My Grandson Seiji Has the Makings of a Mizukage

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A water dragon roared behind Seiji. Having already revealed his Shikotsumyaku, Seiji did not choose to block it with a Water Release ninjutsu this time. Instead, he decisively activated the Chakra throughout his body, swiftly forming a hard layer of bone membrane beneath his skin to bolster his defenses.

"Shikotsumyaku: Bone Shield Technique!"

Relying on his indestructible defenses, Seiji forcibly withstood the impact of the Water Dragon Bullet unleashed by an Elite Jonin. He then pulled out his spine with his right hand and hurled it swiftly toward Rei.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Clematis! Vine!"

Rei, stunned by Seiji's formidable defense, had no time to dodge and was ensnared by the Bone Whip. Seiji tugged hard, swiftly dragging Rei toward himself. At the same time, his left hand was rapidly wrapped in a large amount of white bone, forming a spiral-shaped bone flower.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Clematis! Flower!"

The white bone drill viciously stabbed toward Rei as he was pulled in.

The instant it touched Rei's body, Seiji realized something was wrong. Rei turned into a puddle of water once more, splashing everywhere as the Clematis strike hit it.

"Water Release: Water Replacement!"

Using the Substitution Technique, Rei switched places with a Water Clone he had prepared in the distance, avoiding Seiji's close-range strike.

Watching Rei casually neutralize several of his attacks while still effortlessly launching counterattacks, Seiji gained a clearer understanding of an Elite Jonin's strength.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!" (Water Surge Wave)

The distant lake surface began to boil as vast quantities of lake water surged toward Seiji under Rei's control.

The balance between offense and defense instantly reversed. The force of so many waves converging was far greater than that of the Water Dragon Bullet. Seiji did not stubbornly try to withstand it head-on and quickly darted aside, avoiding the waves' direct impact.

Under the effects of the Water Surge Wave, the battlefield where the two fought had already been covered in water. Rei had achieved the favorable terrain he wanted.

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

The Hidden Mist Technique could be considered standard equipment for Kirigakure Jonin. Nearly everyone knew it, and it was even one of the mandatory techniques within the Anbu.

Chakra spread through the air as thick mist rose in great quantities, quickly blanketing the entire battlefield. Seiji's vision was severely obstructed, and he soon lost sight of Rei within the fog.

Although Seiji possessed all seven Chakra natures, he had yet to practice any Elemental Techniques besides Water Release. Thus, he currently had no good way to counter the Hidden Mist Technique and could only defend passively within the thick fog.

"Whoosh!"

The sound of something cutting through the air came from the side. Seiji drew a Bone Blade from his body and swung to block it. It was a probing attack from Rei, who had thrown a Kunai from within the mist.

Having tested Seiji's reaction speed, Rei knew that ranged attacks such as Kunai would have little effect. He drew the Ninja Sword strapped to his back, preparing to engage Seiji in close combat.

As an Anbu squad captain under Genji, Rei had some knowledge of the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku. But within the Hidden Mist Technique, where vision was obstructed, this was his domain. He was confident he could defeat Seiji, even with his awakened Shikotsumyaku.

Rei silently appeared behind Seiji and swung his Ninja Sword in a swift slash at Seiji's back. What he did not know was that Seiji's sensory ability was exceptionally strong—strong enough to perceive his movements even through the Chakra interference of the Hidden Mist Technique. Rei's appearance had already been clearly exposed to Seiji's senses.

"Bang!"

Seiji turned and blocked. The Bone Blade in his hand collided heavily with Rei's Ninja Sword, producing a thunderous boom.

Though Seiji could clearly sense Rei's movements, his body could not keep up with his perception. As an expert whose strength approached the Kage-level, Rei was far faster than Seiji.

After several exchanges, Seiji found it increasingly difficult to keep pace with Rei's attacks. Chakra flowed through his body, swiftly spreading across every part of him.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!"

Bones burst from all over his body, growing sharp Bone Spikes, while Seiji's body spun rapidly in place.

Rei's relentless attacks were forced to halt. He disappeared into the mist again, preparing for his next assault.

I can't keep this up. Without having learned Wind Release ninjutsu, my Chakra will be drained dry if this continues, Seiji thought.

Then I'll have to use this move! Even though I haven't mastered it yet. Dance! Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Seedling Fern!

Seiji pressed his hands together, mobilizing most of the Chakra within his body before slamming both hands heavily onto the ground.

Dense, ghastly white Bone Spikes rapidly sprouted from underground, quickly forming a forest of white bones.

Sensing the burst of Chakra erupting from Seiji's position, Rei swiftly retreated, though he did not know what technique Seiji had used. But he was still a step too late. The Bone Spikes had already grown into the area where he stood.

Rei had no choice but to continuously swing his blade, severing the Bone Spikes rushing toward him. As the ultimate dance of the Kaguya Clan, the Dance of the Seedling Fern was mastered by very few clan members and had appeared exceedingly rarely in the Ninja World. As such, it was not among the information Rei possessed on the Shikotsumyaku.

Rei had originally been impossible for Seiji to sense while he stood still in hiding, but the instant he moved, he exposed himself.

"Found you!" Seiji shouted lowly, using the bone forest to Body Flicker swiftly before Rei and launch an attack.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Willow!"

Bones rapidly burst from Seiji's shoulders, elbows, palms, and knees as he launched a frenzied assault against Rei.

Rei truly lived up to his title as an Elite Jonin. Faced with the double assault of Bone Spikes from below and Seiji before him, his expression did not change. He calmly blocked every one of Seiji's attacks.

Unable to break through after attacking for so long, Seiji gradually began to show a trace of fatigue. Spotting an opening, Rei swiftly slipped free of Seiji's assault. Knowing that the Hidden Mist Technique had lost its effect on Seiji, he dispersed the mist as well.

The thick fog slowly faded, revealing the two still facing off. Gonbei, Bi, and Genji looked at the devastated ground and scattered white bones exposed by the dispersing mist, and their expressions again filled with surprise. Seiji had given them far too many surprises today.

Seeing that Seiji had held out against an Elite Jonin for so long and had even forced his opponent to abandon the Hidden Mist Technique, Genji had roughly judged Seiji's current strength.

With the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, Seiji was stronger than an ordinary Jonin. He could most likely defeat one, though killing one might be somewhat difficult.

Against an Elite Jonin, he possessed a certain ability to protect himself, but he could not contend with one for long.

Moreover, as an old relic who had been around since the village's founding, Genji had personally witnessed the Dance of the Seedling Fern and had some understanding of it.

For Seiji to be able to unleash the Dance of the Seedling Fern at only nine years old, Genji could only say that he had never seen anyone with such astonishing talent.

My grandson Seiji has the makings of a Mizukage! Genji's long-silent heart gradually began to stir.