsurprisingly, the Water Dragon missed. Three figures emerged from the dense fog.
"Is this the hospitality of Princess Tsunade?" asked a black-haired, closed-eyed young man.
"Third Mizukage, you are mistaken. You are not guests; you are enemies," Tsunade made no attempt to hide, stepping forward directly.
Hoshikawa felt an intense gaze directed at him. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
Hoshikawa 's gaze fell upon Mei Terumī, standing to the Third Mizukage's left. She was glaring at him, her beautiful eyes practically trying to bore a hole through him. The girl had grown even more beautiful and was now wearing the classic blue, strapless dress from the original story.
Besides Mei Terumī, there was a middle-aged man with white hair and a red dot on his forehead. His face was filled with a fanatical thirst for battle.
Hoshikawa 's heart stirred. Is this a ninja of the Kaguya Clan? Has the Kaguya Clan not been wiped out yet?
Hoshikawa thought carefully. No, they hadn't been. The Kaguya Clan was annihilated when Kimimaro Kaguya was taken away by Orochimaru. At that time, Kimimaro looked to be about six or seven years old. That meant the Kaguya Clan still had at least a few years before their destruction. Moreover, Hoshikawa remembered the order to eliminate them was given by the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from within the mist.
"It seems there's no need for further talk." The Third Mizukage recognized the scream as belonging to one of his subordinates. This confirmed that there were other Konoha ninja besides Tsunade and Hoshikawa .
"Indeed." The moment Tsunade finished speaking, she was already in front of the Third Mizukage.
Painful Sky Leg! (Tsūtenkyaku!)
The ground cracked beneath her, and countless pieces of rubble shot into the air. The Third Mizukage, Mei Terumī, and the middle-aged man quickly scattered.
"The two of you deal with Hoshikawa ," the Third Mizukage said calmly. "I will handle Tsunade first." Although he wanted to compete with Hoshikawa in Water Release, Tsunade was undoubtedly a higher-value target.
"Yes." Mei Terumī acknowledged. This arrangement suited her perfectly. She wanted to see just how strong Hoshikawa had become.
However, the middle-aged man was a step ahead of her, already charging forward. Mei Terumī couldn't help but frown. These irritating battle maniacs!
The Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure was similar to the Uchiha Clan in Konoha: equally arrogant and combative, and both possessed a terrifying Kekkei Genkai the former, Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse), and the latter, the Sharingan. In the original story, they were annihilated because the Kaguya Clan attempted a rebellion. However, from Orochimaru's words, it might also have been related to the Akatsuki organization.
A dark shadow flashed across Hoshikawa 's vision. His reaction was swift; he clapped his hands, and a Water Wall rose before him. The next second, the Water Wall was pierced, revealing a section of an onyx-like short sword. More accurately, it was bone, not a short sword.
The Shikotsumyaku of the Kaguya Clan granted the ability to manipulate their own bones, which were incredibly hard essentially turning their entire body into a weapon. In the original story, they were considered the bane of Taijutsu specialists.
Hoshikawa was naturally not foolish enough to engage in close combat with them.
A roaring sound emerged. Mei Terumī launched a Water Dragon from her mouth, successfully shattering the Water Wall.
Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!
The middle-aged man stood still, extended his hands, and ten finger bones shot out from his fingertips.
Hoshikawa 's mouth twitched. The sight alone made him wince in pain.
Water Release: Water Pillar Formation!
Mei Terumī was not to be outdone, forming hand signs. A massive Water Sphere descended from the sky, crashing toward Hoshikawa . She was now self-aware enough to know she couldn't defeat him alone. Furthermore, there was no rule for one-on-one combat on the battlefield.
Water Release: Water Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa 's body instantly turned into a puddle of water. The ten finger bones fell into the water, sinking directly into the earth. Shikotsumyaku was purely a physical attack, rendering it ineffective against water. The massive Water Sphere was also water and thus couldn't attack water.
Lava Release: Acid Mist Technique!
Seeing this, Mei Terumī immediately formed hand signs and expelled a large mass of corrosive acid.
Hoshikawa reformed his body, leaped into the air, and clapped his hands. A water-formed Tornado, spreading like a waterfall, turned into a downpour that enveloped Mei Terumī.
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!
Mei Terumī opened her mouth and exhaled a high-temperature mist, instantly vaporizing the rain.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. Mei Terumī's talent was undeniable; she had already mastered two Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release and Boil Release.
"Die!"
The middle-aged man leaped into the air, brandishing a large, sharp bone blade and slashing down at Hoshikawa .
Painful Sky Leg! (Tsūtenkyaku!)
Hoshikawa directly kicked the man's bone blade. The immense force caused the middle-aged man's face to contort, and his body slammed into the ground like a cannonball.
Dust rose and quickly dissipated. The middle-aged man struggled to get up, spitting out a mouthful of blood. In the critical moment, he had mobilized all the bones in his body to form a defense. Even so, his internal organs were still severely shaken.
Hoshikawa ignored him, as Mei Terumī's jutsu was already upon him. The terrifying mist emitted waves of intense heat. Sweat inevitably broke out on Hoshikawa 's forehead. In the original story, the Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique was capable of melting even the bone structure of a Susano'o.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
An Earth Wall rose up, but it quickly melted within the mist. Hoshikawa used this opportunity to retreat.
Chidori Current!
Lightning, sounding like the chirping of a thousand birds, spread from his right hand, quickly enveloping his entire body. In an instant, it radiated in all directions.
The middle-aged man, who was just rushing back, was forced to retreat. Shikotsumyaku was the nemesis of Taijutsu, not Ninjutsu. Although his bones were hard, being struck by so much lightning would still be excruciating.
The lightning and the mist intertwined, leading to a strange reaction. Under the intense heat, even the electricity seemed to dissipate. As expected of a Kekkei Genkai, Hoshikawa thought.
Mei Terumī frowned. Hoshikawa 's Lightning Release was more powerful than she had imagined. Normally, her Boil Release should have easily melted his lightning chakra. Mei Terumī thought carefully. It wasn't just his Lightning Release; the power of all his jutsu was unusually large.
"He's gone!" the middle-aged man's voice called out.
Mei Terumī's expression hardened. Hoshikawa , who had just been covered in lightning, had vanished into thin air. She instinctively looked around.
Tsunade and the Third Mizukage were still locked in battle not far away. Mei Terumī suddenly remembered something and quickly leaped into the air. The next second, the ground cracked open, and a pair of hands grabbed up toward where she had been standing.
Body Flicker Technique!
Mei Terumī narrowly avoided the attack. Startled, she landed on the ground, her chest heaving rapidly.
"You've certainly improved a lot," Hoshikawa said, looking at her, noting that her figure was already developing into the alluring form from the original story.
"The same jutsu won't work on me a second time!" Mei Terumī scoffed.
The sound of rushing wind erupted. The middle-aged man appeared behind Hoshikawa .
Mei Terumī subconsciously opened her mouth to warn Hoshikawa , but then remembered they were enemies and quickly closed it.
Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!
Dozens of sharp bones erupted from the middle-aged man's body, and he charged at Hoshikawa like a porcupine.
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!
Hoshikawa turned around, looking at the man's widened eyes, and clapped his hands. The middle-aged man instantly froze in place. In his vision, a massive tree erupted from behind him, its branches wrapping around and binding him.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa was not about to miss this opportunity.
"Not good!" Mei Terumī saw what happened and knew he had fallen for a Genjutsu. She had almost forgotten that Hoshikawa was also a ninja highly skilled in Genjutsu. An all-rounder ninja was simply too troublesome, especially since all of Hoshikawa 's elemental jutsu were terrifyingly potent.
Water Release: Water Wall Formation! (Suiton: Suijinheki!)
Mei Terumī quickly formed hand signs. A Water Wall appeared in front of the middle-aged man.
Super Strength! (Kairiki!)
Hoshikawa shattered the Water Wall with a single punch, then extended his hand.
Lava Release: Rasengan! (Yōton: Rasengan!)
He slammed it down onto the middle-aged man. Under the attack of the Lava Release: Rasengan, the man's incredibly hard bones instantly began to melt.
"Lava Release?" Mei Terumī's mind reeled. Hoshikawa has mastered a Kekkei Genkai?
For a long time, Mei Terumī had considered her advantage over him to be her two Kekkei Genkai. But now, Hoshikawa had caught up.
The middle-aged man's screams echoed. Mei Terumī grit her teeth and formed hand signs again. A large Water Dragon flew toward Hoshikawa .
But it was too late.
After the Lava Release: Rasengan broke through the middle-aged man's bone defense, Hoshikawa pulled out his Lightning Fire Blade and thrust it straight through his heart. A huge amount of blood sprayed out.
Hoshikawa blurred his body, dodging the Water Dragon. He looked at Mei Terumī.
Their eyes met.
Mei Terumī's heart fluttered with a sudden rush of tension. The middle-aged man possessed the Shikotsumyaku and was a Jōnin, yet she wasn't even confident she could defeat him. But Hoshikawa had killed him with such ease.
What troubled Mei Terumī the most was Hoshikawa 's sudden demonstration of a Kekkei Genkai like Lava Release. This meant her Lava Release and Boil Release no longer provided her with such a significant advantage.
"He's actually dead?" The Third Mizukage glanced at Hoshikawa , a look of surprise on his face.
"Once he's done fighting, your death is next!" Tsunade, who was fighting him, heard his comment and spoke coldly.
"Princess Tsunade, things are not so simple," the Third Mizukage said with a faint smile.
Tsunade's heart sank, and she had a terrible premonition.
The next moment, a terrifying surge of chakra with an earth-shattering intensity erupted. She instinctively turned her head. The source of the chakra was the Konoha main camp, and the chakra belonged to the Three-Tails, Isobu.
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