Chapter 166: Kazuki vs. The Third Mizukage

"This is an order." Although Kazuki had a smile on his face, his tone became tough: "Stay where you are."

Kazuki immediately set out alone in pursuit of the Third Mizukage.

Behind him, the Root Shinobi lined up neatly, waiting for their commander to return triumphantly.

Meanwhile, Kisame and the others were fidgeting, looking worriedly at Kazuki's rapidly retreating silhouette. Sweat was pouring down their foreheads.

"We need to come up with a plan. If something goes wrong, how are we going to rescue Kazuki-sama?" Mei asked with a frown. "Kisame, you and I have great mastery in Water Release. When the time comes, it will be up to us."

Kisame nodded gravely.

Zabuza sighed, could the Mist Hidden Technique be useful?

On the other hand, Jinzaburo seemed to be in deep thought. Finally, he spoke, "Tell me, isn't it possible that Kazuki-sama is extremely skilled in using Water Release?"

"Otherwise, with his intelligence, how could he take such a risk? He is not a typical member of the Kaguya clan who only knows how to fight head-on. He is a sage who understands the deeper truths of life."

Jinzaburo's words made the corner of Kisame's lips twitch slightly. Since when was Kazuki considered a member of the Kaguya clan?

The emblem engraved on his armor was clearly that of the Uchiha.

However, seeing the hopeful expressions on the Root shinobi's faces, both Mei and Kisame began to have doubts.

What if Kazuki really was a master of Water Release?

...

Several hundred meters into the ocean.

"Boy, I admire your bravery, but this ends here," said the Third Mizukage, turning sharply with a fierce glare as he leapt off the ship. "On the ocean, no one can surpass me!"

"Water Gun Technique!"

The Mizukage formed a gesture as if firing a gun. Being surrounded by water, he didn't need to draw too much chakra; he could manipulate the vast reserves of the ocean.

At the tip of his finger, countless streams of water compressed to form a heavy, rotating sphere that hummed intensely.

Kazuki squinted and nodded.

It was no wonder Kisame, and the others were afraid to approach the Third Mizukage at sea.

"The Hozuki Clan's Water Gun Technique can be enhanced so much in an aquatic environment?" Kazuki muttered, intrigued.

Even Tobirama was surprised.

"Tobirama, doesn't this mean that he is stronger than you, the strongest Mizukage?" Kazuki asked with a smile.

Tobirama looked unhappy but still nodded. "The Hozuki clan's secret techniques grant them a natural affinity for water, giving them a huge advantage in the ocean."

"And this guy isn't the strongest," Tobirama continued. "The Second Mizukage was a real challenge. I analyzed his techniques at the time, but I never managed to replicate them thoroughly before I was ambushed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku."

Kazuki's eyes flashed with a strange glint, carefully observing the Mizukage's movements.

Calmly, he imitated his shooting gesture.

On his finger, a sphere of water even more powerful than the Mizukage's began to form, spinning with an imposing aura.

The Third Mizukage was horrified.

How was it possible for a ninja from the Uchiha clan to use the secret technique of the Hozuki clan?

Secret techniques have always been impossible to copy with the Sharingan.

However, the Third Mizukage clearly saw how the tomoe in Kazuki's eyes flashed for an instant, and then he began to execute the technique.

"Fake, it must be just a show!"

Initially confident, the Third Mizukage had planned to stand above Kazuki, using powerful Water Release ninjutsu to break his will. However, upon seeing that Kazuki's technique was superior in every way to his own, his confidence began to waver.

Without further hesitation, the Third Mizukage launched his Water Gun Technique.

A massive, concentrated jet of water shot out like lightning, tearing the sea into a deep crevice as waves surged in all directions.

[From the target, the Third Mizukage, you have obtained: Water Affinity!]

[Water affinity]: Your Water Release ninjutsu are significantly enhanced near abundant sources of water, and chakra consumption is greatly reduced.

Kazuki smiled slightly. Is this the reliance of the Third Mizukage?

Even without this newfound power, within Kazuki there was still a master of Water Release waiting to be unleashed.

As the Mizukage's water cannon headed towards him, Kazuki met it head on with his own attack.

Two incredibly dense and fast jets of water collided in the air with a deafening boom, unleashing a shockwave of energy.

The sea roared and huge waves rose, reaching shocking heights.

In the distance, Mei watched silently, eyes wide open, muttering to herself, "If I'm not mistaken, that's the Hozuki Clan's Water Gun Technique. How did Kazuki-sama manage to learn it?"

Kisame shook his head in disbelief.

"Could it be that Kazuki-sama is destined to be the Mizukage? How else do you explain that he is an Uchiha, but masters Water Release so perfectly?"

Mei took a deep breath, not taking her eyes off where the battle was taking place.

This was not over yet. Although Kazuki was an expert in Water Release, the real battle had only just begun.

The water projectile launched by Kazuki shattered the Third Mizukage's attack with overwhelming violence and headed towards him like a raging tempest.

"Ice Release: Crystal Wall!"

With swift movements, he performed a sequence of seals, and thick walls of ice emerged from the water, rising like impenetrable barriers.

In this vast expanse of water, not only was Water Release enhanced, but the Third Mizukage's Ice Release also gained overwhelming strength.

The water projectile pierced layer after layer of the ice walls, scattering razor-sharp fragments, but failed to penetrate all the barriers.

The Third Mizukage looked at the scene with a gloomy face and shouted: "What are you waiting for?! Attack together! Capture that damn thief!"

Suddenly, a blanket of crimson chakra appeared around his body. A sharp blade of ice materialized in his hand. Without hesitation, he advanced swiftly towards Kazuki.

Thanks to his ability to ignore physical attacks and the constant supply of water that allowed him to heal his wounds, the Third Mizukage was virtually invincible in hand-to-hand combat.

Furthermore, with the support of the Hozuki Clan's Great Water Arm Technique, his physical strength was overwhelming.

As if that were not enough, due to his ability to synchronize with the Three-Tails, he could use part of his chakra as if he were a Jinchuriki, which further increased his speed and power.

At the Third Mizukage's signal, the other Kiri-nin jumped from their ships and charged at Kazuki.

Among the most aggressive were some members of the Kaguya Clan.

They wanted to find out why Jinzaburo, a once-renowned genius, had bowed down to this Uchiha. He had claimed that this Uchiha possessed the purest form of Shikotsumyaku, but the rebellious members of the clan were not convinced and wanted to test his strength.

The Third Mizukage, seeing the bravery of these young men from the Kaguya Clan as they advanced alongside him, felt a strange sense of gratitude.

Under normal circumstances, I despised the defiant attitude of this clan. But when faced with a threat, they were the first to respond with loyalty and courage.

'After taking down this Uchiha kid, I have to go back and take better care of the Kaguya clan...' The Mizukage thought, with a sinister smile as he raised his ice sword, aiming it at Kazuki's neck.

However, Kazuki remained motionless, watching the Mizukage's movement. Silently, he began to accumulate his chakra and activate his multiple techniques.

Chakra Enhanced Strength!

Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!

Earth Release: Earth Spear!

Boil Release: Unrivalled Strength!

Lightning Release Chakra Mode!

Nine-Tails Chakra Mode!

Shikotsumyaku!

Suddenly, Kazuki's body began to release steam as the Nine-Tails' orange chakra and wild electrical discharges enveloped his figure.

On his arms and fists, black and gold chakra was meticulously concentrated, while the joints seemed to be made of bright white porcelain.

The Mizukage instinctively slowed down, but it was too late.

Kazuki looked up and his Sharingan caught the Mizukage for an instant.

The latter, stunned, experienced a brief illusion: facing the wind caused by Kazuki's blow, he witnessed his death.

With the impact of Kazuki's fist, charged with multiple techniques and energies, the sea itself seemed to split in two.

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