Three Tails?
Hanekawa frowned slightly.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
In the original storyline, Nohara Rin was captured first, and then Uchiha Madara sealed the Three-Tails inside her.
But now, the Three-Tails was at Konoha's main base, while Nohara Rin was stationed at an outpost a thousand meters away.
It would be difficult to turn her into a Jinchūriki in such a short time.
The only explanation was that Uchiha Madara had changed his plans.
Thinking about it, that made sense. Because of his butterfly effect, the situation had already deviated completely from the original story.
For Hanekawa, this was a troublesome development, and he could only take things one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Both Tsunade and Hanekawa were here, meaning they couldn't return to reinforce the base.
At Konoha's main base, the only person capable of threatening a Tailed Beast was Chiyo.
But even that threat was limited.
After all, she was a puppeteer.
To suppress or fight a Tailed Beast, large-scale ninjutsu was required—something puppeteers didn't have.
Hanekawa's mind suddenly clicked—he realized the true objective of the Third Mizukage or Uchiha Madara: they wanted to separate him from Tsunade.
Given the situation, one of them had to return to Konoha's main base.
Otherwise, Chiyo alone wouldn't be able to stop the Tailed Beast.
Now came the question—who should go back? Him or Tsunade?
Logically, he would be more useful if he returned.
But what about Uchiha Madara?
Tsunade had no idea about his existence and had no defenses prepared, making it easy for something to go wrong.
Hanekawa also couldn't tell her—there was no way to explain how he knew.
Besides, even if Tsunade was warned in advance, fighting Uchiha Madara wouldn't be easy.
When it came to countering the Sharingan and genjutsu, Hanekawa was more skilled than she was.
Especially since he had just obtained the B-rank talent trait "Special Jōnin of Seven Attributes," which granted genjutsu resistance.
"Sensei, you go back and support them!"
Having made up his mind, Hanekawa used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Tsunade.
"But..."
Tsunade hesitated.
The truth was, when she saw the Three-Tails, she had already thought the same thing as Hanekawa—someone needed to go back and provide support.
"The main base cannot fall!"
Hanekawa said firmly.
To deal with the Third Mizukage's sudden attack, more than half of the base's ninja had been deployed elsewhere. But even so, there were still nearly a thousand ninja stationed there.
If they didn't stop the Three-Tails in time, the casualties would be devastating.
"You're right!"
Tsunade ultimately agreed.
When she thought about it, compared to the Three-Tails, the Third Mizukage wasn't as dangerous.
"You think you can just leave? Hmph! Not that easy!"
The Third Mizukage sneered, feeling insulted that the two of them were openly discussing tactics in front of him.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
The Third Mizukage formed hand seals, tilted his body back, and unleashed a massive wave of water like a cascading waterfall toward the two of them.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!
Hanekawa reacted quickly, raising a ten-meter-high earth wall in front of them.
Compared to an ordinary Earth Flow Wall, this one was at least three times wider and taller.
The enormous surge of water crashed against the earthen barrier, blocked entirely.
Seeing this, Tsunade felt even more assured.
She had almost forgotten—Hanekawa wasn't limited to just Water Release.
Lightning Release, Water Release, Fire Release, Wind Release, and Earth Release—these five elements had an intricate relationship of strengths and weaknesses.
Water Release was naturally countered by Earth Release.
"Be careful!"
Tsunade reminded him before turning and leaving.
"Earth Release, huh?"
The Third Mizukage found it troublesome but wasn't discouraged.
In his mind, a young ninja who had mastered Water Release so proficiently couldn't possibly be equally skilled in Earth Release.
After all, a person's time and energy were limited.
"Terumi Mei, go help Ao and the others."
The Third Mizukage ordered.
As a Kage, if he needed a two-on-one advantage just to deal with a teenage ninja, that would be disgraceful.
"Understood."
Terumi Mei pursed her lips and nodded.
She glanced at Hanekawa from afar before turning toward the outpost.
"You better not die, you freak!"
Terumi Mei thought to herself.
"You can only die by my hands!"
The sounds of fierce battle snapped her back to reality.
Konoha's outpost was built against a mountain, so the fighting had spread throughout the rocky terrain.
Terumi Mei scanned the battlefield and immediately spotted Ao, who was locked in battle with Hyūga Hizashi.
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and her gaze shifted to Yūhi Kurenai.
If she remembered correctly, Kurenai was Hanekawa's teammate, and they both used the exact same Water Release techniques.
Body Flicker Technique!
Terumi Mei's figure blurred, and in the next instant, she blocked Kurenai's path.
"I heard you used Water Release to defeat the Four-Tails?"
The Third Mizukage asked calmly.
"I did."
Hanekawa chuckled lightly. "Are you here to chat?"
"This isn't just idle talk."
The Third Mizukage shook his head. "Young man, what I'm saying is—your Water Release isn't the strongest."
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding the implied challenge.
The Village Hidden in the Mist was famous for its Water Release, but now his reputation in that domain had overshadowed theirs—and he was a Konoha ninja.
Naturally, the Third Mizukage wasn't going to accept that easily.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Hanekawa spoke calmly. "My Water Release may not be the strongest, but it's definitely stronger than yours."
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
If he defeated the Mizukage using Water Release, would he gain a new ability?
Given his understanding of the ability system, there was a high chance he would.
It was worth a try.
"Arrogant!"
The Third Mizukage was enraged, his expression darkening.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Hanekawa didn't bother wasting words. Chakra gathered in his throat, and he spat out a compressed stream of water.
As the water hit the air, it expanded and transformed into a massive water dragon.
"That's definitely Senju Tobirama's Water Release."
The Third Mizukage noticed Hanekawa had only used three hand seals.
The ninja of Kirigakure also knew the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, but they required forty-four hand seals to use it.
Water Release: Water Bubble Technique!
The Third Mizukage remained still as a dozen transparent bubbles formed in front of him out of thin air.
As soon as the water dragon touched the bubbles, explosions erupted.
Water splashed in all directions, and the dragon burst into countless droplets of rain.
The Third Mizukage casually waved his hand, and the remaining bubbles surged forward, sealing off every possible escape route around Hanekawa.
Water Release: Rapid Water Bullets!
Hanekawa swiftly launched a series of bullet-like water projectiles.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The water bullets accurately struck the bubbles, triggering a chain of explosions.
"Not bad."
The Third Mizukage praised him.
But even as he spoke, his body had already leaped into the air.
Water Release: Exploding Water Shock Wave!
The Third Mizukage formed hand seals, his cheeks puffing up.
The next moment, a deafening roar filled the air as a massive flood poured down from above, creating a lake-like impact zone.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hanekawa quickly retreated.
But the water surged like ocean waves, relentlessly pursuing him.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!
Hanekawa slammed his hands together, raising a towering earth wall in front of him at incredible speed.
He leaped onto the wall and infused chakra into his feet, landing on the surface of the newly formed lake.
Exploding Water Shock Wave was a weaker version of Great Exploding Water Shock Wave—it could create a lake, but not an ocean.
Hanekawa scanned his surroundings and realized that the Third Mizukage had disappeared.
Without hesitation, he drew his Thunderfire Sword.
Lightning Summoning!
Dark clouds instantly gathered above, and bolts of lightning crashed into the lake.
Boom!
The Third Mizukage had already left the water in advance.
With that much electricity in the water, he would have been completely paralyzed if he had stayed.
"Annoying."
The Third Mizukage frowned as he stared at Hanekawa, realizing this fight was becoming troublesome.
If it were just Water Release, he wouldn't be worried. But combining Earth Release and Lightning Release made things complicated.
"Hmm?"
The Third Mizukage suddenly noticed something odd.
Hanekawa was using Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, but not against him—he was aiming at the storm clouds above.
Moments later, it started to rain.
"Still too young, lacking experience."
The Third Mizukage smirked. "Rain boosts your Water Release, but it also strengthens mine. You're wasting your energy."
"You're right."
Hanekawa grinned.
Logically, that was true. In normal cases, Water Release users only gained a 10% or 20% boost in wet environments.
But he had the B-rank ability 'Rain God', which provided a 100% boost.
"…?"
The Third Mizukage looked puzzled.
Did he not hear the mockery?
"Now, the real battle begins."
Hanekawa locked eyes with the Mizukage and formed hand seals.
Water Release: Great Exploding Water Shock Wave!
A massive surge of seawater erupted like a fountain. The lake churned violently as the rushing ocean waves merged with it, forming towering tsunamis.
Seeing the incoming waves, the Third Mizukage instinctively leaped into the air.
But amidst the rain, a water dragon emerged, roaring toward him.
"That fast?!"
The Third Mizukage's heart trembled.
From Great Exploding Water Shock Wave to Water Dragon Bullet Technique, the transition was almost instantaneous, as if he didn't even need hand seals.
He tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
The water dragon slammed into him, sending him plummeting toward the ocean below.
However, just before hitting the water, he managed to regain control of his body and activated a technique.
Water swirled around him, forming a transparent prison—
Water Release: Water Prison Technique!
A technique that could trap enemies or protect the user.
The crashing waves hammered against the prison, shaking it violently, but it didn't break.
Suddenly, another roar echoed through the storm.
The Third Mizukage looked up—another water dragon was diving toward him from above.
A flash of anger flickered in his eyes as he quickly formed hand seals.
Water Release: Cutting Rain!
A secret Water Release technique designed to weaken enemy jutsu.
In the original story, the Anbu from Kirigakure used it to weaken Naruto Uzumaki's Rasengan, causing it to vanish.
The water flowed like a blade, slicing through the water dragon.
"No!"
The Third Mizukage's pupils shrank.
As the water dragon was cut apart, a surge of lightning burst out, enveloping him.
Although he had the protection of the Water Prison, it was still made of water, which couldn't block lightning—if anything, it conducted it.
Caught off guard, the Third Mizukage was struck by the lightning, letting out a painful scream.
However, he reacted quickly, immediately releasing the Water Prison and diving into the ocean.
Before, it was just a lake—now, it was an entire sea.
Because of the vast area, the lightning's impact was weakened.
Mind's Eye!
Hanekawa closed his eyes, instantly pinpointing the Third Mizukage's location.
Water Release: Water Surge!
Without hesitation, he clapped his hands together.
The Third Mizukage was just about to swim away when his face suddenly changed.
The surrounding seawater, pulled by chakra, formed into a whirling vortex.
And he was right at the center.
Torrents of water surged at him from all directions.
Although he was a master of Water Release, he was still human—he couldn't withstand it head-on.
Body Flicker Technique!
His body flickered through the water as he desperately dodged the attack.
Boom!
He leaped out of the water.
The Third Mizukage looked at Hanekawa, who was still standing in place, and finally realized—he couldn't afford to underestimate this opponent.
This level of Water Release… could definitely defeat the Four-Tails.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!
The Third Mizukage formed hand seals and exhaled a thick mist, covering the battlefield.
As the Mizukage of Kirigakure, he was naturally a master of the Hidden Mist Technique, even among his peers.
But normally, he only used it against enemies he couldn't defeat head-on.
---
On a Distant Mountain…
"Unbelievable! The Third Mizukage is actually being pushed this far!"
White Zetsu exclaimed in shock.
"His strength is indeed impressive," Madara Uchiha said casually. "Very few shinobi at fourteen or fifteen years old can suppress the Third Mizukage like this."
At this point, he almost wished it had been Hanekawa who had been reassigned earlier—not Tsunade.
To him, Hanekawa was even more troublesome than her.
"Will he interfere with your plan?" White Zetsu asked, gazing at the thick mist over the sea.
"No."
Madara remained indifferent. "He's not strong enough for that."
"As expected of Lord Madara!" White Zetsu chuckled.
"Where is Obito?" Madara asked. "Where has he reached?"
"He's traveling from the Land of Grass. He just passed through the Land of Rain and has now entered the Land of Rivers."
After thinking for a moment, White Zetsu added, "At his current speed, he should arrive in about thirty minutes."
"Is Tobi with him?" Madara asked again.
Tobi was a special entity within White Zetsu, the very one that had helped Uchiha Obito recover his body.
"Yes, they're together."
White Zetsu confirmed.
Madara nodded slightly.
Tobi was extremely useful.
First, it could transform into a mask, hiding Obito's face.
Second, it could merge with Obito, enhancing his strength.
The first was crucial to Madara's plan.
The second could save Obito's life in a crisis.
---
Back on the Battlefield…
The thick mist engulfed the ocean, making visibility zero.
The Third Mizukage silently appeared behind Hanekawa.
Watching Hanekawa cautiously scanning his surroundings, a small smile crept onto his face.
Victory was his.
Water Release: Water Fang Blade!
In his hand, water condensed into a rotating blade.
Then, at an astonishing speed, he thrust it towards Hanekawa's back.
The blade pierced Hanekawa's back smoothly.
But then—the Third Mizukage's expression changed drastically.
No blood.
It was a Water Clone!
Hanekawa's body dissolved into a puddle of water and disappeared.
The Third Mizukage immediately prepared to search for him—
But then—
A terrible premonition struck him.
He looked down.
A stack of explosive tags was floating on the water beneath him.
"Damn it!"
BOOM!
All the explosive tags detonated simultaneously.
The terrifying shockwave sent huge waves surging, dispersing the mist and blasting the Third Mizukage back.
"Damn it!"
The Mizukage lost control, tumbling backward.
His speed was impressive, but even he couldn't fully dodge the explosion.
His body burned with pain, his clothes were tattered and bloodstained, and he looked completely disheveled.
Ignoring the pain, he quickly stood up, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily.
His mind was full of questions.
Why was the Hidden Mist Technique ineffective against Hanekawa?
And why was his Water Release so ridiculously strong?
_
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