"Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction!" Shine's eyes narrowed, and he spewed blazing fire from his mouth as well.
Dark red flames surged out like lava, colliding with the high-pressure water column once more. The explosion was even more powerful than before, and the steam spread further, even blocking out the light.
"Ah—!!" A shrill scream suddenly came from the steam. As the mist gradually cleared, everyone saw the scene in the field—
On Yagura Karatachi's left cheek, a three-centimeter-long bloody gash extended from the corner of his eye to his jaw. Blood dripped continuously from the wound, staining his collar red.
If he hadn't reacted extremely quickly just now and sidestepped to retreat, that strike would have been enough to slice off half his head!
"Oh? You run quite fast." Shine sheathed his sword and stood up, the corner of his mouth curling into an unexpected arc, while a hint of gravity flashed in his eyes.
He had originally thought Yagura's strength was only at the Peak of Elite Jonin, but he hadn't expected the other's reaction speed and Ninjutsu power to far exceed his expectations. He had likely already touched the threshold of Kage-level. "It seems I underestimated you."
Yagura covered the wound on his cheek, his gaze so cold it could drip ice. Deep blue Chakra surged frantically, and the mist around him became violent: "I'm going to kill you!"
"Let's go together, finish it quickly!" Shine had no intention of showing off. The opponent's strength exceeded expectations, and delaying further might lead to unforeseen complications. He made a decisive judgment, and as he gave the order, his own Chakra began to skyrocket, his Mangekyo Sharingan shining brilliantly in his eyes.
"Yes!" Qi and Genki responded in unison.
A jade flute suddenly appeared in Uchiha Genki's hand, and his crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan glowed brightly. "Genjutsu: Phantom Sound Wheel Technique!"
He brought the jade flute to his lips, and a melodious yet lethally seductive flute sound instantly rang out. The sound waves, carrying Genjutsu Chakra, swept toward Yagura.
Yagura's expression changed, and he immediately noticed the abnormality in the flute sound, subconsciously wanting to Seal his sense of hearing.
But the speed of the Genjutsu far exceeded his reaction. The flute sound, like pervasive vines, had already bored into his mind, and the scene before him began to distort.
Just then, Uchiha Qi's figure suddenly appeared in front of Yagura, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan also lighting up. "Genjutsu: Shackling Stakes Technique!"
Invisible Chakra shackles formed instantly, wrapping around Yagura's limbs. Simultaneously, a powerful mental force pulled at his consciousness, trying to drag him into a Genjutsu space.
"Not good!" Alarm bells rang in Yagura's heart as he desperately pushed his Chakra to resist the Genjutsu. However, the overlapping of the dual Genjutsu made it difficult for him to endure. His world spun, and his consciousness began to blur.
What made him even more desperate was that he could clearly perceive a figure carrying terrifying killing intent having already silently arrived behind him—it was Shine!
The tachi in Shine's hand was unsheathed again, with faint Chakra condensed on the blade. If this strike landed, Yagura would undoubtedly die.
But just as the tachi was about to touch Yagura's back, a Chakra far stronger and more majestic than Yagura's suddenly erupted from a distance. Immediately after, a giant Water Dragon Bullet appeared, carrying a world-destroying Aura as it blasted toward Shine!
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" This Water Dragon Bullet was several times larger than Yagura's previous one. The dragon's head was hideous, the water vapor was overwhelming, and the Chakra it contained made Shine's Mangekyo feel a strong danger warning.
He gave up the attack without hesitation, activating the Body Flicker Technique once more. His figure retreated ten zhang away like a ghost, just barely avoiding the attack of the Water Dragon Bullet.
"Boom—!!" The Water Dragon Bullet slammed into the ground, exploding into a huge deep pit. Groundwater gushed out, forming a small lake. Yagura was carried into the air by the impact of the Water Dragon Bullet, then landed steadily beside a figure.
It was a man wearing the Mizukage's ceremonial robe, with a majestic face and eyes as deep as an abyss. He exuded a Chakra as heavy as a mountain; it was the Third Mizukage.
His gaze swept over Shine with scrutiny and vigilance, his voice steady and powerful: "Uchiha brat, you have quite the nerve, daring to kidnap a Kaguya Clan Member within the borders of the Hidden Mist."
Shine's gaze became much more serious. His Mangekyo carefully probed the Third Mizukage's Chakra, only to find that the opponent's Chakra was as unfathomable as the deep sea, making it impossible to judge his true strength.
In the memories of his past life, specific information about the First and Third Mizukage was pitifully scarce. He only knew that the Third Mizukage was extremely powerful, specializing in Water Release and Taijutsu, and was the pillar of the Hidden Mist.
Information was insufficient, and the opponent was a Kage-level powerhouse. Continuing to entangle would yield no benefits and might even lead to being surrounded.
Shine quickly weighed his options and abandoned the idea of continuing the fight.
"Well, this is really boring." He spread his hands, his tone still carrying a hint of mockery, but no longer the previous flippancy. "I thought it was just a little guy, but I didn't expect to draw out the big boss."
"Humph! The dignified Uchiha Clan actually uses numbers to bully the few. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the Ninja World?" The Third Mizukage's eyes were cold, his tone filled with thick disdain.
He could see that the strength of Shine and the others was impressive, especially Shine, whose dangerous Aura made even him wary.
Shine did not refute, but merely gave him a mocking look—with the Hidden Mist's blood mist policy and its suppression of Kekkei Genkai Clans, they had the nerve to talk about "ridicule"?
He wasted no more words, giving Qi, Genki, and Homura a look to retreat.
Qi immediately understood and pulled up Kimimaro beside him. The three of them instantly dashed into the thick mist in the distance.
Kimimaro tightly grabbed Qi's hand and looked back at the battlefield once more. A hint of shock flashed in his dark red eyes—that seemingly young man could actually make Lord Shine choose to retreat.
The Third Mizukage did not order a pursuit; he just quietly watched the backs of Shine and the others, his gaze heavy.
He could clearly sense an extremely terrifying and dangerous Aura emanating from Shine. It was a power that made even him feel palpitations, as if any slight carelessness would result in getting burned.
Seeing Qi's group of three safely retreat into the depths of the thick mist with Kimimaro, Shine gave a faint glance at the Kirigakure Anbu arriving one after another behind him. With a flash of his figure, he also disappeared into the thick mist.
"Mizukage-sama! Why let them go?!" Yagura clutched the wound on his cheek and roared unwillingly.
His self-esteem had been greatly insulted. Not only had his appearance been mocked, but he had also been beaten into a wretched state. If the Third Mizukage hadn't arrived in time, he would have likely lost his life.
The Third Mizukage withdrew his gaze and looked calmly at Yagura, his tone serious: "That Uchiha brat is not simple. The dangerous Aura on him is stronger than any Ninja I have ever seen. He is definitely not someone you or I can easily provoke right now."
He paused and added, "Moreover, his Dōjutsu is very strange; it seems able to see through everything. Continuing the pursuit would only increase casualties."
...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808