Chapter 249: Battle with the Mizukage

"Lord Mizukage."

"Kawakaze Hatake of Konoha is here, alone."

The Mizukage was only just stirred from his thoughts by the commotion of his subordinates.

Listening to the report from outside the door and the alarms resounding throughout the village, he didn't doubt the truth of the situation.

"He really has the nerve to come," the Mizukage muttered, a mocking smile forming on his face.

Does he think that just because he has some strength, he can break into a Hidden Village alone? What arrogance!

"Many people have already gone to besiege him," the Kiri Ninja outside the door added, his voice tinged with anxiety, as though afraid he'd be blamed for the situation.

"I know. I'll be there soon," the Mizukage said dismissively.

To him, this was nothing more than a foolish display. What an ignorant fool, daring to imitate 'myself' and Hashirama.

"Yes, Lord Mizukage," the Kiri Ninja replied before quickly leaving.

If Lord Mizukage makes a move, this should be over quickly, the ninja thought, relieved.

"I'll see how capable you are as a junior," the Mizukage said to himself as he got up and stepped out of the room.

You want to take back the person in my hands? Keep dreaming.

Before he had gone far, a ragged Kiri Ninja stumbled toward him, disheveled and covered in dirt.

"Lord Mizukage, we were defeated!" the ninja cried.

"Kawakaze Hatake actually knows Wood Release. He's already entered the village!"

The ninja's face was still pale with shock. He knew that if Kawakaze hadn't let him go on purpose, there would have been no chance of escape.

"What?"

The Mizukage was stunned.

He had believed that after Hashirama Senju's death, he was the only one capable of using Wood Release. He never expected another to appear—Kawakaze Hatake.

"Are you sure?" the Mizukage asked, still unwilling to believe it. Kawakaze wasn't even from the Senju Clan.

"Yes, he turned the village entrance into a forest," the Kiri Ninja replied, swallowing hard as the memory resurfaced. The sight of trees erupting from the ground had shaken him to his core.

If he hadn't escaped quickly, he might still be hanging helplessly from one of those branches.

"You're not going to make it easy for me even in death," the Mizukage muttered, thinking of Hashirama. No one understood the power of Wood Release better than him.

"What did you say?" the Kiri Ninja asked, not catching the Mizukage's words clearly. He thought it might have been an order.

"It's nothing. Just tell Genji to keep an eye on that kid," the Mizukage instructed, knowing exactly why Kawakaze had come.

After issuing the command, he headed toward the village entrance.

"Yes, Lord Mizukage," the Kiri Ninja replied, retreating quickly.

As the Mizukage's figure grew smaller in the distance, the Kiri Ninja let out a sigh of relief.

...

Kawakaze entered Kirigakure, noting how the buildings were vastly different from those in Konoha.

He had half a mind to admire them at a leisurely pace, completely ignoring the villagers rushing past him, seeking refuge.

"Young man, hurry and run," a kind old lady said, tugging on Kawakaze's sleeve.

"I heard Konoha is attacking," she added, her voice filled with concern. She couldn't bear the thought of such a handsome young man meeting a violent end.

"Haha, you go ahead. I still have things to do," Kawakaze replied with a kind smile.

Even in the Village of the Bloody Mist, the villagers seemed simple and honest.

"Nothing is more important than life. Hurry up and come with me," the old woman insisted anxiously, trying to pull Kawakaze along to safety.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm young and can run fast," Kawakaze said gently, negotiating with her while being careful not to use too much force.

"You..." The old woman was about to continue her attempts to persuade him when a voice interrupted her from afar.

"Kawakaze Hatake? I heard you were looking for me," came the Mizukage's calm voice.

He walked slowly toward them, his eyes closed, each step steady and deliberate.

"Lord Mizukage," the old woman murmured.

She glanced between Mizukage and Kawakaze, realization dawning on her face.

Quickly letting go of Kawakaze's sleeve, she took several steps back, her expression filled with regret.

She had unknowingly tried to save the very person causing all the chaos. What a joke.

"You go ahead; I have things to take care of here," Kawakaze said, turning his attention back to the Mizukage only after the old woman had left.

The old woman didn't hesitate. She turned and ran, moving far faster than one would expect for her age.

"Dare you open your eyes and look at me?" Kawakaze said, his tone sharp. "Is the mighty Mizukage also a disabled person?"

He stared at the Mizukage, intent on confirming the truth about his eyes. While he already had a suspicion, seeing it with his own eyes was the only way to be certain.

"I can take you even with my eyes closed," The Mizukage replied calmly. "Not everyone who learns Wood Release is a master of it."

The Mizukage understood the factors that made Hashirama Senju so formidable: his massive Chakra reserves and his unparalleled physical constitution. These traits, more than the technique itself, were what had created the invincible God of Shinobi.

Not everyone who gained Wood Release could rival Hashirama.

"Thank you for the compliment," Kawakaze replied with a smirk.

"Oh, and I forgot to mention—I call Hashirama Senju 'Grandpa' now."

"I wonder how it feels to be defeated by my grandfather and then defeated by me," he added, deliberately testing the waters with his words.

The statement was like a dagger aimed at Mizukage's pride.

"Hmph, what did you say? I don't understand," Mizukage snorted dismissively, pretending not to comprehend.

But within, his composure faltered, and a huge wave of shock rose in his heart.

How does he know? Mizukage thought, struggling to believe that his identity might have been uncovered.

"Let's not beat around the bush," Kawakaze said bluntly. "I know exactly who you are."

"Faking death to activate the Rinnegan. No wonder you're Madara Uchiha."

"Is that so?" Mizukage replied, his tone calm but his expression growing tense.

Kawakaze stared directly at the Mizukage, his gaze unwavering.

"You know too much," Mizukage said, his face now deadly serious. "You're not leaving Kirigakure today."

"Cut the crap. Don't make me come and find you," Kawakaze retorted. "I'm here to take Nagato today."

With that, Kawakaze charged at Mizukage.

Activating his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Kawakaze's entire body became enveloped in crackling lightning.

A shadow of lightning lingered where he had stood, but in an instant, Kawakaze appeared directly in front of Mizukage.

With a powerful punch glowing with dazzling energy, he struck at Mizukage's face.

So fast! Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode? His heart raced, the Mizukage wasn't a ninja who specialized in Taijutsu.

Crash!

Kawakaze's fist tore through the Mizukage—but his body dissolved into a puddle of water and dispersed.

It was a water clone.

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique."

The Mizukage knew his current body couldn't compete with Kawakaze in speed. Without the eyes of his true form, he would only be at a disadvantage in direct combat.

The already foggy village was instantly shrouded in an even thicker mist.

Kawakaze's perception was significantly hampered, and the scene in front of him became a blank expanse of fog.

"Senjutsu." Kawakaze instantly activated Sage Mode, unwilling to underestimate his opponent.

After all, the person before him was none other than Madara Uchiha—a figure on par with Hashirama Senju.

Red seals appeared around Kawakaze's eyes, and his golden pupils shone brightly, sharp and penetrating.

With the enhanced perception provided by Sage Mode, he quickly located the Mizukage.

Not far away, a massive amount of Chakra was gathering.

That evil, tyrannical Chakra... it's the Tailed Beast, Kawakaze realized.

"No wonder it was so easy to control the Mizukage," he muttered. The Sharingan used on a Tailed Beast made manipulating a Jinchūriki far simpler.

And given that it was Madara Uchiha orchestrating it, it all made perfect sense.

"Water Release: Mist Condensation."

The Mizukage completed his hand seals, infusing a large amount of Chakra into the already thick fog.

Kawakaze immediately noticed the change—the mist began to take on a tangible quality, almost as if it had weight.

It clung to his body, creating a growing sense of heaviness.

This wasn't just an ordinary fog. It was a large-scale suppressive Ninjutsu.

How peculiar... Kawakaze thought, his body already feeling the strain.