Who Was Really the Fool?

A thick cloud of mist enveloped Kaguya Ryumura.

But Kaguya Ryumura was utterly unconcerned and said disdainfully, "Brat, do you think such a low-level ninjutsu can do anything to me?"

"Don't make me laugh. This old man is nothing like the trash that died by your hand!"

"Whether it works or not, why not find out?"

Ye Liangnai's voice came from all directions, ethereal and elusive.

But upon seeing this, Mei Terumi breathed a sigh of relief.

Kaguya Ryumura had already entered Ye Liangnai's home ground. She no longer needed to worry about his safety.

She immediately turned her gaze toward the Kaguya Clan's patriarch, Kaguya Ichiro!

"It's time to deal with you, the big trouble, Kaguya Ichiro!"

Yet Kaguya Ichiro could not help but laugh at Mei Terumi's words.

He said with considerable contempt, "Mei Terumi, I admit that you are strong, but do you really think this old man will lose to you?"

"You little girl, don't think too highly of yourself! When this old man was making waves, you were still nursing!"

Pine Dance!

Sharp bones sprouted all over Kaguya Ichiro's body as he charged forward violently like a tank.

Water Release: Water Wall!

Mei Terumi immediately unleashed a wall of water to block him, but Kaguya Ichiro snorted with laughter.

"Mei Terumi, do you think such a flimsy defense can stop me?"

"Break for me!!"

With a savage grin, Kaguya Ichiro suddenly accelerated and slammed heavily into the water wall.

In Kaguya Ichiro's mind, this frail water wall should have shattered at once.

But—

Bang!

It was as though he had crashed into a thick steel plate.

Not only did Kaguya Ichiro fail to break through the water wall, but the rebound sent him flying backward.

He was completely dumbfounded. How could this happen?!

"What incredible defense!"

Hearing the impact, everyone nearby could not help but look over in amazement.

The Kaguya Clan's charging force was so powerful that opponents of the same level could almost never withstand it.

The best possible outcome was mutual cancellation, yet Mei Terumi had blocked it without taking any damage.

That was simply too overbearing.

As expected, Ye Liangnai was a monster, and his older sister Mei Terumi was no slouch either!

Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!

Mei Terumi formed Hand Seals once more and released another thick cloud of mist, no less impressive than Ye Liangnai's.

"Mere Mist Concealment Technique, how could it possibly harm me... Aah!!!"

Before he could finish, Kaguya Ichiro, who had been so dismissive, suddenly let out a shrill scream.

Looking at Mei Terumi again, she was maintaining the seal for Boiling Release: Skilled Mist Technique.

No wonder Kaguya Ichiro screamed. If it was the Acid Mist Technique, then it made sense.

Even Susanoo could not block that technique. How could a mere body withstand it directly?

Hearing those screams, everyone nearby shuddered, chills running down their spines.

But the mist was too thick. It obstructed both sight and perception, and no one knew what was happening inside.

Water Release: Water Bullet!

Mei Terumi's cold voice sounded from within the mist once again.

Then came several muffled sounds of piercing flesh.

Soon after, Kaguya Ichiro roared unwillingly, "No!! How could I... die here..."

His voice grew quieter and quieter before finally fading away.

As the mist dispersed, everyone looked over and immediately gasped.

Kaguya Ichiro was a bloody, mangled mess, like a flayed corpse. It was utterly horrifying.

The way everyone looked at Mei Terumi immediately changed.

That was the Kaguya Clan's patriarch, an elite jonin-level existence, and he had been killed just like that?

She was far too strong!

But Mei Terumi's gaze was fixed in Ye Liangnai's direction.

Intense sounds of clashing were coming from there, ringing out without pause!

"Little Ye, you have to be all right!"

After praying quietly, Mei Terumi charged toward the other enemies again.

There would be no surrender. The Mizukage's order was the destruction of the Kaguya Clan.

The final result could only be the Kaguya Clan's annihilation!

Over at Ye Liangnai's side!

"You damn brat, if you have any skill, fight me head-on! What kind of man are you, hiding all the time?" Kaguya Ryumura panted.

Facing Ye Liangnai, who could appear from anywhere at any moment, he had to remain on high alert at all times.

After all, Ye Liangnai had already done this several times.

But doing so consumed a great deal of his energy. The situation was becoming unfavorable.

Of course, he had merely shouted a few times to vent the frustration in his heart.

He did not think Ye Liangnai would agree to come out and fight him head-on.

That would be no different from seeking death.

He was confident that in a direct battle, Ye Liangnai would be no match for him.

Especially since this was the type of combat he excelled at most.

But—

"A direct fight? Then I'll grant your wish!"

Ye Liangnai's voice came from all directions, ethereal and elusive.

Kaguya Ryumura froze at first, then could not help but rejoice. He immediately prepared himself for battle.

He sneered inwardly, What an idiot. He actually agreed to fight me head-on.

Doesn't he know that a direct battle will be the day he dies?

Abandoning the tremendous advantage of the Mist Concealment Technique to fight him directly could no longer be described as foolish.

It was practically suicide!

Since that was the case, he could only reluctantly grant Ye Liangnai his wish!

Whoosh!

A sharp sound cutting through the air came from behind Kaguya Ryumura.

He immediately drew a bone blade and slashed backward.

Pssh!

But he hit nothing. Instead, his chest was brutally pierced through.

He was stunned!

This was not how things were supposed to go!

Why was he the one injured instead of Ye Liangnai?

Of course, Kaguya Ryumura reacted quickly. A mass of bone spikes instantly thrust out from his back. Pine Dance!

But they struck nothing. Ye Liangnai had already vanished.

"Damn it!!!"

Kaguya Ryumura roared unwillingly, but the motion pulled at his wound. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to his knees.

That blow to his chest was already a fatal wound.

He had never expected the voice to come from behind him while the attack came from the exact opposite direction.

Who could possibly react to that? It had been far too sudden!

He understood now. Ye Liangnai had not been seeking death at all; he had been certain of victory from the start.

He had mocked Ye Liangnai for being foolish, but the truly foolish one was probably himself!

"Kaguya Ryumura, surprised? Was that unexpected?"

Ye Liangnai's teasing voice sounded from within the mist again.

"Damn... brat, don't... don't get... cocky!"

The wound in his chest accelerated the loss of Kaguya Ryumura's strength.

His vision was already beginning to blur, and weakness had started to overtake his body.

It was an extremely disadvantageous situation, yet he had no way to change it.

The situation was now completely in Ye Liangnai's hands.