Chapter 51 : Duel Begins

"Duel, start!" 

"Unless one side concedes defeat or one loses consciousness, or one of them simply dies, the fight will continue." 

After the Third Raikage said this, he immediately left the center of the arena.

He moved to a corner and looked at the two combatants.

"Come on, those who dare to duel with the Mizukage must have their own tricks! Let me see your true strength, Uzumaki boy!"

Kazuhiko and the Third Mizukage stared at each other without saying a word.

The Third Mizukage's icy blue pupils were as cold as ice at the moment, and Kazuhiko felt the temperature dropping rapidly around him.

"What powerful Ice Release! Just relying on his own strength is affecting the surrounding environment. Is this his unique kekkei genkai?"

Neither of them rushed into action, quietly observing each other, trying to discern flaws in their opponent's movements.

"You're quite calm for someone so young. Well then, I'll make the first move! We need to finish this quickly to let the injured Mist Shinobi recover as soon as possible!"

The Third Mizukage's eyes gleamed.

"Whoosh!" A row of ice thorns burst forth directly from the ground.

Kazuhiko had already activated his Observation Haki, so he swiftly dodged.

Before Kazuhiko landed, the Third Mizukage's pupils flickered.

"Water Style: Great WaterFalls Technique!"

The Third Mizukage's Water Style jutsu wasn't at the Jōnin level, and in an instant, it resembled a massive flood rushing towards Kazuhiko, covering the sky and ground.

"What a colossal waterfall technique!"

Even the Third Raikage on the side was secretly impressed, as he rarely saw such a large-scale waterfall technique.

Kazuhiko calmly observed the approaching waterfall. As a Mizukage for his opponent, he was mentally prepared for such ninjutsu.

He knew that in the future, there would be an Uchiha ninja who would cause enormous damage with a seemingly ordinary "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."

"Tempest Kick!"

Kazuhiko's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly unleashed a powerful kick, slicing through the oncoming waterfall.

The prepared strength and chakra formed a perfect half-moon arc.

"Bang!"

The enormous arc, like a sharp blade, cut the waterfall in half the moment they collided, instantly disrupting the surging water.

"Wow!"

Kazuhiko stood his ground, with water trails on either side of him.

"Yata no Kagami!"

Kazuhiko teleported directly to the side of the Third Mizukage, and in an instant, he brought his right foot down from the sky like an axe!

The air shattered and compressed, forming a suppressed airflow that reverberated around Kazuhiko and the Third Mizukage.

"Something's wrong!"

The moment Kazuhiko landed, he sensed something amiss. This wasn't the normal sensation of kicking a human body.

"Bang!"

The Third Mizukage shattered into water upon hitting the ground, revealing that it had been a water clone all along.

"A perfect Water Clone! Did he create it the moment the waterfall obstructed my view?! My perception didn't even detect anything unusual."

Kazuhiko thought for a moment, then immediately activated Observation Haki to its fullest.

"This kid's abilities are truly remarkable! Is it a unique trait of the Uzumaki clan?"

The Third Raikage, who had remained silent for a while, sensed a strange presence.

It was the same sensation he had felt on the boat earlier.

"I've found you! There!"

With Observation Haki fully active, Kazuhiko spotted the Third Mizukage concealed in a puddle.

"Laser!"

Before the Mizukage could react, Kazuhiko's fingertips instantly condensed into a golden light, launching it like an aurora.

The puddle erupted, and a massive water figure, over three meters tall, appeared connected to the puddle.

The figure had a vague shape in the middle of the water.

The Third Mizukage's face became visible.

"Zzzt..."

The laser-like light pierced through mercilessly, creating ripples on the water's surface and evaporating a cloud of steam.

However, it was insignificant compared to the massive figure.

"Nice attack! But it won't work on me!"

The slightly hoarse voice of the Third Mizukage emanated from the water giant.

"It's a pity you found me too early!"

"Ice Release: Frozen Wave!"

The Third Mizukage unleashed a frigid wave toward Kazuhiko, who was comparatively smaller, while maintaining the water giant form.

The wave struck, freezing the air and creating a sound of condensation.

Kazuhiko immediately felt the rapid drop in temperature, with the cold coming from all directions.

"I possess Kizaru's abilities! Light generates heat, you know!"

At that moment, Kazuhiko's body emitted a powerful golden light.

The high temperature from the golden light dispelled the chill in his surroundings, even making the Third Mizukage's water giant feel discomfort.

"Ice Release: Ice Rain!"

The Third Mizukage didn't hesitate any longer, using the water vapor that had been stealthily emanating earlier.

It was a shame that if Kazuhiko hadn't detected it early, the water vapor would have permeated the entire forest.

"But this is sufficient."

The water vapor in the air condensed, forming tens of thousands of ice needles that covered the entire sky.

Each needle was the size of a palm, all aimed at Kazuhiko, who stood not far away, gleaming with a chilling light.

The next moment, the ice needles rained down like a torrent, descending upon Kazuhiko with an icy chill.

"Meet it, Kazuhiko!"

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

Kazuhiko raised his hands, launching spheres of light like cannonballs.

Roar—

The void trembled as an endless stream of high-temperature light bullets shot forth from Kazuhiko's hands.

Boom!

The light bullets clashed with the falling ice needles, resulting in a terrifying collision!

Simultaneously, all the ice needles and water vapor were continuously shattered and dispersed by the light bullets, creating a thick white mist in the process!

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