Chapter 203: Hoshikawa : I Am the Mizukage
The Three-Tails?
Hoshikawa frowned slightly.
The script had gone off course.
In the original story, Rin Nohara was captured first, and then Madara Uchiha sealed the Three-Tails inside her.
Now, the Three-Tails was at the main Konoha camp, while Rin Nohara was at the outpost thousands of meters away.
It would be difficult to turn her into the Three-Tails Jinchūriki in such a short time.
The only explanation was that Madara Uchiha had changed his plan.
It made sense; due to the butterfly effect caused by Hoshikawa , the situation was completely different from the original storyline.
This was a major headache for Hoshikawa , and he would have to play it by ear.
Mei Terumī secretly let out a sigh of relief.
With both Tsunade and Hoshikawa here, they couldn't possibly reinforce the main camp.
The only person at the Konoha main camp who posed a threat to a Tailed Beast was Chiyo.
But her threat was limited.
She was a Puppet Master.
Suppressing or fighting a Tailed Beast required large-scale ninjutsu, something Puppet Masters lacked.
A thought suddenly struck Hoshikawa .
The goal of the Third Mizukage or Madara Uchiha was to separate him and Tsunade.
Under the current circumstances, one of them had to return to the main camp.
Otherwise, Chiyo alone could not resist a Tailed Beast.
Now, the question was: Who should go back?
Logically, he would be more useful.
But what about Madara Uchiha?
Tsunade was unaware of Madara's presence and was unprepared, which could lead to disaster.
Hoshikawa couldn't very well explain the situation, as he couldn't reveal his source of knowledge.
Furthermore, even if Tsunade knew about Madara Uchiha, the fight would be difficult.
Hoshikawa was much more adept at dealing with the Sharingan and Genjutsu than she was.
Especially since he had recently acquired the B-rank talent 'Seven-Element Special Jōnin', which granted him resistance to Genjutsu.
"Sensei, you go back and provide support!"
Having made his decision, Hoshikawa used the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to appear in front of Tsunade.
"But…"
Tsunade looked hesitant.
In fact, after seeing the Three-Tails, she'd had the exact same thought as Hoshikawa .
Someone had to return for reinforcement.
"We can't lose the main camp!"
Hoshikawa stated in a low voice.
To cope with the Third Mizukage's sudden attack, a large portion of the camp's ninja had been dispatched, but nearly a thousand ninja still remained.
If the Three-Tails wasn't stopped immediately, the casualties would be catastrophic.
"You're right!"
Tsunade finally agreed.
She thought it over: compared to the Three-Tails, the Third Mizukage was perhaps less of an immediate danger.
"Want to leave? Hmph! It won't be that easy!"
The Third Mizukage felt insulted that the two were openly discussing strategy right in front of him.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
The Third Mizukage formed hand signs, arched his back, and a huge torrent of chakra-infused water, like a cascading waterfall, surged toward them.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Hoshikawa 's reaction was swift. A ten-meter high wall of earth rose up before them.
Compared to a normal Doton: Doryūheki, this wall was at least three times wider and taller.
The gigantic water sphere was immediately blocked by the earth wall.
Seeing this, Tsunade was reassured.
She had momentarily forgotten that Hoshikawa possessed more than just Water Release.
Lightning, Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth Release—these five elements operated under a counter-based system.
Water Release was naturally countered by Earth Release.
"Be careful!"
Tsunade cautioned him, then turned and departed.
"Earth Release, is it?"
The Third Mizukage felt this was somewhat troublesome, but he hadn't lost confidence.
In his opinion, Hoshikawa was so young and already a master of Water Release; it was illogical that he would also be a master of Earth Release.
After all, one person's energy and time were limited.
"Mei Terumī, go assist Ao and the others."
The Third Mizukage commanded.
As a Kage, it would be too humiliating to require a two-on-one fight against a teenager.
"Yes."
Mei Terumī pursed her lips and agreed.
She glanced at Hoshikawa from a distance, then turned and rushed into the outpost.
"You pervert, don't you dare die!"
Mei Terumī thought secretly. "You are only allowed to die by my hand!"
The sound of fierce fighting snapped her back to the present.
The Konoha outpost was built against a mountain, so the battle was raging in the foothills.
Mei Terumī scanned the area and immediately spotted Ao, whose opponent was Hizashi Hyūga.
A new idea sparked in her mind, and her gaze landed on Kurenai Yūhi.
If she wasn't mistaken, this was Hoshikawa 's teammate, and their Water Release jutsu were identical.
Body Flicker Technique!
Mei Terumī's body became a blur, appearing directly in front of Kurenai Yūhi.
"I heard you defeated the Four-Tails with Water Release?"
The Third Mizukage asked Hoshikawa unhurriedly.
"Yes."
Hoshikawa chuckled and asked, "Mizukage, are you here to make small talk with me?"
"Not small talk."
The Third Mizukage shook his head. "Young man, what I mean to say is that your Water Release is still not the strongest."
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow, understanding the implied meaning.
Kirigakure was famous for Water Release, but now Hoshikawa 's Water Release reputation surpassed theirs, and he was a Konoha ninja.
Naturally, the Third Mizukage was not pleased.
"Is that so?"
Hoshikawa replied calmly, "My Water Release may not be the strongest, but it is definitely stronger than yours."
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
If I defeat a Mizukage using Water Release, will I gain a new title?
Based on his understanding of the Title system, there was a high probability he would.
In any case, it was worth a try.
"Arrogant!"
The Third Mizukage was instantly enraged, his face sinking into a grim expression.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Hoshikawa ignored the Kage, gathering chakra in his throat and spitting out a condensed stream of water.
The stream shuddered in the air, expanding its scope and morphing into a gigantic water dragon.
"It truly is Tobirama Senju's Water Release."
The Third Mizukage noted that Hoshikawa only performed three hand signs.
Kirigakure ninja could also use the Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu, but they required forty-four hand signs.
Water Release: Water Bubble Technique!
The Third Mizukage stood his ground as over a dozen transparent bubbles appeared before him out of thin air.
The water dragon made contact with the bubbles and immediately exploded.
Water splashed everywhere, and the dragon was shattered into a shower of rain.
The Third Mizukage waved his hand, and the remaining bubbles, maintaining their momentum, completely sealed off the space around Hoshikawa —above, below, left, and right.
Water Release: Water Bullet Barrage!
Hoshikawa rapidly fired a continuous stream of bullet-like water spheres from his hands.
Rumble!
The water spheres precisely struck the bubbles, causing a series of explosions.
"Not bad."
The Third Mizukage praised him.
As his voice faded, his body was already soaring into the air.
Water Release: Bursting Water Collision Wave!
The Third Mizukage formed hand signs, his cheeks puffing out.
The next moment, a roar of water erupted. Countless streams of water rained down, forming a shockwave like a surging lake.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa hastily retreated.
But the torrent of water, like a massive ocean wave, relentlessly pursued him.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Hoshikawa clapped his hands, and an earth wall rapidly blocked his path.
He leaped, channeling chakra to his feet, vaulting over the wall and landing on the surface of the newly formed lake.
Suiton: Bakusui Shōha was a lesser version of the Suiton: Daibaku Suishōha, capable of creating only a lake, not an ocean.
Hoshikawa looked around and noticed the Third Mizukage was gone.
Without hesitation, he drew his Lightning Fire Blade.
Lightning Call!
In an instant, storm clouds gathered overhead, and bolts of lightning struck the lake's surface.
Bang!
The Third Mizukage surfaced a step ahead of the lightning.
That much lightning in the water would have been enough to electrocute him senseless.
"This is truly troublesome."
The Third Mizukage looked at Hoshikawa , finding him extremely difficult to deal with.
He naturally wasn't afraid of just Water Release, but the addition of Earth Release and Lightning Release was highly annoying.
"Hmm?"
The Third Mizukage gave a soft exclamation.
He saw Hoshikawa use Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!, but not aimed at him; it was directed at the clouds above.
Soon, rain began to fall from the sky.
"Just like a young man—lacking experience."
The Third Mizukage laughed. "The rain strengthens your Water Release, but it strengthens mine, too. This is a futile effort."
"You're absolutely right."
A curve appeared on Hoshikawa 's lips.
The logic was sound, but he had a cheat.
An ordinary Water Release ninja would get a maximum of a 10% or 20% buff in a water environment.
But he possessed the B-rank title 'Rain God', which gave him a 100% boost.
"...?"
Confusion flashed across the Third Mizukage's face.
Is he unable to recognize my sarcasm?
"Well, now the battle officially begins."
Hoshikawa looked at the Third Mizukage and formed hand signs.
Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
A boundless surge of seawater erupted like a geyser. The lake surface churned, and the seawater pulled the lake water along, generating an even greater tidal wave.
Faced with the towering waves sweeping toward him, the Third Mizukage hurriedly leaped into the air.
But out of the rain, a water dragon materialized from the downpour, roaring forth.
"How is he so fast?!"
The Third Mizukage's heart instinctively shuddered.
The transition from Suiton: Daibaku Suishōha to Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu was so quick that it was like an instantaneous jutsu requiring no hand signs.
He immediately tried to dodge, but it was too late.
The water dragon smashed into his body.
The Third Mizukage plummeted toward the surface of the ocean.
Just as he was about to hit the water, he managed to regain control of his body and executed a jutsu.
Water streams formed a transparent cage around him.
This was the Water Release: Water Prison Technique! it could both confine an enemy and protect the user.
The waves crashed against the water prison, and while the cage shook violently, it ultimately held firm.
A roar sounded again.
The Third Mizukage looked up and saw another water dragon descending from the sky.
A flicker of anger crossed his eyes, and he formed hand signs.
Water Release: Cutting Rain/Mist Secret Technique! (Suiton: Kiriame!)
This was a Water Release secret technique designed to weaken an opponent's ninjutsu.
In the original story, Kirigakure ANBU ninjas once used this technique to weaken and dissolve Naruto Uzumaki's Rasengan.
The water, like a sharp blade, sliced through the water dragon.
"No!"
The Third Mizukage's pupils contracted.
When the water dragon was sliced open, a massive amount of lightning spread out, engulfing him.
Even with the protection of the water prison, water couldn't block lightning; instead, it amplified it.
Caught off guard, the Third Mizukage was struck by the lightning, letting out a cry of pain.
However, he reacted quickly, immediately dispelling the water prison and submerging himself into the ocean.
Before, it was a lake; now, it was an ocean.
Because of the immense surface area, the lightning's intensity was dispersed.
Mind's Eye!
Hoshikawa closed his eyes and instantly pinpointed the Third Mizukage's location.
Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!
He clapped his hands without hesitation.
The Third Mizukage was just about to maneuver away when his face suddenly changed dramatically.
The surrounding seawater, drawn by chakra, formed a colossal waterspout.
The Third Mizukage was directly in the center of it.
Massive amounts of water surged toward him from all directions.
Though he specialized in Water Release, he was still human and dared not take the full force of the attack.
Body Flicker Technique!
The Third Mizukage twisted and turned, desperately trying to dodge within the seawater.
Bang!
He finally leaped out of the water.
The Third Mizukage looked at Hoshikawa , who was still standing in the same spot, and was forced to abandon his condescension.
This level of Water Release could indeed defeat the Four-Tails.
Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!
The Third Mizukage formed hand signs, spewing out a massive, dense fog from his mouth.
As the Mizukage of Kirigakure, he was naturally an expert in the Hiding in Mist Technique, one of the best.
However, he typically only resorted to using the Hiding in Mist Technique for surprise attacks when facing an unmanageable opponent.
On the distant mountain.
"That's unbelievable! The Third Mizukage has been pushed this far!"
White Zetsu exclaimed, his face etched with surprise.
"His skill is certainly impressive."
Madara Uchiha remarked casually. "Few ninja at the age of fourteen or fifteen can put the Third Mizukage on the defensive."
He now almost wished it had been Hoshikawa , not Tsunade, who was drawn away.
In his opinion, Hoshikawa was more bothersome than Tsunade.
"Will this affect your plan?"
White Zetsu asked, looking at the dense mist over the ocean.
"No."
Madara Uchiha replied indifferently. "His power hasn't reached that level yet."
"As expected of Lord Madara!"
White Zetsu giggled.
"What about Obito?"
Madara Uchiha asked. "Where has he reached?"
"He's traveling from the Land of Grass, just passed through the Land of Rain, and has arrived in the Land of Rivers."
White Zetsu thought for a moment. "At his current speed, he should arrive within half an hour."
"Is A-Fei with him?"
Madara Uchiha inquired again.
A-Fei was a particularly special White Zetsu entity, the one that had helped Obito Uchiha recover his body.
"They came together."
White Zetsu replied.
Madara Uchiha nodded slightly.
A-Fei served several major purposes.
Firstly, it acted as a mask to conceal Obito Uchiha's identity.
Secondly, it could possess Obito Uchiha, increasing his power.
The former was essential to Madara's plan.
The latter was to protect Obito Uchiha's life in a critical moment.
On the sea surface, a dense fog rose, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of their face.
The Third Mizukage silently appeared behind Hoshikawa .
Seeing Hoshikawa scanning his surroundings, a faint smile appeared on the Kage's face. Victory would ultimately be his.
Water Release: Water Fang Blade! (Suiton: Suigajin!)
Water condensed in the Third Mizukage's hand, forming a rotating water blade, which he plunged into Hoshikawa 's back at extreme speed.
The water blade successfully pierced Hoshikawa 's back.
The Third Mizukage's expression suddenly changed.
No blood flowed from the wound; it was a Water Clone.
Hoshikawa dissolved into a puddle of water and vanished.
Just as the Third Mizukage was about to search for his figure, he had a sudden sense of dread.
He looked down and saw a stack of Explosive Tags floating on the surface of the ocean.
"Damn it!"
The Third Mizukage exclaimed instinctively.
Boom!
All the explosive tags detonated at once.
The terrifying shockwave caused the seawater to churn, scattered the dense mist, and struck the Third Mizukage's body.
"Curse him!"
The Third Mizukage stumbled backward uncontrollably.
Despite his incredible speed, he couldn't completely avoid the blast.
He felt a burning pain all over his body, and his clothes were tattered and stained with blood, leaving him utterly disheveled.
Ignoring the pain, the Third Mizukage quickly got back to his feet, scanning his surroundings nervously.
His mind was filled with confusion.
Why did the Hiding in Mist Technique not work on Hoshikawa ?
And why was the power of his Water Release so immense?
(End of Chapter)
......................
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who support me on this journey. Your contribution make a real difference!
As a patron, you unlock:
Exclusive Access: Get advanced +100 chapters ahead of everyone else.
👉 Join now: P-a-treon/Chaos_God
(Just remove the- hyphen to access normally)
Thank You so much For your Support and for Reading!