More than a dozen purple chakra chains burst from the armored giant's hands, shooting forward like lightning toward Mei Ming.
The chains struck the ground repeatedly, blasting deep craters into the forest floor. Chen Xing controlled them with precision, the Susanoo-like armor moving in coordination as the chains pierced, retracted, and attacked again.
Mei Ming's expression turned serious. She moved with the fluidity of a Kage-level shinobi, evading each strike by a hair's breadth. One chain grazed past her face before slamming into a massive tree, punching clean holes through the trunk without splitting it apart. The destructive force was terrifyingly concentrated.
Chen Xing increased the pressure. The chains spread outward, sealing off her escape routes.
Mei Ming miscalculated one step.
A single chain wrapped around her ankle.
In the next instant, several more coiled around her arms and waist, binding her midair. The purple chakra tightened, suppressing her movement.
Chen Xing dispelled the boiling mist and withdrew the larger armored avatar, leaving only the Peacock Eudemon in a condensed form. The chains extended from it, holding Mei Ming firmly in place.
"Mei Ming sister… do you admit defeat?" Chen Xing asked with a faint smile.
Mei Ming struggled briefly, then stopped. She could feel the strange suppressive force within the chakra chains. They weren't ordinary bindings — they disrupted her chakra flow, similar in principle to sealing techniques used by the Uzumaki clan in the manga.
After a moment, she exhaled.
"Fine. I admit it. Let me down, little bad guy."
Chen Xing formed a hand seal and retracted the chains. The Peacock Eudemon dissolved into chakra.
Mei Ming landed lightly and looked at him with narrowed eyes — but there was warmth behind the glare.
"You held back," she said.
Chen Xing shrugged. "If I had used my Mangekyō Sharingan from the beginning, this fight would've ended faster."
He was telling the truth. Throughout most of the battle, he had only used his three-tomoe Sharingan for perception and analysis, not his Mangekyō abilities.
Mei Ming understood immediately. Earlier, when he used Wind Release to disperse part of her corrosive mist, he could have fully countered it with sustained airflow. Instead, he allowed the clash to remain balanced.
"You didn't want me to lose too badly," she said softly.
Chen Xing smiled but said nothing.
After a brief silence, Mei Ming stepped closer.
"You win," she said quietly. "But don't get arrogant."
---
Departure
Chen Xing remained in the Hidden Mist Village for over half a month. During that time, he sparred with Mei Ming, discussed strategy with her, and quietly observed the political situation of Kirigakure — which was still recovering from the internal turmoil caused by the previous Mizukage's rule.
One morning, as mist rolled through the village streets, Chen Xing informed Mei Ming of his decision.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow."
Mei Ming did not look surprised. As a Kage, she understood responsibility. Chen Xing had his own village and obligations.
"When will you return?" she asked.
"Soon," he replied. "There are things I still need to prepare."
They walked through the mist-covered streets together. The villagers offered respectful glances — Mei Ming was their leader, and Chen Xing had proven his strength.
Later, inside her office, Mei Ming dismissed her guards.
"You're really leaving," she said quietly.
Chen Xing nodded.
He could not remain away from his own village for too long. A shinobi's duty came first.
That night, they spoke at length — not as combatants, but as allies.
At dawn, Chen Xing rose early. The mist outside the window glowed faintly in the morning light.
Mei Ming was still beside him.
He looked at her silently for a moment before standing.
The Celestial Shadow World was vast. His path forward would only become more dangerous from here.
And this was only the beginning.