Third Mizukage

"Lord Tianzai has launched a surprise attack on my Kirigakure. Does Konoha intend to start a war with the Mist Ninja?"

The Third Mizukage stopped Shitsukura and questioned him in a cold voice.

"War? No way." Katsuki shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"So what do you intend to do? Are you going to storm into my Kirigakure and wreak havoc, thinking that no one in the Hidden Mist Ninja is capable of anything?" The Third Mizukage slightly raised his eyelids, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

Explosions echoed throughout the village, and gusts of cold wind carrying the stench of blood blew through the air, making everything appear tinged with a faint red.

"What do you intend to do? Haha! Interesting, very interesting. Since you want to play dumb, then I'll grant your wish." Katsuki laughed loudly. "My purpose is very simple: revenge. You Mist Ninja destroyed the Land of Whirlpools and wiped out my clan. Today, I'm here to avenge you."

The last few words were almost roared out. The killing intent emanating from Katsuki was no longer concealed and surged forth. Thunder roared in response, and a bolt of lightning struck down, landing on the building where the Third Mizukage and Shitsukura were standing.

With a single strike, the three-story building was reduced to a pile of white dust.

"Stop hiding, come out. Don't tell me you don't know how strong the perception of my Uzumaki Clan is." Katsuki turned around and stared at a corner of the rooftop terrace.

"As expected of Konoha's natural disaster, its destructive power is truly like that of a natural calamity."

The Third Mizukage quietly emerged from the floor, warily watching Katsuki's every move. To be honest, he hadn't seen how the lightning strike was activated. If he hadn't hidden his true form underground so early, he might have become the first Kage in history to be killed in a single encounter.

"I've already said it, the Uzumaki Clan's sensory abilities are unparalleled in the Shinobi World."

He turned and unleashed a powerful whip kick, the air crackling like shattering glass. Shitsukura, who had stealthily approached, only had time to cross his arms to protect his chest before feeling an immense force strike him. He was sent flying backward, crashing into a house like a cannonball.

"Tch! The Tailed Beast Cloak..."

Katsuki clicked his tongue in displeasure. He clearly saw that at the last moment Shitsukura was suddenly enveloped in a dark red Chakra cloak, which neutralized most of the force of that whip kick. Otherwise, Shitsukura would be dead by now.

"The Jinchuriki's life is tough enough..."

"Boiling Release, Art of the Boiling Mist"

Before he could finish speaking, the Third Mizukage had already grabbed Katsuki's foot before it even touched the ground, and then launched an attack with a seamless Shitsukura.

A grayish-white acid mist rushed over quickly, corroding the floor wherever it passed, and the hissing sound was extremely eerie.

"Damn it, none of these damn shadows are easy to deal with."

With a single-leg push, Katsuki unleashed a terrifying force that collapsed half of the rooftop. Using the recoil, she propelled herself backward, avoiding the oncoming acid mist.

He had enough confidence in his physical strength, but if possible, he still didn't want to touch such highly corrosive substances. These things were far more lethal than swords and blades, and they were also impossible to defend against; one wrong move and you'd be hit.

Can they escape?

The Third Mizukage appeared in mid-air, his speed so fast that Katsuki's pupils contracted sharply.

"Boiling Release, Extreme Speed"

In an instant, a hand gently pressed on Katsuki's chest, and then the light and shadows in front of her changed, and her obscured vision returned to normal, but a hissing sound came from her chest.

Grass!

He mentally raised his middle finger, and then all the sounds in his ears were drowned out by a huge explosion.

Boom!!!

Five Explosive Tag were placed on Katsuki's chest in that instant by the Third Mizukage. The superimposed explosions formed a huge fireball in mid-air, and the spreading shockwave shattered all the nearby glass windows. The scorching heat made it impossible for the Third Mizukage to get close, so he turned around and hid behind the water tower on the roof.

Is he dead?

The Third Mizukage was not a sensory ninja, so he could only squint and try his best to search for traces in the fireworks.

"Damn it, these squinty-eyed bastards are all scum, each one more ruthless than the last."

The powerful curse made the Third Mizukage frown deeply. Five Explosive Tag stuck to his chest hadn't killed him. Had he dodged it with Substitution Technique? Or had he used some Secret Technique to defend against it? He began to consider every possibility and the corresponding solution.

Katsuki landed on the ground covered in dust and dirt, his clothes torn to shreds. His physical body could withstand the bombardment of the Explosive Tag, but his clothes couldn't. He had managed to wrap two pieces of cloth around his thighs after much effort. He looked around and suddenly his eyes lit up when he spotted a clothing store not far away. He rushed over barefoot, stepping on lightning.

He was still cursing those damned squinty-eyed people in his mind. The Third Mizukage looked gentle and mild-mannered, but he was ruthless and vicious. He caught Katsuki off guard. If it weren't for the fact that his physical strength was now much stronger than before, he might have really been defeated.

However, aside from my resentment towards the squinty-eyed guy, a strong fighting spirit also rose in my heart. This kind of Teuchi. It's been a long time since I've encountered such a formidable opponent.

"Where did it go?"

The Third Mizukage summoned flowing water to dispel the smoke, but couldn't find any trace of Katsuki. He was immediately frustrated; she had vanished without a trace. How was he supposed to fight now? The opponent possessed Sensory Ninjutsu, and if he couldn't lure her out for a direct confrontation, it would clearly be at a great disadvantage for him.

That's why he went all out from the start. You can't play hide-and-seek with enemies who can sense things like this. Otherwise, you'll most likely end up getting yourself killed. Unfortunately, even five Explosive Tag failed to kill it.

"Lord Mizukage, that guy is in the shop up ahead."

Shitsukura staggered over, and even with the protection of the Tailed Beast Cloak, he still suffered considerable injuries. His arms were sore and numb, and his internal organs had also been impacted to some extent. He felt nauseous and wanted to vomit, but he still endured the discomfort and rushed over. If he could just hold on a little longer, the Tailed Beast Chakra would heal these minor ailments for him.

Seeing Shitsukura appearance, the Third Mizukage raised an eyebrow, making a rough judgment about Katsuki's Taijutsu strength: he should absolutely not compete with her in Taijutsu.

He's a monster!

The Third Mizukage cursed inwardly. He had kicked Shitsukura, the Three-Tails, into such a miserable state with a single kick; his Taijutsu skills were truly terrifying.

"Boiling Release, Art of the Boiling Mist"

Following Shitsukura's directions, the Third Mizukage reached the entrance of the clothing store. Without entering, he exhaled a large cloud of acid mist that corroded the half-open doorway, filling the entire store. The walls and floors were corroded and peeled off at an incredible speed, and the clothes on the store's racks instantly turned into dust and scattered.

"Earth Release: Earth Mausoleum Ball"

A giant rock broke through the acid mist, smashed through half of the already eroded and crumbling wall, and slammed into the Third Mizukage's face.