On the battlefield, Qianyu was locked in a fierce clash with his own duplicate, all while splitting his attention to guard against sneak attacks from the ever-lurking Third Mizukage.
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Qianyu expelled a thick fog from his mouth, blurring the surrounding area. He'd infused the mist with chakra, making it nearly impossible for most sensor-nin to pinpoint his location.
Even the Third Mizukage struggled now, only able to sense a vague, general area.
The duplicate, however, was unaffected. It possessed the penetrating insight of Qianyu's Sharingan.
This technique really is something, Qianyu thought, genuinely impressed.
He recalled a similar jutsu—one of Pain's. The Mirror Attack Jutsu. Tear the seal, and a perfect copy of the one who tore it would appear and attack. But that clone's power was fixed. The only way to beat it was to grow stronger than you were when you tore the seal.
But this Water Mirror…
Qianyu had just bought a new technique from the shop moments ago. At his current level, simple ninjutsu were child's play to learn after one glance.
And right after he'd used it once, his duplicate had used it too.
Not only that, because the duplicate itself was a ninjutsu construct, genjutsu was useless against it.
This thing was a real piece of work.
Qianyu was actually enjoying the fight. If only the Third Mizukage would stop interfering.
"Ice Release: Ice Pillar Thrust!"
Sharp pillars of ice erupted from the ground beneath his feet. Qianyu twisted away, losing his offensive momentum. The duplicate seized the opening.
Thunder Step.
It was in his face in an instant, unleashing Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash. Lightning-like slashes erupted in every direction.
Qianyu threw himself back again, the arcs of electricity crackling past his face.
He landed, a faint sting on his cheek.
He touched the spot. A smear of blood came away on his finger.
He'd been cut by his own move.
The duplicate gave him no room to breathe. It hunched low.
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash.
God Speed version.
Qianyu met it head-on, blurring forward with his own Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash: God Speed.
CLANG!
Their swords met. Held for a fraction of a second.
Then, with identical shrieks of tortured metal, both blades shattered under the force.
The duplicate's sword reformed instantly from water, already swinging at his neck.
Qianyu let out a soft laugh. "Alright, enough playing around."
His left eye blazed. The Mangekyō Sharingan spun.
Dōjutsu: Ten Thousand Rejections.
The duplicate dissolved mid-swing, collapsing into a harmless puddle at his feet.
A solid technique, he mused. But it has one fatal flaw. It can't copy Kekkei Genkai.
And no matter how strong it was, it was still a jutsu.
And any jutsu could be rejected by his eye.
He dispelled the mist with a wave of his hand.
Seeing his duplicate defeated, the Third Mizukage's expression tightened. "That fast? But this isn't the limit of the Water Mirror! You were lucky to overcome one. But what about two?!"
"Water Style: Water Mirror Jutsu!"
Another watery mirror formed in front of him. This time, two shimmering duplicates of Qianyu stepped out.
From the hill, Kakashi shot to his feet. The mist had blocked his senses too.
One duplicate fought him to a standstill. Two… That's dangerous.
Qianyu's shadow clone beside him chuckled softly. "No need to worry. Did you forget about my eye?"
Kakashi blinked, then relaxed. "Right. Your dōjutsu rejects all jutsu. No matter how good the duplicate is, it's still a technique. You were never in any real danger."
The clone nodded. "I told you before. Always leave yourself an out. I don't usually act unless I'm sure of the outcome."
"Usually?" Kakashi asked, curious. "There are exceptions?"
"Of course," the clone said, its smile fading slightly. "Some things, you have to do even when you're not sure. Now watch. My real body is about to show you the true power held within the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Kakashi frowned. "The true power? Isn't that the unique abilities of each eye?"
"No," the clone corrected, its gaze fixed on the battlefield. "When both eyes are united, they can awaken a third power. A power said to be divine."
"Divine…" Kakashi echoed, turning back.
In the clearing, Qianyu's voice cut through the air, low and commanding.
"Susano'o."
A massive, skeletal frame of brilliant blue chakra erupted around him, encasing him in its ribcage.
But it didn't stop there.
Muscle and sinew crawled over the bones, sheathed in a chakra that burned like sapphire flame. This unlocked the Susano'o's unique weapon: the Swords of the Three Luminaries. It was not a single blade, but a set of three massive swords that materialized floating behind it: Daitōren, Shōtōren, and Kōmyōren.
This was not the partial, flickering form Qianyu had managed before. This was the Second Stage. The perfect balance of power and defense. This form could wield its unique weapons… and the universal long-range attack: Yasaka Magatama.
The gathered Kiri ninja stared, jaws slack. A silent, collective doubt settled over them.
Can we even fight something like that?
Kakashi's eye was wide. "So this… is the divine power Teacher spoke of. It truly is… awe-inspiring."
The Third Mizukage's face was pale, his knuckles white. He was old. He'd seen things.
He had served as a guard for the First Mizukage, Byakuren, during the unprecedented First Five Kage Summit. Back when the Great Nations were first founded, the First Hokage, Hashirama, had invited the other leaders to discuss the distribution of the tailed beasts.
On the battlefield, he had seen it. Uchiha Madara's Susano'o. A force of nature that could shatter mountains and split the earth.
Even now, the image of Madara, standing like a god within that violet titan, was burned into his memory. Back then, he had felt only utter helplessness.
Qianyu's blue Susano'o didn't have that same world-ending pressure. Not yet.
But it still made his heart hammer against his ribs with primal fear.
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