Chen Xing surveyed the clearing. Several massive craters had formed from the earlier clash. His eyes met Mei Ming's, and he felt the overwhelming chakra — she was far stronger than any of the previous opponents he had faced, including the Fourth Mizukage's elite guards.
"Little bad guy, don't let me down. I won't hold back!" Mei Ming's voice rang out, light but sharp, carrying the confidence of a Hidden Mist elite.
Chen Xing steadied himself on a tree trunk, his Sharingan analyzing her movements. Her stance was flawless, her chakra dense and controlled. Despite the temptation to simply admire her, he knew this was no time for hesitation — a future wife's "enthusiasm" demanded a proper response.
Both moved simultaneously, forming hand seals at lightning speed.
"Wind Release: Gale Storm!" Chen Xing's voice rang out. A tornado of chakra-swirled winds exploded forward, twisting violently toward Mei Ming.
Mei Ming's response was instant. "Water Release: Water Formation!"
A towering water column surged up, chakra-dense and dense enough to form a protective barrier. Chen Xing's storm collided with it. The resulting shockwave shredded the surrounding trees, scattering water droplets like heavy rain across the clearing. Branches snapped, and the ground shook from the impact.
Despite the power of Chen Xing's attack, Mei Ming's defense held — though some of her barrier's edges began to falter under the relentless wind pressure.
Chen Xing and Mei Ming froze for a moment, locking eyes. Neither spoke, the tension palpable.
"Little bad guy… enjoying the view?" Mei Ming teased, her voice low and seductive.
Chen Xing's eyes flicked momentarily, then he refocused. "It's impressive…" he admitted, realizing he had underestimated her control over chakra.
Mei Ming grinned, forming another set of seals. "Then you'll taste my sister's 'kiss'!"
A dense white fog of corrosive chakra erupted from her hands, instantly scalding the air. Trees turned to blackened charcoal under its heat, and Chen Xing felt the oppressive force threatening to crush him.
"Peacock Form!" Chen Xing shouted, unleashing a massive chakra illusion. His summoned peacock erupted into existence, wings spread wide, red eyes gleaming as its enormous talons glinted. The illusion's chakra shielded him from the corrosive fog.
"This is impressive, little bad guy!" Mei Ming laughed, quickly forming new seals. "But don't forget — my Water Release can still pierce your illusions!"
Red-acidic chakra spat from her mouth, corrosive and relentless. The peacock's massive body was hit, cracking its form and scattering small chunks into the air. The forest shook as trees nearby were corroded, leaving deep black pits.
Chen Xing adjusted his stance, keeping the illusion fluid. "You're stronger than I imagined… but you won't overwhelm me!"
He channeled purple chakra, repairing sections of the peacock that had been dissolved by Mei Ming's corrosive technique. The illusion shimmered back into shape, claws flexing, wings spinning small cyclones.
"Solution: Dolly!" Mei Ming spat another wave of red corrosive liquid at the peacock.
Chen Xing's Sharingan tracked the attack, and he twisted the illusion midair to absorb the worst of the impact. Sparks and fragmented water sprays lit the forest as the two powers clashed.
Chen Xing's internal assessment ran fast: Mei Ming's control over her corrosive chakra was exceptional — even a partial hit could destroy normal summoning techniques. He realized he had underestimated her skill. Purple chakra poured over the peacock again, repairing and strengthening its form in real time.
The battle continued, intense and unpredictable, the forest around them becoming a battlefield of water, wind, and illusion.
---