The Final Journey

It was another peaceful and beautiful day in Konoha.

Under Orochimaru's leadership, a massive land-grabbing campaign began in the village, providing sufficiently large family settlements for the Uzumaki, Yuki, and Kaguya clans. Orochimaru, as a potential candidate for the Fourth Hokage, was extremely busy with this matter.

The news that the three clans were going to settle in Konoha slowly spread, initially causing a few ripples. However, in front of Orochimaru, no demons or monsters could cause trouble. Not only was he extremely shrewd, but he was also far more ruthless than the Third Hokage. If anyone dared to cause him trouble, he would make sure that the entire family of that person suffered.

When Katsuki's achievements in the Land of Water reached the village, most of the objections were drowned out by the dazzling results.

Let's push the timeline back a little.

The Land of Water, on the eastern coast of Aomori Island.

A vast snowstorm swept across half the coastline, and frozen corpses either fell to the sand and shattered into pieces or plunged into the sea to become frozen snacks for sharks. The ninjas of the Mist Ninja were engaged in fierce battle with the ninjas of the Yuki and Kaguya families.

The Mist Ninja had a numerical advantage, but they were outmatched in quality. A large number of powerful ninja, including the Third Mizukage, were drawn away by Katsuki. To be honest, the ordinary Mist Ninja didn't have much of an advantage against the Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, and they gradually fell into a disadvantageous position as time went on.

"You bastards, you bunch of damned scum!"

The Suikazan Fuguki's eyes flashed with a fierce light, wishing he could slice this troublesome woman to death with a single stroke.

Unfortunately, he couldn't do it.

"This time, it's definitely you butchers who will die. Go to hell, you damned fat pig."

Yuki Hatsuzuki wore a cold smile as he swiftly formed hand seals, condensing Senbon tiny ice needles that shot towards the center from all directions towards the Suikazan Fuguki.

The pale ice Senbon very thin and sharp, difficult to spot hidden in the snow and wind. They penetrate deep into the target's body without being noticed, and then burst with cold air, instantly rendering the opponent unable to move. Many Mist Ninja fallen victim to this attack.

However, Suikazan Fuguki was no ordinary Jonin. Besides being able to devour Chakra, his Samehada also possessed the keen senses of a wild beast. As the blade expanded and enlarged to protect his entire body, all the ice Senbon were deflected, and the Chakra contained within them was also swallowed up.

The two had been locked in a stalemate for a long time, their strengths nearly equal, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage.

However, with Samehada in hand Suikazan Fuguki will inevitably gain the upper hand as time goes on, a fact that both sides are well aware of. On the contrary, it is not Yuki Hatsuzuki who is anxious, but Suikazan Fuguki, who should be sitting on the sidelines.

It's all because of the battle situation on Katsuki's side.

The dilapidated rocky platform stands prominently by the sea.

The Third Mizukage stood on the edge of the rock platform, panting heavily. His face was ashen, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably. Blood dripped continuously from his left arm, which hung down. He was in very bad shape.

The trusted Anbu had been following him lay sprawled on the rocky platform, each one a tattered doll discarded in a junkyard. Large pools of congealed blood stained the platform, and the howling wind carried a sense of desolation, much like the Third Mizukage's mood.

The battle was more than ten times more brutal than he had anticipated.

"Bang!"

The Hozuki Clan Head's body fell to the ground, a huge hole torn open in his chest, his internal organs spilling out everywhere; he was utterly dead.

"What's wrong, Mizukage? Is this all you've got? How disappointing."

Tap tap tap... The sound of unhurried footsteps approached, Katsuki closer step by step.

"Haha, I really didn't expect this... I thought Konoha was about to produce another ninja comparable to the Ninja God... Turns out you already are!" The Third Mizukage showed a bitter yet relieved smile.

Their attacks could not inflict fatal damage on Katsuki. The acid mist, capable of corroding steel into a pool of liquid, merely peeled off a layer of skin, which then regenerated at an unimaginable speed. Other methods, such as Lava Release, were also tried one by one, but the results were all the same, leaving them in despair.

But what truly drove the Third Mizukage to despair was his unparalleled regenerative speed, which deeply awakened memories buried deep within his mind. The First Hokage had the same ability to heal all external wounds without the need for Medical Ninjutsu; axe cuts, sword slashes, fire, and lightning strikes were nothing to him.

The other village Kage were as powerless as children in front of the First Hokage.

"Ha! Even flattery won't work. To avoid further trouble later, I won't let you leave here today."

Katsuki's current appearance isn't much better. His upper body clothing was completely destroyed in the battle, and there's a dent half a finger joint deep on his left chest. This is a memento left by Hozuki Clan Head's Water Release: Water Gun Technique before his death. Its power was indeed extraordinary, and it made Mizuki feel a chill run down his spine.

Apart from that, all the other wounds have healed; only the dried bloodstains look somewhat gruesome, but that's all.

"I'm not that naive, but... I won't just sit here and wait to be killed. If you want to kill me, then come and try!"

"Boiling Release, Return to the Underworld."

The Third Mizukage's hair turned white at a visible rate, and noticeable age spots appeared on his face. His once well-proportioned and robust physique rapidly became thinner, and in an instant, he looked as if he had aged twenty or thirty years, turning into an old man on the verge of death.

Gray acid mist spewed from his mouth, each puff seemingly draining a portion of his life force. "Return to the Underworld, Return to the Underworld!" This was Forbidden Jutsu of the Koshimizu Clan, a technique that sacrificed everything, Forbidden Jutsu that overdraws one's own life force. It not only sends the enemy to the Yellow Springs, but also takes the user there as well. The previous Koshimizu Clan Head died too quickly and had no chance to use this technique.

The acid mist surged forward, and wherever it passed, the rocks seemed to melt upon contact, emitting a hissing sound. Katsuki frowned, watching the large cloud of acid mist approach, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

"Earth Release, the Earth Travel Technique."

His body suddenly sank, merging into the rocky platform, plummeting downwards like a thousand-pound weight, avoiding the incredibly corrosive acid mist above. This sight enraged the Third Mizukage, who trembled violently. This was a deadly technique he had risked his life to execute, and yet he had shamelessly escaped...

Where did the tough guy who didn't flinch go? Was the person who rammed his head into the Terumi Clan Head's Lava Release replaced? The Third Mizukage's breathing became rapid, and his already extremely weakened body became swaying precariously, as if he could collapse at any moment.

"White Lightning Strike."

A palm strike crackling with silver-white lightning severed the Third Mizukage's spine, piercing through the center of his chest.

"To see you off on your final journey."

Katsuki's feet were still stuck in the ground, but that didn't stop him from delivering the final blow to the Third Mizukage.